When Bible Study Isn’t Enough (And You Know It)

By Jeff Gray

A long time ago in a faraway place, I led a Bible study group that had been meeting for weeks. We had covered the first few chapters of James, watched a few teaching videos on my laptop, and even had times when we prayed over each other. Then one night, I asked this question:

“What have you done with what we’ve learned so far?”

Silence. People stared at me like I had three heads. Someone coughed. Some avoided eye contact by looking at the notebooks and hoping not to be questioned. And then one guy, honest as ever, shrugged and said,

“Honestly? Nothing. I liked the study. I just… haven’t changed anything yet.”

That moment hit me hard—not because he was lazy—but because he was being real. His answer revealed something true for many of us: We’ve confused learning about Jesus with following Him.

Knowing Is Good. Obeying Is Better.

Jesus didn’t say,

“Teach them everything I commanded.”He said, “Teach them to OBEY everything I commanded.” (Matthew 28:20)

That’s not a minor detail—that’s a massive shift in how we think about discipleship.

It means spiritual growth isn’t just about what fills your notebook…It’s about what shows up in your life.

Hear And Obey

That conversation (and dozens like it) is what led to www.hearandobey.com. I created the website and the books for believers and leaders ready to move beyond knowledge-based discipleship and into obedience-based discipleship.

On the site, you’ll find:

• My book Disciples Making Disciples – simple, practical, and designed for real-world application

• Tools for small groups that focus on doing, not just discussing.

  
  

The Problem With The Pew

Let’s be honest—it’s easy to settle into the rhythm:

• Show up on Sunday

• Sit in the same seat

• Nod during the sermon

• Go home unchanged

We’ve made it too easy to attend church without becoming the Church.

And I don’t say that to shame anybody. I say it because I’ve been there. I’ve led groups where I knew deep down we were circling the same spiritual airport, never landing anywhere new.

A Simple Challenge

So here’s my question for you (and it’s the same one I had to ask myself):

What’s the last thing Jesus asked you to do… and did you do it?

Because authentic discipleship constantly circles back to obedience. It’s not about perfection. It’s about movement. It’s about taking that next step—however awkward, risky, or inconvenient it might be.

Ready to Move?

If you’re tired of sitting still… if you’re done with Christian activity that never leads to Christian action…If you’re ready to move from “hearing” to “obeying”—Let’s go.

Check out the book at www.hearandobey.com.

Let’s make disciples who don’t just know the Word… but live it.

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