What’s the difference between a Bible Study and a Book Club?

I was at a men’s Bible Study group the other night when the facilitator challenged the group with this: “You guys can list lots of things not to do, but the only good thing you seem to come up with consistently is to read your Bibles”.

That really hit me. What are we doing here? It feels like a book club, where the only expectation is to be familiar with the book, and that’s not even really required. Just show up and be interested, share some opinions and enjoy the company.

Back at home, ChatGPT provided me with “a list of purposes that apply to both Bible study groups and book clubs” that described well what I experienced that night, and every night over the past few decades when I’ve led Bible Studies. Here are the goals:

1. Community Building: Creating a supportive and interactive fellowship among members.
2. Discussion and Analysis: Engaging in thoughtful discussion and analysis of the text.
3. Intellectual Stimulation: Encouraging critical thinking and the exchange of ideas.
4. Learning and Growth: Promoting personal growth and learning through shared insights.
5. Enjoyment: Sharing the joy of reading and exploring new perspectives together.

Compare that list with the early church described in Acts 2 and 5. What were their goals?

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

¹² The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.