Do you realize how blessed we are to have the written Word of God? I know you probably do, but it is easy to take it for granted. To be able to study God’s Word almost whenever we want makes spiritual growth very attainable. In fact, with such easy access to the Word of God, we do not have any excuse for not growing in Christ. Remember, faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). All we have to do is make the time to study it, and our faith will increase.

Studying is more than just beneficial to us, it is a form of worship, especially when we purposely assemble with other saints to do it. In Colossians 3:16, a passage speaking about worship, Paul emphasized the teaching of the Word.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

This is what we do when we assemble for Bible Study. While the teacher, obviously, does the primary teaching, others in the class make comments as well; thus, there is a teaching of one another. And, even when no else makes comments, we are still gathered together in the name of the Lord, that is, by His authority, acknowledging the greatness of God and the power of His Word, giving Him honor. It is the specific purpose of our Bible classes to build each other up and help us draw nearer to God. The first century church did this regularly.

Acts 2:42 (ESV)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

This is a reference to worship. While the devotion to the apostles’ teaching would include living according to the truth that they learned, it would also include the teaching of and learning from their doctrine, something they did when they came together to worship God. We see the brethren at Troas studying together at the time that they partook of the Lord’s Supper.

Acts 20:7 (ESV)
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

In their first day of the week assembling, a time when brethren gathered to worship God, Paul preached to them. In all of these passages, God is glorified by saints acknowledging His Word and the power and authority of it. Paul expressed his thankfulness to the brethren at Thessalonica for accepting His teaching as the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

While we worship God together when we assemble to study His Word, we can and should worship God in private Bible studies as well. Just like in our assembling together with one another, whenever we study the Bible at home, we are worshipping God by giving Him and His Word recognition. You should do so reverently and prayerfully.

What a joy it is to be able to worship God by the acknowledgment and study of His inspired Word. Take advantage of all the assemblings of your local church. Look forward, with great delight, to the opportunities you have to worship God by the study of His Word, both collectively and privately. You will grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord as a result (2 Peter 3:18).

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.