Have you ever attended a Bible study feeling unprepared? Have you skipped out because you were not able to get everything read? How about those Bible study groups where you just quit showing up because the workbook was never cracked open or a big life crisis reared its ugly head? Or maybe you had to miss one, so you used this as an excuse to miss the rest. “Sorry, I’m Busy!” (This is probably only the beginning to the ones I have used over the years!)
Whatever the case, let’s be honest, the enemy wants you to NOT participate! Did you hear me? He doesn’t even want you thinking about it nor remembering you were even a part of a Bible study. Why else would you have all these outs or excuses?
If you want to be very intentional about seeking the LORD, there will be roadblocks. AND, some good wisdom must be coming from the discussions in your Bible study group or the enemy would not try so hard to keep you from attending. God is there and He desires for you to be there too!
Relax-we all have excuses & outs. However, we must address the source. SO, when you feel behind or less of a participant STOP YOURSELF and claim these five truths over your situation:
- God loves me PERIOD!
- God sees my efforts when I just show up to class
- My pace of learning and reading is my own
- Every step I take in seeking the LORD is valuable
- The LORD is always with me regardless of where I find myself in the progression of a Bible study
Then take ownership of you:
- Keep showing up to class
- Read at your pace
- Ask God to help you stay committed & moving forward in His Word
Remember, those excuses and roadblocks are not from God.
If you are in a Bible study currently or beginning one, pray! Pray for focused, intentional time. Ask the LORD to clear your calendar for those meeting times (even if you didn’t finish the weekly work or readings). Pray for a hedge of protection over your entire participation in the study. If you can, call someone else in the study group and ask them to be your accountability partner. Prepare ahead of time for the obstacles because they will come!
Then-commit. Pray for the leaders of your Bible study. Make an action plan and get started. Remember, you can succeed, and you are never behind if you are showing up and making small steps every day by staying in His Word and building relationship with HIM!
Change it & Claim it-
“OH YES! I have Bible study tonight. I cannot wait for the wisdom God will reveal.”
Refining [Spiritual Growth] 
Good article, Genna! Hope your study goes well. For the “busy” part…lol…a wedding at Botanical Gardens tonight, followed by a week of VBS in Happy riding the Gospel Chariot with afternoon activities planned for all the cousins arriving for VBS…PPHM, snowcones, swimming at WTAMU, Rock n Roll Soda shop, going to see goats and spit watermelon seeds for the chickens at my cousin’s house, etc. Hope we all survive AND that they all learn to love the Lord and know him a bit better! Roll the Gospel Chariot along… (cotton trailer pulled by a tractor)…only in Happy, TX where the tradition has continued since I was a senior in high school…over 50 years! So…back to work…setting up cots for 3 grandkids tonight and hoping Briley will decide to join us, but it’s doubtful!
Janet Crossland Sent from my iPhone
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Great, great advice. Keep going because life as a Christian is journey not a race
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Amen my friend! Embrace the journey.
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Yes, this sounds like me. I often find myself getting overwhelmed if I can’t complete the pre-prep before the Bible Study. However, I feel anxious at the time but do show up even if I’m not prepared because I get caught up and am fueled by the fellowship. Thank you for sharing.
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