HOW TO Run
A Successful Bible Study
(A Book Of Value)
Happy Riches
Copyright © 2014 Happy Riches
All rights reserved.
DEDICATION
This book is
dedicated to all those people who have wanted to do more as a Christian but do
know how and could not find a teacher.
“However when he,
the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak
(John 16:13)
ACKNOWLEDGeMENTS
The LORD GOD Creator of Heaven and Earth without Whom nothing
would be possible..
The Father for His loving kindness
Lord Jesus Christ for His last will and testament that we
might inherit eternal life
The Holy Spirit Who proceeded and came for from the Father and the
Son and through Whom we are able to have fellowship with our Father and Lord
Jesus in the bond of love.
.
Unless
otherwise indicated, Bible quotations have come from the World English Bible.
Public Domain. The name World English Bible is trademarked.
CONTENTS
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Preface
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Pg 7
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Introduction
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Pg 9
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1
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What is
required to run a Bible Study?
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Pg 12
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2
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Can a
Novice run a group Bible Study?
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Pg 14
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3
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Where
should meetings be held?
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Pg 15
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4
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Should
Meetings Be Weekly or Fortnightly?
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Pg 17
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5
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How
Long Should A Bible Study Be?
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Pg 18
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6
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What Is
A Study Of The BIble?
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Pg 19
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7
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What Does
The Bible Really Teach?
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Pg 29
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8
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How
Should A Group Bible Study Be Conducted?
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Pg 39
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9
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What Is
The Role of the Leader?
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Pg 42
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10
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Why
Summarize Comments?
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Pg 44
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11
12
13
14
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How
Should A Leader Handle Waffle?
How To
Deal With The Arrogant
How To
Encourage The Reluctant Ones
The
Wrap Up
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Pg 48
Pg 60
Pg 65
Pg 69
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Preface
The Milk
of the Word is a Bible Study that was produced because of the need for
Christians to understand the difference between cheap grace and true
repentance.
Repentance
is something that requires knowledge and many people suffer because of a lack
of knowledge. Among Christians in many parts of the world, particularly those
who are influenced by the Laodicean gospel that excludes the preaching of
repentance from dead works, there is a lack of knowledge about what God
requires of those who claim faith in Him. Instead of coming to knowledge of the
truth, there is preference to believe the lie that we are saved by grace alone,
rather than the truth that we are saved by grace through faith. This is because
grace through faith requires works to be evident. These works are not efforts
to obtain salvation but evidence of repentance from dead works; the fruit of
salvation.
The
concept of salvation by grace alone is promoted heavily by certain individuals
who receive a hearing because there is no need to change. All people are told
to do is simply confess with their mouths that Jesus is Savior and that is
sufficient. Ironically, those who teach that we have to confess Jesus is Lord
is anathema to these people.
The
concept that we are “saved by faith alone” is biblical. However, merely stating
with our mouth “Jesus is Lord” and not bringing forth fruit is the same kind of
hypocrisy that comes with the “saved by grace alone” teaching. The Apostle James quite clearly stated this
truth, much to Martin Luther’s chagrin, that we demonstrate our faith by our
deeds. The caliber of faith that we possess is evident by the lives we live,
not by acknowledging confessions of faith in creeds or anything else.
The Bible
teaches that before we can begin to grow as a Christian we need to repent from
dead works and demonstrate faith in God. Repentance means to change our mind,
our attitudes, our behavior and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit of God as a
result of a new heart.
Interestingly,
the prophet Jeremiah said that God would put a new heart in us and we would
know His Law. The Apostle Paul says that the just requirement of the Law is now
fulfilled in us if we walk not according to the flesh, but according to the
Spirit. Only those who live in the Spirit submit to the Law of God, whereas
those who love the flesh reject the Law of God. Oddly enough, we find many
people claiming to be Christians and saying that the Law (as in the Ten
Commandments of God) is no longer valid. Consequently, they speak of being
saved by grace alone and live lives that spurn the blood of Jesus because, always
returning to their sin, they refuse to be cleansed of their sin and walk in the
light of true life.
The
Apostle Peter says that such people are dogs that turn to their own vomit, and
pigs that have been washed only to wallow in the mire again. The book of Jude states these persons“ are clouds without
water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked
up by the roots; wild waves of the sea,
foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of
darkness has been reserved forever.”
Happy Riches
August, 2014.
Introduction
Conducting
a group Bible Study is really a simple matter. All one has to do is open a
Bible and begin expounding the scriptures within. But is this the best way to
run a Bible Study?
Bible studies can be run in the form of a
lecture where a person stands in front of a class or audience and talks about
what the Bible means. The participants can take notes and then go home and study
them at their leisure. If everybody who attended a Bible Study that was a
lecture took notes and then found the time to meditate and reflect upon their
notes at home, we would be probably living in the ideal world. The reality is people
might take notes but just as likely will not find the time nor the motivation
to meditate upon those notes when they get home. Usually there will be various
distractions and other people demanding their time.
Bible
studies of the nature where people come together, sit in an auditorium or even
in somebody’s lounge room and listen to somebody impart his or her
understanding of what the Bible means, are not as effective as having a small
group of between three and six people sharing an experience as participants in
a Bible Study.
It is
often said that we recall ten per cent of what we hear, thirty per cent of what
see and sixty percent of what we do. Acquiring
skills may involve listening and watching, but action is how they are really acquired.
Likewise, we learn more from active participation in a discussion than from observation
or listening. This is because when we are actively participating in something,
more of our faculties are involved in the learning process. Consequently, we automatically
concentrate more in order to make sure that we are being understood and that we
are understanding what other people are communicating to us.
When we
are actively involved in a group activity and not on the sidelines as a passive
observer, we focus more on our participation and benefit more. This is because
we are engaged emotionally, intellectually and even physically, rather than as
an observer of proceedings or a spectator at someone else’s performance or a bystander with casual curiosity.
When
running a Bible Study, the aim should be for everybody to gain the utmost
benefit possible for each participant and allow the Word of God to become
something that can be meditated upon at the time discussion is taking place, and
not something to be done at a later date. Life does not work this way. Life is lived in
the now. What we experience is in the now. The enemy of mankind is not waiting
for a future date to foul, with the filthy waters of the world, our cisterns which
are created for the waters of life. They are fouled up now, and the Devil and
his agents are doing their best to get everyone of us to drink them at our
peril. We are under constant spiritual attack. When we are discussing Scripture
and what it means to us, we need to be reflective during the conversation, not
put it off until a later date. A soldier who goes into battle without his armor
is at the mercy of the enemy. Devotional application of the Scriptures during a
group Bible Study is equivalent to hammering out the iron for the breastplate
of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the shield of faith—as well as
sharpening the sword of the Spirit. This is best done in small groups consisting
of three to six people, where everybody is encouraged to express their views
and thoughtfully ponder each other’s experiences in respect to the Word of
Life.
Some
people might be alarmed that a novice is encouraged to express his or her
views. However, unless each person in the group is encouraged to share what he
or she believes or has come to know about a particular topic, or an experience
he or she has had relating to a matter at hand, then these individuals will not
be as receptive to learning as what they will be after having shared.
It is a
truism that students at school, who take the time to discuss the lessons with
their teachers and peers, learn and understand more than those who do not.
These are usually the ones who seem to fly through school examinations like
swallows in a breeze.
In the
following chapters we will look at some simple strategies for making the most
of a Bible Study and getting the most from the experience. To do this we have
to learn to be servants of our fellows, which is what leadership in the Kingdom of God is
about.
What is required
to run a Bible Study?
There are
two requirements for a Bible Study. One is a Bible and the other is
participants. Of course it is important for each participant to have a Bible.
And while it is an advantage for every participant to have the same version of
the Bible, this is not necessary. In fact, it is often helpful when other
versions are consulted because this enables participants to gain different
insights into what the scripture might imply, unless indoctrination is the
desired aim of the so-called Bible Study; rather than discovering the truths of
God and the goodness of His heart towards us.
When it
comes to understanding the Bible, we need to realize that it possesses a depth
not found in books written from a mere human understanding. The Bible
incorporates the mind of God and because of this it is many faceted and
possesses a depth of perspective not found in other books. Moreover, unless we
possess the Spirit of God ourselves, gaining insights into the omniscient mind of God is a hard yard.
Nevertheless, this is possible and God appears to have chosen the interaction
of humans sharing around His Word in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as the
means by which this is best attained.
When we
engage in a group Bible Study, we are effectively bringing our hearts to the
table of fellowship and the Word of God is the food upon what we are feasting.
This food we share with each other by divulging how we believe each portion of
the Word of God benefits us individually. As we share our own individual
understanding of the benefits of what the Word of God means to us, we all
benefit and come to understand each other more. This is something that does not
happen in Bible Study lectures.
There is a
place for anointed Bible teaching, but it is not what is desired for small
group fellowship centered around the Word of God.
What is
required is people who have a hunger for the truth and a willingness to discuss
the truth as it is applied to their lives.
While it
is true that we only need a Bible and willing hungry hearts to conduct a Bible
Study, there are some requirements that we as leaders should be willing to
comply with, if we are to run a successful group Bible Study where participants
enjoy striking the anvil of truth to fortify Godly convictions, and winnowing
the grain from the chaff to uncover life-giving seed and eternal truth.
We need to
have an orderly run meeting and as leaders we need to learn how to handle
objections, disagreements and distortions of truth in a way that brings the
best out of every one. Our aim is for participants to thoroughly grasp the
meaning of the Scriptures so that they begin to bear fruit within the lives of
participants and enlarge our own borders of understanding. Ideally, after
having completed a group Bible Study on the topic at hand, every participant,
himself or herself, should have the confidence to organize a successful group
Bible Study. Following the recommendations of this book and utilizing the keys
outlined herein in most cases should produce participants who go on to bear
fruit.
