I don't. I disagree with you.
Except that I'm not the one who said it. I just quoted it.
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random stranger bible study
- Thread starter torcot
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Except that I'm not the one who said it. I just quoted it.
Now that we are completely off topic, my thoughts on some posts.
While I do agree that No man seeks God first without God drawing him, I will say that any who are seeking God is because God has given them the ability to do so, and is drawing them to himself.
John 6:65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
So arguing that no one seeks God is actually a valid point, as long as they include "No one seeks God, without God first drawing them".
While I do agree that No man seeks God first without God drawing him, I will say that any who are seeking God is because God has given them the ability to do so, and is drawing them to himself.
John 6:65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
So arguing that no one seeks God is actually a valid point, as long as they include "No one seeks God, without God first drawing them".
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dies-l
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Back to the topic OP. A few cautions I would have for the idea:
(1) be prepared for people who will show up just to mock, but don't let them discourage you.
(2) make sure that you are prepared to answer the most difficult questions that skeptics can throw at you. And, don't be afraid to say "I don't know, but I will do some studying and try to find an answer for you" if you are not sure how to answer a question presented.
(3) realize that other believers may present an even bigger stumbling block than non-believers. We all have our opinions about how ton interpret Scripture, but the last thing that a non-believer needs to be a part of is a debate about some finer point of Christian theology. If the purpose of your Bible Study is to evangelize, make it clear to other Christians what your doctrinal position is and that you will not tolerate debate on this position while you are evangelizing.
If you are uncomfortable with any of these issues, then I would suggest that you ask another, perhaps more mature believer to assist you.
(1) be prepared for people who will show up just to mock, but don't let them discourage you.
(2) make sure that you are prepared to answer the most difficult questions that skeptics can throw at you. And, don't be afraid to say "I don't know, but I will do some studying and try to find an answer for you" if you are not sure how to answer a question presented.
(3) realize that other believers may present an even bigger stumbling block than non-believers. We all have our opinions about how ton interpret Scripture, but the last thing that a non-believer needs to be a part of is a debate about some finer point of Christian theology. If the purpose of your Bible Study is to evangelize, make it clear to other Christians what your doctrinal position is and that you will not tolerate debate on this position while you are evangelizing.
If you are uncomfortable with any of these issues, then I would suggest that you ask another, perhaps more mature believer to assist you.
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The paraphrase of the Bible found in the NLT (New Living Translation) is so different from what most people are used to when hearing or reading the Bible that using it for a Bible study may cause so much confusion that it will do more harm than good. There is also the moral issue of doing business with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., (the publishers of the Living Bible, Paraphrased, and the New Living Translation) by purchasing their publications. They have a long history of compromising the truth to fatten their wallets. The NLT is not a translation of the Bibleit is a loose paraphrase of the Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., falsely claims that the NLT is a translation rather than a paraphrase because they asked Bible scholars who are familiar with the Biblical texts in the original languages to submit suggestions for the wording of the paraphrase. That is not translating, however, it is paraphrasingand the result was an inadequate revision of Kenneth Taylors Living Bible, Paraphrased.
A few years ago, I shared with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., why I object to their calling the NLT a translation, and I told them that I believe the NLT to be a sloppy work; and they responded. They wrote that the NLT is a complete and thorough revision [of the Living Bible, Paraphrased] . . . The BTC (Bible Translation Committee) made final revisions and approved the final text for each book of the New Living Translation and is ultimately responsible for its accuracy and readability. (This statement expressly contradicts what Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., tells the general public in their promotional literature.) I told them that was not at all what I would call a translation of the Bible, and to that, they responded that it is truly a translation in it own right. I am really not sure what a translation in it own right is supposed to mean, but at least they qualified the word, translation, and did admit that the NLT is a revision of a paraphrase rather than a translation in the usual, unqualified sense of the word.
I like your idea and I believe that God could use it in the salvation and edification of souls, but to represent to anyone the NLT as being the word of God would be dishonest. Use a real Biblenot a product of a dishonest moneymaking scheme. I would suggest using the New King James Version because it will sound to the participants much more like the Bible that they are used to and it is an accurate, very readable, and proven translation.
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very good ideas, I will do research on the most common questions asked by non believers.
I study from the ESV, but when I have a hard time understanding a particular passage I go to my NLT. The NLT is wrote on a 6th grade reading, which would make it very easy to understand to people who are not all that bright. I know it is a very loose translation (paraphrase) but it is also very easy to understand. The NKJV and even the NIV are on 8th grade reading levels. While I appreciate them, I am just not too sure some of the lesser intelligent people would be able to get it right away. I figured on buying a case of both the ESV and NLT in order to give those who want a more accurate translation the ESV.
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dies-l
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I also agree with PG as to the NLT. My take on the NLT is that it is too heavily paraphrased to be used as "Scripture". However, I would not make a big issue of that as the NLT is still far better than nothing at all. If I were doing this type of project, I would probably go with the NIV. I think you are right though that the ESV (as well as the NASB, NRSV, RSV, KJV, or any of the most literal translations) are a bit too complicated for someone who has never been exposed to Scripture.
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what I am afraid of is running into some lesser intelligent people, such as mentally retarded or someone who didn't go to school. We have quite a few of them around here.
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MatthewDiscipleofGod
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Princeton and I have had our disagreements but I agree with him here. I believe God can really use you and don't let anyone other than God talk you out of doing this. At the same time I would also recommend a different Bible version.
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I planned getting these NLT Gift & Award Bible (Burgundy Imitation Leather Edition - Case of 24) anyone know where I can maybe get em cheaper cause this is out of my pocket. I want something a little stronger than paperback cause if someone gets saved I wan to be able to let them have a bible that will last a little while. Plus it looks a little more professional I think, (I also love the way that leather look feels, yeah I know weird 
)
They also have em in ESV and NKJV that I am willing to buy as well for those who want accuracy or something they recognize.
)They also have em in ESV and NKJV that I am willing to buy as well for those who want accuracy or something they recognize.
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dies-l
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I don't think that there is a huge difference in difficulty level between the NLT and NIV, but the NIV is much more faithful to the original languages. But, like I said, the NLT is better than nothing at all, so I won't make too big of an issue out of it. If reading difficulty is really a major problem, the NIrV is fairly accurate and much easier to read for people with limited reading skills than even the NLT. You might have to look hard to find some that are not geared towards children though.
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I respect you for wanting to serve the Lord, well done!
First step however, build rapport with the people at the park. Don't offer them Bible studies to begin with...just offer them a loving and helping hand. Establish some rapport, trust and relationship first.
God be with you.
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