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Explain how Bible study, fellowship, and prayer can be called different forms of spiritual communication.
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Through Bible study, God gives us His roadmap for our life. However, it is revealed in layers through more profound understanding as we mature and study. Prayer is my intimate conversation with God. It is our chance to repent for sins, to listen to His voice, and to soothe our souls. Fellowship provides the support and affirmation that the world does not provide and the encouragement needed to live in a fallen world.
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For me, when I open my Bible, it’s all about asking the Holy Spirit to open my spiritual eyes to exactly what God wants me to see in His living and breathing Word. There are times where I may have read the same passage numerous times over the years, and yet if God wants to reveal something fresh, He’ll give me fresh insight and help me understand what’s between the lines.
When it comes to fellowship, this reminds me of what someone recently asked me, “You always seem to have a happy demeanour. How do you practice that?” The question firstly made me chuckle, since it’s not a practice matter at all, it’s a state of mind and heart. However, it did make me stop and think about how thankful I am to God that I can come to His house to worship Him, and surround myself with people of a similar nature, distancing myself from the stresses and strains of everyday life through the week. People won’t always see those early Sunday mornings where I’d love to do nothing more than roll over and go back to sleep because work has dragged me down, yet that desire to overcome pushes me to get up, get ready and head to my Father’s house where there are so many warm smiles, big hugs, and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Once setting foot through those doors, how could I NOT be full of joy? Joy in the Lord, which is my ultimate strength and stronghold.
Finally, prayer is so important. I have a best friend and confidant, and His name is Jesus. A friend who doesn’t condemn me or make me feel ashamed to open up about any struggles I’ve been having. Did I get caught up in a gossip-led conversation without even realising? Did I have angry thoughts, use bad language, look at someone with lustful eyes – any of the traps that the enemy can set through life. Well, I can bring it all to the foot of the cross, knowing that my Jesus can cleanse me with His precious blood from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, and I can ask Him to create in me a clean heart and a clear mind, and to fill me afresh with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to protect me from oppressive forces that roam this broken world, desperate to get a foothold. Prayer is my personal time with God, and part of my Spiritual protection. Equally, though, praying in a corporate setting is amazing, and shouldn’t be overlooked. Pray alone, pray with others, pray in groups. Bring everything to God in prayer and petition.
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Each of these entities all have one intended target and that is communicating the love of the Father. Bible study for me is a time for me to share with other believers what I hear the scriptures saying to me. It’s also a time of sharpening our spiritual tools. Fellowshipping is intended for us to get to know one another outside the church and make connections with those in gaining insight to struggles that might not be revealed in other church services. Prayer is a special time to hear from the Lord and for him to hear from us. Whether on a personal level or corporate level I believe God loves to hear the voices of his children as we speak adoration of him and lay down whatever may be bothering us.
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Prayer is my opportunity to communication with God. Bible Study and Prayers are opportunities for God to speak to me through His word. Fellowship is an opportunity for believers to help one another to understand and and grow in the Lord. I also believe that God uses people to speak to confirm things to us. Having a consistent balance of bible study participation, fellowship, and prayer will contribute greatly to my growth.
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Bible study is God speaking to us through His Word, through the inspired writers who He chose to write the Bible. Fellowship with other Christians is corporate spiritual communication, where each one can help the other in their spiritual journey and God uses people to reach others on a regular basis. Prayer is one form of spiritual communication we can have with God. He hears every word, every thought, and wants us to communicate with Him especially through prayer, and through worship practices.