Can a Novice run
a group Bible Study?
When we
talk of a novice, we are usually thinking about somebody who has not had any
training. However, if there are three people who come together and they are all
novices and decide to look into the Word of God, surely this has to be better
than gathering around a book of pornography. But if they had a Bible Study such
as The Milk of the Word, which is designed for individuals to engage in
an examination of themselves and share their understanding regarding what it
means to sin, and how it has affected them, then novice Christians should be
quite competent.
Sin is
something that human beings experience from a young age. Overcoming sin is what
becoming a Christian is really about. Understanding sin and its consequences is
really the beginning of becoming a Christian. In fact the book of Hebrews
(6:1-2) tells us that repentance from dead works and having faith in God form
the rudiments of becoming a Christian and embarking upon a true spiritual
adventure into eternity as a child of God. In this respect, we are not novices.
We could say we are expert sinners. However, while we may be experts when it
comes to sin, when it comes to overcoming sin and walking in the power of the
Holy Spirit, this may be another matter. Only like children, we learn as we go.
Once we know what sin is and how it has affected us, if we are novices learning
about the Milk of the Word, then there is no reason why a novice cannot run a
Bible Study that explores human nature from a biblical perspective—in which
case, get excited!
Where should
meetings be held?
To discuss
where a group Bible Study should meet might seem somewhat superfluous, but sometimes
good ideas can be triggered in our minds in the most unexpected places.
Essentially,
a meeting to study the Bible can be held anywhere. There are no requirements or
restrictions as to where a Bible Study between three to six people can be held.
People have held Bible studies in hotel bars, parks, restaurants, and even with
prostitutes in houses of ill-repute. Wherever a Bible Study is held, it is best
that a level of quiet can be achieved and there are no distractions, so each
one can focus on what is being talked about.
Naturally,
the more congenial a setting is for people to feel comfortable the better. Not
to have to worry about distractions or give any room for the enemy to get in
the way of equipping the saints with body armor is the aim of the game—only
this is not a game, this is serious training in being victorious over the
Devil.
Once I met
a married couple who were Christians. They had moved from another city and were
looking for a church to attend that would suit their needs.. The woman
expressed a desire to attend a ladies meeting. I introduced the young Christian
mother to a mid-week ladies fellowship that was held during the day. This was
at a church close to her. Unfortunately, the women there did not like her bringing
her two children and the atmosphere did not bring God glory. Instead of the
older ladies thinking about helping her, they resented her children being
present and throwing their weekly meeting into chaos.
Bible
studies are always difficult for young mothers with children. Children cannot
participate in a Bible Study, therefore it is best if a means can be provided
for some form of child care. Having children in a meeting where people are
trying to concentrate on what is being said so they can understand each other
does not work when children are around. While the mother of a child might be
slightly annoyed at times, often those without children are inconveniently
distracted to such an extent that it is unloving to obligate them to be more
considerate. Consideration is a two-way street and if a mother with young
children wants to participate in a group Bible Study, she really needs to be
considerate of others, and arrange for something more suitable for her needs.
When it
comes to having even a small group Bible Study of between three to six people
with any mothers with young children, consideration needs to be given to where
the event is to be held. This is because accommodation for the children needs
to be taken into account. However, if there are six participants and a couple
of them are mothers with young children, while it might be fine for those
without children to have the meeting in MacDonald’s or a local coffee house, it
would pay for the meeting to be split into two groups of three, so that the two
mothers could meet at a location where there are facilities for the children.
Should Meetings
Be Weekly
or Fortnightly?
Optimally, Bible studies should be no more than one week apart. It is
probably better if people can meet twice a week, if possible. When people meet
twice a week to have fellowship around the Word of God, this is usually best.
There is nothing wrong in having daily devotions either, but in a practical
sense, we have to consider the circumstances and what will benefit participants
the most. Fortnightly Bible studies are a little too far apart; whereas group Bible
Study that is held on a weekly basis tends to pull a sense of commitment from
the participants, which is an aid to growth. Meetings that are held twice a
week or more demonstrate a hunger among the participants and there is nothing
wrong about being hungry for the Word of God. Blessed indeed are those who
hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
One of the benefits
about running a Bible Study in a small group is that it is easier to
accommodate special requests to adjust meetings because of circumstances that
arise every now and then. Although, when people are interested in participating
in a regular meeting, they will make the effort to be in attendance. This is
especially when a leader runs a Bible Study along the lines advocated in this
book, because each participant will enjoy fellowship with one another in the
Holy Spirit, feasting on God’s Word.
How Long Should
A Bible Study BE?
From my
experience, the length of a Bible Study for optimal benefit in a small group
depends on the desire of the individuals present. However, I have found two
hours is usually about the optimum time to get a feed of the Word sufficient to
last for a week. Although, shorter periods can work well if they are broken up
and held on the same day.
When it
comes to group Bible Study where maximum benefit is obtained, participants need
about two hours for a solid in-depth session of discussion and enlightenment.
Of course, this is not always the case, and much depends on how many people are
involved in discussion. and each one’s attention span. Bible Studies that are
lectures are a different matter.
The type
of Bible Study that we are talking about here is one where each individual
contributes to the discussion. This may mean that some individuals will have
more issues than others and the number of scriptures discussed may be more on
some days than others. The servant-heart of Philippians, chapter two, should
always be foremost on our minds as leaders.
The
important element when it comes to having a successful Bible Study is not to
rush through matters, but to exhaust what needs to be discussed so each
individual can learn about the needs of other people and allow the Holy Spirit
to use one another to minister where needed. We all come to the table with
different histories and this often means different insights regarding life’s
trials and temptations.
What is a study
of the Bible?
Simply
put, a study of the Bible is an investigation into the meaning of the
scriptures. Consulting concordances, Greek and Hebrew lexicons, biblical dictionaries,
commentaries, and encyclopedias is generally the means by which this happens.
The aim of Bible Study is to arrive at the literal and historical truth
regarding the text and its relevance today.
The reason why Bible Study is approached using the above-mentioned tools
is they help us to understand the historical context at the time the books were
written, and to get a better insight into the meaning of the words that were
being used in the original languages.
Concordances
are consulted to see where a particular word is used in other parts of the
Bible. Concordances also indicate where words have been translated into the
same word in the English language but have been derived from different words in
the original language. To illustrate this, I have often heard preachers over the years claim that the word
“love” in English can represent different types of love in the Greek, such as
love of God, man, sex and family, but there is only one word to express
love in English and as a consequence of this not only is English deficient as a
language but also unable to express the true meanings of the Greek.
Such
statements are misleading because they give the impression that
love has
only one meaning. This is one of the problems that can occur if we only use a
concordance alone as our only reference. For if we consult any English dictionary,
we can expect to find more than one meaning to the word “love”. Except for children’s or
pocket-size dictionaries, we can expect to find between ten to twenty different
variances of meaning in the larger dictionaries. In fact, the Similes Dictionary,
published in 1988
[1],
attributes seventy-eight different variations of meaning in English for the
word “love”.
If we
consider the Hebrew word "ahavta" which means "to love" and
investigate into how it is translated in the New American Standard Bible, we
learn that the word is not always translated without a change of nuance into
English. The following is a record of every translation of the Hebrew word
“ahavta” written in the New American Standard Bible:
beloved (1), dearly love (1), friend (5),
friends (6), love (88), loved (53), lover (1), lovers (16), loves (42), loving
(2), show your love (1), shows love (1).
As you can
see there is some variation in the translation, even though “ahavta” is mostly translated
“love”, “loves” and “loved”.
The word “love”
is first used in the English Bible when God speaks to Abraham and informs him
that his actions have demonstrated his love for our Heavenly Father. Later on,
that is, some fifteen centuries later, the same word in the Hebrew “ahavta” was used in the book of Chronicles and is
translated into English as friend.
Genesis 22:2: He said, "Take now your
son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and
offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will
tell you." (NASB
[2])
2 Chronicles 20:7: "Did You not, O our
God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give
it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? (NASB)
What is
interesting about this change in meaning, which has taken place is that over
five hundred years later we find the concepts of friend and love close
to being synonymous in the Greek.
In the New
Testament Book of James, the author makes a reference to these two scriptures
when he states:
…and the Scripture was fulfilled which says,
“And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he
was called the friend of God (James 2:23 NASB).
The word
used in this New Testament text for “friend” is the Greek word “philos”, which also
means “to love”. HELPS word study lexicon provides us with the following
information regarding “philos” as used in this context by the author in the
Book of James:
phílos – a friend; someone dearly loved
(prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close
bond of personal affection.
Note: The root (phil-) conveys experiential,
personal affection– indicating (phílos) expresses experience-based love.
HELPS Word
Studies
[3]
then contrasts
philos with another Greek word
agape that is
translated as love into English:
(agapáō)
focuses on value-driven (an decision-based) love – which of course does not
exclude affection!]
agapáō – properly, to prefer, to love; for
the believer, preferring to "live through Christ" (1 Jn 4:9,10), i.e.
embracing God's will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power.
25 (agapáō) preeminently refers to what God prefers as He "is love"
(1 Jn 4:8,16).
With the believer, agapáō ("to
love") means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power
and direction). True agapáō
("loving") is always defined by God – a "discriminating
affection which involves choice and selection". 1 Jn 4:8,16,17 for example
convey how loving ("preferring," agapáō) is Christ living His life
through the believer.
agápē – properly, love which centers in moral
preference. So too in secular ancient Greek, (agápē) focuses on preference;
likewise the verb form (agapáō) in antiquity meant "to prefer" In the
NT, (agápē) typically refers to divine
love (= what God prefers).
