DESCRIPTION:

Why is it so few laypeople study the Bible on their own? Why does the "professional" in the ministry seem to find it difficult to apply the Scriptures to his/her ministry and life? What causes some people to become enthusiasts of the Word seeing new truth? What does it take to teach others how to see the Scriptures as practical and a tool for bringing understanding? This course is to equip you to do more effective Bible study on your own, and to teach you how to teach someone else to study the Scriptures from the English text. It is built around an inductive study of the NASV English text of the Gospel of Mark. The course stresses direct observations of the text, seeking to determine significant facts which combine to give probable meaning and then application of those facts in a practical way to the student's personal life. The experience gained in this study is preparation for leading others into Scripture in the same way. This is a course designed to teach you to become adept at studying the Word of God for realizing and responding to Truth in everyday life.

• Existentially, learners will become persons who read and find meaning for personal formation from studying the English text of Scripture. This means they will be equipped to

• Know and become fluent in principles of observing, interpreting, relating, and applying the test;

• Commit to interacting with Scripture, utilizing the above for the purpose of formation in life;

• Implement this formational process in their own study and teaching of the Bible, designing studies and equipping persons with the above concepts and motivation for experiencing the dynamic reality of God's Word.

Two one and one-half hour sessions per week for ten weeks. Each class period will include group discussion on a section of the text, demonstration of principles, lecture and application of principles to learning the inductive method of study. Each student will be expected to participate in a one-hour small group discussion of the text outside of the regular class meetings, times to be arranged to fit schedules. This is considered a part of class preparation time and is required for eight weeks.

NASV English text of the Gospel of Mark.

Fee, Gordon and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 2nd ed. Zondervan, 1993.

Mulholland, M. Robert. Shaped by the Word. Upper Room, 2001.

Wald, Oletta. The Joy of Teaching Discovery Bible Study. Augsburg, 1976.

A section of the text will be studied prior to each class discussion and a journal kept on study assignments. Written assignments will be turned in daily. A written examination of what the student has learned will be given the fifth and eighth weeks. Journals will be turned in the fourth week. A part of weekly assignments is meeting with a small group.

None.

Elective.

None.