Acts 8:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Many people struggle to understand the bible. They are ok with the saying, “The bible is a mystery.” Somewhere along the lines they were taught to just open up the bible to a random page and begin reading. No one bothered to share with them that the bible is a collection of stories and it would be best if you started at the beginning of the book (or at the very least the beginning of a chapter)

The scriptures above holds true today. Are we reading without understanding?

God knows our every move and he will send the right people at the right time to help you. Are you willing to admit that you don’t understand much of what you are reading?

Sunday morning services are packed. There are new churches popping up on every corner. There are established churches that have been standing for hundreds of years. Eleven o’clock on Sunday holds a sacred place for many. There is no shortage of places to attend on Sunday morning.

Now take a look at Wednesday night bible study or Sunday school. Where are the crowds, where are the people filling the overflow sections? Wherever they are they aren’t at church.  They are missing the opportunity to read, learn and understand.

Church service doesn’t offer the same level of learning as bible study or Sunday school. You can’t raise your hand and ask the Pastor to explain the part of his/her sermon you may not have understood. You most certainly can’t give your opinion while he/she is speaking.

Study groups are your opportunity to ask questions, gain clarity and understand. This is your chance to ask somebody to “explain this.”