Information Sample

Informational Study

 

Key concept.  show how the topic relates to daily life.

 

Reasons why needed.

1.  Without an information study, believers remain “babies” in their knowledge.

2.  Without an informational study, believers are easily swayed by false teachers.

3.  Without an informational study, believers easily fall into unnecessary arguments.

 

Important Principles.

1.   A clear and logical outline is essential

2.   try to relate the topic to Christ

 

Common topics

1.  The Creed.

2.  Baptism.

3.  Communion

4.  the salvation message

5.  the Christian life.

6.  Bible background.

7.  compare Christianity with other world religions

 

A SAMPLE INFORMATIONAL STUDY: JESUS IS GOD

 

Here is the teaching plan for this sample study:

 

1.  Focus Attention.  Two people knocked at my door and wanted to talk about the Bible.  As they talked, they told me that their church was the only true church.  They said I ought to leave my church and accept their teaching.  They told me that since God is One, it is impossible for Jesus to be God.  I told them that the Bible clearly states that Jesus is God.  They answered, “No, the Bible only says Jesus is the “Son of God.”  I did not know how to answer.

 

2.  Goal.  “By the end of this lesson, I hope you will know whether the Bible says that Jesus is God, and that you will know why this is a great source of comfort.”

 

3.  The Learning Sequence.

1)  The importance of today’s topic.  If Jesus is not God, then I can never be sure that his death on the cross was sufficient to pay for all of my sins.  If Jesus is not God,  I would be unsure whether or not I would get to heaven, and would spend a lot of time and energy trying to do a great number of good works, in the hope that God would accept me.

 

2)  The meaning of the phrase “God’s Son.”  Some say that calling Jesus “God’s Son” means that Jesus is less than God.”  Please read John 5:15-18.  We wonder why the Jews are angry at Jesus [Jesus called God his “father.”]  If Jesus called God father, therefore Jesus must be what [Jesus is the Son of God].  If Jesus is the son of God, then how can we say that Jesus is God [because the last verse says that by calling God by the name “father,” the Jews understood that Jesus was claiming to be equal with God.  Therefore, the phrase “God’s Son” means that Jesus is God.

 

3) Jesus does the same works as God — so Jesus is God.

1) read Genesis 1:1.  Who created the world [God]

2  read  John 1:1-2.  The term “word” here refers to Jesus.  Who took part in the process of creating the world [Jesus].   Since Jesus took part, he is not part of the created world, but part of the creator.

 

4)  Jesus has the same characteristics as God — so Jesus is God.

1) read Isaiah 43:10-11.  God says that before and after him there can be no other what [God].  Look at God’s name [Jehovah].  In the centuries after Isaiah, the Jewish people began a custom to show their respect toward God.  When they read the Bible, and came to the word Jehovah, they did not pronounce it; instead the substituted the term “Lord.”  In New Testament times, when a Jew said the word “Lord,” everyone know that they meaning was “Jehovah.”

2) read Philippians 2:10-11.  Here, Jesus is called by the name that is only used for Jehovah [the name Lord].

 

5)  Jesus accepts worship — so Jesus is God.

1) read Exodus 34:14.  God commands us to worship what [only him]

2) read Matthew 28:17.  After Jesus rose from the dead, what did the disciples do [they worshipped him].

 

7.  Jesus is called “God.” — so Jesus is God.

1)  read John 20:27-28.  After Thomas saw Jesus, what did he call Jesus [God].

 

8.  Check Goal.  The goal was to know whether the Bible says that Jesus is God.  Please raise your hand if you feel we have met the goal.

 

9.  Closing prayer.

 

10.  Do you have any questions for me?

 

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