Hi Dear Friends,
I have three important questions that I need your help with. Would you please contribute?
Pretty please. The information that you give me could really be so vital.
1. Have you used Precept materials, any form of them, for your personal family study time, and if so, would you please describe what your family's experience was?
2. If you are a homeschooling parent, would you please tell me what curriculum(s) you've used for Bible, and what you liked about each, as well as what you found to be lacking in each?
3. If you were asked to volunteer your time to help promote Precept at a given event, would you be willing to do so?
If it meant talking with people about how using Precept materials had changed your life, what would you tell them?
Oops! I snuck a 4th question in there...it just flowed right out, couldn't stop it...
You may either leave your thoughts in the form of a comment here, on Facebook (just ask to friend me if we aren't friends already), or in an email to me at: whatilearnedfromthewordtoday@gmail.com
Thank you so very much for your time and help!
Love ya'll tonight,
Jes
7 comments:
Hi Jes!
I used Precept studies with my younger son. How To Study the Bible for Kids, Teach me to Pray for Kids were our faves. When we finished How to Pray we made/printed off bookmarks of the Lord's Prayer model, stamped them and laminated them.
Homeschool question I can't answer...
I would do anything Precept Ministries asked of me at any event!
And sneaky question number 4:
Precept Materials have equipped me to study and know the Word of God for myself.
As I have gone through specific studies I have benefited in various ways:
PUP Marriage without Regrets really helped to teach my husband and I how and why to pursue the God-glorifying marriage we were afraid that we couldn't have. As we approach our 17th Anniversary (about 13 yrs after that study together) we can truly say that God has been with us all the way--uniting us, giving us joy, peace and friendship even in the midst of all that has tried to come against us.
Also, as a grown 'survivor' of childhood abuses of every type, God has used PUP studies in unexpected ways to bring healing and make me -instead of just a survivor- an *overcomer*.
Through these studies & His Word God has taught me how to <3 Love <3 other people... and most of all Him.
As I am given speaking gifts from God, these tools have helped me to present God's Word accurately, truthfully.
As a teacher, I pass on these tools because all I have to offer is all that I've received. These tools unlock the full potential of God's Word so that we can know truth for ourself, know that we *know* that we *KNOW* what we know--or rather WHO we know, How we know, When we know, What we know, Where we know it <3
This is just a piece of how God has used these tools in my life.
I don't use a formal curriculum for bible...just a lot of reading. we use the Jesus Storybook Bible, and by Susan Hunt we have used: Big Truths for Little Kids, Discovering Jesus in Genesis, Discovering Jesus in Exodus, and my ABC Bible Verses. She teaches in story form, a way that I love for the stage our family is in right now. We do a lot of reading and discussing at this point. I'd say that I highly recommend her stuff for younger kids maybe 3rd and below.
This comment is used by permission from Jean in MS.
Thanks, Jean!
Regarding 3 Important Questions...
Or should I say 4?
;-)
Like your questions!
To my answers:
1. No.
2. We don't have children.
3. YES!!! Absolutely!
4. How have Precept materials changed my life?
Wow. Ok. #1- it helped influence my decision for Christ. Studying Daniel showed me very clearly that God is in control. I am not. It furthered my search for and understanding of, the Truth.
#2 It helped to shape the direction of my gifting. God called me to be a teacher before He saved me. Being involved in inductive Bible study has shown me that this is by far and away the BEST way to study! Everything else I've met is either "fluff" or "Bible light" or it's all "touchy feely" (How did you feel when you read that? Really, who cares?!) There may be good studies out there, but if it isn't inductive, I really am not interested in teaching it (with perhaps one exception).
#3 It is Super grounding in the Word. I love Precept's recent motto, "How do you know that you know that you know?" Darn right! Far too often we run into people (in and out of the church) who say they are Christian and say they believe something and when you ask where in the Bible is that? or can you support that from the Bible? they can't. They've never really looked it up, they have just accepted the leader, teacher, pastor, popular author, TV show, etc. God forbid!!
Now I know what I know AND I know WHY and can find it in the Bible and discuss it.
It is precious and VITAL in this day and age to KNOW the Word and the God of the Word!!!
