Grace Institute: Bible Study Methods: Syllabus

Syllabus Bible Study Methods Winter 2009

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Course Description

According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Scriptures are the primary means by which a Christian is to hear and understand God's will and serves as the primary authority in the life of a Christian. Therefore, if we do not study the bible, we will be ignorant of God's will and therefore we are rejecting the authority of God over our life.

However, God chose to reveal the scriptures through human authors who wrote to specific audiences in a specific times and places. The Scriptures are not written as a series of timeless principles and commandments that can be read and understood simply. Instead, God entered into human history and revealed himself as a story. Bible study, therefore, is the process of understanding the biblical story.

This ten-week class will not just reiterate the importance of studying the bible, but will show a specific process for understanding the biblical story and how we are part of this ongoing story of God's interaction with humanity. Students will be expected to not only attending the lectures but put the lessons into practice through homework which will guide each student through the Bible Study method.

Course Objectives

• Students will develop the skills necessary for them to study the bible by themselves.
• Students will develop excitement for bible study.
• Students will develop confidence in their own ability to study the bible.
• Students will be able to feed themselves from God's Word.

Course Requirements

• Read the book of Ephesians 7 times.
• Prepare an outline chart of the book of Ephesians.
• Complete a background study of the book of Ephesians.
• Find legitimate observations of Ephesians 2:4-7
• Complete a grammatical analysis of Ephesians 2:4-7.
• Analyze the structure of a Psalm.
• Complete a word study on the Greek word translated “grace,” using Ephesians 2:1-9 as the target text.
• Write a paragraph interpreting the meaning of Ephesians 2:4-7, phrase by phrase.
• Write a paragraph explaining how you will apply Ephesians 2:1-9 in your life.

Other Details

• Instructor: Ken Carson, email: info@gcfweb.org
• Time: Sunday, 9:30-10:45, starting January 11, 2009.
• Location: Grace Community Fellowship, Room 104.
• Course Cost: $10.00 recommended donation.
• Required Textbook: New American Standard Bible, without study notes or headings ! Available on amazon.com for $5.99.
• Also Required: Access to the NASB Exhaustive Concordance with Strong's Numbers. Available on Amazon for $28.39, or you can access it on the internet at http://www.biblestudytools.net/.
• Provided with the class: E-Sword bible software (cost included in course cost). Will be provided on week 3.
• Optional Textbook: How to Read the Bible For All It's Worth , by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. Available on amazon.com for $12.
• Course Notes : On the World Wide Web at http://www.gcfweb.org/institute

Course Schedule: