Trip to Israel

If you would like to see a blog about my 2008 trip to Israel - see www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com.

Is There a Spiritual Gift of Bible Study? - II

Let me add a parenthesis here. Some of you might be saying….”it is the teachers fault.” Believe me, I have thought this and blamed myself also. But deep in my heart I know that this is not true. I say, without pride or self-centeredness that I am a great teacher. I literally spend hour after hour preparing for a simple class. I present information, in not only a clear and concise manner, but in an interesting and often entertaining way.

Comment number one: I believe these women who do not read and study Scripture are all born again believers. I believe this with a my heart.

Comment number two: I believe there probably is a spiritual gift of Bible Study. I have it while others do not.

I do not have the gift of hospitality or decorating. I do not have the gift of music, nor of organization. I do not have the gift of mercy (just ask anyone who knows me very well.)
I do have the gift of teaching and, even if I could not teach I would be in the Word of God on a consistent basis. I believe that I have the spiritual gift of Bible Study.

Now for all those who do not have the spiritual gift of Bible Study – as with all gifts, just because we do not have the gift does not mean we cannot/should not operate our lives without that gift. Just because I do not have the gift of hospitality does not mean that I cannot open my home and be hospitable. Just because I do not have the gift of music does not mean that I do not worship God with music. Just because I do not have the gift of mercy does not mean that I do not visit the shut-ins.

Now the reverse is true. Can we get into trouble with our gifts? Can we use our gifts in such a way that does not give glory to God or edify the church? Absolutely. Someone with the gift of mercy or hospitality can become a doormat or be taken advantage of in such a way that would not glorify God. Someone with the gift of music could focus on all things musical and not get involved in any other activities of the church that would glorify God.

And I have to be careful. Just because I have the gift of Bible Study does not mean that I should be judgmental of those who do not have the gift. As Paul said, “desire all the gifts, but above all desire the gift of love” (a paraphrase.) Scripture indicates that all the gifts are good, and that we should desire the gifts. I should desire to me more merciful, more hospitable, more musical, and those who do not have the spiritual gift of Bible Study should desire that in their life.

So I believe that my pastor was probably right when he said there are more spiritual gifts than are listed in Scripture. I believe I have the spiritual gift of Bible Study.

I would love to know what you think – contact me at jpsant@netzero.net

Is There the Spiritual Gift of "Bible Study?" I

Several weeks ago I had a conversation with a pastor about the topic of spiritual gifts. He made a comment that did not come to my mind again until just recently. The pastor said, “I believe that there must be spiritual gifts that God gives us as believers, to continue His plan and program here on earth, that are not listed in Scripture.”

I thought about that comment this week as I examined my own life. I have been a Christian for 20 years. I was 42 years old when I was born again. My life changed immediately. God gave me the gift of teaching. Within a month of my conversion I was leading a ladies Bible Study, not because I wanted to lead, but I needed to be in a group study, and no one else would lead it. I have lead a Bible Study almost continually for the last 20 years (believe me, my knowledge and technique have greatly improved since that day in 1987.)

I know that God has given me the gift of teaching. It is supernatural – I love the research, the reading, the studying, but most of all I love leading women into the pages of Scripture. And, most supernaturally of all – I am good at it!

Upon self examination I also have come to the conclusion that there probably are spiritual gifts that we do not recognize as such. I believe that one of the gifts is the desire to be in God’s Word. The “gift” of Bible Study.

All gifts are to edify the church and to bring glory to God. For the person who loves to study the Bible (maybe not teach or preach the Bible) the study of Scripture does glorify God and build up the church.

Why would I say that Bible Study is a “spiritual gift?” A spiritual gift is a supernatural, special action, a special lifestyle – not all Christians have it. I believe that there must be a spiritual gift of “Bible Study.”

If we are Christians, love God, serve God, and are obedient, why is it that so many Christians are not in the Word of God on a regular basis? I say this not to be critical – on the contrary, I say this to explain why so many Christians do not study the Word.

I am no spiritual giant. I am just a woman who loves the Lord and loves to be in the study of the Word. Paul even said, he could not help but preach the word. I cannot help but be in the Word. It is a supernatural need. There must be a spiritual gift of “Bible Study.”

