I'm starting to prepare to teach a new Bible study in the fall. I went to Mardel's (Christian bookstore) and picked up several studies, brought them home, thumbed through them, and chose one titled A Woman of Beauty: A Woman's Journey Through I, II, & III John by Dee Brestin. I figured that since I taught all the books of the Bible named after women last spring, I should start on the books named after men - and what better way to start than three in one study! :>)All kidding aside, I wanted to work through the complete 10-week study over the summer in preparation for the fall class. I added it to my weekly to-do list and completed the first lesson and a half in the first week. I thought to myself, "I'm really not getting much out of this study. I wonder if I chose the wrong one. I've completed one and a half lessons and haven't learned anything. I feel like I'm just checking it off my to-do list." Ahh, that thought stopped me in my tracks. Was I simply working through the study to check it off my to-do list? Could that be why I didn't feel I was learning anything along the way?
I sat back down and took some time in prayer before opening the study book. I worked through lesson one again and was amazed at the insights I gained. Wow, this study is going to be fabulous for our ladies' groups this fall. I can hardly wait to get started in early September! And I know exactly what I'm going to say in our introduction lesson - don't work the lessons just to check them off your to-do list, rather allow the Lord to reveal the truth of His scriptures during your time of study.
Anyone else ever rush through something just to get it off your to-do list, then realize you didn't gain what you thought you would from it? Please tell me it's not just me!
(And don't forget to leave a comment on this post to be in the draw for my scrapbooking office supplies giveaway.) THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED
A while back my hubby and I did a Bible in 90 days study. And at times I definitely felt that I was just churning through pages - but the weekly sit down time led by our Pastor always seemed to pull out threads that we hadn't realized were there. His enthusiasm would charge us up for the next week, letting us know that it was okay to just read through God's word and that we would always take more away from it than we thought, even it if wasn't right away. I hope that doesn't sound like I'm pressuring you as leader - start with prayer and you'll be fine. Our church is going to do the New Testament in 60 days this fall - and we're looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone, Melissa, I think any time we focus on doing something because it's on our to do list and needs to be marked off we take the focus off the actual thing we are doing.
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit it but I've done this many times. My focus is on everything but the task at hand. That's great that you noticed this and took time to refocus and get all you can from this book.
ReplyDelete