I love to read. Jumping into a fictional story is one of my escape routes when I need a minute to breathe. The character depth built out by the author I feel myself on their journey experiencing fear, pain, and rescue. The last few years, my reading has blended more non-fiction in with my fiction rotation. And those real-life stories make an imprint on my life well after the book is back on the shelf.

Book clubs bring two of my favorite things together: books and community. In a book club there is a shared interest, intentional purpose, and consistency. Discussions go down paths of character motivations, hidden themes by the author, and opinions for alternative endings. Am I part of a consistent book club? Yes. Would you want to join? Let’s see.

The book club I am part of meets consistently on Thursday’s. For the past four years, the group has seen women come and go. I could see it shift to women and men as seasons change. What have we read? A lot of books with different characters stumbling through life, facing attack from a consistent villain, and yet ends with the same rescue story. The book club I’m describing is sometimes called Bible study, community group, or Sunday school. Bible study for someone new to opening the Bible could feel daunting, boring, and a waste of time. Why the big words and bizarre sacrifices? Can I learn the important parts from a pastor on Sunday’s? Yes and no. When you read Pride & Prejudice, you understand better what it takes for Elizabeth to shift from her prejudice against Mr. Darcy to realize his good intentions because you go on the journey with her. There is time to place yourself in the context with Elizabeth. When I read the parts of the Bible about Moses leading up to parting the Red Sea, that miracle held so much more meaning because I saw Moses’ journey that led him to the Red Sea.

Pastors only have time to hit the highlights. So that means we get to read the rest of the story together in Bible study that helps us understand the full scope. Similar to a book club, reading classic literature, you come with questions to Bible study, discuss what stood out most to you, and dig in together to learn the truth. I like the community piece of book club because together we learn so much more than reading on our own.

So, what do you think about book club?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:23-24

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12