4. Why do you think it is usually
a good idea to ask your students what subjects
they are interested in? _______________________________________________
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If your students do not
know
what they would like to study about,
offer them some suggestions.
Study to shew thyself approved
unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2: 15
5. Don't be afraid to speak the truth.
For God hath not given
us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1: 7
6. How do you think should truth be
presented?
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The best way to present
truth to others is directly, and intelligently;
with love in your heart for God, and for those you are seeking
to help find the way to eternal life.
That we henceforth be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But, speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4: 14, 15
7. Once you begin a series of Bible lessons try to continue meeting regularly
(usually once a week) for the studies until the truth of God's word has
been
clearly presented and understood.
After these things Paul
departed from Athens, and came to Corinth...
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the
Jews and the Greeks... And he continued there a year and six months,
teaching the word of God among them.
Acts 18: 1, 4, 11
8. The suggested time period for giving
a Bible study is approximately
1 - 1 1/2 hours (if no language translation is needed).
Beyond that time students sometimes lose their attention and interest.
Make every point as clear
as possible.
9. One of Jesus' methods
of teaching was to ask questions and answer them
with truths from the Scriptures, current events, or give examples that the
people could easily relate to. Do you think that this is important? Why?
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Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought
for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is
not
the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of
the
air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet
your
heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of
you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye
thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they
toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon
in
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe
the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the
oven,
shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take
no
thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)
for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek
ye first
the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added
unto you. Matthew 6: 25-33
Do you think it is wise to give opportunities
for students to ask questions
during and after a Bible study has been given? Why, or why not?
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10. One problem Bible workers sometimes
have is in presenting subjects that
are more advanced than their students can handle in the beginning. At times
the problem is created because of the student's interest and requests for
answers to their questions ...
Be careful not to bring
too much
advanced information too quickly.
Remember the words of Jesus to His disciples:
I have yet many things
to say unto you,
but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:12
11. Avoid arguments; but especially
avoid them concerning differing
points of opinion or belief. Let the Bible be the main answer book for
all questions or discussions. In this way, if someone wants to argue, they
have to argue with God's word, the Bible (the authority), not with you
(the teacher).
But avoid foolish questions,
and genealogies, and contentions,
and strivings about the law;
for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3: 9
And the servant of the
Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,
apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth;and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will. 2
Timothy 2: 24-26
Strive to reach the people
where they are in their understanding,
and work to help them expand that understanding slowly,
as God directs.
12. Don't worry if questions are asked
that you don't have an immediate
answer for. Request time to research the subject and to return another time
to give an answer, if possible. Students who are really sincere in their
desire
to understand God's truth won't mind giving you that opportunity.
And when they heard of
the resurrection of the dead, some mocked:
and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
So Paul departed from among them.
Acts 17:32, 33
13. If you come to someone's home to
study and find that the student has
some personal or family problem burdening them that day, it is usually wise
to consider rescheduling the study for another time. People who are thinking
about one thing while you are trying to teach them something else often
fail
to retain what was presented in the study.
14. Have some definite goals in mind
when bringing your subjects.
15. At the end of a study, conduct a
basic review of to insure that the
subject was clearly understood.
16. Encourage your students to continue studying their Bible at home during
the week between your visits with them. The more that they review what was
presented the better the chances that they will remember what was taught
the
week before.
And the brethren immediately
sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:
who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed;
also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Acts 17: 10-12
17. Present your studies in a way that
will make the subject relevant for this
time. Learning about something that happened 2,000 - 5,000 years ago may
be interesting, but it is more important to know how to apply what it means
for people living today.
Some closing thoughts
1. In everything you present, make sure
that Jesus relates to the center of
the subject in some way.
He said:
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
will draw all men unto me.
John 12:32
The next day John seeth
Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1: 29
2. It is important that Bible
workers learn as much as possible about the
customs and historical background relating to people whose lives are
recorded in the Bible. Can you think of some reasons why this might be
important?
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For whatsoever things were
written aforetime
were written for our learning,
that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures
might have hope.
Romans 15: 4
3. Some additional things those who
conduct Bible studies also need
to keep in mind:
... he that hath my word,
let him speak my word faithfully...
Jeremiah 23: 28
These are the things that
ye shall do;
Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour;
execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
Zechariah 8: 16
"For God is not unrighteous
to forget your work and labour of love,
which ye have shewed toward his name,
in that ye have ministered to the saints,
and do minister.
Hebrews 6: 10
Be ye strong therefore,
and let not your hands be weak:
for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15: 7
They that sow in tears
shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126: 5, 6
More could be added to
this study to broaden your understanding
of ways in which to become more efficient servants for God
in an ever changing world.
We have attempted to give you some helpful guidelines
to consider and apply to your Bible study presentations
which can lead to success and blessings for many who need
what God has given to use for Him.
We hope it has been helpful.
If you have time contact
us.
Thanks | 
