The Benefits of an Annual Study Group

Every year I gather with a small group of pastors for a week. We meet the same week every year. The agenda is simple: on Tuesday morning we catch up, and then we get to work under the leadership of a Bible scholar. By the end of the week, we’ve completed our study of a book of the Bible or a theme (like the parables) and are on our way to being ready to preach what we’ve studied.

This honestly is a highlight of my year. Some reasons:

The relationships — Having met with the same group for a number of years now, I really appreciate these people and look forward to seeing them every year. There’s something about walking with a group of fellow pastors over the long haul, even if you only see them once a year.

The Word — While pastors should always be in the Word, we have to fight for time of study. It is a treat to dedicate a few days to the in-depth study that we crave.

The format — It’s one thing to read a commentary. It’s another thing to have a commentator in the room. And it’s one thing to work alone on the big idea and approach to a sermon based on a text. It’s another thing to sit in a room full of sharp people and work on it together.

The break — I am usually tired by this time of year. I’ve come through winter and Easter, but haven’t yet slowed down for summer. This May retreat is a good opportunity to take a breath and begin to slow down, or at least change gears from the frantic pace of ministry.

We’re not the only ones who do this. Other formal and informal groups hold retreats or colloquiums. It meets a real need.

If you know some like-minded pastors with a high commitment to the Word, and they’re interested in dedicating a few days a year to this kind of thing, then you have a lot of what’s needed. I’ll bet you can find a Bible scholar (completely optional) who would be delighted to help you work through a portion of Scripture as you prepare to preach it.

I’ve often wondered why groups like this aren’t more common. Try it. Big conferences are good, but I’d trade ten of them for one of these.