Together in God’s Word

One of the things I love about Goshen is our Sunday School minis­try.  Are you involved?  Every week we gather at 10:00 a.m. in an array of groups to connect with one another and explore the Word of God.

Certain kinds of vital spiritual experiences take place in the larger worship gatherings—for sure.  And other kinds of vital heart work happen as you, personally and regularly, open the Bible and spend time with God in prayer—indeed.  But a mid-size to smaller setting is also vital for the spiritual health of every follower of Jesus.

How urgent is it for you to get with other believers in an interactive, give-and-take setting?  The lack of such mutual care and support paves the way to spiritual isolation, dismay, and (eventually) ruin.

Consider:  Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).  Let us con­sider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (10:24-25).  “One another”—we all need regular, reciprocal soul support as part of our church life.  It’s how we steer clear of catastrophic spiritual hardening.

Right now our six adult classes are delving into:  Gospel of Matthew, Letter to the Galatians, Discipling and Equipping, Gospel of Mark, Names of God, and Gospel of Luke.  And you’re invited—come join us!  (See goshenbaptist.org for details.)  What’s more, our children’s and youth classes use the Gospel Project—a terrific “chrono­logical, Christ-centered Bible study for Kids, Students, and Adults that examines how all Scripture gives testimony to Jesus Christ.”

I know—it’s easy to breeze in and out of our worship services and be on your way.  But “easy” is the path to a boring Bible and shallow relationships.  Spiritual health and joy come as you humbly open your heart to brothers and sisters in Christ:  to love and be loved; to learn and question and reflect and teach and grow… together.  Picture the quality of church body life Jesus envisions; he prays that we would “all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21)!