Essentially
there are only two words used to express love in the New Testament, although
many commentators refer to a third word eros (meaning sexual love or lust). The word eros
is not found in the New Testament.
Some
commentators make a reference to a fourth word storge, of which there is only one mention in the
Bible; this is in the book of Romans. This term is only found in a compound
word philostorgoi, which is invariably translated as devoted,
even though the word means “to express love of family” (that is, the natural
affection that occurs between parents and children). The scripture where this
sole term storgoi is used also contains another compound word for
brotherly love incorporating the term delphia that specifically means brother.
The word philostorgoi is translated as devoted in New
American Standard Bible, so we will compare the
three versions to see how the two thoughts of brotherly love and
familial love are dealt with: in Romans 12:10:
Be [philostorgoi] devoted to one
another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor (NASB).
In
love of the brothers be [philostorgoi] tenderly affectionate to one
another; in honor preferring one another (WEB).
Love one another with brotherly affection [as
members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another (AMP
[4]).
The
Amplified Bible encapsulates the thought of members of the body of Christ being
family that ought to love one another with brotherly and sisterly affection. As
is evident by the above, using other tools of trade as Bible Study leaders, we
are able to dig deeper into the Scriptures and put a more complete picture
together, as the need arises during a meeting.
By using a
concordance we are able to locate words
in the Bible. By using a concordance that has a lexicon we able to discover the
inherent meaning of a word. By using a Bible lexicon, as well as a concordance,
we can competently flesh out more facts about a word (e.g. as we have done with
the word “love”) than we otherwise would, if we had been using a concordance
alone.
We have seen
that the word for love in the Hebrew is translated into friend in
the English. With the help of a concordance, I have been able to determine that
the Greek word eros (meaning “sexual love) is not found in the New
Testament but the Greek word derived from storge (meaning familial love)
is found once when it forms part of a compound word.
This
information can now be used for expository, exegetical, hermeneutical,
systematic and devotional purposes when seeking to uncover the mind of God and
the literal and historical truth of the Bible as we share this with other
people.
When a
person is leading a Bible Study, it is advisable that some background
information is gleaned before conducting a meeting to teach or investigate or
consider the Bible in any way. However, while for many the aim of Bible Study is to arrive at the
literal and historical truth regarding the text, unless there is a devotional
application (that is, a personal application to our own lives), studying the
Bible is equivalent to accumulating trivia. For most people there is no
incentive for learning about the Bible for knowledge’s sake, unless we want to
be a pompous puff ball. This is not to say that some people do not derive
pleasure from memorizing otherwise useless information in the hope that it
might one day help answer a question on biblical trivia. Then again, becoming a
notable atheist like Bertrand Russell or Richard Dawkins and memorizing
biblical facts for the sake of derision is just as futile as being a fool who
claims there is no God and biblical principles are unworthy or unnecessary for
application to oneself. The Bible is a book that contains information which has
huge implications for our well-being, not only for eternity, but also right now.
The Bible
is a written record of God’s dealing with humankind and the working out of His
purpose for the creation of the Universe as far as it concerns us. Because
God’s purpose concerns us, we really are under an obligation to ourselves to
find out what that purpose is. Not to discover God’s purpose, when we have been
given the opportunity to do so, is to reject our responsibility to ourselves
and incur the consequences of failing to voluntarily be accountable for our
decisions, behavior and course of action in life. In line with what has just
been mentioned, a study of the Bible forms part of each one’s quest to
understand and know God in person.
As noted
earlier, Bible Study can be conducted as a lecture or as a group discussion.
The lecture format can be used where notes are
distributed to attendees and a talk is given. The person giving the talk can
make use of a whiteboard or overhead projectors to illustrate points. The
lecture format is useful for doing a Bible Study that is more about the
impartation of information for historical or eschatological purposes rather
than devotional application of the mind of God to one’s own life.
Many Bible
Studies are conducted as a group discussion. Usually there is a leader and
points of doctrine are discussed. All Bible Studies are in fact hermeneutical
in nature, but too many are a concentration on dogma.
Dogma
consists of doctrinal propositions put forward as distinctive truths that
define a worldview held by a particular group or denomination which reflects a
sphere of thought and practice within Christendom. For instance, the immaculate
conception of Mary is teaching that is adhered to by the Roman Catholic and
Orthodox churches. Protestants refute this altogether. Out of the Protestant
movement, many other movements and groups have arisen that broadly hold to
views known as Calvinism, Arminianism, Fundamentalism, Evangelicalism, and Pentecostalism; although there are so many
differences among adherents within those classifications of “isms”, a complete list of the all different
points of disagreement is bewildering. Unfortunately, the indoctrination of the
members into these different points of view is often what Bible Study is about
rather than arriving at life-changing truth that enables us to be more like
Christ.
When the
Apostle Paul passed through Thessalonica, he came upon some Jews in Beroea who
were more noble than others whom he had encountered (Acts 17:10-11). These
individuals decided to diligently search the Scriptures for themselves to see
whether what Paul was saying was true. Today, there are a number of different
groups who refer to themselves as Bereans after these individuals at Beroea,
because they claim to diligently search the Scriptures. Diligently searching the scriptures can mean
different things to different people. Some people search the Scriptures to
prove other people wrong. Many people search the Scriptures to find out when
the world is going to end; that is, when Jesus is going to return. People who
emphasize end-times, are not really seeking to know the truth, they are usually
trying to justify a position, although, some may argue differently.
Searching
the Scriptures to know the truth is different from searching the Scriptures to
find out when the world is going to come to an end. People heading up organizations
that specialize in prophecy mostly fail in their predictions and use fear
tactics to keep members focused on being loyal. The use of fear is not what
searching for the truth is all about. The very Bible itself informs us that
truth sets us free. People who are free are not bound by fear. Therefore, we
can say that people who are diligently searching the Scriptures to learn the
truth about God and His purpose are doing so to be set free from ignorance.
This is what Bible Study should be aimed at doing.
Bible Study is the searching of the Scriptures to
find out how we can be set free from issues that plague our lives and leave us
feeling purposeless, hopeless, and depressed. The reason for Bible Study should
be to find out our purpose for existence; why and how we can have hope, and how
we can overcome feelings of depression in an oppressive and unfriendly world
doomed to death and destruction. Bible Study should be of a devotional nature
if it is going to be of real value to us. Bible Study involves the investigation
of what the text means; the examination of ourselves in relation to what the
text is saying; and the realization of how to apply the truths found within its
pages to our own lives.
The
one thing Bible Study should not produce is people who possess a theological
mindset that has no understanding of the will of God for the individual, but is
orientated towards academic theological debate.. For instance, one church
deacon whom I was having a discussion with thought very little about testifying
to the glory of God for what Jesus had done in a person’s life, but had a high
regard for theological terminology. He frequently peppered his speech with
theological jargon rather than use every day terms to express the same idea.
However, when I had the opportunity to ask him what he believed God’s will was
for his life, he said that he did not know—after thirty years a Christian!
What Does
the Bible Really Teach?
When it
comes to understanding what the Bible really teaches, unavoidably this involves
hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is the process of interpretation that is used to
develop our belief system. Any erroneous matter used in the process means that we will miss the truth when forming
our conclusion. This is just like shooting an arrow at a target in an archery
competition and a miscalculation of the wind causes the arrow to drift a little
causing it to miss the target. We can be assured that there has to be many
errors in interpretation of the Scriptures, because there are so many different
points of view on the various topics that are found in the Bible. Consult an
encyclopedia or dictionary on theology and you will be astounded that one book,
which is purportedly a love letter from God to humans, can be interpreted in so
many different ways. Understanding what
the Bible really teaches requires us to be diligent in finding out how we can
interpret it correctly and apply its truths for our good.
A couple
of days prior to writing this, when walking on a walkway that crossed over a
road to a railway station, I saw a Jehovah Witness sitting on a chair next to a
portable book stand advertising their literature. I decided to talk to a
Jehovah Witness. At the time, he happened to be writing a letter. During our
conversation, I asked him a number of times how we could get to know God personally.
He kept telling me: “We get to know Jehovah through reading the Bible”. I
explained to him that if he were to write me a letter and told me all about
himself, this did not mean that I actually knew him. For all I know, he might
not exist. Someone else could have written the letter. And even if he did write
the letter, unless I knew him personally, I could not possibly get to truly
know him by means of the letter alone. At best, all I could know would be facts
about him based on how I interpreted what he wrote. Naturally, he agreed with
what I was saying because what I was saying is true; besides, he was writing a
letter and I did not know him. Eventually, he admitted that he did not really
know God, only what he had read in the Bible. I suggested that he ought to read
the Gospel of John, from chapters ten to sixteen, and ask God to show Him the
truth. The reason I said this to him is
because I know that if he truly read these Scriptures, he would have read such
things as:
I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he
will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. The thief only
comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have
it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep (John 10.9-11 ).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me (.John 14:6)
However when he, the Spirit of truth, has
come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but
whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming
(John16:13).
The
Jehovah Witness replied, “I would start at Psalm eighty-six first, because
there we find the name of Jehovah.”
In the World English Bible “Yahweh” is used
instead of “Jehovah”. When we read the first six verses of this Psalm, we learn
that the writer is petitioning (to be truly technical) YHWH and not Jehovah or Yahweh
to answer his prayer:
Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor
and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who
trusts in you. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring
joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul. For
you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all
those who call on you. Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my
petitions (Psalm 86:1-6).
