I was 16 when I finally learned to ride a bike. Yes, you read that right. I could drive a car before I could ride a bicycle.
Magnolia Avenue, where we lived, was often used as a shortcut between Derenne and Skidaway, two high-traffic streets, and my father was concerned about reckless drivers who tended to speed through the area. But at Chris’ house, where I would often spend time with our other friends, Jason and David, there wasn’t nearly as much traffic. So, one day, they decided I needed to learn.
I caught on pretty quick. I hopped on an extra bike in Chris’ garage and was halfway down the street like I’d been doing it my entire life. At the halfway point, though, I realized I had not yet learned one crucial element: stopping.
Long story short, I had to replace Mr. Rutherford’s mailbox. To be honest, I almost quit right then and there. I already felt incredibly behind what all my friends were able to do and the places they were able to go. But Chris, Jason, and David wouldn’t have it. I was going to learn to ride a bike. So I got back on and started pedaling back toward Chris’. Suffice it to say that Mr. Rutherford’s mailbox was not the only one that took a beating that day. But I stuck with it, and I learned.
Each of us has unique examples, but there are also common denominators to each of our experiences. We wanted to learn how to do something. We didn’t get it perfect the first time (or the second… or the 15th…). We tried, we didn’t quite get it, and we tried again. We kept learning, working, and striving until we achieved our goal and gained the ability to perform that particular task.
I would offer that Bible Study – reading, understanding, memorizing, teaching… grasping God’s Word – is the same. We’re not going to get it overnight. It takes time and investment. It is an ongoing effort. And worth every moment you will pour into it.
So, if you’re brand new to Bible Study or just interested in knowing more… if you’ve just begun a relationship with Christ, or you’ve been walking with Him for years… if you’re just
interested in a more fruitful devotional life, or if you sense God calling you to teach at some level… I want to invite you to join us as we begin a new journey this summer, learning better how to study God’s Word.
Who knows—maybe it’ll be like riding a bike (without Mr. Rutherford’s mailbox)!