On Monday nights for the last few years, I've gathered with other women from my church for an evening of Bible study and spending time together. It's one of the things I look forward to each week. What follows is something I wrote in spring as I was reflecting on these evenings. It's just a tiny glimpse into what these evenings look like from my perspective. My words probably don't describe it perfectly. There's just too much to contain in a few short words that comes from an evening spent with other women who want to study God's Word together.
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Pulling into the parking lot about a little less than an hour before things officially begin, I see a few other vehicles. Other people on the team to make this a great night are already here. When I walk up the stairs into the room, there's the smell of coffee brewing, the sounds of food being prepared, and the activity of getting everything ready. Conversation going on all around. It's the beginning of a new season and we're all excitedly preparing for the ladies coming to begin to arrive.
As the ladies begin to arrive, people are ready to welcome them, give them a name tag, and make sure they have their book for the study they've chosen to take. Time to grab a coffee and a snack on their way to take a seat at a table. The buzz of conversation grows as more women arrive.
It's time to begin. A few announcements and a welcome. Some time to worship together and then it's off to our different studies. Time to get to know one another better as we dig into God's Word sitting around tables. Sharing life with one another - the good times and the bad times. Praying for an encouraging one another.
It can't be time to go home already. The evening went by so quickly. Good-byes are said as people leave - already looking forward to the next week when we'll do this all again.
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When I think about things like this, I feel that this is a picture of the church being the church. Just a small sample of it. I know it happens more than these Monday nights. It happens across the world, in groups of all sizes, for different purposes. And it's what should be happening.
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