I have an Idea. What do y'all think?

So I have been mulling over an idea and I wanted to see what y'all thought and maybe get some ideas/input.

I am thinking about offering classes at my church (each about 6 weeks long, 1-hour a week) about various topics regarding the faith. Here are some that I have been thinking about:

Christian History (Event Based, not Doctrine Based)

History of Christian Thought (Different doctrines, largely focusing on false teachings that have cropped up through the ages)

History of the Bible

How to Study the Bible

Basic Doctrine

Evangelism

Life of Christ

Pauline Epistles (maybe just each one or broken up into

Pastoral Epistles, Prison Epistles, or some other means)

Old Testament Law

Old Testament Writings

Old Testament Prophets

etc

These classes would be designed to provide basic information, but would include abundant resources and references so that people could learn more away from the class.

Any thoughts, ideas? Anyone already doing this or have seen something like this.

I especially feel strongly about Church History and the History of the Bible. Those are 2 subject matters that many, many believers just don't know about. They are very important though, because we have a rich heritage and it displays the faithfulness of God throughout the ages.

Makes think of Edwin Orr's quote of the brother who would not discourage Evan Roberts desire to leave school and go preach and teach the things that no one else seemed to think he was equipped to do: Who but the Holy Spirit would lay that on a man's heart to do?

Make sure of it and you know your idea is anointed and good to go.

It seems like a good idea to this old idiot. :)

Sounds good- I agree with Tim to just make sure God is behind it and not that it just seems like the right thing to do. That being said I am not sure why God would not be for it.

What kind of turnout do you think you will get?

I go to a small church, so I likely will have low turnout, but I think that's best. I don't want to deplete entire Sunday school classes or anything like that. I will probably put up a sign up sheet and break it up into groups of 2-6 people per class at the most. When all the people who have signed up have been taught, move on to the next topic.

Another topic I would love to cover is History of Christian Missions! I have studied that a bit and it is so encouraging!

by sermonindex
Dear brother,
I agree with you on this, we have a 2000 year old Church, some of the early church believers accomplished so much that we are still reaping those benefits. Some of the greatest apologetics of the Church were in the first 300 years.

Gods word will always be the same, but I truly believe the delivery of the message, will have to be a delivery that captures the hearts and souls of the younger generation if we want to leave the same legacy as the church left us in the past. I know we would all like to think a message from Smith Wigglesworth is just as powerful today as it was yesterday, for the younger generation, but my guess is the majority of his messages are listened to by the older generation. From what I have personally experienced with the younger generation is, it's a totally different approach needed today to capture the minds and hearts of our children.

I'm 65 and God has blessed me with the gift to be able to capture the attention of the younger generation, why? Because of my approach, you can't use the same approach to capture today's young lost sheep, as we used 500 years ago, it just won't work. It has nothing to do with the word of God, it will always be the same, it's all about the approach. Times have progressed, and we must use the progressive ways in how we deliver messages to the younger generation, the messages could probably still be the same, but the delivery method must be different.

I guess a way to prove my point would be, bring in 500 children ages from 12 to 18 and play one of Smith Wigglesworth sermons, and watch their responses.

// I go to a small church, so I likely will have low turnout, but I think that's best. //

It was actually a trick question. If God wants you to do it the turnout doesn't matter. Those he wants will show up.

RE : /// I especially feel strongly about Church History and the History of the Bible. Those are 2 subject matters that many, many believers just don't know about. They are very important though, because we have a rich heritage and it displays the faithfulness of God throughout the ages.///

If I had it to do over again, I would not study either of those two subjects.

Something like Foxes Book of Martyrs would be OK for the rich heritage.

In light of Scripture I have found much of recorded Church History to be a disappointment.

proudpapa,

"In light of Scripture I have found much of recorded Church History to be a disappointment. "

Can you please explain further on this? It sounds like you wound up more discouraged than encouraged, which is different from my encounter while studying Church history. Thanks!

Also, what did you find discouraging about studying the history of the Bible?

havok20x ,

The lack of unity and all fighting I find to be a discouragement.

I will give 1 example that I recently found out more about : George Fox and John Bunyan they both have fascinating life accounts , Spurgeon had great respect for both of these men , they are side by side in my Pilgrim Church book as well as my New Foxes Book (Chadwick).
Both where persecuted.
I always wondered if they ever met/or new of each other, since they both where from the same time period.

I recently found out yes they new of each other and they tore into each other over theological differences.

But that is what I find so much of recorded church history disagreements and fighting .

As far as the history of the Bible, : reading about Tyndale and others is great.
But I feel that there is a danger in looking at the Bible to much as a human book and start wondering as some of the posters on SI have been challenging if the canon is correct etc. etc.

Those considerations are noted. Thanks for the explanation.

If this does move from an idea into reality, I will definitely take what you said into consideration. Regarding church history, perhaps the best thing to do would be to highlight the faithfulness of God in spite of the fallenness of man.

Regarding the Bible, I will have to think on that a little to see what would be edifying for the church and not destructive.

What do you think about that? Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks, brother!

havok20x,

I think you are you are on the right tract.

as far as suggestions , Let me think about that for awhile.

Churh history - if you can reminds us of those who have done exploits, whose faith and deeds are an example for all of us, those heroes of faith, whose names could well be listed among the heroes in Hebrews 11 - that would be wonderful.

And then pray, that looking into the past, may open our eyes to the glorious future ahead, the great riches in Christ and may encourage us to be followers of Christ, fearless, full with the Holy Ghost, that His name may be glorified in our generation and till the end of times!

Yes! And yes! The fellowships are in dire need of sound doctrine as well as church history and apologetics and MEN taking up the mantle of teachers and preachers equipping the saints in this confused generation!
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. If only one person shows up that is OK!!!!! Go for it ASAP!

Leslie

wish there was a thumbs up button. Just start and never look back, and may the Lord himself add His many blessings!

QUOTE:
"perhaps the best thing to do would be to highlight the faithfulness of God in spite of the fallenness of man."

Fine goal.

Back in 1967 when I was a student at a Bible School, we were required to take "Mennonite History" in order to graduate so I took it although I was an informal student of Mennonite History since I was a young teen.

Anyhow...

I used to think how much nicer it would have been to have lived back in the olden days before the present time which is characterized by liberals and conservatives fighting with their shennigans. Well! Imagine my surprise when I discovered this type of disagreeing is not limited to the modern era....I ended up being glad I was born in 1947.

If you can teach church hostory and develope within the student an appreciation of it and how the church has continued to thrive in the midst of all kinds of upheavals, you will have accomplihed a worthwhile goal.

The list of subjects you want to teach is quite extensive. Wishing you the best.

BTW, if you want to learn from a respected Mennonite History teacher check out Walter Beachy's talks on "Anabaptist History". He is an engaging story teller. I think they are posted here in SI...I personally know Bro. Walter Beachy.

Sandra