Syllabus For Bible Study

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Chapter & Verse TM

The Applied Bible Study System

SESSION SYLLABUS

"It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him we shall also live with Him; if we endure, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:11-15 (NAS)

Communication experts define communication as effective when clear understanding of what was communicated exists between the sender and the receiver. There must be activity at both ends of the communication process; and the channels of communication must be open in both directions to allow:

A) INFORMATION TO FLOW
B) FEEDBACK TO OCCUR
C) INFORMATION TO BE CLARIFIED AND ADJUSTED.

Relationship and communication are inseparable! Relationship is based on the exchange of feelings as they relate to the information shared. Communication requires speaking or sending information AND listening or receiving information.

HOW THIS RELATES TO BIBLE STUDY:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the "express image of God: (Hebrews 1:3 KJV), "the exact representation of His nature" (NAS). Jesus, as the Messiah, was the physical, tangible expression of the person of God, His character and His personality. Now the Lord Jesus is at the right Hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). But He has not left us without the ability to know His character and His personality: "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:18 NAS). "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him" (John 14:23 NAS). John 1:1 names Jesus as THE WORD . Recorded Scripture is the written expression of that Word (Hebrews 10:5-7; Psalms 40:6-8).

The clear, understandable source of information by, and about God is given us in our Bibles. But, if that was all we had we would wind up consumed with legalism and meaningless tradition! Couple this fact with the indictment of the Apostle to the Galatian church: "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness" (Galatians 5:4-5 NAS).

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher! (John 16:13-14). The Holy Spirit of God reveals to us the feelings of God as we discover His character in the written Word. The two are inseparably vital for us to communicate with God, for us to have a relationship with Him, for us to know Him (Ephesians 4:20-21; 2 Peter 1:2-3). Without the Spirit we can only imagine the feelings of God as we read the Word. And without knowing His feelings we can not know Him! Conversely, without His Word, His feelings seem random and irrelevant, and we fall into speculation and idolatry.

So, studying the Bible is actually to be the vehicle of communication with God. Our participation is the effort to prayerfully study and prayerfully respond to the revelation we receive in that study. This is ultimately solemn! Prayer and Bible study are necessarily associated and together they establish and enhance our relationship with God, our knowing God.

"And this is eternal life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3 (KJV)

Knowing God is eternal life! Eternal life is not based on a theory, not on an ethereal, theological premise, not on the result of following a certain set of rules; but eternal life is a live, dynamic, on-going, inter-communicating relationship with God by precious, valuable faith! (2 Peter 1:1 KJV). STUDY THE WORD AND COMMUNE WITH THE SPIRIT IN PRAYER TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH GOD.

THE GROUP STUDY FORMAT:

Now, this brings us to the GROUP study. We can reinforce and encourage each other in the pursuit of knowing God. The input we get from others who know God is priceless. Learning to love each other is loving God (1 John 4:7-13). We provide here a format which is the product of failure and success in the past. In using these tools, all we ask is that you commit yourself to love the small group you join for these few weeks. Only YOU can "keep the bugs out" of the system! Do not argue, criticize, or complain. Do not strive against each other over your differences, rather, strive to find and stay on COMMON GROUND with each member. That COMMON GROUND, as we discussed above, is each member's relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for one another. Encourage one another in your faith.

You are embarking on a life changing experience! Be assured that all of you can contribute something meaningful to each member of the group. By the way: when small groups of Jesus' disciples gather in harmony, LO, AND BEHOLD, HE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF IT! (Matt.18:19-20).

Enjoy.

Guidelines For "The Applied Bible Study System"

The Tools

(More to follow!)

Copyright 1993, 1999, 2000 by Gerald T. Johnson, this material is licensed exclusively to Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc., and may only be copied and distributed for non-commercial use by individuals and small-groups in the study of Holy Scriptures.

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