PEv 04 Simple Methods of Giving Bible Studies General Conference of

PEv 04 Simple Methods of Giving Bible Studies General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Simple method is needed 1. It has proven very successful around the world. 2. Anyone can master it very quickly. 3. The student learns better and faster. 4. The student is soon trained and equipped with completed study guides to study the Bible.

God’s instruction “Our work has been marked out for us by our heavenly Father. We are to take our Bibles and go forth to warn the world.” —9 Testimonies, p. 150

Ellen G. White’s prophecy “Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence.” —9 Testimonies, p. 126

Preparation needed Heart preparation Preparation of materials Mental preparation

Heart preparation: The example of Jesus Before every major event in His ministry, Jesus prayed for guidance and help. - Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18, 28, 29 Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. - John 16:13 God wants us to pray for wisdom. - James 1:5; Hebrews 4:16

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” —Proverbs 23:26 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me.unto the uttermost part of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” —James 4:7, 8

“The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one.” —The Desire of Ages, p. 324

Preparation of materials: The basic tools Bible - preferably one with a concordance Bible Study Guide Pictorial aid for Bible study or other devices

Mental preparation “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15

Building interest for Bible Studies Home visitation New Testament method of creating and building interest Making friends with people

Jesus’ example: Making friends with people Jesus loved people and never failed to help them - Mark 1:41; 6:34; Matthew 4:14 Jesus was able to be friendly to all kinds of people - Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15 Jesus showed interest in every one he met and tried to give them spiritual help - John 3:1,2; 4:7

Be friendly to all people If we want to win people to Jesus, we must be friendly to them (Proverbs 18:24) When we meet someone on the road, in a bus, at the market, in the village or at a store, always be friendly: smile, talk to people, inquire about family, give help if needed.

Make use of every opportunity to help others There are many opportunities for us to offer help and friendship: Sickness Family death New neighbors People in prison Widows Elderly people Building/farming

Home visitation “How can the great work of the third angel’s message be accomplished? It must largely be accomplished by persevering, individual effort, by visiting the people in their homes.” —Welfare Ministry, p. 97

Home visitation (cont.) “There are families who will never be reached by the truth of God’s word unless His servants enter their home.” —Evangelism, pp. 435, 436

New Testament method of creating and building interest “The more closely the New Testament plan is followed in missionary labor, the more successful will be the efforts put forth.” —Testimonies for the Church Vol. 3, p. 210

Christ’s method Our Savior went from house to house: healing the sick, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the Disconsolate, blessing children, speaking words of hope and comfort to the weary mothers. —Christian Service, p. 114

The method of the Early Christian Church “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” - Acts 5:42 They grew - Acts 2:47 The whole city was evangelized - Acts 17:6 More baptisms - Acts 2:41, 4:4; 5:14 Penetrating unentered areas - Acts 8:4 Paul: “taught publicly and from house to house.” - Acts 20:20

Prospects for Bible study

Tips on finding Bible studies Distribute a series of tracts or a single tract Place enrollment cards in the doors Mass mail enrollment cards to postal areas Encourage all church members to carry enrollment cards at all times Give, or better, lend books Share a video or audio-cassette Use a Religious Interest Survey Use a Community Service survey

Bible study outline Introduction Body Appeal or conclusion

Introduction To awaken the interest of the hearers, let your introduction statement make a lasting impression. It can be: A short story Important world events An arresting text that introduces the topic An appetizer that will make people crave the main dish

The Body The body is the main dish. The body should satisfy the craving which is created by the introduction. It must be solid and in logical sequence from beginning to end. Present the subjection with conviction and leave room for the Holy Spirit.

The Body (cont.) The body is the main dish. Present the subjection with conviction and leave room for the Holy Spirit. Pick up verses that are simpler and have a direct connection to your next verse. Be brief and direct to the point. End your study before interest fades. Ten to 15 texts in each will be sufficient.

Appeal or conclusion Summarizing Clinching Appealing Forecasting the next topic

What to do at the study Be Punctual Be enthusiastic, cheerful, relaxed and friendly Sit at the right place (with a group, it is best to sit in a circle) Short introduction (make sure everyone is introduced and comfortable) Be understanding Speak wisely

How to present the Bible study 1. Begin with prayer. An opening prayer is brief but sincere. Establish a friendly spirit before beginning the Bible study. 2. Give the introduction or review its high points; Speak slowly clearly and with conviction.

How to present the Bible study (cont.) 3. The best method: question and answer.

How to present the Bible study (cont.) 4. Compliment good answers. 5. After participants read their answers, you might say, “Does anyone have a different answer?” 6. Always listen and ask questions.

How to present the Bible study (cont.) 7. Make brief and relevant comments as you go along; stick to the subject. 8. Never introduce ideas for which the Bible student does not have sufficient background. 9. Read each Bible text clearly; you have God’s Word in your hands.

How to present the Bible study (cont.) 10. If a question deals with a controversial lesson do not hurry through a Bible study; make each point clear before you move to the next topic.

The use of illustrations An illustration drives home the point. It creates a deeper and more lasting impression in the heart and mind. It’s like the window that brings in fresh air. It must be short. Avoid comical illustrations. Refrain from using cheap jokes.

Tips for success Be understanding Listen Get a firm decision for Christ before you introduce testing truths Know how to meet opposition Be tactful and refined Don’t argue Be sincerely interested in the person Offer compliments Agree on every point possible Don’t be embarrassed about questions you can’t answer

Dangers to avoid in giving a Bible study

Length of Bible Study: 30-40 minutes After the Bible study, don’t stay too long. Number of Questions: 10-15 texts Do not preach, lecture, shout at your listener. Never - argue with your listener - become angry - criticize or speak disrespectfully about other people

Arranging topics Choose the topic to meet the needs of the hearers. Make the topic Christ-centered. Learning about Jesus and His will for our lives is the object of all Bible study. Follow a correct order of topics.

The WRONG way Baptism Foods Tithe Sabbath Second Coming

The RIGHT way

Suggested order of topics

The purpose of Bible study – to help the student make a decision for Christ The Lesson: Christ centered When does the decision take place? At the first Bible study - begin with a smaller decision; this prepares for bigger decisions.

“What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will.” —Steps to Christ, p. 47

ABCs of obtaining decisions Acceptance Belief Confidence

Steps in making decisions Action Desire Conviction Information

How the mind works Information: Accumulate facts about the decision to be made. Adequate information is necessary, but there are two problems: 1.Information overload 2.Programmed non-response

Overcoming information overload Present testing truths gradually. If possible, do not present three or four new truths back to back in the same week. Visit people in their homes immediately after presenting testing truths to answer any major questions.

Two ways to avoid programmed non-response

Implanting conviction Clear information – “Is this clear to you?”

Fanning the flame of desire

Important points for obtaining decisions

Important points for obtaining decisions (cont.)

Reasons for asking for prompt decisions Truth is most clear when it is fresh in the memory. Satan is working to lead the thoughts away. Conviction may completely disappear if one is not brought to decision at the earliest period possible.

Reasons for asking for prompt decisions (cont.) A decision may be turned in another direction or toward another church. Relatives or members of other churches may confuse the issues or the truth in the mind. Circumstances may place the student beyond your reach in a very short time.

Know how to respond to objections use the FFF technique I understand exactly how you feel. Many others in your present situation have felt the same way. But they have found . . .

Simple Methods of Giving Bible Studies