The truth
is the Jehovah Witness has been indoctrinated to accept that Jesus is not really
God, only Jehovah is God, therefore praying to Jesus is futile. The Jehovah
Witness cries out to Jehovah to be saved and ignores the fact the same Bible
informs us that only through knowing the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, can we
be saved and receive the Spirit of Truth, Who will guide us into all truth. The
question for the Jehovah Witness is: Does he truly want to know what the Bible
teaches? Or, Is he going to rely on studying Jehovah Witness publications for
his Bible Study? From reading the Bible myself, I have come to realize, a
personal relationship with Lord Jesus Christ is required to begin learning what
the Bible really teaches—since all things have been created through Jesus
Christ, it just so happens, He is also the Author of the Bible. The Jehovah
Witnesses, on the other hand, teach that Jesus is not God but a created being,
just like any other angel. In which case, according to their thinking, why go
to a created being to be saved when Jehovah is greater than all. However, if we
understand that only Jesus is the way to the truth that provides eternal life,
then we would earnestly seek out Jesus, so we might be set free from ignorance
by learning the truth.
Hermeneutics
is the interpretation of the Scriptures. How we are going to interpret the
Scriptures is up to us. If we are going to understand what the Bible really
teaches, then our exegesis of a text has to be correct and in accord with the
general revelation that permeates Scripture. Exegesis is the critical
explanation of what a text means. The general revelation is the theme that runs
from the first book of the Bible, Genesis,
to the last book of the Bible, Revelation.
Essentially, we could say that the Bible begins and ends with the revelation of
Lord Jesus Christ, because the word GENESIS means ORIGIN and the last book of the Bible begins with the words THE
REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
With this in mind, it is understandable that we read in the book of Revelation,
our Lord Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning
and the End. From reading the pages of the Bible we have to conclude that when Jesus
was talking to the Jews, what He said then is still true:
You
search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life;
and these are they which testify about me.
Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life (John 5:39-40).
What this
means is any exposition of the Scriptures, any explanation of the Scriptures,
any interpretation of the Scriptures, has to bear witness to the purpose of God
as revealed through Jesus Christ. Therefore, any systematic search of the
Scriptures must also produce within the person doing the searching, a deeper
understanding of the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Author and
Finisher, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith.
Systematic
theology is constructed with the view that classifying ideas, and then
critically analyzing them in the light of the current knowledge of the world,
enables us to gain greater insights into what religion means, and how people’s
interpretation of their quest to find the answers to life’s questions can be
understood at the present time. Systematic theology allows us to trace an idea
through the Bible and apply some scientific rigor by utilizing methods of
analysis to see where it is faulty or where weaknesses of interpretation lie. A
thorough investigation into scriptural themes that critically examines their
validity in respect to the purpose of God bears the hallmarks of seeking the
truth. Unfortunately, many systematic theologies are propositions
(philosophical proposals put forth) that use scripture as proof texts and are
not the results of rigorous investigation into the truth of the Scriptures.
Systematic theology is a topical arrangement of thought which tends to have an
underlying premise from which to interpret the theme, so that it is easy to
explain. The problem is always found when a compiler of systematic theology
refuses to acknowledge contradictory statements within the Bible and, by doing
so, does not allow them to unveil error in the interpretation that is being
supported by the proof texts selected on the topic.
It may
seem surprising that people claiming to desire the truth, or claim to be
hammering out sound teaching on the anvil of truth, could come up with erroneous
doctrines. But it happens. Why does it happen? It happens because facts that do
not fit the picture the interpreter is trying to put together are disregarded. Learning the truths of scripture
are like putting together a large jigsaw puzzle made up of small jigsaw pieces.
Rather than letting the Holy Spirit show where inconvenient truths belong,
pieces of the puzzle are discarded and others that do not really belong in that
part of the picture are made to fit. Consequently, the picture becomes distorted.
Instead of putting together a true representation of spiritual realities,
counterfeit similarities are created that appear to have a ring of truth about
them, but the sound is foreign to the ears of those who sit in the counsel of
God Almighty. Unlike the counterfeit, the truth sets us free; but truth also
hurts, and hurts are painful. Pain is not something we are attracted towards.
Pain is something we hate. Hence when we encounter something that we do not
like, our tendency is to obfuscate the issue and create something more to our
liking that seems easier to understand. No wonder Jesus said that the way to
life is narrow and few it is that find it.
To
illustrate the point with an example
from the scriptures, we shall consider the practice of water baptism. Jesus said to those whom he chose to
teach, who were to become the apostles, that they were to make disciples and
baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Yet there
is no evidence of the apostles ever doing this. There is evidence that the
apostles practiced baptism but by calling on the name of the Lord or the name
of Jesus Christ, but there is no scripture within the New Testament to support
that the formula “the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit” as being used.
Consequently, any teaching on Baptism that overlooks this fact is in error, if
the group or denomination is claiming to abide in the Apostles teachings. For
all true Christian teaching is founded on and originated from the Apostle’s teachings.
We could even go as far as to say, all true biblical teaching is the teaching
of the Apostles. In which case, the following would not be a problem for any
believer:
Now when they heard
this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
“Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you,
and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our
God will call to himself.” With many other words he testified, and exhorted
them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Then those who
gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three
thousand souls. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in
the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:37-42).
Now if we are not abiding in the Apostle’s
teachings, whose teaching are we abiding in?
For many people
claiming to trumpet the truth, this little oversight is usually overcome with
the premise that no doctrine can be formulated from the book of Acts because it
is merely a record of what happened, not what was actually taught as doctrine.
It is no wonder that analytical observers are seen raising their eyebrows when
Scriptures are quoted from the book of Acts by these naysayers to support
various doctrines based on their propositional truths.
Another
celebrated example is the opposing ideas of “Justification by faith alone” and “Justification
by works”, which the Reformer Martin Luther is said to have had difficulty
with; so much so, he claimed the book of James should be removed from the
Bible, because it taught justification of faith by works.
There are
other issues that arise from systematic theology that divorce it from being a
coherent expression of a true biblical overview of what the Bible teaches.
Systematic theology ought to be like the gospel of John that overlays the other
three gospels and when understood brings the four gospels into a cohesive
expression of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, the unenlightened see discrepancies
and inconsistencies, but the enlightened see the truth of the revelation of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no
problem when every scripture is understood as bearing witness to Lord Jesus
Christ. For when we ask the question, “What did Jesus come to Earth to do?” we
learn Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law and the prophets, and the Ten
Commandments would not pass away until Heaven and Earth do first.
“Don’t
think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy,
but to fulfill. For most certainly, I
tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one
tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are
accomplished (Matthew 5:16-17).
Many
people interpret this as meaning that we no longer have to acknowledge the Ten
Commandments. Only if we read the above text from Matthew, we can see that this
is not the case. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets, but the Law
itself was not going to pass away. What Jesus fulfilled was the requirements to
sacrifice a righteous life as a ransom for all men, so they could be saved,
once and for all. This in effect constitutes the fulfillment of the ceremonial
laws given to Moses and the predictions of the prophets. The Ten Commandments
that were written by the finger of God were not done away with. In fact, they
are supposed to be written on the heart of every person who is actually saved
unto eternal life. This suggests two things. One that every person who is saved
understands and knows the Ten Commandments. The second being, Scripture needs
to be interpreted in the light of the Ten Commandments. This should be a
natural response for a saved person to do, because the Ten Commandments are
written on each one’s heart.
What does the Bible really teach? The Bible
teaches that the Ten Commandments are the only words that have been written by
God Himself and they define the requirements for walking with God. Anyone
therefore teaching anything different has to be in error. In fact, the Apostle
John writes:
Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we
have boldness toward God; and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we
keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. This is
his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another, even as he commanded. He who keeps his command-ments
remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the
Spirit which he gave us (1 John 3:21-24).
While the
temptation is to say that we no longer have to understand the Ten Commandments
because Christians believe in the name of Jesus Christ and now love one another,
it needs to be noted that in the above text this is referred to as one
commandment. Having recognized this, the question now becomes what are the
other commandments? The Ten Commandments becomes the obvious answer, if we
desire the truth. Moreover, interpreting the Bible through the prism of the Ten
Commandments enables us to understand what God requires of us as members of the
Body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Ten
Commandments provide us with a system with which to interpret the Scriptures
and bear witness to Jesus Christ. They also bring the devotional element of
having a personal experience with our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus in
the Holy Spirit into focus, when we consider the way we ought to live our lives
once having examined them in the light of the Ten Commandments.
Seriously,
we need to ask ourselves: Does the New Testament teach that it is permissible
to possess an evil eye, bear false witness, steal, commit adultery and other
sexual perversions, murder, dishonor parents, labor for our salvation, take
God’s name in vain and blaspheme God, be idolatrous and reject the salvation
offered to us by our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ for humanism? The
answer is NO. All these issues and more are covered within the understanding of
the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments need to be addressed at the
beginning of the Christian walk. Sin is not something that ought to be
addressed after having claimed to be a Christian for years. Repentance from dead
works is essential if we are to have faith in God, otherwise we are numbered
among the hypocrites, and Jesus had a lot to say about them.
The
Apostles never taught the Ten Commandments were done away with. The Apostle
Paul had much to say about the Law, but he is often misquoted and
misunderstood. This is evident in the Book of Romans where we read:.
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to
God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the
realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of
the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not
have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ (Romans 8:7-9).
The Bible teaches that those who walk
according to the Spirit submit to the Law of God. Those who walk according to
the flesh, do not submit to the Law written by the Finger of God because their
deeds are evil. The Law shows us what sin happens to be so we can turn away
from it and walk in the Spirit of God. We cannot walk in the Spirit of God and
commit sin at the same time.
.
.
How Should A
Group Bible Study
Be Conducted?
The aim of the group Bible Study is to involve every participant at the
table of the Lord in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This means that every individual should be given
the opportunity to comment on every portion of scripture in the study.
Therefore a Bible Study should be opened in prayer and the Holy Spirit should
be invited to anoint the participants hearts and minds and tongues.