#4 Not only is it super grounding in the Word, but it is also getting to know the LORD. The mind of the LORD. The character, the love, the compassion, the care and so on of the LORD. His will. His mind. His call on our behavior. And so many things. Such depth of knowledge about the Creator.
#5 Learning how the Bible fits together as a whole. I will never tire of how Scripture interprets Scripture! How having the whole counsel of God gives us grreat insight.
#6 I love word studies! I love how seeing it in the original unlocks the meaning. How your perceptions can change when confronted with the truth of the original. The intent. How God makes it abundantly plain in places. How you can be confronted with Truth by researching the literal text.
Man, I'm sure there are more answers, but those were the ones that come up first.
(So are you gonna tell us later why you are asking? hee, hee)
Hey Jes, I know this is a little late, but I am just getting caught up on all my favorite blog readings. :-)
1. No
2. It's been awhile and when I HS my boys I didn't know about Precept but had I known I would have used it!! I used The Weaver Cir. for History/Science/Bible. They would tie it all together, For example when we were studying Exodus we studied Eyptian history etc...
3. YES!
4. I'll give the short answer! :-)
Learning to study inductively has given me the tools to use which allowed me to study God's word in a way that it comes alive.
I realized I could gain understanding of God's word for myself and not just learn second handed.
My relationship with God has grown deeper and fuller. It's alive, real, and growing.
I could talk about what doing the various studies have done in my life like brought healing, endurance, talk me how to stand firm in spiritual battles, to have grace, to forgive, to pray, to lead etc...But I did say I would share the short answer... :-)
1. Have you used Precept materials, any form of them, for your personal family study time, and if so, would you please describe what your family's experience was?
My husband & I are studying the In & Out Marriage without Regrets. LOVE studying across the table from him with our Bibles open, pencils flying and asking questions of each other and pondering what God's Word means. I have used D4Y with my boys even before they could read. I would read the passages and they would act it out or I'd read and ask probing questions. Now I'll read a chapter in the Bible and use the D4Y to ask questions about what we just read to gauge their understanding and go deeper.
2. If you are a homeschooling parent, would you please tell me what curriculum(s) you've used for Bible, and what you liked about each, as well as what you found to be lacking in each?
I like Grapevine Studies however they are probably best for youngers. Really good for K-1. I haven't looked at their studies for 2nd grade+. I have a Charlotte Mason-type outline of "The Doctrines of God" where you read the Bible and as you discover something about doctrine, there is a place to record it. It looks fabulous but we haven't started it yet. Just a great place to record what you are learning about every aspect of the Bible and God. We've used Leading Little Ones to God (good for youngers). But at the stage we are at now (2 in 2nd, almost 3rd grade and one who is 4) D4Y will be great for 3rd grade. Perfect really.
3. If you were asked to volunteer your time to help promote Precept at a given event, would you be willing to do so?
Yes!
4. If it meant talking with people about how using Precept materials had changed your life, what would you tell them?
Right after I learned about Precept, I was faced with a very common doctrine that I have never heard about. Two actually that are the opposite of how I believe. I was able to take those Precept study tools and just start listing out verses that applied to their doctrine, whether they were in support or not. Just after doing that, I could see why I didn't believe it simply based on what the verses said. It was a huge project and I wrote a 40pg typed paper for my children about it. And most of it is just verses. But I couldn't just take verses out of context so I'd have to read the whole chapter, if not book, to get a feel for the verse. Before Precept I was much more apt to just pull a verse out and think that it applied. Now I look at context, history, the Hebrew or Greek original word, the five Ws and the H. It takes a long time. Pam Gillaspie (author of the Sweeter than Chocolate series) just recently helped me to learn to go wide as well as deep. So now I'm trying to just read my Bible part of the day and study another time.
1. Have you used Precept materials, any form of them, for your personal family study time, and if so, would you please describe what your family's experience was?
My husband & I are studying the In & Out Marriage without Regrets. LOVE studying across the table from him with our Bibles open, pencils flying and asking questions of each other and pondering what God's Word means. I have used D4Y with my boys even before they could read. I would read the passages and they would act it out or I'd read and ask probing questions. Now I'll read a chapter in the Bible and use the D4Y to ask questions about what we just read to gauge their understanding and go deeper.
