Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
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¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
Powerful Group Bible Study Tips
There are five very simple, but effective group Bible study tips that small and large groups of believers in Christ can implement. They are:
1. Choose one Bible version so that when scripture is read, everyone is on the same "page."
2. Study directly from the word of God.
3. Change up teachers.
4. Table unanswered questions.
5. Have a clear goal in mind.
How to Implement the Five Group Bible Study Tips
God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33); and the use of different translations of the Bible has caused just that--confusion. It can be very distracting for someone in the group to read a passage from one version of the Bible while others follow along with a different version. This is why the first of the five group Bible study tips we recommend is to choose a version from which everyone will read. Each person can read their preferred version individually. However, when the group comes together, it's a good idea to read from only one.
Heavenly Manna strongly recommends the use of the King James Bible for many solid reasons. Those reasons include the fact that many men of God such as Smith Wigglesworth, who worked signs and wonders in Jesus' name, studied the King James translation of the word of God. It should be explained that the use of words such as "thee" and "thou" was outdated at the time of the translation. There is a reason why the translators used an English older than the English they spoke--to stay as close to the original texts as possible. The New King James Bible is NOT the King James with the "thee" and the "thou" removed. It is as much a different "translation" of the Bible as any other.
Recommended reading: Do All Bible Versions Accurately Present God's Word?
Study Directly From the Bible
Our list of group Bible study tips includes encouragement to read and study directly from the word of God. Expensive study materials such as books, videos, and downloads are not at all necessary to learn God's word. Remember, there were no such things in the Bible days, yet Jesus' disciples understood and taught the scriptures to thousands in great power. Also, there is a tendency to choose only the works of very well known Christian authors whenever study materials are used.
Having a one track mind in anything can sometimes cause you to miss out on the valuable Bible studies and lessons written by lesser known Christian authors. Neither our Lord nor any of his apostles focused on popularity, but rather on providing quality instruction in the word of truth. The same should be the reason for seeking group Bible study tips. Finally, studying directly from the word of God avoids being "cornered" into always studying the same biblical passages over and over, while never reading certain scriptures. Most Christians have very little real understanding of the Bible partly because of this tendency.
Share the Teaching
When each member of the group takes turns teaching, the group as a whole has the advantage of being exposed to various teaching styles. Some members might not want to have a turn at teaching. However, it is generally a very good idea to implement this into the group Bible study tips to follow. Another advantage of sharing the teaching is the break down of control of the group by one person. Christ should be the only leader and every member of the group his follower.
Attention to Unanswered Questions
One of the most important of all of the group Bible study tips is the need to give attention to unanswered questions that arise as scripture is studied. The usual way of handling "difficult" scripture is simply to skip it. This does not facilitate learning. We read that, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).
Many Christian "leaders" justify overlooking "hard" scripture by stating that understanding of scripture that's not essential to salvation should not be emphasized. The Bible says that ALL, not some, scripture is inspired by God and is for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. What then gives man the authority to pick and choose what scripture is important and what scripture is unimportant? Mind sets like these are part of the problem why so many believers in Jesus can't answer legitimate questions about life and about God's ways.
The word of God says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). We also read, "...Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15). The implementation of group Bible study tips should not be solely for the benefit of the group, but for the doing of the will of Christ who told his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Those who truly preach the gospel will be met with some very difficult, but legitimate, questions.
Write down the questions that come up during study. Ensure that all members have a copy of those questions. You don't have to halt study because you run into a question you can't answer. However, individual members of the group can be assigned the responsibility of studying to answer a particular question. Heavenly Manna specializes in answering difficult questions about the Bible, God, and about life. A search can easily be performed with keywords to locate articles and studies that help with the keeping of this one of the group Bible study tips.
The Goal of the Study
We end our list of group Bible study tips with the strong recommendation to stay focused on the goal of the study. Does the group meet purely as a Christian social club? Are there members of the group who seek to show off their knowledge of the scriptures for vain self-glory? Is the choice of biblical passages made for the purpose of attempting to support sinful behavior with scripture? The enemy will attempt every trick possible to disrupt the implementation of group Bible study tips for life-changing learning.
The goal of true Christian Bible study should be to learn God's word for one purpose: to obey it. Many believers who want to avoid making waves by refraining from sharing the gospel, respond that the scriptures are for the "self." These same Christians can even become hostile when reminded of the numerous scriptures that plainly teach that the follower of Christ shares the gospel. Of course this is going to invite hostility and even hatred. But, what did the apostle Paul ask? He wrote, "...Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). May God bless you as you implement these group Bible study tips to enhance your walk with Jesus.
Related Articles by Heavenly Manna:
What Is In Depth Bible Study?
Biblical Scripture: No Longer the Word of God?
The Power of the Word of God
Unpopular Scripture from the Word of God - Part I
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
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