"How to Read the Bible" Slides and Speaking Notes

For anyone interested I've put together some of the materials from our "How to Read the Bible" study meetings, available for download.

• Here is a link to the slides that were presented during the meetings.
• Here is a link to the speaking notes that I put together to accompany the slides.

Enjoy!

Recap of "How to Read the Bible" Session 4

On Wednesday November 13, 2019 we met for our fourth and final session to study "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth." At this meeting we quickly hit the highlights on tips to best understand and apply Psalms, Proverbs, Old Testament Narratives, and the Laws.

A written recap of the main points that we discussed is provided below.

Recap of "How to Read the Bible" Session 3

On Wednesday November 6, 2019 we met for our third of four sessions to study "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth." This meeting continued our practice of the two fundamental steps for solid interpretation: Exegesis and the Hermeneutics. We specifically focused on applying these steps to the Gospels.

A written recap of the main points that we discussed is provided below.

Recap of "How to Read the Bible" Session 2

On Wednesday October 30, 2019 we met for our second of four sessions to study "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth." This meeting focused on practicing the two fundamental steps for solid interpretation: Exegesis and the Hermeneutics. We applied these steps to the Epistles with specific attention on Colossians.

A written recap of the main points that we discussed is provided below.

Recap of "How to Read the Bible" Session 1

On Wednesday October 23, 2019 we met for our first of four sessions to study "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth." This meeting focused on answering the following questions:

• What is the Bible?
• How Is The Bible Translated Into English?
• How Should We Interpret?
• Intro to the Epistles

A written recap of the main points that we discussed is provided below. 

Next Study: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

After a bit of a break I'm excited to announce the next apologetics study that we'll be offering: "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth".

In this study we'll be looking at strategies and guidelines from prominent biblical scholars on how to read your Bible well so that we can properly handle and better understand God's word. In many ways it seems so simple, just read your Bible! But the Bible is a collection of various books of many different genres: letters, poetry, wisdom, history, etc. Most of these genres are foreign to us, we just are not used to reading those types of literature. And so in this study we'll learn about tips and guidelines on how to understand the Bible and its different genres so that we can read it for all its worth!

We'll also be hosting a community event beforehand. We will be talking with Dr. Eric Bargerhuff on his two books, "The Most Misused Verses (and Stories) in the Bible."

Read on for details on the study and community event.

Making Abortion Unthinkable: Pro-life Training Class

** UPDATE** THIS STUDY IS NOW CANCELLED **

We've now got details for our next upcoming group study...

Making Abortion Unthinkable: The Art of Pro-life Persuasion

What?

This is an interactive 4-week class on making the pro-life case and responding to objections. The scientific and philosophical cases against abortion are covered thoroughly. You'll also learn how to answer the objections pro-abortionists use.

When?

Mondays, 6:30 - 8pm

• May 7
• May 14
• May 21
• May 28

Where?

Mt. Zion UMC, 1643 E Churchville Rd., Bel Air, MD 21015, Rooms 11&12 (upstairs of education building)

All are invited and welcome!

Any questions or comments, email Brian at brian.benesch@reasonablefaith.org.

"The Truth About Homosexuality" - Session 4 Recap

On Monday November 13th, 2017 we met for our fourth and final session to study "The Truth About Homosexuality: A Compassionate Response". This meeting we focused on How to Speak Truth with Compassion.


The meeting was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

"The Truth About Homosexuality" - Session 3 Recap

On Monday November 6th, 2017 we met for our third session to study "The Truth About

Homosexuality: A Compassionate Response". This meeting we looked into What Science Says About Homosexuality to specifically focus on What Are Some Causes of Same-Sex Attractions?

The meeting was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

Our next (and final) meeting will be next Monday, November 13th, 2017 - 6:30 to 8pm in rooms 11-12 of the education building of Mt. Zion UMC. Next week we ask how to apply what we've learned, How to Speak the Truth with Compassion. 

"The Truth about Homosexuality" - Session 2 Recap

On Monday October 30th, 2017 we met for our second session to study "The Truth About Homosexuality: A Compassionate Response". This meeting focused on a look into What Science Says About Homosexuality.

The meeting was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

Our next meeting will be next Monday, October 30th, 2017 - 6:30 to 8pm in rooms 11-12 of the education building of Mt. Zion UMC. Next week we will continue to see what science says, specifically about What Are Some Causes of Same-Sex Attractions.

