There are at least three ways in which a group Scripture study is a ministry.

We minister to ourselves by turning to the Word of God to grow in strength and Grace

Hebrew 4:12-13 says that "...Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

No creature is concealed from Him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account.

It provides a mirror, if you would, that gives a clearer picture of “how we are doing” in our Christian walk. It provides a lamp to light our path on our journey home.

We minister to our fellow Scripture students by giving them a sounding board to bounce our thoughts and impressions of God’s Word, to provide fellowship, and to bring to life the great mystery that Christ promises in His very words, “Wherever two or more or gathered in my name, I will be there among them.”

Finally, we minister to both the Body of Christ, the Church…and to non –believers, as we become literally and truly and powerfully transformed by the Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to go and be a light unto them, to serve them, to be Christ among them.

That is how the Study of God’s holy Word is a ministry.

In some ways, the Word of God is much like the Eucharist. With any other food, we take the food in (eat it) and our body processes it (digests it) and the molecules of food become us (our body). With the Eucharist, we take it in, and it transforms us, we become Christ for others.

In the words of St. Augustine,

“I heard your voice calling from on high saying, “I am food for you, you will not change this food into yourself, like regular food. This food you will eat, and I will become part of you.”

With the Word of God, we take it in, and through it we become Christ for others.

You become the Word of God in your actions, in your love, and a light unto a darkened world. The Word of God gives you a share in the mind of Christ.

How serious is the study of the Word of God? Is it something only between you and God? Does it affect anyone else in your life? You may say, “I am not a minister, I am not a preacher, I can’t do that. I can’t go around quoting Scripture or thumping a Bible on the street corner.” Actions speak louder than words, and actions arise from thoughts, and thoughts are transformed by the living Word of God.

And there is a hurting world out that is lost and very troubled that has a great need to hear these words of hope. And through time spent studying god’s Holy Word, you become a proclaimer of the Good News—not always with voice but often with the simplest acts of kindness, mercy and love. In the words of the keynote speaker at a minister symposium I attended a few weeks ago, “You may be the only Bible your brother reads.”