Study Planning
General questions about the four book-series and advice on how to choose right.
It is important to be sure where to start, and then have a progressive plan from that point onwards.
If you are a beginner the tabel below is a good suggestion for an order to go through the first half of the books.
4 steps of planning
Step 1: How can you evaluate the need?
(The survey form can be emailed to you on request)
Below you will find a table to analyse the need and link it to a certain book-title. The left column (1.01 etc) refers to specific books that you can read more about in the catalogue-section. The middle column provides some of the important teaching-keywords, and the 3 right columns (in 3 colours) is where you indicate the need.
Quick Survey: For each subject tick one of the 3 columns on the right. – This will give you an indication which books will be right for you.
Green means ‘Fully Taught/learned’ – (I am sure this is no longer a need)
Yellow means ‘Needs deepening’ – (it is taught, but there is still a need)
Red means ‘Not taught directly’ – (there is definitely still a need here)
Using the Survey in detail: In addition to the above step, highlight or circle the keywords in the subject-column describing subjects you have already taught (or learned) carefully. - This will give you an indication whether you need whole books or just to follow up on single items.
Step 2: Familiarise yourself with the material
Use the presentation of the books provided on the following pages
You will find a short presentation of each book. You will find a brief summary, page examples, an indication of in which languages it is available etc.
Step 3: Select material for subjects that need further teaching
Now look at the items you ticked during step 1 (the table with the colours ‘Fully Taught/learned’ – ‘Needs deepening’ – and ‘Not taught directly’ ) The red indications are the subjects you need to teach. Yellow indications are the subjects you should consider to include.
Check the code for the teaching books (left column), look up the books and see how they fit together.
It is always a good idea to be sure that general scripture basics (Knowing the Bible) are covered before teaching theology or leadership.
If you find out that you need 8 books from the same series, it might make sense to include the remaining two to make the series complete.
Step 4: Make the plan for how to offer this teaching.
You don’t need to start with book no. 1. If you are teaching young people or new Christians it might be appropriate to start with book 4.01 ‘Owning the new life in Christ’ because this book takes the students through some important personal steps.
How often are you going to teach?
Is it full time for some weeks? Or once a week for some month? Or one weekend a month for a year?
A few examples based on the Bible series:
Some might want to teach on the background knowledge only. They would select Book 1 (The World of the Bible) and teach the 15 lessons three at the time. Time wise that would be 5 sessions. As a full time study that could be accomplished in a week. Alternatively it could be once a week for 5 weeks or once a month for 5 months.
Some might want to add another 5 sessions to work through Book 2 (All the Books of the Bible). – Other might want to work through the books of Old Testament, using Book 3-6 as lessons (20 sessions) and just use book 1 and 2 as handbooks alongside with the textbooks.
Again others would combine the material with further study aids such as film, seminars etc. – So you can see, there is no limit to the flexibility
- Details
- Hits: 882
About good planning
4 steps towards good planning
1. Analyse the need
2. Survey the available material
3. Select material for subjects that need further teaching
4. Make the plan for how to offer this teaching.
Below you will find tools you can use for each of these steps.
Why are there four series?
We have tried to separate 4 different ‘steams’ of knowledge: Bible insight, Theology/ministry insight, Insight in how to work with People and useful tools for Personal growth and management.
In our daily ministry of course will need to use these four streams combined, but keeping them separate during the study-process makes it more clear what is the word of the Bible itself, (the word that never changes), - how we base our ministry and practices on the Bible, (this may change according to our insight), - how we function effectively in different types of leadership, (this also includes general knowledge from secular sources), - and how we grow our personal character and integrity, (anything from moral and spiritual gifting to using computer programmes as a tool for writing, internet-communication, handling money etc.).
The separation also makes it possible for various denominations to use the material without compromising their own church’s theological viewpoints and values.
How is each series put together?
Series 1: As an example the Bible-Series is put together this way:
Booklet 1: A handbook with background knowledge useful for any Bibles study: Maps, buildings, Feasts, Key-Characters, Measurements, etc.
Booklet 2: A handbook with a 1-page summary of each book in the Bible: Time, author, themes, location.
Booklet 3: 1st subdivision of OT: The Law (Pentateuch / Torah)
Booklet 4: 2nd subdivision of OT: The Historical Books:
Booklet 5: 3rd subdivision of OT: The Poetic Books:
Booklet 6: 4th subdivision of OT: The Prophetic Books:
Booklet 7: 1st subdivision of NT: The Gospels
Booklet 8: 2nd subdivision of NT: Acts:
Booklet 9: 3rd subdivision of NT: The Letters:
Booklet 10: 4th subdivision of NT: The revelation:
The other 3 series are organised in a similar way:
Series 2: How to experience God. Systematic Theology. Salvation / Justification / Sanctification. Spiritual Gifts. Church History. 8 quality factors in a Church. Ministry Examples. Etc.
Series 3: What makes the church relevant to our community? Vision & Leader Team. Planning for Church growth. Emotion & Mind. Teaching & Learning. How to prepare preaching (Homiletics). How to adjust teaching to a certain age group or background. Counselling principles, etc
Series 4: Exploring your gifting. Ethics in the personal life and in Christian work. Basic Bible study techniques. Working with Word, Excel, E-mail etc Even hints on how to do maintenance.
- Details
- Hits: 804
Find what you need
The books
This new teaching-layout provides systematic and inspiring training, covering all the subjects a church-worker or pastor needs to master.
The layout has 4 categories:
1: Knowing the Bible (purple covers)
2: Theology & Ministry (Yellow covers)
3: Working with People (Green covers)
4: Personal Tools (Blue covers)
These four fit together, like a puzzle.
Common Qualities for all the books:
The books are systematic, easy-to-read, colour full, and with lots of illustrations & practical examples.
You will find many easy study assignments, plus a selection of advanced study suggestions.
For teachers also PowerPoint presentations, exams and DVD’s are available to increase the dynamics and quality of teaching.
The 40 books should not bee seen as a set curriculum. – It certainly can be used that way, - but the intension is far more that you as a pastor or training provider take some important steps:
- Details
- Hits: 841
About the study books
Congratulations!
The fact that you are reading these lines proofs that you are actively looking for inspiration and teaching material that can help you (or your church / study group / class) to grow in knowledge and experience of Christ – and in ability to serve within the fellowship of believers.
That is a very important step!
We trust that you will find useful contributions in these 4 series. On the following pages we will help you to assess your need and which materials are most relevant for you.
Who need to study? (The quick test for busy pastors)
Tick ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
My church is blameless and holy, mature and spirit filled.
I have personally studied the scripture so intensively that I have exhausted all important themes
I have taught my church (group / class) all they need to grow.
The next generation in my church is fully prepared to take over responsibility in leadership, doctrine and anointing.
In case you ticked the all the ‘yes’-boxes above, there is no need for you to continue reading this book. – Then you and your church are fully equipped and should be busy teaching others.
In case you ticked ‘no’ on any of the above questions, we welcome you for a further study. – And in case you wish so, maybe we could enter into a partnership with you in the work.
- Details
- Hits: 1208