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Center
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Wayne Skinner
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Rev. Ted Bashford
Director,
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Chapter & Verse TM
ABOUT THE TOOLS
Copyright 1993,
1999, 2000 by Gerald T. Johnson.
As we worked to develop this study system, we aimed at all times to arrive at a conventional method of Bible study group sharing. Please keep this in mind as you polish your understanding of this method. We do not presume these tools to be the only good way to study the Bible. We do feel that this study system affords the Christian community a means to begin establishing a legitimate foundation for fellowship on our common ground in Jesus Christ. This is a labor of love for the Body of Christ on earth. Do not think that you do not have a part to play...here it is! Just do it! We have not tried to spare you the necessary investment for "owning" the truth, we have just tried to put it in a format that best facilitates your effort and the communication of the results.
Whether you are using the computer version or the manual version of Chapter & Verse, the following information will help you. Computer users may often not be able to get to their keyboard for one reason or the other. If at all possible, for each form, use only the front and back of it to record your work. Again, be concise. And do not forget to sign the form at the appropriate place on the bottom if we may use your work in our publications - remember - this is one of our main goals: to communicate to other believers.
Below is an explanation of how to use each of the forms in the Chapter & Verse Bible Study System. Beside each heading is a link to the form as a webpage (.html format) and as a download in .pdf format (Adobe Reader) Note: you must have Adobe Reader loaded on your machine to use the .pdf file. Click here to go to their website to download a free copy.
Meeting Notes: .html format .pdf format
Use the meeting notes form at every meeting of the session. At the first meeting, take notes on the input from each participant, note the session topic, items of praise and prayer for each person, and log the verse references decided on for study by the group. Of course, use the meeting notes form in the next five meetings to help you keep track of what is shared from others' journals. If you write the five verses in the given box each meeting, it will help you remember where they are in the Bible. For the last meeting, bring a meeting note form filled out with your feedback to each member. Use a blank form to record the feedback that you receive from the other participants.
Journal Form .html format .pdf format
If you do not light your computer off every day, at least try to jot down some notes on the journal form each day. The benefit of the journal takes on more and more weight as you faithfully maintain it. If you go for some time without doing it, just pick up where you left off. This is not meant to be a burden, it just costs a little bit to get the blessing! Once more, let me say...JUST DO IT! And for your own sake, please do not stick your head in a bucket worried over how eloquent you are. Most folks don't pay any attention to that kind of stuff anyway. And if you do think you're "waxing eloquent" the Lord may have to help you regain perspective. Just write, forget your pride and overcome your laziness. Speaking of laziness, please do remember that the power of prayer does not need any proving - just practice.
Verse Study Form .html format .pdf format
Follow the verse study form in sequence, top to bottom. We use the King James Version as a foundation to our work because it is still a widely used, quoted and referenced study Bible throughout the English speaking world. For the same reason, we ask that you identify the Strong's Number for each word you define. The "Word In Original Language" would be the English alphabetic rendering of the Greek or Hebrew word you are defining (e.g., "agape"). Put the definition in your own words. Always record your source - no matter what it is, even if it is your "Opinion" or "Pastor Smitty" or "Webster's New World" or "Vines." We require no specific reference: our work stands on its own weight.
"CONTEXT" points you to the passage around the verse you are now studying that directly influences the meaning of the verse. We do not want to take any verse "out of context." "Passage" indicates the starting and ending references of the section the verse is a part of. There is no specific number of verses required as the passage. You must carefully read the preceding and following sections of Scripture around the verse to determine this. Identify the "Main Word" and the "Key Phrase" of the passage (not just the verse). Use the "Notes" section for information about this passage as it relates to your verse.
"RESEARCH" should reflect some investigation on your part into what Biblical scholars have recorded on the verse you are studying. Again, we do not require any specific reference, such as Matthew Henry's Commentary, but we do ask that you note your source.
"PARAPHRASE" is the pinnacle of your verse study! Thoughtfully compare all the
information you have uncovered in your work on this verse up to this point. Then, prayerfully, as accurately as you can,
restate in your own words what you feel is being communicated by the Holy Spirit in this
verse.
Discussion Form - THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE! .html format .pdf format
"TOPIC" - Your topic may be your "Session Topic" but you may state your topic to be anything. You can discuss your topic under any or all THEMES or AREAS. Choose your topic AS A RESULT OF your study of the Bible. Do not use the Bible to prove a notion: it is too easy to be prejudiced by your intellectual pride. You might study Scripture with a subject in mind, and search out what the Bible says about it, but, be open to fresh perspectives and new discoveries as you do so. Do not teach God what He meant, let the Holy Spirit teach you!
"THEME" - Choose your theme from the following table. We list 36 major points of discussion in Scripture (though not by any means to be considered all-inclusive). The participants of Chapter & Verse are welcomed from all the different orbits of the Christian Faith. For us to organize and manage our Bible-based communications, we must agree on some common ground. This is fundamental to the development of meaningful relationships, and, coupled with mutual faith in Christ, is the main focus of Chapter & Verse.
