Normal people don't go looking for cults. Cults go looking for them. Many cults are very good at passing themselves off as normal but devoted Christians. To protect yourself from cults, keep the following questions in mind if you are attending or studying the Bible with people from an unfamiliar church.

• Do they routinely and deliberately set up studies so one new member studies with several experienced members?

  This isn't meant to refer to Sunday school; this refers to studies which are set up strictly for the teaching of the new member and not the current ones. Cults frequently employ this technique to pressure recruits into accepting their teachings. Be especially wary if they imply that the study is to be a one-on-one study and it turns out additional members are present, especially if they appear to be there more to persuade you than because they are interested in learning more about the Bible.

• Is it difficult to get a straight answer about the group's affiliations?

  A legitimate church will tell you who they are affiliated with. Many cults, however, will be evasive if you ask. Often, it is because they are afraid people will be less inclined to join if they hear what former members have to say about their church.

• Are they unwilling to let you know what future studies they are planning?

  A legitimate Bible study group will have no problem telling you what next month's studies are, whether they are about the prophesies of Amos or what the Bible says about racism. However, many cults use a series of Bible studies that they do not wish to reveal to new recruits. They may tell you a little about what the next study is about, but probably not about further studies. If a month from now they plan a Bible study where they will tell you that nobody outside of their church is saved, it's unlikely they will tell you about it.

• Do they insist on using only one translation of the Bible?

  Some cults will play word games with Scriptures that only work in a certain translation, or a particular wording of a passage may work to their advantage.

• Do they ignore or dismiss any objections you make to their teachings?

  Cult leaders resent any challenge to their authority. Even if you can come up with a solid Biblical reason for your disagreement, they probably will not listen to you and may try to make you feel guilty for questioning their authority.

• Do they place unusual amounts of emphasis on certain words and phrases?

  Many cults tend to place more emphasis on certain specific words than the Bible does. For example, one cult places a great deal of emphasis on the word "disciple" even though it appears in only 5 books of the New Testament.

• Do they seem to piece their teachings together from brief verses?

  If they are doing so, it is likely that they are taking the verses out of context. One example is a cult that uses Matthew 7:19 ("Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.") to mean that anyone who is not recruiting new members will go to Hell. If you read the entire paragraph, however, it becomes clear that the verse is a warning about how false prophets will arise and they can be recognized by their evil deeds. Nowhere in the Bible is bearing fruit equivocated with winning converts!

• Do you feel as if they are routinely trying to break your will?

  This form of "Bible study" has absolutely no place in a healthy church!