Parents, Covid, And Bible Study

by Micky Galloway

Ecclesiastes 7:14, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything (that shall be) after him.”

During these times of Covid it is necessary to take precautions. However, many are concerned about their children and their education. Some have expressed that “virtual” learning has its failures that will extend into the job market for many years. With such secular concerns, we often neglect to consider the importance of Bible classes for ourselves and our children. We have developed a “Sunday morning worship only” mentality that Covid has worsened. This becomes obvious when we fail to attend classes at all, attend occasionally, or come unprepared.

I remember when my mother and Daddy obeyed the gospel. I did not understand the significance of what they were doing, but I did hear them discussing how they wanted their boys to grow up. You see, my dad was born in 1901. He did not go to high school. (In those days boys had to stay home to work on the 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.

We are commanded to study the Bible. II Timothy 2:15 says, “Give diligence (study KJV) to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.” Preparation for, and participation in, a Bible class gives us the opportunity to do this. 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). Study diligently to change our lives that we might be “a people for God’s own possession that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (I Peter 2:9). Bible classes help us learn how to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and to “live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12).

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 grow. 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 (cf. Hebrews 5:11ff). We all need to feed our souls and build our faith 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” (II Peter 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” (II Peter 2:20). 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 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). We better know what the Bible says.

Why should YOU attend Bible classes? 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 (Ephesians 6:1). Do our children see us prepare for such studies? Parents, show your children what is important. 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. Are we willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to consistently provide for their spiritual education? We neglect attendance; we do not make sure our children are prepared with lessons completed and Bible in hand. Brethren, something is wrong with that and the Lord’s church is weakened! Covid is taking a tremendous toll that will affect the church for generations into the future! Indeed, “in the day of adversity consider”!

I thank God that my Daddy obeyed the gospel and had the vision and wisdom to take his family to Bible classes.