When the world shut down in 2020, there were a lot of things I took for granted that were suddenly no longer part of my life. Restaurant dinners with friends. Birthday parties. Meandering shopping trips. Conversations with strangers in coffee shops. Family gatherings on holidays. Stress-free weekend getaways. And, of course, weekly church services.

As I spent my days between my house, my backyard, and several local parks, I began to realize that one of the things I missed most was my Wednesday night Bible study group. Sure, I could spend all the time I wanted studying God’s Word on my own (a blessing during weeks of isolation!). But I hadn’t realized how much studying the Bible with other believers had enriched my week and strengthened my faith.

Eventually, my Bible study group started to meet again. But my realization that group Bible study was one of my biggest losses during the early months of the pandemic made me wonder: what does God’s Word say about group Bible study, and is it really that important?

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE TIME FOR GROUP BIBLE STUDY

Before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed a powerful prayer for every believer who would receive salvation through his sacrifice:

“I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one: I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me.”

John 17:21-23 GNT

In this prayer, Jesus casts a vision for unity and love among Christians. Now, every time that we gather with other believers to study the Bible, pray, and fellowship together, we are growing in our love for Christ and for each other. Our church services, Sunday schools, small groups, prayer meetings, and Bible studies are all evidence of our unity in Christ and essential pieces of our Christian lives together.

Here are five verses of Scripture that show the benefits of studying God’s Word with other believers.

Fellowship with other believers is one of the many gifts we enjoy through Jesus Christ.

But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

1 John 1:7 GNT

The Bible tells us to care for one another and gather together as the body of Christ.

Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

Hebrews 10:24-25 GNT

As we seek to grow in our spiritual lives, the Bible encourages us to find community.

Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad, because there is no one to help him. If it is cold, two can sleep together and stay warm, but how can you keep warm by yourself? Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 GNT

Spending time with other believers helps us grow together in the wisdom of God’s Word.

Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom.

Colossians 3:16a GNT

Whenever we gather in Jesus’s name—whether for a Bible study, church service, or prayer meeting—Jesus promises to be with us.

“For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.”

Matthew 18:20 GNT