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Explain how Bible study, fellowship, and prayer can be called different forms of spiritual communication.
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Bible Study can be part of a group setting, working together and learning the Word. But in my case, I have no one to really do this type of study, so my study is more of a personal thing between me and my Lord. Every day I drive my truck, I take time for study, reflection, and prayer. This time of communication is of the written word, the final revelation of God, the Holy Bible.
Fellowship requires that I am present within a body of believers, of at least two other people, as Jesus said, “Where two or more are gathered, I will be there”. God wants us to be a part of the physical body of Believers, not simply go to church to do our duty. In my case, since I cannot attend church, I have a few like-minded people I will speak to about the Lord and other related topics. I make sure each day that I am keeping myself in tune with God and doing his will. This communication can be corporate or more personal, but in my experience, when making attempts to further communication outside the church, I was unsuccessful, and I do not know why.
Prayer is a personal thing I perform every day, and I use the Lord’s Prayer to convey my weakness and willingness to want to know more. As I am not really part of a physical body of believers, I pray for family, friends, people I will meet, my work, and any other thing I am led to pray about. When I pray, I try in include some studied scriptures to let God know I am making every attempt to follow in His ways over my own. This communication can be corporate, small group, or a more personal time with God. As I have already explained, mine is a more personal and ongoing effort, due to my work and ability.
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Bible study gives us God’s word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can communicate it with others through other communication means like fellowship and prayer. Everything should be rooted in the word and on the truth of Jesus Christ. During fellowship, this provides a way for us to share testimonies and our walk with Christ where prayer is a way for us to support each other in our walk and to give God thanks. They can all be considered different forms of spiritual communication because they each provide unique ways we can connect with God and people. Written learnings through Bible studies and hearing the word, to verbal sharing of our learnings through fellowshipping, to praying to connect to God on what we are actively seeking or doing in His will and glory. These all are different forms that contribute to how we communicate on a spiritual level.
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Studying my bible and prayer is something I have always been connected to. Fellowshipping is another story. When I study and pray, I feel like I am experiencing a personal relationship with God. I do not see it as a lot, but I am very proud that I have made a decision to put Christ first. Fellowship is different for me. This is the time when I must engage. I used to blame my weakness on shyness or because I am an introvert, but the truth is I am afraid of confrontation. Now if this was career work, I would never admit my problem but with Christ I can confess.
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Bible Study – communication with The word. Hearing God’s voice through scripture.
Fellowship- communicating with other believer and sharing insight about God and the Christian life. Being there for one another and learning from one another.
Prayer – talking to our Abba Father
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While all three forms of communication draw us closer to the Lord, each one has distinct characteristics. Bible study is done because we believe that the Word is God-breathed (II Timothy 3:16). The Bible is God’s communication to us. We are commanded in His Word to pray so that we might communicate to God. Fellowship is given for encouragement and our walk with others. When all three are combined, we find our walk with the Lord to grow, and we mature in Him.