Parish 5 Bible Studies

For those in Parish Five not participating in a Bible study, I would like to encourage you to attend one of the small group Bible studies in the parish. The Session and the Parish Elders especially take very seriously our duty to teach, encourage, and build up the members of the congregation here at Tenth.
The apostle Paul writes of this issue in Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV) - “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..” There are numerous means that the Holy Spirit uses to bring us to maturity in Christ, such as the weekly preaching of the scripture from the pulpit, Sunday School classes, individual study, and small group bible studies.

As a Parish Elder, small group Bible studies hold particular importance to me. As small groups grow and flourish in a parish, the parish begins to function as a family: people pray for one another and serve one another with joy and gladness. Small groups play an integral role in the process of growth in the knowledge of Christ and the maturity of the body of Christ.

The value of small groups for growth in spiritual maturity echoes the words of Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV) “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..” As a group continues to meet, the Spirit causes the bonds to grow, creating a small community where correction is regarded as loving , as in Proverbs 27:6 (ESV) - “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. “ Small groups also can provide an opportunity for corporate worship - especially when a piano or guitar is available. Hymns once new become familiar - a source of godly truth and wisdom affirmed and stored away as time passes. Small groups offer a venue where the members together can live out the life described in the hymn “Take My Life and Let it Be” where all our lives, hands, voices, resources, intellect, love, and wills reflect Christ’s glory and headship as the Spirit works to conform us to Christ’s character.

Currently, there are two small groups in Parish Five, one meets on Thursday nights at 7:00pm in Wallingford/Springfield area of Delaware County. If you have interest in coming to the Wallingford Small Group, you can reach me at (610) 872-3776 or at Collins16@juno.com for more information. The other group meets in North Wilmington on Tuesday nights at 7:00pm. Please contact Kevin Fields at (302)478-2770 or klfields0@yahoo.com , if you are interested in coming  to the Wilmington Small Group. If you are not involved in a study, please think seriously of the teaching, fellowship, and worship opportunities that you are missing.

Grace and Peace, Dave Collins, Parish 5 Elder