The Opening Act
Axel and Zach became more than exited when they heard the news that their favorite rock band, Smashing Glasses, was coming to town. They procured tickets as soon as they went on sale. When the scheduled concert date arrived, Axel asked Zach, “What time do we leave?” Zach said, “The concert starts at 8:00; I figure we can leave at 8:30.” “8:30?” Axel was incredulous. “And miss the opening act?” Zach replied, “Look! The traffic will be easier if we go later. Besides, nobody’s ever heard of Pencil-Necked Geeks.” “Are you kidding?” Axel answered. “They just released their first album two weeks ago, and it's already in the Top Ten. Anyway, we paid the money; we might as well take advantage of the whole show. We’re driving in from 30 minutes away. Let’s get our money’s worth, man.” But Zach stubbornly resisted reason. “I’m not going until 8:30. Take it or leave it.” Axel decided to arrange other transportation.
Sure, it’s incomprehensible—but no more so than those who come to worship on Sunday morning but don’t come for Bible class. Look at any congregation’s statistics. If it averages 100, attendance for Bible study will probably be 20 to 30 fewer in number. Why? “Well, 9:00 comes awfully early?” Really? Isn’t it just as early every other day of the week? For most, school begins an hour earlier. Some begin daily work two hours earlier, but most begin no later than 9:00. The morning radio and television personalities are probably awake by 3:00 AM. Surgeons, doctors, and nurses are already busy by 8:00 AM. Just to show that the beginning time is irrelevant, years ago most congregations began Bible study at 10:00 and followed with worship at 11:00. Guess what? The statistics were the same.
“But some of that discrepancy between the two figures is due to visitors who only come for worship.” True. And occasionally someone is up most of the night and needs to sleep, but then they can come in the evening. There are some who have trouble functioning well in the morning; they usually come in the evening as well. But why are others failing to come to Bible study? If it’s worth driving here for one hour of worship, which also involves learning, then why isn’t it even a better deal to profit doubly by being here?
Jesus taught, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6). At least 4,000 in the first century were that spiritually hungry. Jesus said of them, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way” (Matt. 15:32). How is your spiritual appetite? They spent three days! Okay, now let’s discuss Sunday evening.