2. If you are a homeschooling parent, would you please tell me what curriculum(s) you've used for Bible, and what you liked about each, as well as what you found to be lacking in each?
I like Grapevine Studies however they are probably best for youngers. Really good for K-1. I haven't looked at their studies for 2nd grade+. I have a Charlotte Mason-type outline of "The Doctrines of God" where you read the Bible and as you discover something about doctrine, there is a place to record it. It looks fabulous but we haven't started it yet. Just a great place to record what you are learning about every aspect of the Bible and God. We've used Leading Little Ones to God (good for youngers). But at the stage we are at now (2 in 2nd, almost 3rd grade and one who is 4) D4Y will be great for 3rd grade. Perfect really.
3. If you were asked to volunteer your time to help promote Precept at a given event, would you be willing to do so?
Yes!
4. If it meant talking with people about how using Precept materials had changed your life, what would you tell them?
Right after I learned about Precept, I was faced with a very common doctrine that I have never heard about. Two actually that are the opposite of how I believe. I was able to take those Precept study tools and just start listing out verses that applied to their doctrine, whether they were in support or not. Just after doing that, I could see why I didn't believe it simply based on what the verses said. It was a huge project and I wrote a 40pg typed paper for my children about it. And most of it is just verses. But I couldn't just take verses out of context so I'd have to read the whole chapter, if not book, to get a feel for the verse. Before Precept I was much more apt to just pull a verse out and think that it applied. Now I look at context, history, the Hebrew or Greek original word, the five Ws and the H. It takes a long time. Pam Gillaspie (author of the Sweeter than Chocolate series) just recently helped me to learn to go wide as well as deep. So now I'm trying to just read my Bible part of the day and study another time.
This is an addition to her earlier comment, from Jean in MS. It's so good that I don't want any of you to be surprised if I use it (by permission of course, right Jean?) as an actual post one day soon.
I just love it!
If I could add one thing to what I said, it would be this: (and this would move to the # 2 spot)
As an inductive Bible study teacher, the greatest thing that I see is that when we as a group study purely inductively - purely the Bible and nothing but the Bible - that Unity follows.
Misunderstandings and misinterpretations fade away.
(Ok, some don't fade, some are a fight for that person, but overall, God convicts and convinces students (and teacher) of TRUTH.)
A dear student brought to my attention The Heavenly Man By Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway.
(If you are not familiar with this book I HIGHLY advise every true sincere believer to read it, you will never be the same!!)
One Major Thing I got from this dear persecuted brother was this: (the following is my paraphrase)
"Warning: the road to disunity: When the churches in China only had the Bible they were united in faith and brotherhood. When “new’ doctrines were introduced by others- worship a certain way, speak in tongues to be a true believer, etc. THEN the church divided. Then money came into the picture and things got worse (foreign money- some got more that others- covetousness, jealousy, etc.)
THE PURE WORD!!! That is the answer to disunity."
I teach at a Baptist church but consider myself Christian not Baptist. I have several students from other denominations (one Catholic). When we have dissentions, I try to always point them back to the Word and ask, "what does the verse(s) SAY?" (repeat as necessary) or "what did you read this week that shows what God says about it?"
When we are all completely honest about it, it becomes abundantly clear what God says about it. Dissentions cease. Divisions go away, because as my wise friend says "there are three sides to every story: yours, mine, and the truth".
We have found that not only does the false or misleading teaching become exposed but also others false thinking about what that other denomination belives/does/thinks is revealed and everyone has to re-orient themselves.
The bottom line is that the more we study inductively as a group, the more coheisive we become. The more we see the more we agree.
One faith, one Lord, one baptism, one Holy Spirit, one Father, etc.
satan WANTS division and disunity (divide and conquer). You fight disunity with PURE UNDILUTED TRUTH.
(as I tell people from the get-go, we're not interested in man's opinion, man's ideas, or some groups or denominations teaching, we are here to see what the WORD says. period.)
Ok, there you go. (If you want to use, feel free to edit down to managable size and for clarity.)
Thanks for what you do!
Jean L.
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