"The Truth about Homosexuality" - Session 1 Recap

On Monday October 23rd, 2017 we met for our first session to study "The Truth About Homosexuality: A Compassionate Response". Our first session included a brief Introduction and then a look into What Scripture Says About Homosexuality.

The meeting with recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

Our next meeting will be next Monday, October 30th, 2017 - 6:30 to 8pm in rooms 11-12 of the education building of Mt. Zion UMC. Next week we will look at What Science Says About Homosexuality.

Recap of the Conversation about Homosexuality with Ron Belgau

Recap of the Conversation about Homosexuality

with Ron Belagau

Thursday October 19th, 2017 we got the opportunity to chat with Ron Belgau about homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Ron has been done a lot of deep and personal thinking on this topic as someone who experiences same-sex attractions but is an orthodox Christian committed to the traditional biblical view of sexuality.

October Update

I apologize that it has been so long since I've given an update on what's going on. So, I wanted to do 3 things here:

1. Recap the summer activities
2. Say a few words about Nabeel Qureshi's passing
3. Announce information about our next community event and study which is on the topic of homosexuality

"No God But One" - Session 5 Recap

On Tuesday May 2nd, 2017 we met for our fifth and final session to study Nabeel's book No God But One. We started off by reviewing quizzes, awarding the quiz leader with a prize, and examining the central truth claims of Islam - that Muhammad is a prophet of God or that the Quran is the Word of God.

The class was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

We ended up wrapping up the study this week and will not meet next week. This concludes our study of Christianity and Islam. Thanks to everyone who participated and/or supported the study in any way!

Stay connected to keep up on the next study that will be offered!

"No God But One" - Session 4 Recap

On Tuesday April 25th, 2017 we met for our fourth session to study Nabeel's book No God But One. We started off by reviewing last week's quiz, taking a third quiz, and then beginning the second part of the book examining whether we can know if Christianity or Islam is true. We spent this week assessing the central truth claims of Christianity - that Jesus died by crucifixion, was resurrected, and
was God.

The class was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

Our next meeting will be next week, May 2nd, 2017. Hope to see you all there!

"No God But One" - Session 3 Recap

On Tuesday April 18th, 2017 we met for our third session to study Nabeel's book No God But One. We started off by reviewing last week's quiz, taking a second quiz, and then looked at the sections on "The Quran or the Bible?" and "Jihad or the Crusades?".

The class was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below. 

Our next meeting will be next week, April 25th, 2017. Hope to see you all there!

"No God But One" - Session 2 Recap

On Tuesday April 4th, 2017 we met for our second session to study Nabeel's book No God But One. We started off with a short quiz then worked through Part 2 and 3 - "Tawhid or the Trinity?" and "Muhammad or Jesus?". (I also realized I went 30 mins over our time. Sorry about that, I forgot our end time!)

I decided to print out my completed student workbook (blank version here) and gave it out to everyone make taking notes easier. You can download my completed workbook here.

The class was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below.

Our next meeting will be April 18th, 2017, we will not meet next week April 11th, 2017. Hope to see you all there!

"No God But One" - Session 1 Recap and Video of Nabeel's Skype Talk

On Tuesday March 28th, 2017 we met for our first session to study Nabeel's book No God But One. The evening went really well; we had about 20 people in attendance and most everyone participated in discussions. We started off with a brief introduction to gage everyone's interests and then worked through Part 1, Sharia or the Gospel?.

We are using Nabeel's student workbook to guide our study. You can download the workbook here. I will eventually be posting my 'filled out' workbook that we are using for the meetings. But I'll let you know when that will be available.

The class was recorded and the video is available here. A written recap summary of the session is provided below. Oh, and we now have the video recording of the Skype call we did with Nabeel ready for viewing! Check below for that link...

January Update

Wanted to give a quick summary of a few website updates and then plans for the next study on Christianity and Islam...
 

"Christianity Contrasted to Mormonism" - What is the Gospel? recap

On Monday December 12^th, 2016 we had our sixth and final meeting to study “Christianity Contrasted to Mormonism.” We looked at the gospel proclaimed by Mormonism and then turned to the Bible to see what it declares as the good news of the gospel. In this exercise it became clear that the Mormon gospel is not the Christian gospel.

You can check out the slides we reviewed and/or a video of the class here. A written recap is provided here…