Creative Bible Study Methods by Harvestime International Institute

UNDER CONSTRUCTION WE ARE SLOWLY BUT SURELY PROGRESSING IN THIS PROJECT. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S PROVISION, WISDOM AND DIRECTION AS WE SEEK TO PLEASE HIM. **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** "FOR THE BIBLE STUDENT'S PROFIT" Dear serious Bible student, We are a Bible College that seeks to restore back solid Bible study which results in spiritual disciplines and applications to the Christian’s personal life. We highly recommend this course of study, "CREATIVE BIBLE STUDY METHODS BY HARVESTIME INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE"(http://www.amesbible.org/courses/CreativeBibleStudy.pdf) for its high standard of excellence in acknowledging the Bible as the first and final authority, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions, etc. should be tried. Many textbooks in our Bible schools have slyly become a substitute for solid Bible study. An admixture of both man and God has confused or bewildered the minds of many Christians with different doctrines and theologies. Although this course is not perfect in content due to some flawed examples and tidbits of theology and doctrine, in my opinion, it is the best course of study because (1) It keeps you in the Word of God more than it keeps you in the doctrines and theologies of man, (2) it helps you develop strong spiritual disciplines because of its progressive instruction to keep you in the study of God’s Word, (3) it increases creativity in sharing your own Biblical perspectives, original thinking and convictions, etc. (4) it leans toward freeing us from the bondage of institutionalization, (5) it frees you up to search the Scriptures more whereas most modern "Christian" textbooks and curriculums limits your God-given abilities to be all God wants you to be due to its workbook approach, external stimulation, behavioral modification, discovery learning (speculation) instead of revealed truth in the Scripture through the Spirit, reduced curriculum with lowered expectations and vocabulary, external control instead of internal control (cause to effect), content memorization and rote learning, "deadwood" of modern "Christian" education which results in cookie cutter "Christians", clogging up real learning which is spontaneous and unaffected, and springing fresh from inspiration, its manipulative removal of Christ as the firm, consistent foundation of our faith in learning, set-in-stone curricular mandate that insists upon lock-set compliance to achieve the desired results, limitations the teacher has from becoming a student, learner and scholar and for his students a lively textbook, loss and neglect of the historic method of Biblical education that produces Gospel liberty and Christian civil/self-government, lack of emphasis in reflecting the historic Christian philosophy of education, lack of emphasis on the Bible as the primary reader, lack of developing real statesmen and scholars, self-centeredness and socialistic principles, lack of effectiveness and Scriptural potency in equipping the student for leadership through service, failure to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of sound wisdom, knowledge and learning, etc., etc., etc. The list goes on and on. Most of the godless secular humanistic philosophy has been secretly infiltrated into our "Christian" textbooks. In order to overcome these errors we must (1) search the Scriptures more thoroughly (Acts 17:11), and (2) when dealing with man’s textbooks, do broader research be to prevent from becoming cookie cutter religious man-made or curriculum-made Christians, etc., etc. This list could go on and on also. We must always remember to put God’s Word first. When studying our historical heritage, we must never limit ourselves to a certain few select textbooks. The notebook approach teaches us to glean from all classic Scriptural and historical resources, and disciplining ourselves by always comparing Scripture with Scripture and allowing history to remain under its authority. The growing contemporary modern trend is that most Christians study the systematic theology of other men more than they do the Bible. One of the major problems is a lack of discipline. One preacher once said, "We live in the most undisciplined generation." We seek a reformation by restoring back original thinking, the basic methods of Bible study, and spiritual disciplines for application which are so desperately needed in order to survive and thrive through the overwhelming challenges we are facing. This course teaches you methods and gives you structure so you can develop your own theology from the Bible. Instead of studying another theologian’s book in a college, school, or seminary, etc. you learn to become a theologian (workmen- II Tim. 2:15) that puts together your own notes, outlines, charts forming a notebook of your own research. This is the notebook approach, not the workbook approach. It will be extremely tough, but if you get through it, you will be broken in very well in order to more easily increase your study habits, manners, conduct, spiritual disciplines, applications in Bible truth, etc. to the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. A wild horse is not suitable and easy for his master to ride. Most Christians are so wild about certain doctrines that they go from one extreme to the other extreme. Ehp. 4:11-16: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Every young Christian needs good solid milk with just a tidbit of meat to nurture their spiritual appetites. Growing mature Christians can take more meat but one bite (step) at a time. Research (Acts 17:11), reason (Acts 17:2), relate (John 14:6) and record (ex. 17:4) are the basic steps of learning which have been replaced by multiple choice tests, the teachers theology and answers, and already pre-designed, revised modern liberal research textbooks, etc. for teachers and students. The battle rages as we seek to restore the old landmarks (Prov. 22:28; 23:10) of historic Christian learning. We live in the information age where truth has fallen in the streets and so-called updated facts has took its place. Isa. 59:14-15: "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment." Facts can change but truth never does. Most of the time when methods change, it perverts the truth it represents. There are very few new methods that keep the old truth the same and center of importance. Exposing you to the elements of surrounding theological differences a