In a number of group Bible Study meetings that I have attended, the
pastor or leader has asked participants to read a section of scripture, or the
scriptures that are to be considered in the study, by getting every member of
the group to read a portion each at the beginning of the study. Unfortunately, this tended to create a number of
problems.
One problem occurred because everybody had read the passages of
scripture that were to be discussed at the beginning of the meeting and these
passages had been forgotten; consequently, they had to be read again, which proved
an ineffective use of time.
Another problem was that people had different translations, and it
became difficult to follow the person reading out the text, especially when the
person was reading a paraphrased translation. Frequently, the next person who
was to read their portion of the text had to ask where we were up to, even
though they knew we were to read two or three or four scriptures each. This
would detract from the reading of the text because it interrupted the flow of
the narrative. This is resolved, of course, when everybody has the same
version. However, this is not always the case, and when people have different
versions, reading out the text to be covered at the meeting proves to be an
unproductive time waster and creates confusion.
The best practice is to work through the Bible Study one scripture or
portion of text at a time and discuss it there and then, before moving on to
the next text. In doing this, each person takes a turn in reading the text to
be discussed after the previous text has been discussed to the satisfaction of
every person within the group. This enables people with different versions to
listen to the person reading out the text, and if they feel the version of the
Bible they are reading from has something different to offer which clarifies a
point, they can make a valid contribution at that time for the benefit of all,
without creating any confusion.
By working clockwise or anti-clockwise each person reads a text and
then the text is discussed. The person who reads the text is given the first
opportunity to contribute to the discussion. This is extremely beneficial for
encouraging people who otherwise are disinclined to contribute. It is easier
for the person to make a contribution to the discussion if they have just read
out the text to be discussed.
In one Bible Study that I was participating in, there was a person who
suffered from a number of disabilities, one being a reading difficulty. In this
Bible Study there were seven people, and the fact that members were willing to
wait for this man (in his early thirties) to read out the scriptures and even
help him with pronunciation, encouraged him to even make a comment. Amazingly,
this person, whom most people would think was dumb, began to discover that he
was appreciated and loved, and was encouraged to believe that he was capable of
more than even he thought possible, let alone anyone else. This is what Bible
Study in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is all about: helping people
discover who they are in God and that others are as important to our Heavenly
Father as we are ourselves.
The importance of giving each member of the group an opportunity to
read and comment on what they read cannot be overstated. A group Bible Study
should be conducted so that every person is able to make a contribution, feel
they are appreciated, and be encouraged on a path of self-discovery with Jesus
Christ as Lord.
The road to self-discovery in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy
Spirit is made easier when people are given the opportunity to express
themselves. When people read one scripture and that is considered sufficient
contribution to the Bible Study, this is a restrictive means of sharing in the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Sharing also means respect, which means it is always advisable to start
and finish a group Bible Study at the designated time. Of course, when
finishing, we always close with prayer.
What Is The Role
of the Leader?
The leader of a group Bible Study acts as a facilitator to ensure the
discussion runs smoothly. This is done by using a number of strategies that
help facilitate effective communication and enables people to express
themselves freely and fully. This is why each person who reads the text is then
encouraged to comment straight after they have finished reading the text. After
that person has commented, each person is then permitted to make their own
contribution in turn. This is done with the leader controlling the flow of the
discussion and guiding the speakers in an anticlockwise or clockwise fashion.
When a person has read
a text and has made a comment, the leader quickly makes a summarization of what
the person has said and then invites the next person to make a comment. When
that person has commented, the leader once more makes a summary of what the
person has said and invites the next person to comment. When there are only
three to six people in the group Bible Study, summarizing comment is not
burdensome and encourages each person to contribute.
Sometimes people
interject out of turn. When this happens, it is always best if the leader can
take control and ask the other person to wait his or her turn. Bear in mind, being
assertive can have its problems, so if the person leading the study feels that
the person interjecting has some issue to get off his or her chest, rather than
create a political situation, the leader is wise to assume control by letting
the person speak, summarize what the person interjecting has said, and return
to the original order once more.
In a situation where a
person interjects and insists on speaking, just because the interjector is
permitted to finish their heart-felt point, some people might think that the
leader is losing control of the meeting. This is not the case, if the leader
acknowledges what has been said and then the meeting continues as planned. In
fact, this is demonstrating control, because what could have become a negative
confrontation was avoided and a release valve was activated, by letting out the
pent up emotional pressure within the injector. The is a very positive way of
taking control and helpful in removing specks from participants eyes.
In one situation, I witnessed, a person interjecting attempted to
hijack a meeting by introducing his agenda which had nothing to do with what
was being discussed at the time. The leader waited for the interjector to
release some pressure and at the appropriate point in the tirade, he quickly summarized what the interjector said.
The interjector who was being blatantly obnoxious could not believe he had just
been outwitted so effortlessly and was left speechless. The meeting then
continued from the point under discussion at the time of the interjector’s
attempt to hijack the meeting.
The leader of the meeting was acting in love, because he was courteous
enough to acknowledge the interjector’s point and gracious enough to overlook
the true intent of the interjector. Clearly, in this case, the person
conducting the meeting was like a maestro with an orchestra. Indeed, the
leader’s role in a group Bible Study is just as important as an orchestra’s
conductor.
Why summarize
comments?
When a leader summarizes the comments that have been made, this shows
that the person leading the study is listening. It also indicates to others
that this is about learning what each one has to contribute. As each one’s
comments are summarized, each person feels he or she has contributed something
of value and does not look a fool. Moreover, other participants realize that
the leader is considerate and is worthy of respect; thus ensuring a more
blessed gathering.
Summarizing comments
also has the effect of silencing those who love to hear their own voice and
want to dominate conversations or group discussions, because it reinforces who
is leading. Long-winded people become to realize that what they had to say can
be said in less words and they ought to think more about what they are saying
rather than blowing wind.
Another benefit that
comes from summarization is that people begin to focus on the text under
discussion and tend to waffle less about irrelevant matters. For once the text
has been discussed to everyone’s satisfaction, the leader is then able to
summarize more readily what has been derived from the text within the group
discussion, before moving on to the next scripture. The benefit of this is the points
which have been missed can easily be brought into focus as well.
As already noted, sometimes
people have thoughts that did not occur to them when it was their turn to make
a comment. These can also be accounted for in an orderly way. Summarization of
each contribution aids the flow of orderly discussion and enables each person
to feel that they are making valuable contribution to the group discussion.
Summarization is helpful in not only getting people to focus on points
raised that are relevant to the topic under discussion, but also in improving
the morale of participants. This is especially the case when a participant
feels the need to share a deep and meaningful experience they had and then
become aware of the fact they have just confessed personal details about which
he or she is embarrassed.
Summarizing the feelings of the person and incorporating a prayer of
forgiveness at this particular time alleviates any anxiety or guilt that might
arise.
Summarization
therefore can be the summarization of feelings expressed, or for people who are
having difficulty expressing what they mean, even if it is a little off topic,
a short statement in summary of what they might have meant can be valuable in
restoring a positive demeanor, and a desire to delve into the Word of God.
A summarization of a
person’s feelings is different to reflecting feelings back to a person.
Summarization means stating what the person has declared about how he or she
felt and what it means when people feel as the person has stated. For instance,
if the person stated they felt embarrassed and put out and found the experience
difficult to endure, a summarization would be along the following lines: “You
said you felt embarrassed and put out and you do not feel the experience was
something you would like to endure again.
A summarization of meaning requires a slightly different approach. As
with all summarizations, it is a concise statement of content but requires an
assumption to be made. Say the participant, whom we will call, John, was having
difficulty in trying to get to the point and in a very long-winded and
convoluted way said, “An eye for an eye is not very good, because the person is
not going to be able to see and will be blind forever, if both eyes had to be
removed and if the person is supposed to repent and because what he sees
himself doing is wrong, he is not going to be able to see at all because he is
blind and this is not going to help him repent. We are supposed to be helping
the person to repent from doing wrong, not ripping eyes out so they cannot see.”
A summarization of meaning could be along the lines of: “As John has
just said, “Two wrongs do not make something right, and everybody needs to be
given the opportunity to repent.”
A summarization of meaning is not really a paraphrase because it is
much shorter and incorporates the main point that is meant by the statement.
When something is paraphrased, the aim is to convey what is meant, only with
much greater clarity. What this means is that paraphrasing tends to be a longer
explanation than a summarization. A paraphrase of meaning in the above case
would result in something like, “John appears to be saying that an eye for an
eye is going to do more damage to a person because rather than providing
greater vision, the person is going to be made blind. In which case, this is
not going to lead a person to repentance but more than likely harden the
person’s heart. Rather than permit this to happen, the person needs to be given
the chance to repent. This could require more time for the realization of the
need for repentance, before any drastic action is taken such as ripping out a
person’s eyes.”
The difference between the summarized version and the paraphrased
version is quite evident in respect to the length of each statement.
Paraphrasing of meaning therefore is not the same as summarization.
Paraphrasing has its place but takes on a different form to summarization and
is best used for different circumstances.
Overall, the value of frequent summarization, providing it is not
long-winded becomes evident at the beginning of the following meeting, when
participants are asked to recall what they got out of the previous Bible Study
and produce a higher rate of recall than they would otherwise. Participants
have a more meaningful experience because they were able to cogitate issues
more clearly as a consequence of the frequent summarization.
When people feel
awkward and misunderstood, they are disinclined to continue in attending a
group Bible Study. Our aim as leaders is to make the experience as enjoyable as
possible, so the Word of the Lord can take root in the participant’s hearts.
Amen!
How should
a leader handle
waffle?
What is waffle?
Waffle is the froth that might look good or sound good, but basically
possesses no substance or real value. In other words, waffle often is an
unnecessary use of words, or vagueness of expression, that detracts from the
focus of the discussion.
