Bible studies rank high in value in growing churches, but Bible Investigations rank higher. In group Bible studies, some may be tempted to rely on others in the group to share their perspectives on the Scripture or passage under review. Investigators, however, cannot climb onto someone else’s back, they must do their own digging to discover spiritual treasure. Investigators must labour to investigate hidden truths that are stored in Scripture.
Bible investigators must conduct their own investigations before coming together with others to share and discuss their discoveries. Every discovered truth must become applied truth, not just shared truth! The Holy Spirit is the One who leads the investigator to stored biblical truth, however, He will not do this unless the investigator intends to apply the truth in their lives.
A Bible study facilitator or a Small Group** leader may feel successful through their ability to “spoon feed” others with their own discoveries. An investigations facilitator or Small Group leader, however, sees their success by how well they are influencing others in the group in their development as investigators.
I’m not trashing the value of the Bible study approach to learning, I’m merely pointing out that the “every investigator” approach to investigating biblical truth will net you “more bang for your buck” in the production of mature disciples and Christ-like leaders.
Simply click on any of the buttons below to download the investigator’s guides.
Genesis sets the stage, determines the cast, and presents the plot of what is foundational to the understanding of the additional 65 books of God’s library – highlighting two most important themes 1: What went wrong with mankind and our world, and 2: How God makes all things right (by rescuing humankind from themselves).
Habakkuk is a unique book. Unlike other prophets who declared God’s message to people this prophet dialogued with God about people. Habakkuk wasn’t at peace within himself.
In Ecclesiastes we have the writings of an older man. Confirmation of this is found in a verse towards the end of the book, in chapter 12: Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”.
Mark was a man known by three names, each giving a clue to his background: ‘Mark’ comes from the Latin name Marcus, telling us that although he was Jewish, he had official Roman connections. His Hebrew name was Johannan, which means ‘God has shown grace’, and he was often known as John Mark. His third name was Colobodacolus, a Greek name which means ‘stubby fingered’.
The book is extremely practical – it is a no-nonsense guide for daily living – where the rubber hits the road. It is realistic, with very little focus on doctrine and a great deal on practice. In his letter, James challenges us to be ‘doers of the word’, not just hearers of it. He’s a strictly by-the-book, ‘let’s do it’, servant of God.
News of Nero’s persecution of believers in AD64 spread like wildfire from church to church throughout the Roman Empire… so too did a letter from the Apostle Peter. This letter was circulated to Christians in the region of north-west Turkey to those with whom he had a special connection, to warn them and prepare them for persecution.
This letter was written in AD 67, three years after Peter’s first letter, just before he was crucified in Rome. In John’s Gospel Jesus had predicted that Peter would die violently when he was old. So, for 40 years Peter lived with the knowledge that he would be martyred, though he didn’t know when.
John was one of the twelve apostles called by Jesus during his ministry, and the only one to live to an old age. Extra-biblical records state that John looked after Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Ephesus until she died. He too died there. John’s letters breathe with the authority not just of an elder, but of the elder. John had enjoyed a very close, special relationship with Jesus
This last book of the Bible, so neglected by the Church and with its meanings confused by many expositors, contains more promises of blessing than any other book of Scripture – “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Seven beatitudes: 1:7, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14).
Friends, we just want to point out that the term “Small Groups” is often used interchangeably with “Cell Groups” – we have tried to be consistent throughout the website and used the term “Small Groups”.
Dancing on Water 