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A Study Series

Bear

Those that are a part of the ICC subculture know what the phrase ‘study series’ means. I use the term because it has some meaning, but I hope to discuss it in neutral terms. In other words, I hope to discuss its utility, purpose, and necessity. It seems particularly useful now because so many people want it. Its purpose seems self-evident, it is designed to equip the Christians to help someone else become a Christian. Its necessity is debatable. Maybe a new series is a stepping stone to a hope of a mature Christian confident and competent to use the Scriptures without the fear of teaching a ‘different’ gospel from other Christians.

In any case, a draft proposal to my church’s governing board will be presented tomorrow night. As such, it will be on my blog tomorrow sometime during the day. It may change, but the outline so far is this:

I. Questions about a Study Series
This section includes questions about the First Principles Study Series and other study series developed in other places. It also includes questions about the focus of the proposed studies as well as the philosophy behind them. As a practical matter, there are also answers to questions regarding setting up a study, how to study, and other practical considerations.
II. The Basic Study Series

  • The Gospel Message
  • Th Life of Jesus
  • The Death and Resurrection of Jesus
  • The Response to Jesus

III. Additional Studies
This section provides additional studies to answer questions or meet specific needs. These studies are also beneficial after someone becomes a Christian. Some examples are:

  • What the Bible Says for Itself
  • Extrabiblical Sources of the Bible
  • The Work of the Holy Spirit
  • Repentance
  • What do Latter-Day Saints Say?
  • What is Islam?

IV. Follow-up Studies
This section is for new believers to get a good ‘grounding’ in the Bible and its teachings over a ten week period. Some material in this section is more practical especially as it pertains to Christian Lifestyle. Other material provides assurance, knowledge, comfort, and challenge. This other material covers topics like Grace vs Works-oriented thinking, Confidence in your salvation, evangelism, dealing with sin, etc. This section will also deal with the six purposes of the Omaha Church of Christ.
V. Useful information
This section covers material that didn’t fit anywhere else and/or advanced material for Christian training. This section is likely to grow and like all sections, is constantly under construction.

  • The Good and Bad of the First Principles Study Series
  • A Look at Theology:
    # Angels
    # God and Man
    # Jesus Christ
    # Dispensational / Covenantal Theology
    # Ecclesiology (The Church)
    # Eschatology (Things to Come)
    # Hamartiology (Sin)
    # Pneumatology (The Holy Spirit)
    # Satanology
    # Soteriology (Salvation)
    # Trinity
  • How to Study the Bible Book by Book
  • A look at World Religions
  • Denominationalism

The material comes from a bunch of sources. I don’t have time to provide links and full accreditation, but I will in the published document.

www.bible.org
Shining Like Stars by Douglas Jacoby
Study Series written by various folks including Kip McKean, Gordon Ferguson, Douglas Jacoby, John Lusk, John Oakes, and different elders in various churches.
Operation Timothy by the Christian Men’s Business Coalition
Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims
Basic Studies by NavPress
Basic Chrisitanity by John R.W. Stott
Various books by Philipp Yancey
Consultation with CoC ministers outside the ICC
The Alpha Program (http://www.alphausa.org)
Many other books.