RECENTLY A CHRISTIAN BROTHER, Danny Fernandez, and I
were talking and he said that he would like to see how
I would lead a Bible study. Leading a Bible study can
be broken into two very important parts: First, in
the initial meeting of a new study group, we should
talk about the foundation of our Christian faith.
We will want to make sure we are all on the same page regarding
doctrines which affect our eternal salvation.
Second, in the next meeting we should begin an interactive discussion style expository Bible study through a chosen book of the Bible.
Is your church or study group getting ready to start a new Bible study or Sunday School class? If this is a new group study, I would like to suggest affirming a strong foundation in doctrinal teachings, really understanding what your church believes and teaches (their Statement of Faith), and knowing your own personal Statement of Faith.
To help you accomplish that, I suggest watching the three short videos below: The first video is "Leading a Small Group Discussion," a 4 minute video by Ross Anderson of PursueGod.org. The second is a video I created from my PowerPoint discussion titled "Bible Study: Essential Christian Doctrines." And the third video is from a second PowerPoint discussion and is titled "Bible Study: Non-Essential Christian Doctrines." In my Friends Ministry eNewsletter I have attached the two PowerPoint discussions. Also, for your convenience, I have attached the supporting Word documents which can be printed and used for class notes.
Every believer should make it a goal to be able to put your own personal Statement of Faith in writing and test that against Scripture. Acts 17:11 applies whether you are hearing a message, being led in a Bible study, or doing your own personal study. Test that message or study against Scripture. It can only strengthen your faith, to be able to articulate clearly and effectively what you believe and why you hold those beliefs.
In that second meeting your group should choose which book of the Bible you will study and then venture into that book in an indepth study. New studies often start with the book of John which is foundational to our faith, but that is up to the group. Let me suggest a way of viewing Scripture: Genesis - John - Revelation.
Genesis tells us of the beginning and how we and our universe came into being.
Revelation tells us where we are going, revealing what is going to happen one day which will usher us into eternity, into God's presence - or into a place void of God's love, aka, hell.
The Gospel of John sits between the books of Genesis and Revelation, telling us God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay our sin debt to Him and to offer all who will believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior, a free ticket on the Glory Train into eternity.
All the other books of the Bible build upon and support the foundation laid by those three books.
Whichever book your group chooses to study, I suggest you consider taking a verse-by-verse expository walk through that book, stopping along the way for discussions of the verses or group of verses. That way no one gets left behind in their understanding of God's Word. Keep in mind, it is more important to have everyone in the group well grounded in the Scripture passage or book you are studying - than to see how many verses you can "get through, or out of the way, in one night." A good Bible study should never be a race for closure - but a mining for knowledge.
I have been in Bible studies where we covered a full chapter in one sitting - and I have been in Bible studies where some evenings we have discussed our way through only a few verses. The number of verses is not important. What is important is that you, as a group, have discussed, chewed on, and have a better understanding of what God's Word is teaching us.
In the mid-1980s, Dory and I were in a study of John led by a Bible study leader also named Bill. The first night we only made it through three verses. But I promise you, everyone in our group left with a good understanding of those three verses. A successful Bible study should not be measured by how many verses you make it through - but did all in attendance leave with a good understanding of the verses you did study and discuss?
Please feel free to use these videos and study notes in any way that will benefit you, your church group, and your friends. I only ask that you do not modify any of the material. If you believe you see an error, let me know and I will definitely take a serious look at it and make any necessary corrections.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Second, in the next meeting we should begin an interactive discussion style expository Bible study through a chosen book of the Bible.
Is your church or study group getting ready to start a new Bible study or Sunday School class? If this is a new group study, I would like to suggest affirming a strong foundation in doctrinal teachings, really understanding what your church believes and teaches (their Statement of Faith), and knowing your own personal Statement of Faith.
To help you accomplish that, I suggest watching the three short videos below: The first video is "Leading a Small Group Discussion," a 4 minute video by Ross Anderson of PursueGod.org. The second is a video I created from my PowerPoint discussion titled "Bible Study: Essential Christian Doctrines." And the third video is from a second PowerPoint discussion and is titled "Bible Study: Non-Essential Christian Doctrines." In my Friends Ministry eNewsletter I have attached the two PowerPoint discussions. Also, for your convenience, I have attached the supporting Word documents which can be printed and used for class notes.
Note: For Friends who are reading this blog on Facebook or on the Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, those documents cannot be attached. However for anyone who wants them, if you will Message me your e-mail address I will be happy to send them to you.
Every believer should make it a goal to be able to put your own personal Statement of Faith in writing and test that against Scripture. Acts 17:11 applies whether you are hearing a message, being led in a Bible study, or doing your own personal study. Test that message or study against Scripture. It can only strengthen your faith, to be able to articulate clearly and effectively what you believe and why you hold those beliefs.
In that second meeting your group should choose which book of the Bible you will study and then venture into that book in an indepth study. New studies often start with the book of John which is foundational to our faith, but that is up to the group. Let me suggest a way of viewing Scripture: Genesis - John - Revelation.
Genesis tells us of the beginning and how we and our universe came into being.
Revelation tells us where we are going, revealing what is going to happen one day which will usher us into eternity, into God's presence - or into a place void of God's love, aka, hell.
The Gospel of John sits between the books of Genesis and Revelation, telling us God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay our sin debt to Him and to offer all who will believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior, a free ticket on the Glory Train into eternity.
All the other books of the Bible build upon and support the foundation laid by those three books.
Whichever book your group chooses to study, I suggest you consider taking a verse-by-verse expository walk through that book, stopping along the way for discussions of the verses or group of verses. That way no one gets left behind in their understanding of God's Word. Keep in mind, it is more important to have everyone in the group well grounded in the Scripture passage or book you are studying - than to see how many verses you can "get through, or out of the way, in one night." A good Bible study should never be a race for closure - but a mining for knowledge.
I have been in Bible studies where we covered a full chapter in one sitting - and I have been in Bible studies where some evenings we have discussed our way through only a few verses. The number of verses is not important. What is important is that you, as a group, have discussed, chewed on, and have a better understanding of what God's Word is teaching us.
In the mid-1980s, Dory and I were in a study of John led by a Bible study leader also named Bill. The first night we only made it through three verses. But I promise you, everyone in our group left with a good understanding of those three verses. A successful Bible study should not be measured by how many verses you make it through - but did all in attendance leave with a good understanding of the verses you did study and discuss?
Please feel free to use these videos and study notes in any way that will benefit you, your church group, and your friends. I only ask that you do not modify any of the material. If you believe you see an error, let me know and I will definitely take a serious look at it and make any necessary corrections.
New Bible Study Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiKSbPLiklU&list=PL_YT3Rttutri61xd6wmbOD7y0uibrt8KD
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Click on the image to enlarge:
Hello Bro. Bill Gray. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you as a born again christian and about your interest in the Word of God and His ministry which you have started by the title " Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries". It was interesting to see how you began your Bible study which is so important. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 40 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come toMumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people from your family, friends and church circle to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you your family and friends also wishing you and your family and blessed and a joyous Christmas season and a bright and a Christ centered coming New year 2020. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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