Parents - Bring Your Children To Bible Classes

by Micky Galloway

Many fail to see the importance of Bible classes. We have developed a “Sunday morning worship only” mentality. This becomes obvious when we fail to attend classes, attend occasionally, or come unprepared. Some do not bring their lesson book or even a Bible.

I remember when my Mother and Daddy obeyed the gospel. I did not understand the significance of what they were doing, but I did understand one thing. I overheard them discussing how they wanted their boys to grow up. You see, my Dad was born in 1901. He didn’t get to finish school. (In those days boys had to stay home to farm.) He was sixty years old when he obeyed the gospel. With his lack of “formal” education and lack of Bible knowledge he did not attend Bible classes fearing he would be asked a question. Eventually, we came a little early for worship. My Mother attended the last part of the adult class, and my brother and I attended some of the children’s Bible class. My Dad would bring us for classes and he would go to a local coffee shop and wait until it was time for worship. Finally, we all came to Bible classes together. It was a grand occasion when I came up from the basement of the church building to see my Daddy coming out of the classroom where the men had been studying the Bible. He learned much and taught our family the importance of Bible classes. Why should you attend Bible classes?

We are commanded to study the Bible. II Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV). Preparation for and participation in a Bible class gives us the opportunity to do this. The relevance is seen repeatedly in Old Testament history. God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” “The people that doth not understand shall be overthrown” (Hosea 4:6, 14).

Bible classes present us with the opportunity to see ourselves as God sees us. As we are studying God’s word we are to examine ourselves (cf. II Corinthians 13:9). The Bible is the true mirror for our souls. “For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But he that looketh into the perfect law, the (law) of liberty, and (so) continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing” (James 1:23-25). Christians are to be a changed people, “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). We must “put away … your former manner of life … and be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:22). Let us study to see where we need to change that we might be “a people for God’s own possession …” showing “forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (I Peter 2:9). Bible classes are not just an academic exercise, but are to help us learn the changes we need to make, to learn how to live.

Bible classes help us learn how to defend the truth. Peter said, “but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: (being) ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15-16). Why do you do what you do? If we do not know, it will not be long until we change our practice! Peter writes his second epistle to “put you in remembrance,” “to stir you up by putting you in remembrance,” that “ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance” (II Peter 1:12ff). Paul admonished the Thessalonians, “hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours” (II Thessalonians 2:15). Bible classes help us to learn how to answer error and defend the truth.

Bible classes feed our souls and build our faith. We must “as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation” (I Peter 2:2). Some need milk, others need meat (Hebrews 5:11ff). We must get rid of those things that hinder our growth, and cultivate those things that will help us or we will die. The apostle Peter further said, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (1:2 KJV). “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first” (2:20). Beloved brethren, God will not dump our idle heads full of facts! Spiritual growth comes by diligent and consistent Bible study. It is a lifetime of learning. Paul commended the Ephesian elders to God, “and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Bible classes are designed to help us grow.

Bible classes help us prepare for the judgment. Jesus clearly taught, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). God’s vengeance will be upon those “that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (II Thessalonians 1:8). “God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16). Bible classes help us know the standard of judgment. We better know what it says.

Why should you attend Bible classes? Parents, your children will be judged by the same gospel you will be judged by. They need to know what it says. Parents, your attitude toward Bible classes will be reflected in your children. Children may not see the need to regularly attend Bible classes, but parents, you must teach them. Where are your priorities? Do our children see us prepare for such studies? Parents, show your children what is important. We would be willing to sacrifice our lives in a moment for our children. We will do without to provide our children with the necessities of a secular education. We see the need for consistency for them to succeed in these things. But we are content to neglect Bible classes. We are not consistent in attendance, we do not make sure our children are prepared with lessons completed. Quite often, they do not even bring a Bible. Brethren, something is wrong with that and the Lord’s church is weakened because of that! Are we willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to consistently provide for their spiritual education? Bring them to Bible classes!

I thank God that my Daddy, though late in life, and lacking in “formal” education, obeyed the gospel and had the vision and wisdom to take his family to Bible classes.