My Bible Study Fellowship Story

I first heard about Bible Study Fellowship in 1975 from the wife of a co-worker of my husband. I was working at a department store but was able to go with her for several months one spring. I really loved it. But, then, I switched jobs and after that job ended went back to college. After graduating, I obtained a full-time job. For years, I longed to go back. Then, after our son was born in 1980, my employer offered flex-time. So, I “flexed” my time and was able to attend BSF one morning a week. When our son was two, I took him with me. Not long after that I quit my job. When our son turned 3, I was asked to be a discussion leader. Pretty scary, but I knew I was to say yes.

 

In the fall, when it was time for class to begin and for me to take a group, the Lord gave me the oldest group of ladies. When I called them to introduce myself, one encouraged me with Jeremiah 1:6-8 (NKJ), one of my favorite “But the Lord…” passages.

 

Then said I:

“Ah, Lord God!

Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

But the Lord said to me:

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of their faces,

For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

 

I was this group’s leader until the next spring, when illness caused me to miss the last month of class. And, that summer we moved to Libby, Montana. But, prior to leaving, the assistant teaching leader dropped by to see me. And she gave me a gift. A bunch of little magazines that helped one read through the Bible in a year. I took those with me. That was 1984. And, few years have gone by since that I did not read through the Bible, using different versions.

 

We moved back to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1987, just prior to our daughter's birth. When she turned 2, she and I joined the BSF class that fall. In January, I became a children’s leader. Later, I was co-leading a class and serving as assistant children’s supervisor. Then, I became the children’s supervisor—a delightful position as I was able to be a part of all the classrooms. Five years later, I resigned to focus on my ministry position in Moms in Prayer. (I was an area coordinator at the time.)

 

The founder of Bible Study Fellowship, Miss Johnson, said that BSF makes us get close enough to touch God through His Word. My last class prior to resigning was the study of Romans. Be assured, Romans is not just doctrine; it is knowing who God is. Because of who God is, I can trust His heart.

Bible Study Fellowship International 

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