B
SF (Bible Study Fellowship) International is an inter-denominational Bible study fellowship that deeply changed our spiritual lives. We first came to know BSF in the summer of 2003, only a few years after my husband Charles was baptized. At that time, we were struggling to keep a regular daily devotion and were excited to learn about this fellowship, and there was an evening men’s BSF class nearby. Charles signed up for that class in Durham, NC and began the fruitful journey.

When Charles started in 2003, the topic was Israel and Minor Prophets, which was one of the toughest topics for new believers. Surprisingly, Charles was very excited about the class and became really devoted in studying the Bible daily. He was later invited to be a discussion leader and I could see his burning desire to know God and learn His word. Every week he couldn’t wait to share with me God’s word and the wonderful testimonies of the godly brothers in his group. It was truly touching to see how God’s word transformed Charles from being lukewarm to desiring God’s word.

Later in the same year, we were glad to find out that an evening women’s class was starting a pilot class in Durham, NC. A few sisters and I immediately signed up for the class and went through the book of Philippians, Colossians, and Ephesians. We were all excited to be connected with a rigorous Bible study fellowship. Although the BSF materials, in my opinion, are conservative, it is much better than other liberal resources I surveyed which tried to explain the Bible with their own agenda. Being able to keep the habit of daily devotion and be encouraged was a valuable asset in learning and studying Bible.

A complete BSF lesson contains four parts: studying, writing, sharing, and listening. Studying and writing: there were daily questions accompanied by Bible verses so that we could look them up and answer the questions. It took about 10-20 minutes to complete every day. Sharing: during weekly group meeting, we went over the questions from the previous week and shared our thoughts. Listening: following the discussion, the leader would lecture on the same section of verses. Studying: following the lecture, we would get another set of note with detailed explanation of the verses that we studied. Through these four-fold steps, I was able to develop the habit of studying the Bible in detail, writing down my own responses, and strengthening my understanding of these verses. I was often deeply convicted or encouraged by other sisters’ sharing during the discussion and the lecture by the leader helped me gain a clear understanding of the verses.

Before leaving North Carolina, we finished another three years of BSF courses: the Acts, Genesis, and the book of Romans. Participating in the BSF enabled us to graduate from drinking milk to eating solid spiritual food. It also helped us in serving our Bible study group and serving in church. When we moved to Chico, California, we found only women’s classes were available. Our next move to Davis yielded a more disappointing finding–I had to drive to the women’s morning class in Vacaville for 4 months. Unfortunately, I was not able to continue because of my new job. We regretfully thought that it was the end of our sweet relationship with BSF until God opened another door in an amazing way in the summer of 2014.

When we moved to Davis in 2010, we started a Bible study group in our home every Saturday night. It is called the “Firm Foundation Fellowship.” Most participants are graduate or college students. Members grew from five people to about fifteen people in four years. Although we were excited to host the weekly Bible study, to share our lives, and to build good relationships with the students, we were nevertheless wondered if the weekly discussion could really make an impact on these students’ spiritual lives.

God’s ways are higher than our ways. After Brother Charlie Tang visited our fellowship group a few times, he proposed the idea of the BSF Satellite group. At first we did not think it was possible. First of all, we need a leader for women’s class and Charles was the only one with BSF leader experience. Secondly, we were afraid that some students might stop attending because of the burden of being held accountable for the weekly reading and assignments. After praying for a good period of time, we believe this is going to have long-term benefit for those who pursue God’s words. Despite some potential worry of losing some participants, with the little faith and the feeling of uncertainty, we started the process of transforming to BSF Satellite group. Ed Law, the teaching leader of Men’s evening group in Elk Grove and BSF area team came to visit our fellowship, and what happened after that can only be explained by God’s work: all the obstacles were removed and everything went smoothly. Grace Lin serves as the women’s leader and God added new members to our group. We started our first Satellite meeting on September 13th, 2014, six months earlier than we anticipated. Throughout the whole process God taught us that He can do wonderful work even when our faith is as little as a mustard seed.

As we anticipated, some students stopped attending. However, those who stayed became engaged after only a few months. They now come with a hunger for God’s words every week. All questions are answered and shared during the group discussion. The group dynamic has also changed dramatically. Charles no longer speaks throughout the whole evening and instead, the participants couldn’t stop sharing what God taught them through these questions and verses. What’s more encouraging is that they start to care and pray for each other. God’s words are being lived in their actions. We give God all the thanks and glory because He has changed many lives of brothers and sisters through BSF International. Many of us turn from drinking milk to eating solid food, and from lay believers to disciples. May our BSF brothers and sisters become the vessels of God’s blessings through which lives will be saved and changed.