What is Bible study? What is the meaning of Bible study in een group?

So what is Bible study, how do we study the Bible?

In this sermon I wish to talk about Bible study in a group, but it also applies to a personal Bible study. I will cover the following:
Bible study can be done in different ways, what are these ways
How do you join a Bible study group?
Which Bible groups are there?

So what is Bible study, how do we study the Bible?

First, study a section of the Bible. What is it about: what exactly does it say?
Use the help of Biblical dictionaries and commentaries, both in book form and on the Internet.
The best method is to see first for yourself what it says and what you get out of it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and only then after consult a commentary.
Pay attention to singular text, what it has to say. But it can also be a (part of) chapter or an entire Bible book.
Examine in context using a Bible concordance comparing text to text in its context. Bible study takes a lot of time and energy, especially if you are going to use a more advanced/professional method.
Within the group, speaking about it together which Bible text you wish to cover, and possible under the assistance of a person who has knowledge of the original languages.
What is the text all about? To whom this section was written? What was the writer's goal? What was the writer thinking as he wrote the text? What was the situation? Is the text written (thousands) years ago still applicable in our current society, or are conditions changing (such as there is no more temple, but everything is already ready to rebuild the temple). No sexual relationship before marriage applies even NOW! (see also Ezekiel 44:22).
How can I apply the text in my daily life?
Do I understand the text? It is the Holy Spirit who gives us insight into the Bible and also makes us understand its actuality, but for that He uses our eyes (so that we read what is written) and our mind (so that we understand and can apply what we have read). What is our role in that process? In what way, can we use our minds to make that transition from the Biblical times to our own time? Ask and pray the Holy Spirit for an explanation. Sometimes the answer comes through a sermon, Bible commentary, or research on the Internet.
The group indicates to the leader which Biblical texts, chapters and/or topics they wish to discuss.
There are several methods of studying the Bible:

  1. What is written in the text?
    What: what exactly is happening? What is it all about? Which themes/questions will we deal with?
    Who: which people are involved, who gets the most attention?
    Where: where is it happening, is that important?
    When: when does something happen, in what circumstances?
    To what end: what are the consequences, what will it lead to?
  2. Interpretation
    What does it mean? How should we interpretate it? Why is it that way?
    Why do things happen, the way they happen.
    Read the section in context with other texts.
    Put yourself in the mind of the recipient.
    What did the author wish to say? What did the original readers probably understand?
  3. Study questions
    What does this section say about Jesus?
    What warning does it bring up, do they also apply to me?
    What promise is shown here, including for me?
    Which part appeals to me the most?
    Which section can I use for my personal prayer and my personal life?
  4. Tour question
    Each participant in the Bible study group gives his or her explanation of what the Bible text or passage means to him or her.
    Gives his or her explanation what the Bible text or passage means in his or her life.
    What influences does it have on daily life.
  5. Parables of Jesus
    Read a parable of Jesus
    How does Jesus explain this parable?
    What is the practical application for me?
  6. By Bible book
    Choose a Bible book to be covered. Start with the minor letters of Judas, Titus, Peter, John, and then the letters of Paul and the Old Testament books of Esther and Jonas.
    Have the participants make a verse-by-verse analysis at home and a core verse with a short summary.
    This then will be discussed in the Bible study group.
    For example: What does 'Apostle' mean and who is an apostle?
    The Greek word apostolos comes from the word apostlelo "sent forth".
    An apostle is someone who has been personally appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ, and who knows Him personally (has walked with Him on earth). The eleven disciples are personally called. The apostle Paul on the road to Damascus and taught by Jesus (11 disciples during Jesus' life on earth, Paul for 3 years by Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12 and 18)).
    Then you can start studying larger Bible books such as Genesis and the Pentateuch. What is the meaning of the Tabernacle? What does it mean that the believer is a royal priest (1 Peter 2:9)?

How does a Bible study group function?

