It’s that time of year again…
September 12, 2011 | My Jottings
I love September. It just might be my favorite month, followed closely by October. I love the cooler, crisper air, the slow color change of the trees, the smell of soup simmering and bread baking, the need for sweaters and socks. And I love September because it means the beginning of Community Bible Study again. I’ve been going to Community Bible Study for fourteen years now, and I pray that I will be attending until my dying day. I could probably change churches without too much folderol, but I don’t think I could ever stop going to CBS.
Do you go to CBS? If not, I think this is the year you should! 
If you live in the United States and would like to see if there’s a class meeting near you, click here.
If you live in Europe, Asia, Latin America or Africa, click here to see if there’s a CBS class near you.
Here’s a little quiz to determine if you’re the kind of person who might enjoy going to Community Bible Study:
(If you answer any of the following questions yes, make a mental note of it – you don’t have to count how many yes answers you give, just whether or not you say yes to any of the following statements.)
I am a Christian
I am not a Christian, but believe in God.
I’m not sure I believe in God at all.
I am politically liberal.
I am politically conservative.
I hate politics.
I am very shy.
I hate groups.
I love getting to know new people.
I don’t own a Bible.
I graduated from Bible College.
I have mobility issues and need help moving around.
I am a young mother with children.
I have no money.
I think I might like Jesus, but am not so sure about Christians.
I haven’t been to church in years.
I don’t like church.
I feel like I don’t fit in anywhere.
I have many questions about religion.
I was raised Catholic.
I am a middle-aged man.
I hate being hit over the head with religion.
I have no friends.
I don’t have much time during the week.
I would like to know more about the Bible.
I wonder why God lets all these things happen if He’s a God of love.
I don’t like to do homework.
I love to study and do homework.
My kids are getting on my nerves and I know they need something.
I have questions but no answers.
I used to go to a Baptist church.
I am newly married and am finding life very hard.
I can’t get my act together.
The other Bible studies I’ve done haven’t challenged me.
I don’t like any social pressure.
I’m a stutterer.
I feel spiritually dry.
I would like to feel God’s presence.
I don’t like churches with long, drawn-out worship.
I go to a traditional church.
I dislike traditional churches and prefer non-denominational ones.
I believe communion is a remembrance only.
I believe communion contains the very presence of Christ.
I have never taken communion.
I’m not sure why the Bible is so important.
I don’t like traditional churches.
I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I believe those who believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit are a little weird.
I don’t even know what the Holy Spirit’s gifts are.
I think I might feel uncomfortable in a Bible study.
I would like to be noticed.
I would like to fade into the woodwork.
My mother went to CBS and I’m not sure it would be relevant for me.
I work during the day.
It doesn’t sound fun to read the Bible and answer a bunch of questions.
I’m in prison.
I’m a homeschooler.
I’m a with-it person and don’t really want a stodgy sort of gathering.
I rarely feel respected.
I believe in God, but don’t want to get all whacked out about it.
I can’t fit one more thing into my schedule.
I need help with my relationships.
I need more stability in my life.
I am not very with-it and don’t like a lot of newfangled things.
I am tired.
I need some encouragement.
I want to feel like something I’m doing really makes a difference.
I need to do something that benefits my family as well as myself.
I need….
I need…
I need……something. And I’m not sure what it is.
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then Community Bible Study might just be for you.
Nothing has meant more to me in my spiritual life. It’s really hard to explain to someone just how amazing CBS is — I just encourage you to find a class and go.
And it’s a good idea to go four times before making a decision on whether or not it’s for you. Four weeks will give you a better picture of what to expect from the September through May class.
If you think a friend might like to know more about Community Bible study, refer them to this blog post. And here’s the home link — click here: Community Bible Study.
If any of you have attended CBS, would you be so kind to leave a comment and share a bit about what it has meant to you? Your comments might help someone decide if they should attend!
God bless your week!
Hi Julie,
I’d love to do this – but unfortunately the nearest one to me is a 3 hour train ride away….maybe one day they will open one in Zurich!
Oh dear Helen – three hours one way is a little much, even if it is wonderful. Yes, from your keyboard to the Lord’s ears – CBS in Zurich, Lord! 🙂
Julie,
You are absolutely right…CBS is an every man’s (or woman’s)Bible study. We have such a broad range of class members…from the preacher’s wife to the unchurched, ages 19 to 92. And the children’s program is so much more than a child care center. Our CBS kids are building character while learning that we have a very personal, loving God.
I have been in CBS about 12 years now. To me, CBS is just a really safe place to ask, seek and find.
Thank you for commenting Kay – very well said. And another perk for me – I got to know you at CBS!
What are you studying this year at CBS, Julie? My Tuesday mornings may be free and would love to come back to CBS!
P.S. I love your blog!
Kristi!! I miss you and would love to see you at CBS. We’re studying “The Divided Kingdom” — newly revised and very powerful, I hear. I’ve heard others say that this study (even before it was revised) made everything else in the Bible come into sharp focus. Call Kay J. and twist her arm to see if there’s room in our core group – I’m not the leader – just a class member this year.
And thank you so much for visiting my blog, Kristi. 🙂
**Hugs**
Hi Julie!
You know CBS has been an integral part of my life for many, many years!!!