Waffle occurs when people start talking about their historical issues and
feel a need for a post mortem of events that deviates from the theme of the
Bible Study.
Waffle could also be what some relative or friend has done or said, but
has nothing to do with the subject matter at hand. It is raised by a
participant because the person needs to deal with an impending issue which
happens to be on his or her mind. Often these issues reside in the subconscious
and are brought to the surface because of the nature of discussion that is
taking place.
The interesting thing about waffle is that it is a necessary part of
the learning process. Waffle gets out of control when other members of the
group start participating in the waffle and it becomes repetitive. The key word
here is repetition. Once individuals begin to repeat themselves, them waffle
becomes the tool of the enemy.
Waffle needs to be brought to the surface and people need to be purged
of it. Waffle is drivel. Drivel can be equated with the dross that overflows in
the purifying process. Unless a person is purged of waffle, they will not be
able to grasp the concepts that the Holy Spirit is trying to teach them through
the illumination of scriptures which are being discussed.
Enlightenment
comes once illumination of the truths of scripture are able to become building
blocks in our understanding. Waffle, on the other hand, is the gunk that
prevents God’s truth from being cemented into our spirits. Waffle is the
substance that slimes the walls of our spirits with grime. Like a shower or
bath that is never cleaned, it lines the walls and forms a slime that is
slippery. Each one of us needs to have our spirits washed clean by the word of
God in the Holy Spirit
[5]
before truths of God can be cemented into our hearts.
We
regurgitate waffle as we participate in the wisdom of the world. Just listening
to Robin Williams misuse his brilliant mind as a standup comic and spew forth debauched
waffle reminds us of the wisdom of the world. The futility of worldliness hits home
when we learn, Robin Williams committed suicide at the age of sixty-three
because he did not know the One Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life—our
blessed Lord Jesus Christ. Robin Williams claimed surgeons had given him a new
heart, but it was not one that had been implanted by the Lord God, because
instead of the joy of salvation, the depression he experienced lead him to
suicide.
When
people are regurgitating waffle at a group Bible Study, it is important that
they be permitted to do so, but only up until it becomes repetitive. The reason
waffle is permitted is that we learn by ingesting concepts from the mind of God
and pushing out the sludge, that is, waffle. As we are processing scriptural
truths, waffle surfaces and we help each other clean up the mess by being
attentive and supportive of one another in the love and fellowship of the Holy
Spirit.
There are a number of effective ways of handling waffle.
In fact, summarization of what people state is one way we cut down on
waffle, because opinionated people begin to realize that waffling on about
their views is the same as blowing in the wind.
When a person has read out the relevant text, the leader of the Bible
Study instead of asking “What is your opinion about that?” asks, “What does
that mean to you?”. The aim is to make the Bible Study produce a devotional attitude
of heart in the participants; rather than a philosophical frame of mind. This
way, opinions are minimized because they are not being requested. Besides, the
book of Proverbs
[6]
informs us only fools are interested in expressing their opinion, whereas a
wise person is more interested in seeking understanding of the text and what it
might mean to other people, as well as its applicability to oneself.
When a person has felt the need to express some waffle and it is
starting to become repetitive, the group leader can interrupt and redirect the
flow of the discussion back to the topic of the text by saying something like
this: “So (name) you obviously feel that this (the text under discussion)
impacts you (along the lines you have mentioned), it will interesting to see
what others have to say.”
When a person is waffling, they are emotionally invested in the waffle,
so it is always best for the leader to acknowledge this by using the word “feel”.
This way, those that waffle feel they are being understood.
If you are one of those people who feels that a group Bible Study
should not be allowed to be sidetracked as a person waffles, then you are not
being attentive to how the Holy Spirit works. You probably need to be delivered
from your own insensitivity and hardness of heart. A group Bible Study in the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit is about people being set free from sin, not a
lecture about a subject, where you learn to regurgitate what you heard. A group
Bible Study in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is about working with the Lord
God to help each other discover deliverance from sin and how to be fortified in
the Word of God. A group Bible Study is about growing in God towards maturity
as a child of the Almighty; it is not about being a show pony. A group Bible
Study is about personal development under the guidance of the Holy Spirit;
therefore leaders have to learn how to work with what the Lord is doing. This
is why we let people waffle (froth a little at the mouth) so the dross can be
scooped off from what God is refining within. If no refining is taking place in
our hearts, then we are building with straw, hay and wood and will have nothing
of value in the Kingdom of Heaven. We will be like silhouettes. To quote the
Apostle Paul:
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are
God’s farming, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to
me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But
let each man be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other
foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone
builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or
stubble; each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because
it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each
man’s work is. If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive
a reward. If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will
be saved, but as through fire (1
Corinthians 3:9-15).
Each
person has had different experiences in his or her life and this means every
person has a different background. This is the case even when a person is born
into the same culture, or even the same family. Our individual experiences mean
we live in different universes. While we might think that two people have the
same mother and father, even if they are twins, even they can be entirely
different. This is evidenced in the Bible in the case of Esau and Jacob. The
text states:
When her days to be delivered were fulfilled,
behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red all over, like a
hairy garment. They named him Esau. After that, his brother came out, and his
hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old
when she bore them. The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the
field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he
ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob. (Genesis 25:24-28).
As you can
see differences can occur in the same family. Even identical twins are
different when you get to know them. This is because one will be more assertive
or dominant over the other, who will tend to be the more considerate and co-operative
of the two. Identical twins confuse people by their appearance. However, of the
identical twins that I have personally known, neither of them have been truly
identical; their personalities have always been distinctive. Indeed, everybody
is different. Everybody is unique. This is the case even among identical twins.
Regardless
of the fact that everybody is different, there is still a need for us to be
culturally the same. Culture is different to individuality. Culture is the
behavior of a group of people who are individually different but adhere to the
same overall expression that is representative of their underlying ethos or
reason for being. This is why humans are not baboons and fish are not birds.
This is why Christians are not Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Muslims,
atheists, or anarchists. This is also
why Christians are not Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Evangelicals,
Protestants, Catholics, or the like. These people might like to distinguish
themselves by their distinctiveness and claim to be Christians, but the truth
is only Christians are saved. In fact, in the book of Peter we are informed
that under the name “Christian” we are to glorify God.
[7]
There is a
joke about a number of people who died, and were asked by Saint Peter upon what
basis did they think they had the right to enter Heaven, rather than go to
Hell. The first man was pleased to learn that Saint Peter was going to
interview him for his inclusion among the saints who have been admitted into
Paradise. This individual, as far as he was concerned, was under no illusions
about what being a Roman Catholic meant and that the Roman Catholic Church was
founded upon the rock of Saint Peter himself. This man claimed he was as good a
Roman Catholic as one would expect a Roman Catholic to be. In fact, he
confessed, he always prayed to Saint Peter, before any of the other saints or
even the Queen of Heaven herself.
Saint Peter said to him, “I am flattered that
you thought of me when you were on Earth, but I am very sorry there are no Roman
Catholics in Heaven.”
The man
behind him thought he knew why there were no Roman Catholics in Heaven, and
this is the reason the Eastern Church split from the Western Church to form the
Orthodox Church. The Orthodox have the right teachings and the Roman Catholics
do not. He proudly told Saint Peter, “I am an Orthodox.”
Saint
Peter said, “I am sorry there are no Orthodox in Heaven.”
Upon
seeing this, the next man began to get excited. He told St Peter, “I don’t
believe in all that nonsense about praying to saints and bowing before statutes
like those Roman Catholics and Orthodox do, because I am a Protestant.
Saint
Peter said, “Okay. But I am sorry there are no Protestants in Heaven.”
The
fundamentalist was having some difficulty containing himself by this time. He
could smell a reprobate at a hundred paces, and knew a fool before one spoke,
merely by looking at the length of the hair. How often had he hammered away on
his gong that the Bible was the living Word of God and only those who read the
King James Bible could be saved. Saint Peter looked at him and said, “I am
sorry there are no Fundamentalists in Heaven.”
The next
person to appear before Saint Peter was an Evangelical. He had overheard what
Saint Peter had said to the Protestant and the fundamentalist and naturally
understood that a person needed to tell everyone they had to be born again,
because this is what all good Evangelicals do. Saint Peter somewhat cryptically
said to him, “There are those who say they are born again and there are those
who are circumcised of heart, but I am sorry there are no Evangelicals in
Heaven.”
The
Pentecostal understood why these people were not permitted into Heaven; they
did not have the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as a sign of the baptism
of the Holy Spirit. In fact, he was so excited that when he was at the Pearly Gates,
Saint Peter had difficulty understanding what he was saying. Unfortunately for
him, Saint Peter said, “I am sorry there are no Pentecostals in Heaven.”
The next
person felt rather worried. All he had done was support the local pastor at a
community fellowship where they called each other saints, because they believed
Paul addressed his letters to saints. He had faithfully tithed a tenth of his
income, gave to poor, helped out a few widows, visited the sick and testified
about his faith in Jesus to those who would listen. When Saint Peter came to
him and asked him why he should be admitted into Heaven, he said, “I know I was
a sinner but I thought I became a saint when I opened my heart to the Holy
Spirit and trusted in the blood of Jesus to cleanse me from sin and I stopped
sinning. If there is no hope for those others, I suppose there is no hope for
me.”
Saint
Peter said, “There are no hypocrites or sinners permitted in Heaven. Only those
who demonstrate their faith in Jesus by bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. You
have been saved because your faith in Jesus has borne fruit unto eternal life.”
A very old
man approached Saint Peter next and gave glory to God. Saint Peter, looked at
him with a twinkle in his eye and asked him why he should be admitted into the
Kingdom of Heaven. The old man said, walking through the gates, “Because it is
no longer I that live, but Jesus Christ who lives in me.”