THIRTY-SIX MAJOR THEMES OF SCRIPTURE
0-FATHER GOD C-RELIGION O-HELL
1-JESUS CHRIST D-PROPHECY P-CREATION
2-THE HOLY SPIRIT E-LIFE Q-DISCIPLE
3-HUMANITY F-DEATH R-RELATIONSHIPS
4-SATAN G-CONFLICT S-CHARACTER
5-TRUTH H-BEHAVIOR T-GIVING
6-DECEPTION I-GRACE U-AUTHORITY
7-HOLINESS J-SALVATION V-SUFFERING
8-EVIL K-SIN W-SACRIFICE
9-RIGHTEOUSNESS L-ETERNITY X-FAITH
A-PRAYER M-TIME Y-HOPE
B-WISDOM N-HEAVEN Z-LOVE
" AREAS" - These are the various categories of discussion. You decide which one applies based on the spectrum of Scripture you are using to support your work.
1) DOCTRINE - The pinnacle of your labors. A specific truth that is
(1) Taught by Jesus Christ in the Gospels,
(2) Experienced by the disciples in the Book of Acts,
(3) Explained by the Apostles in the Epistles.If your discussion is validated by this "three fold cord" in your Verse Studies, then you could select this area. Required references are: two from the Gospels, one from Acts, two from the Epistles.
2) THEOLOGY - Specific truth which illuminates the inter-relationships, realms and natures of God, Man and Satan. Required references are: one from the Gospels, one from the Epistles, three from any section of Scripture.
3) WISDOM - Specific truth which instructs us in all that pertains to human-to-human relationships and personal behavior. Required references are: one from the Gospels, one from the Epistles, and three from any section of Scripture.
4) OLD TESTAMENT - Passages from the Old Testament that foreshadow New Testament truth; mark the historical procession to the Cross; provide practical examples for New Testament teaching; or that serve as types, figures and illustrations of eternal reality. Required references are: one from the Old Testament, one from the Gospels, one from the Epistles, two from any section of Scripture.
5) TESTIMONY - Specific truth or insight you feel has been brought to your attention thru a unique experience, a dream, a vision, or in your communion with the Holy Spirit. Required references are: one from the Gospels, one from the Epistles, three from any section of Scripture.
6) OBSERVATION - General insight into Scriptural truth which you feel is worth mentioning, but you have not found the specific supporting references required for the other areas of discussion. Required references are: five from any section of Scripture.
7) FALSE DOCTRINE - Any teaching identified specifically by the New Testament as false, deceptive or wrong teaching. Also, any teaching which contradicts truth put forth in this study system as a generally accepted DOCTRINE, THEOLOGY or WISDOM discussion. Required references are: one from the Gospels, one from the Epistles, three from any section of Scripture.
"PREMISE" - Webster's Dictionary: "To lay down or put forward as preliminary or preparatory to what is to follow." State in concise and clear terms what your point is in this discussion. What specific truth are you addressing? Be careful to select Verse Studies which specifically relate to this premise. As you compose it, stick to this subject in the body of your discussion. Use separate discussions to build upon this premise with related views.
PERSPECTIVE ON THIS STUDY SYSTEM
While learning this Bible study system, think of Biblical TRUTH as the universe; THEMES as solar systems in the universe; TOPICS as moons, planets and meteors in each solar system; this study format is your telescope; AREAS are the various types of lenses giving different resolution, magnification and color to your view.
CONCLUSION
What you have to share with other believers is important. As we have stated in our Syllabus, just saying something does not mean you have communicated it. The Bible study system of Chapter & Verse offers you this vital tool of communication with which everyone is using the same convention and in which feedback is built into the process. Just telling someone "doctrine" is often very shallow and ineffective. Communication is more than that...it is relationship. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called by our Creator to develop relationships that have a solid foundation. The Word of God, Jesus Christ, in each of us is that foundation. Making the investment that any serious study of Scripture requires will reward you inwardly and enhance your personal relationship with Christ. As you begin to faithfully participate in Chapter & Verse you will see the integrity of this foundation begin to affect and weave itself into your relationships with others. We all long for this in our lives. It is absolutely worth the effort!
Address your communications with the administers of Chapter & Verse to:
Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc.
1543 Norcova Ave.
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Leave your message, comment, or request in our guestbook.
"Chapter & Verse" is a trademark of the Bible Study system developed, copyrighted and owned by Gerald T. Johnson and licensed exclusively to Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc.
© Copyright 1993, 1999, 2000, and 2005 by Gerald T. Johnson. This Bible Study System is administered and maintained by Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc., and all copyright privileges of this manual (in hard copy and in web site format) and the computer program of the same trade name, "Chapter & Verse" (tm), are reserved by Christian Concourse Ministries, Inc. Permission is given to copy this manual for use in the non-commercial promotion and use of this Bible study system. By observing the above stipulations you help us preserve the integrity and continuity of the Bible study system of Chapter & Verse. We are responsible to do this. Thank you for your respectful cooperation.
Syllabus For "The Applied Bible Study System"
Guidelines For "The Applied Bible Study System"
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