Henry A. Dyson - Outlining Your Bible Study: A Helpful Tool for Students, Teachers and Lay Leaders

OUTLINING
YOUR
BIBLE STUDY A Helpful Tool for Students,
Teachers and Lay Leaders HENRY A. DYSON Order this book online at www.trafford.com
or email Most Trafford titles are also available at major online book retailers. Copyright 2012 HENRY A. DYSON. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Printed in the United States of America . isbn: 978-1-4669-4684-2 (sc)
isbn: 978-1-4669-4686-6 (hc)
isbn: 978-1-4669-4685-9 (e) Library of Congress Control Number: 2012911994 Trafford rev. 07/11/2012 www.trafford.com North America & international toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada) phone: 250 383 6864 fax: 812 355 4082 DEDICATION THIS BOOK IS DEDICATEDTO MY WIFE, BETTY JEAN ANDERSON DYSON WE BOTH CAME FROM FAMILIES OF EIGHT CHILDREN, WITH PARENTS THAT WERE VERY ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR CHURCHES. WE ATTENDED SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY, LEARNED SPEECHES FOR THE EASTER, CHILDRENS DAY AND OTHER PROGRAMS, AND ALWAYS ATTENDED VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE YOUTH GROUPS, AND SANG ON THE CHOIRS AS WELL AS IN SMALL GROUPS WITH HER SISTERS. I WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR, BUT COULD NOT DO MUCH SINGING.

BETTY HAS SUPPORTED ME IN ALL OF MY WRITINGS AND OTHER ENDEAVORS, AND OFFERED VALUABLE ADVICE ON THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF MANAGING THE ACTIVITIES OF A STRUGGLING AUTHOR. HER ATTENTION TO DETAILS FAR EXCEEDS MINE, AND SHE HAS HELPED TO IMPROVE EACH PROJECT I HAVE STARTED. THE DEDICATION OF THIS BOOK TO HER IS SPECIAL BECAUSE WE BOTH SHARE THE DESIRE FOR OTHERS TO COME TO KNOW THE SAVIOR THAT WE SERVE, JESUS CHRIST. I LOVE YOU BETTY, AND PRAY THAT THIS PROJECT WILL GIVE US ANOTHER WAY TO SERVE THE LORD AND GROW CLOSER TOGETHER. THIS BOOK IS ALSO DEDICTED TO THE MEMORY OF MY PARENTS, HENRY AND JANIE, AND TO THE MEMORY OF GROVER C. WILLCOX, FOUNDER AND FIRST PASTOR OF CALVARY GOSPEL CHURCH, NEWARK, NJ, WHO PUSHED ME TOWARD BECOMING A SERIOUS STUDENT OF THE BIBLE.

Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank God for allowing me to study His Word, to try to explain it to others, to introduce others to Him, and for instilling in me the desire to live according to His Word. This next person planted a seed for the book without knowing it. He casually said one day, You prepare some interesting devotions. Maybe you should consider putting them into a book. At that time his comment went over my head, and out of my mind. The idea came back later, and retirement provided the time.

I thank Pastor Steven B. Davis of Calvary Gospel Church, Newark, New Jersey. I also thank the officers and members of Calvary Gospel Church for receiving many of my devotions, and messages. I thank my many students over the years, who pushed me to study, prepare, and to try creative ways of presenting lessons. I especially thank those students that accepted me even when some of my ideas did not work. That caused me to work harder to make the Bible clearer to them.

I thank my teachers, all the way from Sunday School through college, both inside and outside of the classroom. FO REWORD For 35 years Henry A. Dyson was a faithful member of Calvary Gospel Church. He served in many positions during that time, but he seemed most contented when he was teaching and explaining Gods word. He started as a Sunday School teacher and progressed from the Junior High class to High School to becoming the Sunday School Superintendent, where he served until his responsibilities as a Deacon grew more demanding. Even then his heart was in teaching.

He later returned to teach the Young Adult Class, then the Adult Class. We could always depend on him to present timely and relevant devotional to our officers and for other special occasions. I was impressed with his ability to take biblical concepts, sometimes difficult ones, and turn them into understandable lessons that were thought provoking, humorous, and encouraged participation by the entire group. He has done the same thing with this book. By using the outline format he identifies basic ideas, and encourages the reader to learn more and then gives direction for additional study. OUTLINING YOUR BIBLE STUDY gives examples of ways to liven up your presentations, and make them personal to the group.

The book is also evangelical; showing Henrys interest in leading others to Christ. Many of the devotionals have potentials for full messages. Rev. Dr. Steven B. Davis, Pastor Calvary Gospel Church Newark, New Jersey PREF ACE DEVOTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS OR CLASSES The purpose of this book is to provide teachers and lay leaders with examples of simple, easy to read outlines and frameworks to follow in preparing meaningful devotions and lessons.

Bible students will also find it helpful. I attempt to present each subject with a clear format that leaders can follow entirely, use in part, or spread out over a series of lessons. You may add personal experiences or local examples to make the presentations more exciting, relevant and closer to home for the students. The Holy Spirit will speak to you and add ideas as you prepare. Many of the devotions include exercises to drive the subjects home, and to encourage student participation. Experts tell us that comprehension is higher when the student actively participates in the learning process.

I have found that quizzes are good tools to be used in the classroom, and for devotions. I have included some along with the answers. They may be copied, altered and amplified for your specific purpose. As a teacher, I always look for creative ways to engage the students. This book is just another item to add to your tool chest as you seek to teach Gods word. I also hope it will arouse some of your creative juices.

The outlines give direction as you read and study. Remember, the Holy Spirit speaks to you personally and to the situation you are in at the time. OUTLINES FOR MESSGES I am not a preacher, and have no desire to become one. I have, on occasions, been asked to deliver messages on specific subjects, and I have used the outline format for my preparation. Some of these outlines were actual messages that I delivered, and other were the results of notes taken during study to assist my understanding of certain subjects. I often ask myself, when reading scripture, What else would make this clearer to me? I dig a little deeper, and the Holy Spirit reveals additional truths, and ways to understand and present them.

I decided to publish them because others may study and learn the same way that I do, and may be able to use some additional ideas to help in the understanding and teaching of Gods inspired, inerrant, infallible, and inexhaustible Word. All glory goes to God if this book helps anyone to understand the Bible and its precepts, apply them to their lives, and become better Christian witnesses for Christ. At the end of most of the devotions you have an opportunity to extend an invitation. Once a person makes a decision to accept Christ, the Holy Spirit will help them as they study the Bible. THE SUBTITLE OF ALL OF MY OUTLINES IS: THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWERS TO LIFES PROBLEMS ON A PERSONAL NOTE . . . .

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, please read this personal note: My wish for you is that you will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Here are three ways to receive Jesus Christ as your savior: 1. THE ROMANS ROAD Romans 3:23Mans NeedFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23Sins PenaltyFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 5:8Gods ProvisionBut God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 10:9-10Mans ResponseIf you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.