Every Monday night I meet with two high school girls, Charissa and Narissa. We have been meeting since last Fall and our Bible study is focused around Francis Chan and David Platt's book titled Multiply. Learning how being a disciple of God means we are to make disciples.
When we were first getting ready to meet I wasn't sure where I wanted to get together with the girls. I had never held a Bible study in a public setting before. Even in college we tended to have a room to meet in or even went to someone's apartment. But I talked with the girls and we decided to meet at Panera Bread. It was a courageous step for all of us, taken in faith, to show those around us that we are not ashamed to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior in public.
Each time we meet, I open our study in prayer asking God to bless our time together. I know that our bowed heads, closed eyes and me praying out loud may draw attention, but I continued to ask God to use our Bible studies at Panera as a witness to those around us.
A few months ago, a group of women was sitting next to us. After one of the girls closed our study in prayer, one of the women turned to us and asked what we were studying. I excitedly shared Multiply and the Bible. They attended another church nearby. We chatted for a bit before they left. It was great encouragement to meet others interested in learning more about Jesus Christ!
But where God is building His people up, the Devil is ready to strike. Not shortly after that night of encouragement did we have a night of discouragement. A neighboring table over heard our talk of Jesus and began to say some mocking words. I instantly heard them though the girls didn't notice until after a few minutes. I smiled at the girls and we continued on with the Holy Spirit guiding us through Scripture. It was hard for me to refocus because I felt discouraged. I was being tempted to doubt my Bible study in a public setting.
What should I do in a situation like this? Pray! God reminded me that we WILL be persecuted for following Him but we will also have eternity in Heaven with Him! We continued to have our Bible studies at Panera.
Tonight we were discussing how we can trust that God is always working in our lives. We trust in Him with our faith. When we come to Him in prayer, He always answers, though we may not always see His answer right away. I remembered that I must surrender my live to Christ, asking for His will to be done, not mine (Mark 14:36). I have been praying that God would continue to use our Bible study to encourage those around us.
Tonight God boldly answered my prayers! Not once, but TWICE, two women stopped by our table to say we were such an encouragement. Each woman had a huge smile on their face. We exchanged a few words before they moved on. God worked through those two women to show me that yes, He is listening to prayers and He getting the glory!
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