My days of criticizing women who do not study Scripture are over. I have come to this decision after years of being not only disappointed, but so very surprised, when it is brought to my attention that women have no interest in the Word of God. What do I base this on?

Over the 20 years that I have been a Christian I have been a member of seven churches, eleven pastors, and have taught numerous Bible Studies, and Sunday School classes. In those 20 years I have only found two “pockets” of women who have loved to study Scripture – women who were willing, and looked forward to, opening up the Bible during the week to seek out answers, and then to come back into the group and discussed what they had found. What a joy these ladies have brought into my life.

I have always had women who come to my Bible Study and Sunday School classes, but more often than not, they want to just show up and listen, not to go home and study for themselves.

My dear sweet ladies at Chilhoweehills Baptist Church in Knoxville TN, and the dear sweet ladies at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon CA are the two groups that gave me encouragement when I was discouraged by the level of commitment among women when it came to Bible Study. I believe that God blessed me during these two points in my life with women who also had the “spiritual gift of Bible Study.”

Thank You God for giving me these ladies as an encouragement.

(Coming next – Part II Spiritual Gift of Bible Study)

What Are the "Basics" ? (Part I)

As I sat down to write my next blog about basics, the thought came to me...what are the basics, and who says so? The basics are the foundation of our faith, and our daily walk in the world.

We often talk about "Biblical Basics." Usually we list them as Prayer, Worship, Bible Study, Church Life, Service, Giving, etc.... Who says so? Is there anything in Scripture that tells us what are the basics?

I began looking in Scripture for an answer to those questions. Are there any lists or portions of Scripture that specifically say... "These are the basics"? What I have found so far begins with the Ten Commandments...a general list of basics.

As the people left Egypt under the leadership of Moses they were becoming a nation. At Mount Sinai, God spoke to Moses and gave a list of 'do's and don'ts.' These may be the beginning of what we consider basics. The first section of the Ten Commandments speak of how man should approach God - as the focus of their lives, and with honor - and love. There is no specific mention of Worship, but it is there. Love and respect for God is the overriding theme.

The other portions of the Ten Commandments focus on the relationship between people. A summary statement might be...love and respect all people - or the old - do unto others as you do to yourself.

As basics, God instructs love, respect and worship of God, and also love and respect for other people.

That is a start.

My next blog will discuss what else I found - that might be considered a list.

Please contact me if you have other ideas about where the "basics" are listed in Scripture.

Why Study the Bible-It is Truth

Bible Basics – Why is the Bible Considered True (Given by God)*

1. The unity and completeness of the Bible. A “Scarlet Thread” runs through the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. It all points to Jesus.

2. The Bible has been and continues to be the world’s best selling book. It has lasted for centuries.

3. The Bible continues to impact day to day issues. News today is full of discussion about same-sex marriage, the posting of the Ten Commandments, prayer in school and at public gatherings etc… No other religious writing has this impact.

4. The Bible changes people by transforming the heart. It speaks of sin, forgiveness and salvation.

5. The Bible has inspired people from all walks of life and for those filled with the Holy Spirit is a wealth of guidance for daily life, today in 2008 as much as in past years i.e. 1608, 1708, 1808 etc…

6. The specific focus of its teachings evidence a Divine authorship. It is unlike any other teaching. It points our sin and evil, as well as goodness and grace.

7. The Bible says it is the Word of God (over 2,000 times.)

8. Science points to the fact that it is a divinely inspired book. Several verses mention that the earth is round (Job 26:7). Isaiah states, “He who sits above the circle of the earth.” Supernatural information given to men by a divine author.

9. Scripture says that it was given to men, dictated by God: 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:21, and Zech. 7:12.

All of these reasons, plus others, tells us that the Scripture is 'supernatural.' God has indeed given us this book and it is True.

*Taken From
Kennedy, D. James. What if the Bible Had Never Been Written? Thomas Nelson. 1998

Pink, Arthur W., The Divine inspiration of the Bible. Sovereign Grace Publication, Lafayette IN 2003

Willmington. H.L. Doctrine of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Pub. 1974.

