Articles
The Day the Dog Came to Church
The Day the Dog Came to Church
Some years ago on a Sunday morning before Bible class, a large, rather nice-looking dog, probably part German shepherd, was trying to get into our building as one of our members entered. She kept him out. But moments later when the door opened again, in he came. We managed to push him out.
Perhaps he liked people and saw his opportunity to make some new friends. Or perhaps he wanted a drier climate—his fur was rather wet to the touch.
Whatever the reason, he really wanted in. Of course, Bible study was not on his canine mind, but I did like his eagerness to enter, nonetheless.
What if everyone were as anxious to attend Bible class as that dog wanted to come in? Sad to say, many in our town would rather stay in bed. They’d rather watch TV, read the paper, go golfing or fishing or boating—or any number of other things besides Bible class. They do not understand the value of the Scriptures or the church. They don’t perceive their true spiritual needs nor how to fill them.
What a contrast with the people of Berea who heard Paul preach about Jesus. “They received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11 NASB). Or as the psalmist said, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).
Bible study is, of course, not an end in itself. We are to do what we read. It is the doing that brings the blessing (James 1:22-25).
We didn’t have an obedience class for that dog, but we do have one for humans—every Sunday at 9:30.
--David Gibson
