LAST LESSONS #108 – REVIVAL – PART 1

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” Psalm 19:7-8

If there was ever a time that our souls need reviving, a time when we need wisdom, and a time when we want to rejoice, it is today. I don’t know about you, but I dislike watching the national news because it is so discouraging. If the Lord does not return, we are bound for destruction unless God in his mercy brings revival. We can pray for revival, and we should, but only God decides when true revival comes.

In the Scripture and throughout history we read that God has most often blessed a nation with revival when the Bible is read and studied. When people read the Bible, they come to know their sinfulness leading to repentance. Revival always starts with repentance. And revival lasts as long as people continue to repent of their sins. God revives our souls as we repent from breaking God’s law.

Hopefully you are going to a Bible-teaching church and hearing good preaching where the need for constant repentance is proclaimed. But are you reading and studying the Scriptures at home? Every day? Are you systematically studying the Old and the New Testaments? Are you meeting with others so that you may be encouraged and that you may encourage others in knowledge of the Bible?

If we want revival, along with prayer, we must study the Bible that leads us to repentance.

There are some good Bible studies available today, but I believe the best one is the Rafiki Bible Study. I can say this because I did not write it! Knowing that I could never write a good Bible study, I asked 18 of my friends who were notable theologians to write lessons for adults on all 66 books of the Bible. Rafiki paid them (not anywhere near what they deserve to be paid!) and they wrote 553 excellent lessons! When they were finished, one of our writers had this to say:

“It is through his Word that God addresses us. It is his Word that instructs us, illumines our path, and nourishes our soul. This is why Rafiki put together this Bible study. Its aim is that we might learn to think our thoughts after God and walk in his ways. It is the most extensive, thorough, and edifying Bible study that I know about. I am delighted to be able to commend it.”—David F. Wells

Since we all want revival especially in this country, I am asking you to join me in starting a Rafiki Bible Study Group (made up of 5 to 10 people) or be a member of one—or both! By God’s grace, there are now over 700 RBS Groups meeting in the USA today and they tell me that they love it. The Groups meet in person once a week for approximately one hour. There is no teacher (only a leader) and thus no lecture to be prepared. Group members learn from the Bible itself and from discussing printed questions and reading printed notes. The leader purchases the lessons from Rafiki (www.rafikifoundation.org) in packets of 5 at the cost of $1 per lesson per person. Bible books differ in length.

Will you pray about starting a Group in your home, your church, your business place or wherever? Here are some suggested types of Groups:

• Women
• Men
• Couples
• Senior Women (large print)—I lead one of these!
• Senior Men (large print)
• High School Students
• College Students
• Business and Institution employees
• Prison Inmates
• Military men and/or women

I do not know how many people read this blog, but I do know that some of you lead or attend RBS Groups now. Would you be willing to write (in one or two short paragraphs) your experience and email them RMJ@rafikifoundation.org so that in succeeding blogs I can use your words to encourage others?

We need revival! We need to study the Bible to know what God is saying to us in this troubled time in our nation. Will you please join me in this for God’s glory?

P.S. My plan is to suggest a book order for study and good commentaries in succeeding blogs.