Some groups may wish to use webpages from justbibletruth.com as outline material for Christian Bible study meetings. Following are some suggested standards for such meetings.
If the Bible teaches it, so do we. If the Bible doesn't clearly and distinctly teach it, neither do we. ------ The meetings should be for the purpose of Bible study, not the consideration of opinions by men.
A considerable portion of every meeting should be devoted to reading aloud from one of the four Bible books containing the actual teachings of Jesus Christ: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. ----- Each meeting should conclude with a question and answer or discussion period under the direction of the chairperson. If there is any question as to scriptural meaning, each person should have time to present scriptures that they believe bear on the subject. Any such topic chould be revisited in subsequent meetings by any person who believes they have scriptural evidence to present. No person is judge of any matter, and members should submit only scriptures which focus on the matter under consideration, along with minimal explanation. The Bible is the only authority for the meetings. No convoluted theories, suppositions, traditions or dogmas dreamt up or created by men.
No Titles or elevated subgroups. ------ No priests or elders, or any other titled groups that are all sectarian in nature. ((Matthew 23:1-12) 23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger. 5 All the works they do they do to be viewed by men; for they broaden the [scripture-containing] cases that they wear as safeguards, and enlarge the fringes [of their garments]. 6 They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues, 7 and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men. 8 But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers. 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ. 11 But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.)
No Secrets! ----- No hidden or secret writings to control the meetings or manipulate attendees. Since there will be no leader (except Christ, giving directions through the Bible) or superior class distinctions, anything needing to be written down for the purpose of giving direction to the meetings will be freely and openly available to all (and organized in one document). Such writings and directions should be kept to a bare minimum, and simply stated; since the real purpose of the meetings is to gain a better understanding of the Bible. The Bible should be the lone source of spiritual guidance. That remains true whether the attendee is a person who is trying to express faith in the Bible, or one who is simply wanting to learn what the Bible teaches so as to know if they should place faith in it. Learning what the Bible teaches is the purpose of the meetings. Some may, of course, choose to worship our Creator during these assemblies. If so, it should be kept a personal matter. Group worship can be a dangerous thing unless you know exactly who and what those you have joined with actually worship. That can be very hard to know and take many years to fully understand. If some attendees do wish to join together for the purpose of group worship, they should do so apart from and sperate of the Bible study meetings.
Chairperson will be rotated through attendees as each person wishes to volunteer to conduct a meeting. ----- Material chosen for consideration will be announced for upcoming meetings with a complete manuscript available ahead of time. There must be clear scriptural support for each point made.
A suggested pattern for meetings might be 45 minutes as follows:
Δ 15 minutes: presented at the discretion of the chairman (a manuscript always made available ahead of time). This might consist of a page from justbibletruth.com, or a selected Bible reading.
Δ 15 minutes: reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. (In most cases, consecutively from the previous meeting.) ----- When possible, someone should print out the material being considered so everyone in attendance will be reading from the same Bible translation etcetera.
Δ 15 minutes: question and answer or discussion of material considered. Under the direction of the chairperson, but any person may scripturally comment on any matter under consideration. If anyone wishes, they can meditate on the subject and present scriptures they have looked up in following meetings. No personal opinions, scriptural insight only (as much as possible).
This should keep meetings to about an hour and they should be ended on schedule. Those who wish to continue their discussion or fellowship could certainly remain after the meeting to do so. A one hour length would allow for departure by those who have other obligations, or are satisfied with one hour.
The meetings should be by invitation only. They should not be open public meetings as disruptive people might need to be removed by a vote. The invitation should extend to all people unless they demonstrate themselves to be a person who is disruptive and must be removed. After a majority vote, the disruptive person should be removed by local law enforcement if necessary. While it should never happen among people trying to learn to follow the teachings of Christ Jesus, groups can split into smaller units to continue their Bible study if personality disputes prove a problem. Groups should split when their numbers grow to the point where casual intimacy is lost. It might be difficult to have a group discussion with 100 people.
These are not hard fast rules, but guidelines. Each group should conduct themselves as followers of Christ Jesus and look to his teachings for direction in all matters.
Use browser "Back Arrow" or "Alt+Left_Arrow" keys to previous page. | Home Page