Back in the 1940’s when Mary and I were young, our mom, a Christian, would love to have studied the Bible with other women, but this kind of organization didn’t exist apart from adult Sunday school classes. These days, women have a plethora of weekday Bible studies from which to choose. Beginning in the 1950’s, organizations like Bible Study Fellowship and InterVarsity began springing up in response to women’s growing thirst for more of God’s Word.
I remember well the first of these Bible studies I attended. It was 1978, and though it didn’t meet at my church, the point was simply to dig into God’s Word together (several hundred of us) without worrying about different denominations. Mom lived directly across the street from that church and invited Mary and I to sign up for the study, offering to care for our babies while we attended.
Those several years were the beginning of “habitual” Bible study for Mary and me. By that I mean we learned so much, we couldn’t wait to begin each next session and dove into our weekly homework with gusto. After we’d been through all the lessons offered by that group, we moved to another one and studied further, making good friends along the way.
Fast-forward to yesterday. Mary experienced something she described as “so wonderful I could hardly stand it!” She had the deep satisfaction of returning to a Bible study group she’d been part of for 25 years, though not the last two.
This particular branch of Community Bible Study has over 300 weekly attendees, and Mary began attending in the 1980’s. After being a small group leader for several years, she took a position as a senior leader, leading the leaders. It was that special group she visited yesterday, 30-some women who know Mary well and who’ve prayed without ceasing since her cancer diagnosis.
As Mary said, “Bible study is always meaningful, but when you do it with other women for years on end, you bond like family. Being with them again was thrilling!”
In the presence of these “family members” yesterday, she said she looked from face to face and just drank them in, grateful for each one. “Anyone can study the Bible,” she said, “but hearing what other women are learning, and spending time praying with them causes deep friendships to develop. A group Bible study is far more than just studying.”
Yesterday the women prayed with Mary, and as she left 30 minutes later to keep her next commitment, she told me she “couldn’t contain her joy and in the car spoke to God out loud,” thanking him for all the years with these dear friends, and the great bonus of 30 minutes yesterday.
Surely it pleases God any time we huddle over his Word, and he rewards us with knowledge and understanding. But when we study with others, his extra gift is the rich fellowship that results.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man [or woman] sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Praising and Praying with Mary
- Praise for women friendships and today’s current Bible study
- Praise for time with family tonight
- Pray for her to be Spirit-led through this busy week
Mary,
I’m so sorry I missed seeing you yesterday but I think I did! It didn’t register that you would really be there!
So nice to read Margaret’s note about your Bible study experiences!
I think of your special contributions as Senior Leader and the wisdom you would share about your family and life journey with The Lord.
I’m so sorry I didn’t have a chance to speak with you!!!
Blessings as you continue your journey.
Beth
I remember how much I received from BSF – I am convinced it has one of the best programs for children anywhere. I appreciate that it isn’t just baby-sitting.
Thank you, Margaret, for this post that resonates so deeply within me on several levels. Mary’s energetic entrance into our leaders’ meeting at first seemed so very normal, for she had done it for years. Then we all jumped up with happy hugs and big smiles. Mary, we love you and it was so very wonderful to see you! I continue to pray for the Lord to strengthen, protect, and encourage you as He walks with you through your uocoming treatments. We walk and pray with you too! Much, much love, Judy
I got teary reading this post. I’m so grateful that Mary had such a wonderful day with some of the women who have faithfully held her up in prayer!! mimihugs
Hi Margaret-
The posts you write about Mary are so thought provoking- in illness Mary continues to mentor even cyber world as you share her wisdom with us. Your post today about Mary’s Bible study community reminded me of a huge revelation this past year.
I was stunned in one of my master’s classes to realize the “you” in do “you” not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinth. 3:16, is just one place we westerners interpret the Bible with that rugged individualism. And so we apply it, and rightly so, by saying we shouldn’t drink, smoke, should exercise, etc… in an effort to take care of our temple.
But the bigger point- the “you” is plural, and Paul was writing to the body of believers collectively- we are the temple. The Navigator’s taught me well that fellowship is one spoke of the discipleship wheel, but I never really got it like I’m getting it now. We are meant to do this whole Christian life in intentional community. We proclaim Him in community as that holy nation, as a world looks on and watches us love, forgive, bear, forbear (theoretically). Anyways, Mary’s comments about Bible study reminded me of this gift from God.
Continuing to pray and grateful for direction at the bottom of your posts.
Love,
Terry
How I wish I was with you all and see Mary besides.. That was a gift. I remember all of you in prayer esp. on Tuesday and Mary. She is everyones dear friend. I hope to visit next year.
You are doing “return” and my “metro” class just finished that so I guess I’ll keep going there- Love you all, Nancy