Pastor Sam Johnson was elated. The young couples in his small congregation had asked him to start a Friday night Bible study. They said they had a real hunger to learn God's Word, and he was the one, they believed, to lead them into a deeper walk with the Lord.

Sam threw himself into his preparations with enthusiasm. This was why he had entered the ministry--to equip the saints of God. And these couples were all bright; Sam was sure he would profit from the study, too, as he listened to their insights.

The first few weeks went well. The discussions were lively and enlightening. After the study, refreshments were served, and the women stood in one corner of the basement/game room, swapping child-rearing stories, while the men challenged each other to Ping Pong, billiards, and Foosball.

On the fourth week, Sam noticed that two of the couples hadn't done their homework assignment. One couple arrived twenty minutes late. As the weeks went on, more couples neglected their homework, and ...