Searching the Scriptures, reading and studying the Bible, and personally digging into God’s Word is a natural response among those who have heard the good news of Jesus and want to know more. Even those Christians in Berea, who had the benefit of personal instruction and preaching of the apostle Paul himself, responded to his instruction by looking to the Scriptures with great eagerness. “[The Bereans] received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day” (Acts 17:11).

Certainly we grow in the grace and knowledge of God as his Word is preached and proclaimed in our worship. There, through the reading of Scripture and sermon, God’s Word is spoken, God’s people listen, and the Spirit works. But another important means to grow in our knowledge of what God has said and done is in our congregations’ Bible classes. The time gathered around the Word with fellow Christians beyond the worship service can greatly influence the spiritual life and health of individual believers and entire congregations.

Bible class, of course, can take many different forms. Most familiar is the class on Sunday morning before or after worship services. Some congregations offer midweek Bible classes at church or conduct more informal Bible studies in a variety of settings away from the church building. Regardless of where, when, and how it takes place, as God’s people gather around his Word, he keeps his promise to help them grow stronger in their faith, grow deeper in their knowledge, and to be better equipped to live as Christian disciples and witnesses.

Bible classes also offer a rich variety of study opportunities. Perhaps a class is an in-depth study of the book of Revelation or Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It may center on a series of Bible events such as the mission journeys of Paul or God’s formation of his chosen nation of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. A Bible class may involve a detailed examination of important biblical doctrines such as justification by faith, the work of the Holy Spirit, or various teachings summarized by one of the Lutheran Confessions. And there are the opportunities to study timely topics that apply to everyday situations faced by Christians as they live their faith in today’s world.

It’s interesting to note that the percentage of WELS adults involved in organized Bible study has tripled since 1968. At that time, just over 4 percent of our members attended some type of Bible class; today the percentage is 12 percent. That increase is certainly an encouraging development. On the other hand, 12 percent is a number that offers a lot of opportunity for growth and improvement.