Is Bible Study Really Important?
John Gipson

Why is it that preachers continually emphasize the importance of Bible study? Have they just run out of other things to say, or is it really that important?

Perhaps one thing to remember is that apostasy lurks just one generation away. It has been true in the past and it is true today. You will remember that the days of Joshua were glorious. This man served as the faithful minister of Moses, the servant of God, the bold and believing spy, the successor of Moses, the captain of the hosts of Israel and the conqueror of Canaan. His influence was so great that "the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua" (Judges 2:7). But then, at the age of one hundred and ten, Joshua dies. "And there arose another generation, which knew not the Lord" (Judges 2: 10).

One generation serves the Lord - the next does not. How swiftly things can change. What brought it all about? The answer is quite simple. Someone allowed a crop of children to grow up without proper instruction. And eventually they had to reap destruction. One step followed another until the punishment of God was meted out. Note the order of progression as it related to ancient Israel:

• 1 -  Spiritual illiteracy. They "knew not the Lord" (Judges 2:10).
• 2 -   Forsaking of God. “And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Judges 2:12).
• 3 -  Serving false gods. They followed "the gods of the people that were round about them" (Judges 17:6).
• 4 -  Punishment from God. "And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about" (Judges 2:14).

There is no hope if spiritual illiteracy prevails. Heathen altars will abound. Tidal waves of iniquity will arise and destruction will follow.

We must not fail the youth of today. We must diligently teach them the truth lest it be said once again, “There arose another generation after them which knew not the Lord.” ❧

Graduation...
Congratulations to those who have completed the “Fishers of Men” class that has been being conducted on Monday evenings. It is our prayer that much good will be accomplished from the studies and work of the students. A dinner is planned for the graduates tomorrow evening at Ryan’s restaurant in Winter Haven.

Personal Work Group
Visitation Group “B” will meet today, after the morning services, in the annex. A light lunch will follow the meeting.

The Pantry
This month’s pantry item is Canned Meat. Do your part to help keep the pantry ready for every need that arises.

Baptized Into Christ
We rejoice with the angels in heaven at the baptism in the of Jeff and Judy Cox this past Sunday (10^th) evening. May we all encourage brother and sister Cox as we run the race that is set before us. Keep them in your daily prayers.

Our hearts go out in sympathy to John and Wanda Greene and their family in the passing of John’s mother, Lula Greene, in Tennessee this past Monday (11^th). May God provide His peace and comfort in this time of loss and sorrow.

Sign-Up Lists 2003
The duty sheets for the year 2003 are now posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. Please confirm the current lists or make any necessary changes.

What is Sunday to me? As the Lord's Day dawns and the hour of worship approaches, it is at this time that God has especially planned and provided soul food for my hungry and thirsty spirit. How wise my heavenly Father was to provide this day for His children.

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:

     • Nov 18 - Ryans’ Restaurant
      Banquet for Fishers Of Men graduates

      • Jan 20-23, 2003 - Fla. School of Preaching
     28th Annual Lecturship.
     "Do You Understand Fellowship"
     Complete schedules are posted online