Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
What I am not certain of is how to answer the question 'where do I start?' I am almost tempted to say it doesn't matter, start anywhere, you'll eventually wind up at the same destination if you keep at it.
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I've been pondering this one for awhile since I originally wrote the above.
I've concluded, at this point, that the answer is "It depends". It depends on the Bible student's background and general familiarity with Scripture and Bible doctrine. I believe that a new convert should begin with a catechetical type approach, not so much in a question and answer format, but in regards to a basic topical summary of fundamental doctrines.
For example, we have a Profession of Faith (or Confession of Faith) which is a summary statement of basic Gospel truths:
...We declare the Gospel which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved:
That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. And that he was seen of Peter, then of the Twelve, and then was seen of many faithful witnesses, and of James, and then lastly of Paul.
And we bow the knee, and confess with our mouth, that:
JESUS CHRIST is Lord, the Son of God, the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, by whom were all things created that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers, all things were created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
For unto us a child is born,
And unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His NAME shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. And of the increase of his government there shall be no end.
And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the nations, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. For,
There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one Hope of our calling. One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.
Concerning them that are asleep, let us not sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe Jesus died, and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth;
They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father,
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
As can be seen, this Profession of Faith is strictly Bible verses arranged in a confessional format. Learning this (even memorizing it!) would provide a new believer with a real basic summary of basic Bible teachings (things we believe). It also provides a model for study/teaching. Each main point can be taken as the subject heading of a study, which can be as simple or as in depth as one wishes.
Using it as an outline, the course of study might look like this:
1. The Work of Christ - the cross, atonement, pardon, and the Resurrection of Christ.
2. The Identity of Christ - Role as Firstborn and Son of God, Messiah, First fruits from the Dead, Creator, Lord, Head of the Church, the Incarnation and God-Manifestation, Governor and Kingship.
3. Christian Unity and the Basis of Fellowship - One church, One Holy Ghost, One Hope, One Lord (one Biblical Christology), One Faith (belief and doctrine), One Baptism (in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins as the answer of a good conscience towards God), One God (Biblical monotheism).
4. Resurrection and Final Judgment (the endpoint of personal, and collective, human destiny).
Once those basic concepts were understood (Biblically), then one could move directly into whole book studies, probably beginning with one of the four Gospels. I would recommend after that, beginning with Genesis and working through the Pentateuch, with possibly weaving in some of the general epistles (Peter's, James, John's epistles). Then followed by 1 Corinthians, the OT wisdom/poetry books (Proverbs, Psalms, etc), Paul's other epistles, Acts, then finally Romans (the theological magnum opus of the NT). Then working through the Prophets and the Histories in the OT, concluding with Revelation.
I'm sure there are other ways to approach it, as well.