little bit at a time as we go through this program of study will help you to exercise and discipline your mind in distinguishing truth from error in light of the Holy Scriptures. In search for revealed truth through prayer and the Spirit in the Scriptures, no one is all the way right or all the way wrong in his/her doctrinal/theological beliefs, etc. The Christian’s doctrine and theology is not infallible. Only the apostles’ doctrine is which is directed inspired of God alone. The CGF School of Prayer is in the process of being designed to prepare the Bible student for Bible College. The world’s philosophy is: "Knowledge is power." But this is contrary to the Scriptures. Zec. 4:6: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." I Cor. 2:1-5: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We clearly see from these Scriptures what God expects out of us. Why? If you read further on in the context, you’ll see. Please notice verse 29: "That no flesh should glory in his presence." E. M. Bounds wrote in his book, "Power through prayer:" "A school to teach preachers how to pray, as God counts praying, would be more beneficial to true piety, true worship, and true preaching than all theological schools." This really struck a raw nerve in my modern day thinking of how I approach God’s Word. I’m pretty sure that it does the same for you. My heart was burdened to start this School of Prayer in order to revive, reform and redirect the student’s mind to God’s priorities. Matt. 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I sincerely believe that if we study the whole life of Christ, we will find that prayer was His #1 priority in His relationship with the Father. In Luke 11:1-4, we see that Christ started teaching His disciples to pray after He had been praying Himself. His godly example is so magnified in this passage that what he teaches about prayer is in complete consistency and harmony with His unspoken prayer life. Becoming more like Christ in this area is a lifetime experience that will never end until we are completely glorified. Please notice in verse 2 that Jesus started His prayer lesson with the words, "Our Father. . ." Surely He couldn’t have taught this with such wisdom and power if He hadn’t first experienced it Himself. We see that He was submissive to His Father’s teaching "in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (I Tim. 4:12) before He ever attempted to teach others. No telling why people was astonished at His doctrine. He had a dynamic prayer life to back what He taught. After He had fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and being tempted by the devil, His ministry took off with a spiritual blast. Matt. 4:17: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Even though prayer is not mentioned in His 40 day experience (Matt. 4), we cannot deny that it was a primary vital element in His victory over the world the flesh and the devil. We see from the context in Matthew chapter 6 that praying is associated with fasting. Please compare these Scriptures and recognize the identical phrase used in both. Matt. 6:6: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matt. 6:18: "That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." We also see that after His long series of sayings beginning in Matthew chapter 5 to the end of chapter 7, the people were astonished at His doctrine. What was His secret in holding a crowd’s constant attention for so long through so much teaching and preaching? I believe that it had to do with what he experienced 40 days in the wilderness. The battle He fought most intensely was not in His teaching and preaching ministry but in His prayer life against the world, the flesh and the devil. When He passed the 40 day testing, His preaching and teaching ministry took off with a spiritual blast. His teaching and preaching flowed freely from a broken heart that experienced the real inner battle with the world the flesh and the devil. He agonized and visualized before He stepped out prepared by the Father to properly minister to the people. By the way, He didn’t start with a crowd. He started with two men who would be considered by the world as complete failures. Matt. 4:18-20: "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." The power and authority of His teaching and preaching, no doubt, freely flowed from His broken heart of intense fasting and praying. His fasting ended, but His power through prayer continued because he maintained an constant attitude of humility and prayer throughout His ministry in obedience to the Father’s will. Most teaching and preaching today is done without the Spirit’s power through a broken heart and life of prayer and meditation. It’s more than just a habit someone determines to do on a daily basis. It is closely connected with spiritual experiences in the wilderness that God has pre-ordained and prepared for you. Our true ministry is people, not our teaching, preaching, studies, etc. When we take the easy way out, we allow the devil to rob the ministry God has given us of its power, brokenness, and freshness, etc. When we begin to experience to some degree some hard testing like Christ did and we take the easy way out through what the devil offers as he offered Christ, we may become popular in the world’s eyes and men may speak well of us but the Gospel we seek to proclaim in our teaching and preaching ministry will lack its distinctives, potency and power to be hated and despised, to turn the world upside down, and change souls for eternity. Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to first start studying the Bible in much prayer. I direct you first to the feet of Christ and His Word, not any school, church, organization, etc. Secondly, I encourage you to start in our School of Prayer before you think about engaging in a theological Bible College, etc. It will help keep you in the pure Word of God and fight the real battle that the devil is trying to keep you from. He don’t mind if you fill your head full of doctrine and theology but if you seek God to experience spiritual reality in the wilderness, God will lead you at His appointed time into one of the greatest battles you’ll ever fight. Don’t faint. He will equip you and prepare you in the Spirit. Psalm 37:23-24: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." May God richly bless you as you seek to please Him with all of your heart. Peace, love in Christ, Brother Matthew *Note. This letter will be updated and/or revised to better instruct the Bible student as often as possible.