Community Bible Study celebrates 50 Years
Jan 14, 2026 01:24PM ● By Lauren Pope
Every Thursday morning at 10 a.m., a group of women gathers at Plains Presbyterian Church on Old Scenic Highway for something that's become a cornerstone of their spiritual lives: Community Bible Study.
The Zachary class is part of a remarkable global movement that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. What began as a single Bible study in Bethesda, Maryland in 1975 has grown to reach 1.3 million people across 125 countries, from refugee camps in South Sudan to prisons in Argentina, from villages in India to communities right here in Zachary.
But for local participants like Dotty Mills, the value remains deeply personal.
"Community Bible Study is important to me because it teaches strictly from God's word," Mills said. "I learn more each year as we dig into it. I have made many special friends as we study and pray together."
The format is straightforward but effective. Participants receive a course book with commentary and home study questions each week, then gather for small group discussions and large group teaching. This year, the class is working through the Book of Psalms.
"Studying the book of Psalms in the Bible and engaging in fellowship at Community Bible Study brings me Christ's comfort, hope, meaning for life, and forgiveness as the Holy Spirit applies it to my life," said Kelley Owens, another participant.
Led by Teaching Director Shannon Jefferson, Associate Teaching Director Amie Stagg, and Coordinator Laurie Mitchell, the study runs throughout the school year. The group also offers programming for children of all ages, from babies and toddlers through high school students, making it accessible for mothers who want to bring their families along.
Critically, the study is open to participants of all denominations, with a focus strictly on studying the Bible and not on litigating theological debates.
"CBS provides a wonderful opportunity to study God's Word together with ladies and children across denominational and racial lines," Owens said.
Fellowship meals throughout the year provide additional opportunities for relationship building, turning what could be simply an academic exercise into something more: a genuine community anchored in Scripture.
The organization's mission has remained unchanged since 1975: "to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in our communities through caring, in-depth Bible study, available to all." That mission plays out differently in different contexts. It happens through radio broadcasts in Burundi, WhatsApp groups in Venezuela, and Thursday morning gatherings in Zachary. But the heart remains the same: transforming lives through God's Word.
For women looking for a deeper dive into Biblical study alongside other believers, Community Bible Study offers exactly what its name promises: community, Bible, and study, all wrapped into one Thursday morning commitment.
Registration is open at zachary.cbsclass.org, with a $35 fee for adults and $10 per child. The class meets at Plains Presbyterian Church, located at 22929 Old Scenic Highway in Zachary.