[8]
The
Apostles did not say that everything was done and dusted by simply making a
profession of faith with our mouth; rather, they said that as the outcome of
our faith we will receive a crown of glory, if we finish the race.
[9]
When Jesus said that every tree would be known by its fruit,
[10]
he was not talking about orchards, Our Lord Jesus was talking about attributes
of God being expressed through us on a daily basis. The fruit of the Holy
Spirit is not heard but borne witness as people enjoy the goodness of God in
us.
Some people
may not like the joke about St Peter at the Pearly Gates because it does not
include those making it to Heaven who claim they are “saved by grace alone” or “have
seen people healed and miracles occur in the name of Jesus” or “have been
baptized by full immersion” or “have made a point of observing a particular day
of the week”.
The truth
is faith without works is dead.
[11]
Faith that brings forth the fruit of salvation is the only acceptable kind. Jesus
clearly indicated that reading books or Bibles or good works or studying will
not get people into Heaven,
only
having an everlasting relationship with HIM—the very old man knew the secret:
Jesus must increase while the old nature must decrease.
[12]
The
question is then, why should anyone bother to study the Bible if salvation is
obtained only through a relationship with Jesus Christ? And why go to the
trouble of having a group Bible Study?
First of
all, the Bible bears witness to Jesus Christ and because of this it instructs
us how to be saved and how we ought to live our lives, if we are saved.
Secondly,
we are informed in the Bible that we are not to neglect meeting together. In
fact, we are encouraged to pray for one another, to minister to each other’s
needs, and to honor those who are older in the faith who are worthy of respect.
We are also instructed to partake of communion and put aside our financial
offerings on the first day of the week.
[13]
Thirdly, the reason group Bible Study helps us
is that by sharing and confessing to one another our sins, and having
fellowship with one another with honest hearts, we are walking in the light and
the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
[14]
If we did not believe in Jesus Christ, we would not participate in a group Bible
Study to understand the Milk of the Word, so we can begin to walk in the light
of life. Many people try to avoid such a
group Bible Study because they feel threatened that their sins will be exposed.
The only person who is threatened is the one who is controlling their minds and
hearts; only those who are afraid are not aware of him doing so. As the Apostle
Peter said, grace and peace is multiplied to us as we grow in the knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
[15]
Psychiatrists
tend to see medication as the easiest means of helping people cope with their
difficulties in life. Psychologists believe that people can confront their
issues and work through them by understanding the underlying reasons that
create their phobias and inabilities to cope with life’s difficulties without
medication. Deliverance ministries
believe that it is simply a matter of casting out demons and often are seen
praying for the same people month after month, year in, year out. Yet, as
strange as it may seem, people have found sin and death are the basis for most
of their problems and by being willing to share their innermost feelings and
thoughts with other Christians in fellowship around the Word of God, they have
been set free by praying for each other, and learning to walk in the footsteps
of Jesus.
Deep down
everyone desires to know the truth about life and what if means to be a human
being born into sin. Once we learn how recognize sin, and how the Evil One uses
cunning to deceive us into habitually committing sin, we are able to let go of
the sin in our lives and release the hold the Devil has over us. When we do
this, we discover freedom to allow the love of the Holy Spirit to flow into us
and provide us with a satisfying purpose in life as our Heavenly Father
originally intended.
In talking
about waffle, one might accuse me of committing the fault here, having wandered
a little from describing the subject matter.
However, one of the reasons the aforementioned has been stated is to
demonstrate good waffle from bad. There is a difference between waffle with a
purpose and waffle that becomes irrelevant to the subject at hand. This is a
distinction that every leader of a group Bible Study needs to learn. Oftentimes,
the Holy Spirit tends to circumvent aspects of a subject as He unravels the
mess in a person’s convoluted thinking. Now this is a good thing and usually
proves to be helpful, so the individual can arrive at the truth of the matter.
The waffle that surfaces during a group Bible
Study is often the latest issue to bear down upon a person. In a study that I
was running with two other people the night before writing this, both of the
other participants had issues of the day, and one from the day before, that
surfaced during the discussion. Essentially, each one needed to raise their
issues and, in some way, incorporate into their own mindset the ideas from the
mind of God contained within the Bible. On at least three occasions with one of
the participants there was a need to tie a knot in the thoughts that were
unraveling, as they got too far away from the subject of the Bible Study.
Nevertheless, by allowing the thoughts in the scrambled brain to unravel, the
person was able to make room for some food for thought from the omniscient mind
of God.
Some
people have a habit of being too descriptive and unnecessarily tend towards creative
writing when they are speaking, because every time they open their mouth, one
gets the impression they are composing a draft for a novel they are working on,
rather than getting to the point of the topic that is being discussed. In fact
it is difficult to forgo thinking such individuals are intent in only giving
the impression that they are trying to sound impressive or big-note themselves.
Such persons are often renowned for using a vocabulary that may be foreign to other
members of the group. Unbeknown to these individuals, they do not realize that
by being arrogant, they are really displaying their ignorance about other
people knowing they suffer from feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.
How To Deal
With the Arrogant
Arrogant
people are really exhibiting a protective barrier to hide their insecurity.
Arrogance can manifest in different ways. Sometimes, the person will attempt to
be witty, rather than address the issue at hand. Other times, the person might
resort to pretense in various forms; such as using jargon that belongs in
academia or to some particular profession rather than generic words that are
used in every day speech. Some resort to expressing the opinions of other
people about the text, and like to impress by citing other authors they have
read. They are like economists who discuss the views of other economists but
could not run a business if their lives depended on it.
[16]
The best
way to deal with individuals inclined towards projecting unwarranted personas
of self-importance is to ask the individuals to share what the scripture means
to them and how they feel they could apply this in their own lives. When doing
this, it is best for us as leaders to acknowledge that the person has the
ability to express the views of others, or the capacity to speak in a foreign
language, but the other members of the group, including ourselves, would really
like to understand what is meant and not misinterpret what is being said.
People, who
suffer insecurity, need to feel that they will not be considered inferior to
other members of the group if their insecurity is exposed. While this can be for
different reasons, many insecure people attempt to mask their insecurity with
an extensive vocabulary. In some respects they are like the alcoholic, who has
learned how to mask his dependency on alcohol. Other people are very reluctant
(or even refuse) to share because they feel they do not have the knowledge, and
if they say something, they will be ridiculed. These individuals can become
very arrogant as well by trying to suggest they do not really have to share in
a group Bible Study such as The Milk of the Word, in that it is beneath
them because it is too simple.
However, the wonderful truth about Jesus is
that even though He was God, He emptied Himself and took on the form of a
servant in the likeness of a man. This was to identify with us and also to
rescue us. If we are to complete the works of Jesus we need to do likewise. We
need to be servants. In being a servant we seek to encourage people to share
what is on their hearts, listen to them, and make them feel they are
appreciated within a safe environment where they are not going to be judged and
ridiculed. This is why a group Bible Study discussing The Milk of the Word
is not so much about gaining knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but
understanding what is sin and what is sin’s hold over us, and how we can
overcome it. Hence, rather than seeking the opinions of participants, the
leader of the study asks the participants such questions as: What does this
mean to you? What does this mean for you
in your life? How do you feel about this? Or, How do you feel we could apply
this in our lives?
The key to
successfully helping people overcome their insecurities is for the leader of
the group Bible Study to understand that this is a devotional study about sin
and each one’s relationship with God and their fellows. Opinions and dogmatic
doctrine are avoided by concentrating on the relational issues and the purpose
of life. Moreover, when asking open questions about purpose, meaning and
feeling, people find it easier to overcome the barriers they have created to
protect their inner feelings of insecurity.
A wise
leader always uses open questions which are framed along the lines of: What do
you think the purpose of this scripture is? What is the meaning of this for
you? How do you feel about this scripture?
Acknowledgement
by the leader of what each person has said through a quick summarization of the
key point, or how the person feels about an issue, helps the person who has just
spoken understand they are appreciated and accepted as a valuable contributor
to the health of the group Bible Study. This way arrogant tendencies are
circumnavigated and members begin to share from their hearts on a personal and
devotional level, which permits the Holy Spirit to move freely.
Along with
arrogance, egoism is another tendency that surfaces frequently. This is to be
viewed as good; so rather than clamping down on the person exhibiting egoistic
tendencies, these need to be overlooked, because the Lord will deal with the
individual as each issue is discussed. Some people have larger egos than
others. Nevertheless, they need to come down to Earth so they can be buried
with Jesus, if they are to be raised up by the power of the Holy Spirit in the
body of Christ. It is worth remembering, traits that flow from the pride of
life are the deadliest of all sins; for it is a truism that haughtiness comes
before a fall, and pride before destruction. For only the dead in Christ are
raised to eternal life. Nevertheless, the leader of the Bible Study has to be a
servant and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance at all times, so specks are taken
out of participants’ eyes rather than creating issues because log-heads clash together.
When the
wind challenged the sun to see who was the most influential, the two of them
decided to see who could influence people to remove their coats the fastest on
an overcast winter’s day.
The wind
spent the morning blowing as hard as he could. The more he blew, the stronger
the gale he created, but the more determined people became to keep their coats
on. Exhausted he gave the sun a turn.
In the
afternoon, the sun beamed down on the clouds and once there was an opening,
people began feeling his gentle rays quickly warming them up; within minutes
they were only too willing to take their coats off.
Likewise,
a gentle tongue avoids wrath and a timely answer is like sweet water to one who
is thirsty.
It is an
irony that while some people are full of themselves and think they are more
important than others, there are others who feel downtrodden, but given half a
chance, they too will be like a balloon that is about to burst, since they also
will become full of themselves. Yet this process of manifesting the old nature and
bringing our ugliness (that which secretly brings shame) to the surface is what
God uses to transform us from the old nature into newness of life.
