Thoughts on Online Bible Study There has been a lot of controversy in Bible Study chat both during the scheduled studies and at other times. I would like to share some Thoughts on Bible Study with you at this time. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to show thyself approved a workman unto God that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. These are two translations of the same verse, one says "study", the other "do your best" and another translation says "be diligent" Study implies an ordered and structured approach to learning that involves listening, reading, research, meditation and practice. As a teacher my job is to present the Bible in an orderly manner to increase understanding. Comments and questions that are relevant to the topic/verse being studied help increase understanding and indicate whether the material being presented is being understood. However, distracting comments, rudeness, insults, and questions out of order or off topic are disrupting and confusing, especially to new believers. The goal of the Bible Study is to: 1) present yourself to God as an approved worker; 2) keep yourself from the shame of error or false doctrine; and 3) being able to rightly divide or correctly handle the Word of truth The primary focus of a Bible Study SHOULD be the Bible. You cannot have a BIBLE study if your lesson only includes opinions, illustrations or anecdotes. It MUST focus on the Bible in context. A study is NOT a debate or an argument, a quarrel or a controversy. A study is led by a teacher who has prepared by study, prayer and seeking the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit for understanding. A teacher has an authority role in the study in that he/she is to be respected, listened to and allowed to present the Word of truth in an orderly fashion, without interruption or heckling. A student is someone who prepares themselves to learn through prayer, attention, respect and quiet listening (or in our case looking). The function of a student is to learn, not to debate or contend with his/her teacher. That is not to say that a student should accept anything and everything he/she hears or sees as “Gospel truth” without examining the issues for themselves. But until the teacher has finished a lesson, or at least a section of the topic, how can the student examine the complete thought in order? Many times students are eager to “jump ahead” to something before a foundation has been laid for complete understanding, thus creating confusion. Patience is a pre-requisite of understanding Biblical truths, along with reliance on the Holy Spirit. A student must also be careful not to “jump to conclusions”, inferring something that is not stated. A good teacher will be glad to clarify points that are not apparent, but jumping to false conclusions makes understanding more difficult. Each of us brings with us to a study our preconceived ideas, biases and prejudices which make understanding more difficult. We also have different learning styles and interests that bear on how the material is received. If you take time to analyze these things, you can remove many obstacles to learning. James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James tells us that not many should presume to be teachers because we are judged by a stricter standard. I can only speak for myself, but I can tell you that I take this very seriously, and examine and re-examine everything I teach for accuracy. Now OlePappy and I have oversight of the Bible Study area because we have been appointed to do so by the leadership of ChurchUSA. It is a tremendous responsibility and we ask for your prayers in making wise decisions. From time to time it becomes necessary to exclude divisive people from these rooms, and it is always a very difficult decision to make. We seek God’s guidance in these areas, not only daily, but from hour to hour. In making these kinds of decisions, we are guided by passages such as the letter that Paul wrote to Titus about this problem. Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. We in leadership are not tyrants or dictators, we are here to serve you in Jesus Name. We are appointed into our positions by guidance of the Holy Spirit, and do not command your obedience, but request it for the good of all. We do not make hasty decisions about these matters, but are called to keep peace and watch over them that are in our charge. So according to Paul’s command I would like to remind you of the benefits of obedience to those in authority over you. Be ready to do good and not get into arguments, quarrels and gossip. Furthermore, we must all be own our guard to slander no one – bearing false witness against them, calling them names or taking up offense. We also need to be peaceable – for we are told that wisdom from God is FIRST peaceable. Any “wisdom” that has as its purpose contention, division and sowing hatred and disrespect, particularly of elders and leaders is devilish. Consideration involves not only caring about the feelings of others, but respecting their position and calling. Any one who ministers for Christ, be they in leadership positions, monitors, teachers, pastors, music leaders, or even the janitors, etc., deserve respect and consideration for they have dedicated themselves to the service of the Lord. And humility teaches us that we are all one in Christ, brothers and sisters one to another, part of God’s family, and we are who and what we are by the grace of God Almighty. We have nothing that we did not receive from the Lord, and our “bragging rights” are to give God glory, whether it be about what we know, who we are, or what we have “achieved”. Titus 3:3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. Remember beloved what it was like when we were without Christ – we were once foolish, disobedient and deceived. Our lusts ruled us, and we lived a life of hate and envy. Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. But in spite of all of that, we have been saved, cleansed and renewed by the power of God because of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the very appearance or unveiling of God’s love and kindness towards us. And this grace does not depend on righteous acts or works we have done, because the Word tells us that not one is righteous before God because of his or her works. But we are justified, declared “NOT GUILTY” of our sinful deeds, before God because of Jesus and the sacrifice of His life for us by the grace of God. And we also have become heirs and joint-heirs with Christ and have the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. These are the things we are commanded to stress and teach – so we all can devote ourselves to doing what is good, excellent and profitable for all. Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. We have had a lot of controversy lately here at CUSA and I hope that these comments will convince you that this is NOT God’s will and also is no way to learn about Christ. Many arguments have been presented lately to incite you to leave your secure place of freedom in Christ and be enchained again to Old Covenant law (Torah). It is my hope that you will see them for what they are: foolish, unprofitable and useless. Titus 3:10-11 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. It is our policy to work with those in error, but after repeated warnings we are forced to exclude those who will not take correction or respect authority. However, we are also willing to work with those who realize it is an error to cause division in the Body and wish another chance. It is my hope that these thoughts will give more focus to our study time and make it more productive for all of us. Karleen Page/OldTimer Lead Bible Teacher and Coordinator for ChurchUSA ********************************************************************************* All files c1999 Karleen E. Page, All Rights Reserved. ONE copy may be printed or copied to your PC for personal use only. Please email karleenp@earthlink.net for any other permissions. Thank You. Posted at "Ask OldTimer" www.members.tripod.com/~KarleenP/text/askoldtimer.htm