1. Growing To Maturity

2. The Role Of Bible Classes
Growing To Maturity
The Role Of Bible Classes

3. Goals Of Bible Study

4. Goals Of Bible Study
To know God better

5. Goals Of Bible Study To know God better
To motivate students to enjoy studying the Bible

6. Goals Of Bible Study To know God better
To motivate students to enjoy studying the Bible
To transform lives into God’s image

7. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NRSV)
11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

8. Ephesians 4:11-16

9. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved

10. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:

11. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:
All attain to unity of faith & knowledge

12. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:
All attain to unity of faith & knowledge
Maturity measured by Christ’s stature

13. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:
All attain to unity of faith & knowledge
Maturity measured by Christ’s stature
Marks of maturity:

14. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:
All attain to unity of faith & knowledge
Maturity measured by Christ’s stature
Marks of maturity:
No longer children tossed by waves/winds

15. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:
All attain to unity of faith & knowledge
Maturity measured by Christ’s stature
Marks of maturity:
No longer children tossed by waves/winds
Speaking the truth in love

16. Ephesians 4:11-16
The purpose of teaching: equipping saints for the work of ministry (service) – this is how growth is achieved
Long-term goals:
All attain to unity of faith & knowledge
Maturity measured by Christ’s stature
Marks of maturity:
No longer children tossed by waves/winds
Speaking the truth in love
Knit together by every ligament

17. Obstacles To Proper Growth

18. Obstacles To Proper Growth
Low attendance

19. Obstacles To Proper Growth
Low attendance
Tendency for class to be treated as separate & less important

20. Obstacles To Proper Growth
Low attendance
Tendency for class to be treated as separate & less important
Poor participation

21. Obstacles To Proper Growth
Low attendance
Tendency for class to be treated as separate & less important
Poor participation
Inadequate preparation

22. Obstacles To Proper Growth
Low attendance
Tendency for class to be treated as separate & less important
Poor participation
Inadequate preparation
Only a few people speak

23. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material

24. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture

25. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture
Discussion that doesn’t examine the text

26. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture
Discussion that doesn’t examine the text
Dependence on cross-references, external study aids, and commentaries

27. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture
Discussion that doesn’t examine the text
Dependence on cross-references, external study aids, and commentaries
“Creed rehearsal”

28. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture
Discussion that doesn’t examine the text
Dependence on cross-references, external study aids, and commentaries
“Creed rehearsal”
Discussion without self-examination

29. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture
Discussion that doesn’t examine the text
Dependence on cross-references, external study aids, and commentaries
“Creed rehearsal”
Discussion without self-examination
Focusing on topical studies or “issues” that cause us to miss the message of the text

30. Obstacles To Effective Bible Study
Class format & material
100% lecture
Discussion that doesn’t examine the text
Dependence on cross-references, external study aids, and commentaries
“Creed rehearsal”
Discussion without self-examination
Focusing on topical studies or “issues” that cause us to miss the message of the text
Using language unfamiliar to new students

31. Methods For Proper Bible Study

32. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Start with an overview of the book/letter

33. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Start with an overview of the book/letter
Survey chart – “birds-eye view”

34. EPHESIANS: Key Words/Phrases: Key Verses: Put Off, Put On Blessings
Salvation
Strength
Unity
Submit
Be Strong
1:1
2:1
3:1
3:2
3:14
4:1
4:17
5:21
6:10
Our Riches In Christ
Our Walk In Christ
We In Christ
Christ In Us
Key Words/Phrases:
Key Verses:

35. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Start with an overview of the book/letter
Survey chart – “birds-eye view”
Author
Recipient(s)
Approximate date
Background
Occasion – reason for writing
Repeated words & phrases
Textual progression – how does the text fit together?

36. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Textual worksheet

37. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Textual worksheet
Observation (what do you see?)
Interpretation (what does it mean?)
Application (how does is apply to me?)
Communication (how can I share what I have learned?)

38. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Textual worksheet
Observation (what do you see?)
Interpretation (what does it mean?)
Application (how does is apply to me?)
Communication (how can I share what I have learned?)
What is the main point of the text?

39. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Advantages of self-discovery and textual worksheets

40. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Advantages of self-discovery and textual worksheets
Keeps information in its proper context

41. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Advantages of self-discovery and textual worksheets
Keeps information in its proper context
Promotes independent Bible study instead of relying on others (teachers, commentaries, etc.)

42. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Advantages of self-discovery and textual worksheets
Keeps information in its proper context
Promotes independent Bible study instead of relying on others (teachers, commentaries, etc.)
Provides room to record observations

43. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Advantages of self-discovery and textual worksheets
Keeps information in its proper context
Promotes independent Bible study instead of relying on others (teachers, commentaries, etc.)
Provides room to record observations
Everyone can participate

44. Methods For Proper Bible Study
Advantages of self-discovery and textual worksheets
Keeps information in its proper context
Promotes independent Bible study instead of relying on others (teachers, commentaries, etc.)
Provides room to record observations
Everyone can participate
Facilitates learning & explaining the text