Church of God Fellowship Manila

Each year, we make a survey of the whole Bible, one subject at a time. Everyone, including children who can, draws lots to choose a book or a combination of books in the Bible to study. Then, during the Feast of Tabernacles, we put it all together. We first did this in 1999. Large sheets of kraft paper are tacked onto boards or walls. Each one stands up to share what he has learned. Some take more time than others. "When I picked the book of Numbers, I really thought I wouldn't get much out of it. It turns out there are so many things I don't know that are in that book!" said one young mother. Teenagers consult adults, and are accompanied as they speak according to how they understood their assigned book. After each turn, a speaker then writes his summary on the blank sheets, as another takes his place. As each blank sheet is filled, a new one is tacked on. At the end of each study, we have several ideographs done in their own handwriting, a collective journal of gems spanning Genesis to Revelation.

Subjects tackled during Survey of the Bible:
1999 –Sins in the Bible
2000 –Consequences of Sin
2001 –Promises and Blessings for Obedience
2002 –Reasons and Things to Praise and Thank God For
2003 –Be Still and Know That I Am God (Knowing Who God Is)
2004 -Love

Future subjects planned include:
Prayer, Conversations with God
Seek God's Kingdom First and All Things Shall Be Added
Worship
Fear of God
Seeking God

Interactive Bible Study
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3.16-17

We started in 1998. In the beginning, people were uneasy, having spent years sitting in a congregation. Many had never even spoken before a congregation, or shared anything, or told of the wonders of God. Many distrusted themselves to understand God’s Word directly. People would give short formulaic answers, or answers that were more to their liking, and less founded on Scripture. As time passed, with life's experiences motivating us to come face to face with our relationship with the Living God, trusting completely in Him for our instruction and molding, we learned, little by little, to look directly into His Word. Occasionally, someone would just stand and report, face glowing, close to tears, that indeed, "How different it is to study God's Word on my own! It's really different. It's much deeper than it seemed before, when I just depended on literature." The wonder of one Scripture leading to another, deeper and more encompassing each time, doesn't seem to end, even for those who have been long in the church. Whereas before, knowledge of Scripture had been restricted to a clever matching of verses, now there was more heartfelt praise and awe of God and His Word. In this format, an elder forms as many questions as there are brethren, and everyone draws their lot in advance.

Random Sample of Questions Drawn:
• How would you explain Jesus Christ's word in Matthew 11:12, "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force"?

• In Ecclesiastes 7.15-17, Solomon advised, Do not be overly righteous. But in Matthew 5.20, Jesus Christ said that unless our righteousness "exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees," we will not enter the Kingdom of God. How can a person be overly righteous?

• What does Christ mean in Luke 17.21 when the Pharisees asked Him about the Kingdom of God, and His reply was "The Kingdom of God is within you"?

• Romans 10.4 states: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. " Does this verse show that Christ's coming meant "the end of the law"?

• In Matthew 4.7, Jesus Christ said to Satan: "It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God." But in Malachi 3.10, we find a challenge from God, "Prove (try, test) me now in this..." What is the difference between trying/proving God as against "tempting" God?

• What does the Bible say we must do as God’s children in the light of imminent war, government anomalies, social ills?

• Once and for all, does being “offended” include hurt feelings caused by being told one’s faults? How does Scripture address this?

• What does the Word say is the real reason why people have been arguing for centuries about things like ‘grace and works,’ ‘law and grace,’ ‘Christ’s divinity and humanity’ etc?

• What are the far-reaching consequences of not honoring our parents, whether they be called by God or not?

• Do the actions of diligently, fervently seeking God stop once we are baptized and feel assured that finally we are ‘in the truth’? Cite from Scripture. Also, how do we seek God?...

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. —2 Timothy 3.15

It dawned on us just recently, that those who were young children when we started as a fellowship are now growing and young adults, with their own hopes, trials, pressures. Two years ago, when most of them were pre-teens, they formed the 23rd Psalm Club, in which they learned how to pray to the Father, studied the names and attributes of GOD, how to love and respect their parents, and basic things like saying ‘thank you,’ ‘I'm sorry,’ ‘good morning.’ We really consider it a miracle and a true blessing that the young people who grew up in the fellowship are truly showing that they care for the community of believers and truly honestly want to obey God, instead of being restless and impatient to be on their own and go their own way. They are included in every activity, every Open Forum, and every Roundtable Discussion. Issues discussed during a Teen’s Bible Study range from Male-Female Relationships to The Book of Revelation to Gold to What Will You Be Doing 500,000,000 Years From Now?

Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul... You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up... —Deuteronomy 11.18a, 19

Once a month, a Bible Study activity is set for children 12 years old and below. That way, every group could use the Cardona’s garage alternately. Lately though, this has changed. Everyone gathers round for a Bible Study every Sabbath afternoon. Now everyone has to share the garage! As soon as the teenagers finish, the children come marching in, demanding, “Mag-Bible Study na tayo!” (Let’s have a Bible Study now!) This sounds unbelievable. But it is true. This has forced adult teachers to always be on their toes, ready with an activity that is lively, tactile, interactive, and will truly communicate the life, spirit of God’s Word to the minds and hearts of little ones.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life. —John 6.63