“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel 36:26-27
A new heart! And a new spirit! Isn’t that what you want this new year? I don’t really make New Year’s resolutions anymore. Didn’t work for me. I actually used to make New Year’s resolutions for my husband, but that definitely didn’t work! I learned a long time ago that anything I resolve to do on my own doesn’t last very long. I can’t change myself no matter how good my intentions or how hard I try. What I have learned is that only God can change my heart. So, when I read in Ezekiel that God says, “I will give you a new heart”, I say YES! Even though the context of the verse may not be a promise for January 2021, what I want in 2021 is a new heart. I need it! Don’t you?
Over the years I have found that the main way God changes hearts is through the study of his words in the Bible. When I say “study” I mean to really engage in Bible study, not just read the Bible (although that is necessary), or to listen to someone teach the Bible (that is good too), but to dig into the meaning, meditate on the words, and then put those words into action.
It is good to study the Bible privately, but I have found that studying face to face with others holds me accountable and causes me to think more deeply. After all, I don’t want others to hear any unthought-out statements about what a passage of scripture says. So, what is the best Bible study to use with others?
The Rafiki Bible Study (RBS) is by far the best study for adults available today. Why?
· In-depth, inter-denominational, printed lessons with questions for small group face-to-face discussion
· All lessons written by eighteen doctrinally sound and notable theologians and edited by Rafiki president Rosemary Jensen and theologian David F. Wells
· All books of the Bible are available and the number of lessons per book vary from 4 (Ruth or Esther) to 32 (Romans)
· Lessons are sold in packs of 5 and amount to $1 per lesson per group member to cover the cost of production and printing · The RBS is available through Rafiki’s website www.rafikifoundation.org
Why do I want you to start your new year using the Rafiki Bible Study with a few of your friends? Two main reasons: 1) Everyone who is using the RBS loves it. The RBS became
available in March 2019 and even with the coronavirus there are now more than 400 RBS groups and they continue to order more and more books, and 2) David Wells says, “It is the most extensive, thorough, and edifying Bible study that I know about. I am delighted to be able to commend it.”
Through the years I have witnessed more people coming to faith in Christ, maturing in their understanding of biblical truth, experiencing life changes, being able to teach others, and enduring as Christians through this kind of rigorous face to face Bible study than through any other means. Believe me!
Please let God give you a new heart this New Year by continuing or starting a RBS group in your church, neighborhood, or home. And you are not too old. If I can do it, you can do it!
January 11, we begin I Samuel. The ladies are ready to return and dig into this part of the Bible that their pastors have ignored.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a privilege to lead these ladies - even when it's via Zoom.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Rosemary! Thank you for pointing out Ez. 36 - I have loved that passage for more than 40 years, and God has renewed my spirit with it often as the years pass. Each growth period involves a new chipping away at the stone in my heart, enlarging it to love Him more. The Rafiki Bible Study sounds really good, and I hope to be able to use it one day for a group in our church. May God bless you, in 2021 as you continue to bring glory to Him.
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