The pastor asked me if I wanted to lead a short-term Bible study: choose a time, choose a topic.

Yes!

I have a passion for Bible study. I love worship, but worship’s never enough. I need something nourishing between Sundays.

I’ve done video studies. I’ve done Zoom studies. I’ve done book studies. I’ve done Bible studies with 50 people in the room, and with three of us in a room.  I’ve done a Bible study in lawn chairs.

Could we do a lawn chair study in the fall? A sunset study? Wouldn’t it be powerful to be sitting in a circle on the lawn, looking for insight into God as He’s pouring one of His unique creations across the sky?

I love prayer, and exploring prayer. Hannah’s prayer. Nehemiah’s prayer. Paul’s prayers.

I love scriptural studies, and have most enjoyed journeys through the book of James, the letters to Timothy and the parables of Jesus. Could I make the Prodigal Son compelling over six weeks? I think Nehemiah merits more attention. Could I share Nehemiah?

I have been moved by topical studies on racism and LBCTQ+ topics and mental illness. Each of those topics needs continued explorations.

Choose a topic.

I asked a good friend for help, and she provided wonderful insights.

I asked a young adult friend who has been involved in campus worship activities. I want something contemporary, something fresh.

I went to the book store and looked for options on the front tables, full of topical books, and the Christian shelves.

I went online, of course, and order a leader’s guide to a study on Biblical insights into mental health.  It was on sale. I’m not sure if it’s for now, but it is something we need to explore soon.

I immersed myself in possibilities.

I went to the church on Sunday morning, to water flowers and take care of some youth group and Sunday school chores. There was, of course, no worship. Nobody in the building. I like to pray when I’m alone in the building, in the sanctuary, or in the chapel.

Oh.  Prayer.

Choose a topic. For three days I’d been exploring possibilities, and the only prayer I brought to the process was a prayer of thanks immediately after the pastor made her offer.

I never asked for God’s help with this challenge; I never really asked for His Light into this opportunity. If you had been offered this opportunity, I would have prayed for you. It is instinctive for me to pray for other people.

I thought I could do this myself. Thank you for this opportunity, Lord, now please excuse me, I’ve got work to do.  The Pastor’s chosen me, and I need to make a plan. This is important to me.

I’m the one who wrote prayer towers into our VBS script earlier this month. The children built towers from blocks each night, and one of the blocks was the “Show me” block. Show me where you need me, Lord. Show me where I can help.

I went to the chapel, knelt and prayed into the challenge.  Show me, Lord.  Hannah went alone to the church to pray. Nehemiah’s story begins with him prayer alone in his room. Paul often begins a letter with prayer, or reference to prayer.  

I listened to sermons from two pastors later in the day. The first reminded us that prayer is “our first line of defense” for everything, especially stress and anxiety. The second mentioned the patriarchs in Genesis wrestling, over generations, to learn that “the wise man puts God first.”

I’m still praying into possibility, listening for an answer. But it feels like an exploration of prayer would be helpful. Show me, Lord.

(Photo by Bill Utterback)