The
cathartic and transformational experience of confronting our shortcomings and
recognizing our weaknesses, and allowing God to purge them from us, produces a
new creation that is being transformed from one degree of glory to another, if
we have truly been circumcised of heart.
A
successful group Bible Study is more effective than many sessions with a
counselor, because the Holy Spirit is moving among the participants. The
members are coming to share the Word of God and feast on the truth.
Consequently, that which is unwarranted has no right to be, and the arrogance
of the arrogant is dealt with ever so effectively. For humility goes before
honor, and when the arrogant see how gracious people can be, they start to
realize that there is a better way than make believe.
How To Encourage
The Reluctant ones
Not every participant at a Bible Study is going to be forthcoming and eager
to contribute. Some people are natural recluses and for them to speak is like
enticing a reluctant tortoise to make a move or a trap-door spider into the
open. There are those chatterboxes who appear to have never understood the word
“quiet” when in private but shy away from making comments in a group setting.
To some extent this is overcome by getting the person to read and then comment
on what they have just read. Because everybody does this, the reluctant ones do
not feel they are being singled out and are more willing to participate.
There are a number of
behavioral tendencies that we may have which need to be avoided in order to
encourage the reluctant ones.
One thing
we should avoid is any form of moralizing or telling the participants what is
required of them out of frustration. The aim is to make people feel comfortable
by showing them by example what is expected of them after they have been
informed how the meeting will be run. With the reluctant ones, even though they
are not like a dog on a chain that has seen a cat and is choking at the neck to
participate in the action, they will begin to find their voice in their own
good time, and quite quickly, if they are not coerced, or feel they are being coerced.
It is
tempting to go overboard with praise and expressing approval in order to
encourage the reluctant ones; but by agreeing, approving and praising
everything the reluctant one says, does begin to become a form of bearing false
witness, if what is said is not
absolutely genuine. Excessive praise and approbation eventually comes across as
false, and undermines the integrity of the those who attempt to see everything
as “fantastic” or “absolutely wonderful” or “marvelous”. Reluctant ones see
through masks and like a hiding turtle are quick to withdraw into their shells.
Therefore, only genuine praise and approval ought to be expressed, and this can
only happen when there is an element of realism.
Actually,
the best way to encourage the reluctant ones is to express a form of empathy by
paraphrasing what they have said. Paraphrasing is restating what a person has
said rather than a quick summarization. This gives the person the feeling that
he or she is being understood. This is not necessary with everyone, but with
reluctant participants, paraphrasing enables them to truly feel they are being
understood. A paraphrase of what a person has said usually starts with
something like “So what you are saying is….or: If I am to understand you…” This
way the reluctant ones feel they are in control of the situation and are not
making a fool of themselves. Perceived put downs are often one of the reasons
people become reluctant to participate in group settings.
Because
paraphrasing requires more time than summarizing the main points of what a
person has said, it should only be used for reluctant ones to encourage them.
Closed
questions are a definite no-no with reluctant ones. They can work well when
somebody has had too much airtime, because they only require a “yes” or “no”
answer; but this is not a good means for encouraging reluctant contributors to
participate in a group Bible Study. If anything, it is a signal to a reluctant
one to withdraw from participation
Sometimes
a reluctant one will make a statement and be uncertain of what he or she is
really saying. The best means to help such a person is to reframe what they
might be saying rather than paraphrase what they have stated. These are
situations where what has been said is obviously off the mark and paraphrasing
is not going to do anything other than make the person feel they look silly. By
reframing what the person might have been trying to say, a better explanation
is more likely to be produced.
When we
are reframing what a person has said, we need to put ourselves in his or her
situation, but express what we would do. Reframing what has been said could
begin: “Just suppose I was in your situation, I think I would do (whatever)…
What do you think about that?”
On a
number of occasions, I have used the phrase “As (whoever) was saying..” and
reframed what they have said in a summarization to great effect. On each
occasion, the persons whom I have reframed have looked at me with a smile, and their
face would glow.
Of course,
we are not in another person’s shoes but, by suggestion that we are willing to
try and put ourselves in another person’s situation has an amazing response.
Usually this will not only elucidate approva,l but also some clarification on
the part of the reluctant one, because all he or she needed was to feel that
what was being said was acceptable. Whereas, if we were to use a closed
question at the end of our attempt to reframe, this would come across as being
arrogant on our part. A closed question would be something such as: “Is that
what you were meaning?” or “Is this right?” or “Have I expressed what you were
trying to say correctly?”
Humility
always goes before honor and how much sweeter is the praise from another’s
mouth about oneself than that from one’s own mouth. When we draw attention to
our good works or skills by giving ourselves praise, we telegraph to others
that we are self-righteous. We may not hear ourselves being self-righteousness,
but others will perceive it as such. There is a big difference between thanking
God that we have had the privilege to serve by giving glory to his name and
telling others that God sees our good works, and will reward us for our good
efforts.
In this
regard, testimonies can also be encouraging rather than boasting. If we are to
boast let us boast in the Lord and give Him the glory for what He has been
doing in our lives. When we testify in humility, people who are reluctant to
share, begin to see that we are trusting the Lord and not in our own strength.
Consequently, the reluctant ones realize that if they do not measure up, our
Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will enable them to do what
is needed.
A
testimony is always best shared from a grateful heart that treasures the fact
Jesus’ loves us, not from how we might have done something better than someone
else. For instance, we might be able to share about a time when we were afraid
or felt inadequate, and we prayed to the Lord to give us the words to say, so
that we could at least make a contribution and indicate to others we wanted to
share with them and not be standoffish.
At the first
prayer meeting that I attended, I was very quiet. As the prayer meeting drew to
a close, I sensed people were waiting for me to offer up a prayer. I felt so
inadequate as the others seemed to pray so fluently and eloquently, whereas I
also had a squeaky voice. Nevertheless, I prayed to the Lord aloud and said,
“Lord Jesus please show me the Way, the Truth and the Life.” That was all I
said. Even that was difficult for me at the time. In fact, I was somewhat taken
aback when everyone there said “Amen!” Nevertheless, they made me realize that I had
friends in Christ, even though I did not know the people there at all really.
God is so good.
The Wrap Up
To
optimize the benefits of a group Bible Study around such a study as The Milk
of the Word, it is best to summarize once again the main points that have
been discussed during the meeting just before bringing it to a close. Before
doing this, it pays to ask everyone what they got in particular from the
proceedings. This helps consolidate what the Holy Spirit may have brought to
light and highlights issues participants might like to reflect upon between
meetings.
Because of the nature of the personal
disclosures and discussion of what are often concealed sins and faults, it is
best not to be seen writing anything down and to rely on the Holy Spirit to be
the illuminator and teacher, so that participants eyes are opened by Him.
It may
seem strange that we help the Holy Spirit by allowing Him to work in us. But
the Bible is very clear that we are to work out our own salvation in
partnership with the Lord God.
[17]
If this were not the case, once a person finds the truth and becomes saved,
they would be taken to Heaven. The Lord God does not work like this, rather He
has given us a freewill so that we can choose to investigate matters and
establish truth and, when having found the truth, choose to cooperate with the
Lord or reject His ways.
By using
frequent summarizations of what has been said and placing matters in
perspective, as well as knowing when to paraphrase and reframe comments,
participants are able to gain more from group Bible Study.
This is
especially the case when it comes to studying The Milk of the Word. The
Bible Study entitled, The Milk of the Word contains a scripture study in
the Introduction that deals with why we need to recognize our
requirement for studying these scriptures and what they mean for us. It also
includes an enlightening study on the Ten Commandments, the Power of
Prayer and a study on spiritual fruit entitled You Will Know Them By
Their Fruits.
When ending a group Bible
Study there is no harm in calling for any prayer requests and praying as a
group. While the group Bible Study is primarily about gathering around the Word
of God, praying for each other’s needs forms part of being in fellowship with
the Holy Spirit.
Successful
group Bible Study leaders always invite the other participants to take turns in
opening and closing the meeting in prayer, rather than doing so themselves. Furthermore,
at the beginning of subsequent gatherings for group Bible Study, it is
worthwhile asking what was gained from the previous discussion.
The aim is to encourage participation and cooperation among those
present, so members become fruitful Christians, confident to lead a small
gathering for a group Bible Study themselves. When we are doing this, we truly know
how to run a successful Bible Study to the glory of God. But we can only do
this if we are attentive to the needs of others, listen to what they are saying,
and do our own preparation beforehand on the topic to be discussed by
consulting the relevant Bible Study tools. In having said that, the most
important requirement is to spend time in prayer on a regular basis, and in
particular, just before attending the group Bible Study.
NOTES
[1] Similes Dictionary, 1st Edition. © 1988 The Gale
Group, Inc.
[2] New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962,
1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used
by permission.
[3] HELPS Word Studies copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps
Ministries, Inc. Used by permission.
[4] Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964,
1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
[5] But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love
toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves,
but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration
and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus
Christ our Savior (Titus 3:4-6 WEB)
[6] A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in
revealing his own opinion. (Proverbs 18:2 WEB)
[7] 1 Peter 4:16: Yet if one suffers as a Christian, let
him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God (RSV).—Revised
Standard Version. copyright © 1971 the
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
[8] Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; it
is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in
the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me. (RSV).
[9] 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:6-8
[13] James 5:16; Eph. 4:12; Heb. 13:16-17; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2
[16] Such a claim is not as ludicrous as it may sound. One
Australian politician, who had studied economics and business at university,
was given a national business portfolio and, on his watch, suffered the
ignominy of overseeing a lunch shop that he owned inauspiciously plunge into
bankruptcy and augur the demise of his political fortunes, which sunk in a
matter of a few short days after his shame had been made public.
