It is EASY and FUN to study God's Word (the Bible)
using the Interactive Method.
What will you NEED?
1. You will need a copy of the Study. Just print it out from this website.
2. Colored Pens or Pencils or Crayolas. We will usually use the colors: BLUE, RED, BROWN, and BLACK in these studies. Occasionally other colors are used. But, you do not have to use these colors. Use whatever you have or whatever you want to use. The colors are just suggestions.
3. A Regular Pencil or Ball point pen or both to use to answer questions, fill in blanks, etc. The pen or pencil can be of any color you prefer.
4. Occasionally you will need a sheet of blank paper to make a list or do some other assignment.
5. In the longer studies, you will occasionally need a 'Word Tools' resource such as the Vine's Dictionary or a Strong's Concordance or other similar work. However, these will be for OPTIONAL assignments. So, if you do not have these resources, don't worry about it. If you have access to the intenet, you can find Personal Study tools such as Vines, Nave's Topical Bible, Matthew Henry's Commentary, etc. at various websites.
The scriptures will be usually be included for you in the text of the Bible study. In the Longer courses where an entire Book of the Bible is used, the Text is not included. If you do NOT have a Bible, not to worry, as you can find the text at various sites on the Web, where you can download and print out the necessary Bible Text in the version and language of your choice.
So, How do I do an Interactive Study?
1. You just follow the directions provided in each study. In each Bible Study, you will be given specific scripture passages to read. Then, as you read, you will be given assignments to do while you read or based on what you read.
2. The assignments will include doing such things as:
1.marking specific words in the Bible text
2.making lists of things you have observed
3.answering questions based on what you have read
4.drawing conclusions based on what you have read
5.filling in charts
6.circling 'correct' answers or conclusions
7.and other simple, easy, and fun things to do.
3. Everything is easy! Nothing is difficult! If you are working through the Bible Study by yourself, you will find that the Study itself will include 'feedback' so that you will not be left wondering about the answers. Sooner or later information will be provided in the text of the study which will let you know whether you 'answered correctly.' If you are leading a group or participating in a group using these studies, this 'feedback' will also help you to know that you are 'on the right track.'
Can I do these studies by myself?
Or are they to be done in a group?
YES! to Both of those options! These studies are designed to be used both ways!
1. When used by a person who wants to study God's word alone, these Interactive Bible Studies are very practical and useful because they have 'feeback' in the course itself. The 'feedback' provides answers to questions you may have 'wondered about' and will also let you know that you are 'on the right track.' Many individuals have used these studies by themselves in their own personal quiet times or devotional times. Others have used them to study specific passages of scripture in order to find answers to specific problems or concerns which they have. So, YES, these can and should be used by individuals by themselves. They have been written with that method of study in mind.
2. When used in a GROUP STUDY such as Home Bible Studies, Sunday School Classes, Youth Camps, Conferences, Weekend Retreats, and etc, these have been found to be extremely effective. When used in a group setting, the leader of the group assigns a certain number of pages or a unit or section to be done individually as 'homework.' Then, after the homework (or classwork) assignment has been completed, the group members together discuss what they have learned based on what they studied.
Usually these group studies are done as weekly Bible studies, either in a home or Church setting. Homework is 'assigned' which the student does individually during the week and then the group assembles weekly to discuss together what they studied that week. The leader of the group is encouraged to do additional study on his/her own and 'expand' upon what the students have learned by incorporating 'mini-lectures' into the discussion. Since the students have studied the material prior to the class or lesson, they will be able to participate in the discussions, ask and answer questions more thoughtfully, and are more likely to retain what they have learned. Therefore, instead of just sitting and listening to a lecture, the class will be able to add to what is discussed and will be actively involved.
Some of the shorter studies can be very effectively used in weekend conferences or retreats or in Sunday School classes, etc. where a short assignment (requiring 5, 10 or 15 minutes to do) is given and done individually during the class or conference and then the discussion by the whole group follows for 5 or 10 or 15 minutes. Then another assignment of approximately 5 or 10 or 15 minutes is given and again done individually in the class. This is then followed by another discussion by the group and or a 'mini-lecture' by the teacher or conference speaker. And etc. Incorporating group assignments and participation in this way has been shown to be very effective and fun in retreats, conferences, Sunday School classes, and etc. Try it! You will be amazed at how effective this is! And, YES, these studies (the shorter ones) were designed with that idea in mind. You (or the leader / teacher / conference speaker / etc) places the 'assignment breaks' where they will be most effective for what you are doing, the time you have, and what you want to accomplish.
What is the Format used?
1. The LONGER Bible Studies (such as the Study on Mark) will usually be divided into Lessons. Therefore, each Lesson may be considered as a UNIT.
2. The SHORTER Bible Studies (such as the Topical studies) just flow as a continued study and can, therefore, be done at whatever 'speed' you desire. They can be 'subdivided' by you at whatever 'logical' break points (if any) that you desire.
So, in Summary
1. The SUPPLIES you need are few. You need the Bible Study itself, colored pens or pencils or crayolas, a pencil or ball point pen, and a sheet or two of blank paper. That is it! The Scriptures are included with the Bible studies or you can usually find the Scriptures on the Web if you do not have a Bilble..
2. The Study itself can be done individually or in a group. Since there is 'feedback' incorporated into the studies, you do not have to be a part of a group to be sure you are on the right track.
3. Specific assignments will be given and explained in each Interactive study. They will be easy and fun. And, with the 'feedback', you will be able to complete these studies with confidence.
4. You may subdivide the lessons of the Longer Studies into Daily or Weekly Assignments or whatever logical breaks you prefer. The Shorter studies, similarly, can be subdivided to fit into whatever time frame is applicable for your purposes.
"Yes Lord" Ministries / Bible Studies Net
PO Box 22397
Chattanoga, TN. 37422
biblestudiesnet (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://www.BibleStudies.Net
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