The best is a group of up to 10-12 people. By a growth of more than 12 people, the group should split up. Usually the Bible study is once a week.
In the Bible study group there is a leader who prepares the Bible part well on the basis of comments (and if possible the original text) and writes a short introduction and questions about the Bible part.
The Bible study members read the Bible passage carefully at home and prepare their questions.
The Bible study starts with a 20-minute relaxation from daily activities while enjoying a cup of coffee and conversations with each other.
Then follows a singing with each other for about 10 minutes, praising God.
Then a prayer asking for guidance and explanation by the Holy Spirit.
Thereafter follows the Bible study for half to one hour.
And it ends with prayer and intercession for each other.

How do you participate in a Bible study group?

Talk to the pastor of the church and indicate that you wish to participate in a Bible study group.
Share with him what are your motivations and what your level of Bible knowledge is. Then he can guide you and send you to the right Bible study group.
When you first join, you can introduce yourself and share your motivations, interests and Bible knowledge level with the other members of the Bible study group.

We need to distinguish the different Bible groups.

  1. The Bible study group for unbelievers and those who have just come to faith and have no knowledge of the Bible and needdeliverance from the power of satan
  2. The Bible study group for Young Believers
  3. The Bible study group for believers with adolescence faith
  4. The Bible study group for believers with mature faith
  5. The Bible study group for children
  6. The Bible study group for adolescents
  7. The Bible study group for adults
  8. The Bible study group for women
  9. The Bible study group for Israel

The Bible study group for unbelievers

Here we discuss why the Bible is God's Word, the creation, the fall, the need for forgiveness, why man cannot redeem himself, deliverance from the power of satan and addiction, and answers to the questions of the people in the group. This group is often held during a joint dinner.

The Bible Study Group for Young Believers

  1. What is the Christian life, What does it mean to be a Christian
  2. How do I read the Bible
  3. Who Is God, Who is Jesus, Who is the Holy Spirit, Who is a Christian
  4. What is Christmas, What is Easter, What is Pentacost and What is Ascension?
  5. What is the Holy Supper, What is Baptism, What is tithing
  6. How do we pray and for whom/what do we pray
  7. How to build a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father

The Bible study group for believers with adolescence faith

In this group we discuss Bible texts, Bible topics and Bible chapters. What is satan and demon exorcism? What is the Rapture of the Church? What is the Great Tribulation? What does Matthew 24 mean? and What does Matthew 25 mean?

The Bible study group for believers with adolescence faith

In this group we discuss Bible texts, Bible topics and Bible chapters. What is satan and demon exorcism? What is the Rapture of the Church? What is the Great Tribulation? What does Matthew 24 mean? and What does Matthew 25 mean?

The Bible study group for believers with mature faith

This group has grown from the milk to maturity in faith (Hebrews 5:14). How do we evangelize? How do we fight against satan and demons? Bible studies in depth and study of the original texts.

The Bible study group for children

The children's Bible is used here with coloring pictures. The gospel is explained in a simple way and Bible stories explained in depth and what it means for application in daily life. But also Biblical subjects and the Christian life such as the CHRISTIAN SEX EDUCATION.

The Bible Study Group for Adolescents

Questions from adolescents about the Bible are answered. Biblical chapters are taught mainly on the basis of the parables of Jesus, but also the book of Revelation should not be missing, as well as what it means not to have sexual intercourse before marriage, CHRISTIAN SEX EDUCATION 2.

The Bible Study Group for Adults

There can be different groups here, classified by age or a mix of believers in age and faith. Study Bibles and Bible commentaries are used within this group. Specific Biblical topics, questions from everyday life. What the Christian life is all about, CHRISTIAN SEX EDUCATION MARRIAGE, etc. Often the participants will take turns teaching and conducting a Bible study.

The Bible Study Group for Women

A specific group for women. With Bible studies of Rahab, Esther, the virgin Mary, the rest of the women in the Bible. But also Bible studies focused on marriage, relationships and children, specific female problems.

The Bible Study Group for Israel

Specifieke Bible Study on Israel, Why the State of Israel. Is this state from God? Praying for Israel, the Biblical prophecies in Ezekiel such as The Dry Bones Ezekiel 37 and Gog and Magog Ezekiel 38