The scriptures teach that Gods children were chosen before the foundation of the world and not one will be lost eternally, so instructing someone for the purpose of preparing or saving him for heaven is not required. Thus the preacher, Bible study groups or any one else is wasting their time in trying to do so.

 Occasionally, you hear of some Old Baptists who feels like Bible study groups would be beneficial.  The motives for this differ, I suppose. I feel like some think our children would not be lost to the world. Others think our numbers would be increased by generating more interest in the Scriptures. And others have a genuine desire to learn more of the Scriptures and think that Bible study groups would do this for them.

 Let me remind you that an individual can study all he wants (in private or in a group), but unless the Lord blesses him to see, he will not understand or reap a blessing. Whatever the reasons for wanting Bible study groups, it is an ideal that I can't find is supported by the Scriptures, and has not been practiced by the Primitive Baptists.

 I do want to strongly affirm that we should be a studying people. We each have a responsibility to study the Scriptures and to teach as the Lord has revealed in his Word. Timothy was admonished to Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (I Tim. 4:13). And we are told that the Scriptures are for our learning. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4).

 The Colossians were exhorted to teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16). And possibly the most teaching is done by our walk. The point I want to make is that the Scriptures teach us that we all are to study and to teach, doing so in the proper place and according to the will of God.

 The place for sisters to teach is not in public worship service or in a public manner. Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law (I Cor. 14:34,35). If this scripture was followed, there would be a lot less Sunday School teachers. Someone may say, What about Priscilla in the Book of Acts (18;26). Whom (Apollos) when Aquilla and Pricilla had heard, they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. But notice the situation. Their teaching was in a private manner and certainly was no organized meeting. They took him unto them and expounded. He wasnt invited to Bible study. Why? Because they had none. He must have been invited  to church, though, because later the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him (Acts 18:27).

 Women are instructed to be teachers, though and they are told who to teach and what to teach. That they (aged women) may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to  love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to their own husbands (Titus 2:4,5); The younger women as mothers should guide the house (I Tim 5:14) teaching the children what is expected of them. Guiding the day to day activities of the house while her husband is laboring to support the family. It is difficult to guide the house while on the job and with the kids in a nursery.

 Husbands are to be teachers at home also. Fathers are instructed to Bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Wives are to learn something from their husbands at home also. And if they (wives) will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church ( I Cor 14:35). Certainly, this is not teaching that everything the wife learns is to be taught at home by her husband, because wives are instructed to study and assemble together just as everyone else. But it does teach that the husband has a responsibility as a husband to teach something at home.

 Children have their place too. Children are to be obedient to their parents (Eph 6:1,2), and in so doing are pleasing God and preparing themselves to be good parents later in life, when they may teach their own children. And we all are instructed by the childs example. In malice be ye children. A child teaches by the way he walks also. Even a child is known by this doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right (Prov. 20:11). 

In regard to studying and preparing for public worship, we should all study the Scriptures and this is to be in a private manner. I find no command or example for us to come together for the purpose of Bible study. We should ask God for wisdom to understand and apply the knowledge we have gained by our study. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5). Then we are to assemble ourselves together for public worship. Before we meet, we should be in prayer and encourage each other as meeting day approaches not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more as we see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25). Once assembled singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16), then hear form the preaching gifts God put in the church.

 In regard to public worship and teaching, God has supplied the church with all things necessary for our  services. Hath in due times manifested his Word through preaching (Titus 1:3). God supplied the gifts to men of his choosing. He Gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:8). God told exactly where they were to exercise and labor with those gifts. And God set some in the church, first Apostles, secondly, prophets, thirdly, teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (I Cor. 12:28). God told what they were set in the church for. and he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11).

 Singing, praying, and preaching are the things God has put in the church for our public worship services. God instituted the ordinances of baptism, and the Lords Supper, and gave the example of feet washing that we should follow. There is no mention of auxiliary meetings, social functions, or other inventions of men, but just a simple worship service. Any time we promote any departure from the Scriptures, we have rebelled against God and can expect his displeasure. Furthermore, the church is admonished to note anyone who obeys not the Scriptures. And if any man obey not the word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother (II Thess. 3:14).

 Maybe, the reason our crowds are small is because of our disobedience. If we will break up our fallow ground by studying, praying and seeking God we can expect to see the church added to, such as should be added and the Lord will bless us on meeting day. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up you fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you (Hosea 10:12).

 I am afraid we are being influenced by the world more than we are influencing those around us. We expect the schools, nurseries, television, and preachers to teach our children the things God has said is our responsibility. Some would borrow things form the world to increase their numbers. But where does that road lead? If it is something that cannot be supported by the scriptures, then it is away from God.  Claude Mckee September 1985