I am so thankful that we are fully “fed” from the Word of God on a weekly basis. The structured format lends itself easily to dedicated study.
I know God has blessed me in a major way through my years of studying His Word at CBS.
An added bonus: being surrounded and cared for by the amazing, loving and caring women who make up the “CBS family”.
Thank you Deb! I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thanks to you, I have been at CBS for a couple of years, beginning my 3rd this week! What a great study, love it and recommend to many I come into contact with, especially when they mention they are looking for “something” to get them better connected to God and His Word. Thanks for your prompt my friend!!
It makes me happy to know you’ll be going for the third year. What will your class be studying this year? Hugs to you, dear friend.
CBS!!! For years I had to sit back and watch my friends go to CBS while I worked! I was so desirous to be a part of it! Then God answered my prayers and made a way for me to get off work for those two hours each week! I am so grateful! I love the new friends, the integrity of the leaders, how the study accommodates every level of Bible knowledge and those wonderful times while doing the lesson that “it just happens to” apply to my life that very day! How do He Know?? (not a type-o) : )
Dearest Helen in Switzerland, I will be praying for God to open a door near you for a CBS! Maybe you are the door!? : )
Ladies, please do not shy away because they are doing an Old Testament study this year. The OT is so foundational and rich that you will fall in love with it and fill your pockets with gems!
I AM SO PUMPED! I can’t wait!!!!!
Thank you Ginny! I love everything you said….it makes me want to go to CBS! 🙂 It makes me happy to see you there – you waited for a long time and now every core group you’ve been in gets blessed. 🙂
Dear Julie, I loved your list. I love being in groups with women of all ages, coming from so many different backgrounds, but all searching – even those who have been devout Christians and CBS’ers for years are still searching to know more and grow more.
I like that atmosphere at CBS too Judy! Thank you for sharing and reminding me of that. See you soon….
For years and years, Julie kept after me…encouraging me to try attending a CBS class. For years and years, I found one reason after another as to why I couldn’t make it…too far to drive, can’t get the kids ready in time, too busy with my home business, etc. It was far too easy to find an excuse for non-attendance! Then one fateful year, I ran out of excuses and decided it was time to make the 25-mile trip. After one short class period, I knew that I had found the perfect place to grow in my knowledge and love for the Lord and His holy Word. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of CBS – the fellowship, the biblical study, the worship, the lecture – and each September, I find myself excited…truly excited to get back to this wonderful place where I have been loved and nurtured by the caring leaders, and endlessly amazed at the goodness and grace of our God!
Thank you Carey! Yes, yes, to everything you mentioned. Isn’t it wonderful to see new friends and old friends there too? LY.
Well, Julie already knows a lot about how our family has been impacted by CBS and it’s far too long to write here but let me say that it has been a huge blessing to both me and our children. And the reason I signed up in the first place was for the children’s program. Little did I know how I would enjoy the adult portion too!!!
My kids have learned SO much and so have I. In fact, one of the reasons we put our kids in the preschool they went/go to was because there was not class on Tuesday mornings so they would be able to continue attending CBS. I wanted them to go as long as it was offered for their age. The impact CBS has had on them is eternal.
Two other things that I also truly love are:
1) knowing that there are a group of people who will faithfully pray for me and my family and whatever our current needs may be. It’s very comforting to know so many people that are so prayerful and to believe them when they say they will pray for me!
2) CBS provides the best actual Bible study that I’ve ever participated in. It’s based on the Bible, not on opinions, politics, various theologies. And the lessons allow us to dig into each chapter of the current study, really learning the nitty gritty.
I was really frustrated with a lot of Bible Studies that I tried prior to CBS and it’s been so refreshing to have CBS, where I learn so much.
Anyway, we love it and I could go on and on. This fall will be my fifth year attending and in those years, I have “recruited” lots of other moms to attend too!!!!!
And I really want to tell all of you that if it wasn’t for CBS, I wouldn’t know Julie, and if I didn’t know Julie my life would have a “Julie shaped hole.”
Thank you so much for everything you said, Jessica. I hope someone reading will be prompted to check out CBS because of your sharing! You have also been a great blessing…the source of much encouragement in my life.
I have contacted CBS recently to apply for a application so that I might be able to lead one in my community, and I am in the process of asking my pastor about letting me use our building for the purpose of holding one each week. I would think that he would also have to give referrece about my character and past teachings for my Men’s bible study group as well? Be in prayer for me on this as I try to move forward with it. As you know this has been on my mind for some time, having ask you about it last year.
It’s always exciting when someone gets involved with Community Bible Study, Lar! I will most certainly be in prayer too… LY.
Nope :0( Isn’t one near me. But I looked, because I answered ‘yes’ to everything on your list 😉
🙂
I felt welcome at CBS from day one. The first day I settled into a small group of ladies who were serious about learning more from the Bible, I knew this was the place for me. Ladies of every age and stage; leaders from many different churches, large grouup of gals with a common interest as well as a small group of gals I could enjoy getting to know. . . CBS is definitely worth fitting into a busy schedule!! So gals, plan to come to our CBS Duluth Women’s Day class next Tuesday, Sept. 20!! YOU are welcome!
Thank you Wanda! I love what you wrote, especially, “CBS is definitely worth fitting into a busy schedule!” I feel the same way…. God bless you for sharing, Wanda.