Back to Basics III

Bible Basics
Why Study the Bible

Because it is the Word of God!! Also**


1.It helps settle us Eph 4:14
2.It will help save us from false teaching 1 Tim. 4:13-16
3.It will help us reflect God in our lives 2 Tim. 2:12
4.It will help us equip ourselves for the life God has planned for us 2 Tim 3:13-17.
5.We will understand the history of Israel 1 Cor. 10:1-5
6.We will understand the restoration of Israel Ro. 11:25
7.We will understand spiritual gifts 1 Cor. 12;1
8.We will understand the return of Christ 1 Thes. 4:13-17
9.We will understand the destruction of the earth 2 Pet.3:1,10

Also
10.Know about salvation and the God who gives us salvation.
11.Guidelines for our daily Christian living.


**Adapted from (If you have not ever read anything by Willmington - you are missing out!!)
Willmington, Harold L. Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists. Tyndale House. 1987.

Back to Basics II

Bible Study is a Do-It-Yourself Project

Do-it-yourself!

Yes, we get together for Bible Study, and for hearing messages from Scripture spoken to us by our leaders, but in many ways Bible Study is a Do-It-Yourself project. The average Christian spends an insignificant amount of time actually studying Scripture (in comparison to time spent watching TV, participating in sports events, etc…). I said in my last blog, most people who attend a Bible Study show up to listen, with very little in-depth study being done at home by themselves.

Bible study is just that – study, and is not for ‘sissies.’ Bible study is hard work and is a do-it-yourself activity!

Many will say that they are not smart enough to understand Scripture, but take no initiative to find out how to study Scripture. Those feeling are old holdovers taught to us centuries ago by Church Fathers – that only they were able to read and understand Scripture. You can do-it-yourself.

God has given us His Word to read. Men and women have died to protect the Word. God arranged for hand written scrolls to be found in the caves at Quamran in Israel so that we can know for sure that what we are reading is authentic. The invention of the printing press assures that believes can each have a copy. Yet most of us sitting in pews every week don’t consider studying the words of God important. When we do open the pages it is just casual reading – not study. Call it what it is for most of us “Bible Reading” not “Bible Study.”

At three different churches I have surveyed thirty senior adult women who have been ‘life-long’ Christians, and asked them to fill out a questionnaire that asks: how long have your been a Christian, do you consider yourselves ‘baby’ or ‘mature’ Christians, and, how many times have you read the entire Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. The results are disappointing; most are in their 60-70’s and have been Christians since childhood. The majority still consider themselves “babies” in the faith, and only one or two (of 30) answer that they have read the entire Bible. (My guess is that men will answer the same way.)

Another thing - Bible Study is not….

Bible Study is not reading your ‘daily devotional.’ Spending five minutes a day reading one verse, and then reading comments by someone else is not study. Reading devotionals is just reading what someone else thinks about one or two verses. These devotional studies are wonderful for encouragement and to elicit some introspection about the daily life of the reader, but it is not Bible Study.

I have several daily devotionals that I read: Upper Room, Daily Bread, Billy Graham and Joyce Meyer…but these are not Bible Studies! Read Scripture - do-it-yourself, don’t read someone else’s comments.

But honestly – why bother reading Scripture? Most Christians really don’t. I want to help women study the Scripture, and teach women that they can, and should, do-it-themselves.

My next few blogs will be about “why” study Scripture.

Travel to Study the Bible

Something to Think About:

Just this week an economic genius on a major news program predicted that if the cost of jet fuel continues to rise, that within a few years, overseas travel by plane will be cost prohibitive for the average person. My grandparents came to this country in 1904 by ship. Trans-global travel by ship may make again become common.

How does this affect you? If you have dreamed about travel to the Holy Land, but for a variety of reasons have postponed it, don’t put it off! If that economic genius is correct, in a few years the average person may not be able to travel to Israel. I usually advise my senior adult friends to make that trip to Israel soon –before their health gives out – now my speech will be different: travel while you can still afford it!!

I will be traveling to Israel in September with a group of 40. I will get the blessing of teaching in the evenings. My theme will be the women from the sites that we will visit. Let me know if you are interested to go along. jpsant@netzero.net