Opening up God’s word
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Children color and listen to Bible stories at the Community Bible Study ministry.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Jane Charlton reads a story to her class inside Abundant Life Baptist Church.
Though the Mesopotamians lived some-5,000 years ago, the women of Washington County Community Bible Study (CBS) find similarities with those ancient people on a weekly basis.
“People were no different then. They had hopes and dreams. They made good decisions and bad decisions,” said Cindy McMurry. “(Studying) has shattered my idea that everybody in the Bible never made mistakes.”
McMurry is one of about 50 women who gather every Thursday in Abundant Life Baptist Church, Washington, for an in-depth look at the Scripture. Throughout the school year, the women gather for two hours to discuss previously assigned readings.
“The bottom line is, we open up God’s word. That’s what we study,” said Susan Lee, associate teaching director.
The organization, which started in 1975 in Bethesda, Md., has grown to 700 classes in the United States and is active in 80 other countries. Though the Washington group is for women only, CBS offers co-ed classes, as well as those for young adults, youth and those with special needs.
The ministry provides course materials with weekly readings, questions and professional commentary. Leaders are trained at the organization’s headquarters in Colorado to facilitate group discussions of about 15 women.
“Each of us has a job. We are not just lay people,” said Lee. “We have intense training with clearly-defined roles.”
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Bible study
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Washington County Community Bible Study leadership, from left, Beth Brooks, Susan Lee, Cindy McMurry, Ann Emge and Jane Charlton meet to discuss the next class, held at Abundant Life Baptist Church.
After the smaller groups meet and discuss their weekly reading, a large-group training is led by the class’s teaching director. In the Washington County group, that’s Beth Brooks.
Brooks, who started attending CBS 34 years ago in New Hampshire, said people from all walks of life come together through the program and are unified by the Bible.
“I walked in that first day and have been coming ever since. For me, it’s like a lifeline to the body of Christ,” she said. “It’s a great mix of people. There are young moms to retired people. There’s good accountability. We break into small groups and stay together for 30 weeks. You get to a very trusting, intimate level.”
Lee agreed.
“We are not limited to one church group. We are of all denominations. This church is gracious enough to let us have the meeting here,” she said. “We all have a love of learning about truth in the Scripture. As for the social aspects, you get to know women you wouldn’t normally get to know. The commonality between us is God’s word and a desire to learn.”
A children’s ministry is available for members, as well, where children up to school-age are taught, sing, play, have a snack and make crafts.
“They love it,” said Jane Charlton, children and youth director. “We provide much more than babysitting.”
McMurry, group coordinator, has been with CBS for more than 20 years. She has attended other Bible studies in that time, but has never given up her weekly CBS meeting.
“This is truly grounded in God’s word, and I like the way it is structured,” she said. “Focus is on the word and what it means to you. It’s not an author’s version.”
The content, agreed the group, is accessible to all.
“We have people with seminary experience to those who have never studied the Bible,” said Ann Emge, area director. “It’s not like you have to be a scholar. But even if you’ve been reading the Bible your whole life, you get something out of it.”
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Betty Doak, an instructor for the Bible study program, talks to students about blindness.
Once a month, fellowship meals are held for sharing and relationship-building. Brooks’ favorite times, though, are when she comes to class with an unanswered question in her workbook.
“I love days when I come in and have a blank answer and hear other’s insights. It illuminates everything,” she said. “This is not just academic study, but an opportunity to share, deeply, your own life experiences. There’s a really important life application aspect. We see the practical nature of God’s word and apply it to life.”
The Washington group has been meeting for almost eight years – four as a prayer group and four as an official class of CBS – and welcomes new members.
For information, visit www.communitybiblestudy.org.