"Bible Study"

We have developed an inductive Bible study that we call, "Christian Concourse." Our descriptive subtitle for it is, "The Applied Bible Study System."  TABSS, as we therefore dub it, is designed to guide someone in the process of discovering for themselves what the Bible is saying.  We do NOT try to make a student of Scripture come to our conclusions.  

There are no fees or charges for using TABSS.  We just ask that you honor our copyright and use the material as we suggest.

The Applied Bible Study System is based on the position that the Christian Bible is the product of God's direct inspiration in the original manuscripts and that translations currently in general use are reliable presentations of the truths of God's word.   

Thoughts on Bible study from "Our Daily Bread"

There is NO denominational distinctive intentionally built into the system.  We make no effort to accommodate an inter-faith perspective.  Christian Concourse is purely a CHRIST-CENTERED ministry, and our focus is completely INTERDENOMINATIONAL!!!  Unity in the Body of Christ is the ground on which we function.

TABSS can be used in three modes:

A seminar is not where you go and sit down and someone tells you everything they want you to know about a subject.  A seminar is where everyone in a small group is given  opportunity to prepare outside the class for a given topic of discussion and then, at the appointed hour, the members of the group gather around a table and discuss the subject openly and on equal terms (of course, following predefined guidelines for orderliness).

Though one needs a strong self-motivation to study the Bible responsibly and in depth alone, it is very rewarding, especially when you exercise the discipline necessary to use TABSS.  We do not require Bible memorization in our material but we sure would encourage anyone to do so.  

An online version of TABSS is currently being developed.  Our goal is to make the various forms available on screen which can be saved and worked off-line and then uploaded to our site where approved work will be databased and made available for all to share.  This would be a hybrid version of TABSS combining features of both the individual and group modes.

 

"Continue on Bible Study"

"Prayer"

Individual prayer is a "natural" function of our individual union with God.  Corporate prayer stands on the bond of unity we all share with Christ.  We are - positionally - one with Him.  (On this, see our expanded outline on First Corinthians - "The Union of Christ with the Christian" and our article, "Three Perspectives on unity in the Body of Christ."

In the Oct 2nd page of Blackaby's "Experiencing God Day By Day Devotional and Journal"  paragraph two begins:  "Prayer is not a substitute for hard work --  prayer is the work!  God does things in and through our lives by prayer that He does in no other way.  As we pray and as our attention is turned toward God, we become more receptive to aligning our lives with His will.  God will not equip us with His power while we are racing off to our next appointment! ...."  p. 276.  Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN  1997. 

Let us take two examples from scripture as a springboard for our discussion of prayer on this site:

The first example is about personal prayer.  Read Acts 10:1-11:18.  God responded to the prayer of one humble Gentile and by so doing, opened the understanding of the leadership of the new Church in Jerusalem that He has "also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life." (11:18)  That praying soldier had a direct hand in the propagation of the Gospel of Christ to untold millions down thru the centuries! 

The second example of prayer is about corporate prayer - also in Acts.  Read Acts 12:1-17.  Here we have Peter in prison awaiting execution.  The Christians assembled to pray constantly for Peter's deliverance.  The angel of the Lord went and led Peter free from the dungeon.  Peter went straight to a house where a large group was in prayer and knocked on the door.  A young girl answered the door and in her delight to see Peter forgot to let him in and ran and told the grownups who she saw at the door.  They did not believe her - they were probably praying for Peter and when told he was free they did not individually have enough faith to believe it.  But, corporately, the effect of their prayers had moved God's hand to set Peter free miraculously!  Though we may be weak alone in prayer - our prayers shared with others as we gather in the Name of Jesus Christ have exponentially increased impact before the throne of God!

One more thing we want to say about prayer and faith before we continue on:  Why can we move mountains with a tiny bit of faith?  Read Luke 17:5-6.  The disciples asked Jesus to INCREASE their faith and Jesus responded with how much they can do with a little bit of faith.  Why?  Because how much faith we have is not the point -- the OBJECT of our faith is the point!  The Creator of the Universe is to whom we appeal.  With God ALL things are possible - only believe in Him!

We are accumulating more and more material on this important feature of the Christian experience.  Please browse.

 Continue on Prayer