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HOW TO WRITE BIBLE STUDIES
INSTRUCTOR: Elsie Montgomery
TELEPHONE: (780) 988-5622
EMAIL: available most of the
time!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to “How to Write Bible Studies.” This course will offer students
instruction and the experience of outlining and writing one lesson for at
least one type of Bible study, either for their own use or the use of
another teacher, or for publication. Short assignments will build on the
Bible study knowledge each student already has and will expand that
knowledge and experience to produce confidence in developing study material
in a variety of styles and for various settings.
The classroom is your own space, the kitchen table, your office or den.
While you will not be able to share and discuss your assignments with other
students, you will be able to work at your own pace. No exams
will be given, however you will be graded on your effort and on
completed assignments. This course has a moderate workload, is not an easy
100%, but is doable. If you invest about three-four hours a
week, you can finish it in eight weeks. However, you will be allowed one
year. A certificate will be given to those who complete the
course as required.
This class is taught by Elsie Montgomery who has prepared and used her own
lesson materials in both adult and children’s Bible classes for more than
twenty-five years. Elsie holds a Bachelors degree in Religious Education.
COURSE MATERIALS
Bible Preferably well-worn! If you have a study Bible, try to do this course
without relying on it too heavily. Access to several Bible versions is also
helpful. See http://www.biblegateway.com/ for about twenty options.
Bible Commentary Use last not first, and preferably only when you are stuck.
Several available at the link below, or borrow from church library, or your
pastor.
Bible dictionary Look up key word meanings. More advanced students may use a
Greek and/or Hebrew lexicon if you want to get into original words and
definitions.
Bible Encyclopedia Use this to research customs in Bible times.
Concordance Find verses when all you can remember are a few words. The link
below has a few older versions if you do not have a concordance of your own.
Link for Bible tools http://www.searchgodsword.org/
COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Students will
• study & discuss basic Bible interpretation methods
• review learning styles and how they apply in a Bible study environment
• be equipped to write a Bible study that interests and engages students
• learn the characteristics of several types of Bible studies and how to
determine which one will be the most effective for their purposes
• complete several short assignments in preparation for beginning a study in
the method of their choice. These will be based on prior experience in Bible
study, and will enrich personal study and your ability in writing a study)
• ask questions and post by email or snail mail their assignments or sections of assignments for feedback
throughout the course
• critically evaluate their own writing and examples of material by other
writers
• aim for a balanced grade with half marks for ‘effort' and the other half for ‘ability and skill’
• toward the completion of this course, complete and submit a major project that is
selected and begun early in the course and developed continually throughout.
This project will consist of an outline for a Bible study
and one lesson of that study. (This project may vary if the outline/lesson
does not suit the type of study being written. Ask the instructor before
week two.)
COURSE ORGANIZATION
Unit 1 Introductions, preparation for Writing Bible studies, basics of Bible
interpretation, discussion of learning styles. Use of Bible study tools will
be interwoven in each lesson.
Unit 2 Select study material and the best method for presenting it, writing
goals and objectives, collecting illustrations
Unit 3 Grab learners’ attention, ways to begin a study session, engage body,
soul and spirit, learning activities for various situations and age groups
according to the type of study used
Unit 4 Point learners in the right direction, asking and answering
questions, produce a desire for change, relying on the Holy Spirit in
teaching and learning
Unit 5 Write motivating application sections, deal with any issues or
problems regarding the major project
Unit 6 Write a teacher’s guide so someone else can use your material
Unit 7 What next? Consider what you will do with what you are writing . . .
Unit 8 Final questions, problems, sharing; hand in major assignment, receive
grades
SUPPLIES
This course can be taken using email or snail mail. Email is preferred, but
the decision is yours.
A binder or folder to store all .pdf files that you wish to print and read
as hard copies
to store your own written and printed material as hard copies
OR keep and read these on your computer.
A computer with a word processor such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect
Internet access and the ability to send email so you can receive course
materials, submit assignments, and interact with your instructor.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
• General Bible knowledge, a reasonable command of the English language, and
some experience in either writing a Bible study or leading one.
• General agreement to interpretation guidelines given by your instructor.
This is not intended to be dogmatic but to help keep us on track with
writing rather than get into theological discussions about Bible
interpretation.
• Show up. Do the assignments as soon as you can. Post or mail assignments
without delay rather than slow your progress, frustrate the instructor, and lose points
for lack of effort!
• Enter into discussion. Ask questions. Chat with your instructor. Plan to work on this course for a few minutes each day. You will get out of
it what you put into it.
• Select material for the study you will write and the best Bible study method
for presenting it. Work on one unit or chapter for this study or a thorough outline as
your final assignment.
• You will also outline or write a section for a teacher’s guide for the
material you submit.
• Consider and offer your plans for what comes next with the study you are
writing. Will you use it yourself? Or submit it to a publisher?
• If unforeseen adversities arise, let your instructor know so she can pray for
you!
Students are required to read materials which will be distributed by email
in .pdf files or can be mailed by snail mail. Students will also read
and study the posted work of others (posted in either of the same two ways) These will be discussed and critiqued
to help you discern what works and what is less likely to work in your own
study materials and situation.
GRADING
This course is more about learning the strengths and weaknesses in the work
being done than a number or letter grade. All evaluation by the instructor
will be intended to support student efforts to master necessary skills. While
the final grade is a percentage given by the instructor, this grade will
take into consideration any self evaluation by each student.
General: 20% for main impression from the study as written, its
organization, tone and general coherence.
Appropriate: 20% for suitability of the study for intended readers, how well
the study communicates its goals and purposes, etc.
Writing: 10% for punctuation, syntax, word usage, creativity, and so on.
Effort: 50% for reading assigned
material, making comments, asking questions, doing the short assignments,
and actively giving time to this course. Failure be actively involved will
result in a reduced grade. If a student is not prepared to participate, it
would be better to drop the course immediately.
Total 100%
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, will result in a failing grade for
the assignment in order to emphasize that honesty and integrity are at least
as important as grades. No one becomes a better writer by using the creative
expressions of other writers. Students should find their own voice.
If you are interested in this course,
email for the more information
about making payment and getting started. |
