Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #1 — What Are Group Studies?

Picture: Counsel #1 — What Are Group Studies? CCL 72.1

Our minds are our most valuable resource. We can learn, memorize, and experience a lot as individuals, but group studies are awesome because they let us bring together different backgrounds, perspectives, and knowledge to understand things better. Group studies can happen at home, like a Bible study, or at church, like a Sabbath School class or a study group for new believers.^[97] We can even read and discuss a book with others to learn and grow together. In the New Testament, the Bereans checked the Scriptures daily to ensure what they learned was true. Study groups are just like that, giving us a chance to learn from others and find out what’s true. CCL 72.2

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 NKJV CCL 72.3

“Let little companies meet together to study the Scriptures. You will lose nothing by this, but will gain much. Angels of God will be in your gathering, and as you feed upon the Bread of Life, you will receive spiritual sinew and muscle. You will be feeding, as it were, upon the leaves of the tree of life.” Ellen White in Pastoral Ministry, p. 274.1 CCL 72.4

Reflect: When and where have you learned the most in your life? CCL 72.5