A group of us at Blake’s Chapel Advent Christian Church have been meeting every week for the past few months. Once a collection of fellow believers, we’ve become very close friends. We share each other’s dreams, fears, weaknesses and shortcomings. We know we’ll always be close friends because we know so much private information about each other that we dare not betray a confidence!

Truthfully, there’s nothing like knowing you can share your burdens and divide your sorrows among people who care. I know I can pick up the phone any time of day, (or night), and get encouragement and/or empathy from these friends. As the church is our spiritual extended family, our Bible study group is our spiritual nuclear family.

Yes, I said our Bible study group. None of you are experts in the Bible, but together our understanding of the word is multiplied. Remember what Christ assured us: "…that when two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them", (Matt. 18: 20).

Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, wisdom is provided to solve the problems and issues we, on our own power, find insurmountable, (Isa. 11: 2, Acts 6: 6, 7, 10). After all, the Holy Spirit is known as the Comforter, (Act 9: 31). He teaches us, (1Cor 12: 13), dwells with the saints, (John 14: 17), and helps us deal with our infirmities, (Rom. 8: 26).

We have, over the months, not only increased our familiarity with the Bible and many of the messages the inspired writers recorded for us, but we have become more relaxed. The relationship between the Old and New Testaments is clearer now, and we no longer feel uncomfortable discussing, questioning and seeing how we can, practically, on a daily basis apply Christ’s teachings to our lives more each day.

From past experience, I have found that Bible study groups can be self-perpetuating. We know we should be in God’s word daily, but our schedules and responsibilities often limit our time in the study of the word. What we have found is that making a Bible study a priority, it not only satisfies a spiritual hunger, but it can actually be addictive. Yes addictive! A welcomed addiction!

Please feel free to contact Pastor Dowd (910-264-8148) or Pastor Russell (910-270 - 0346) to learn more about the studies that are being offered and when and where the groups meet. I’m sure you will be glad you did!