Update 23/10/2013

This particular class ended in November of 2010, but the lesson notes are all still available on the pages tabs above this post. If you have any questions about the material, or want any of the handouts mentioned in these lessons, feel free to contact me by email. I'll endeavor to get back to you within 12 hours.

In June of 2011 my Bible Study How-to course wrapped up. Again, though, the Lesson notes can still be found at the course blog here.

These days, I'm posting all my thoughts theological on The Sting of Salt and Light. C'mon over, have a read and then tell me what you think.

God bless,
Jim

Update on the Current Class

Okay, first off, the name of the class is now How to Study with the Greek New Testament--added a "with" in there.

Secondly, we're now three lessons in and humming along nicely. I've just got around to putting up another blog for the class. Click here or on the link at the right in the "helpful links" column to have a look.

Thirdly, I've got to cut this short--still have a few things to post on the other site.

See you there!

God Bless,
Ιακωβος

How to Study the Greek New Testament

Here are the details on the upcoming Class:

Where: Paihia Baptist Church: 77 Williams Rd, Paihia.
When: Starting on Sunday 20th March at 1:00—2:30pm and for the next 9 Sundays thereafter (final class: May 22nd).

The goal of the class is to promote a greater appreciation and understanding of the original Koine Greek New Testament and to help Christians realise that we have a duty to familiarise ourselves with it.

I intend to do this through a combination of basic Greek language instruction, such as learning how to read the language, and a non-pedant’s (I'll TRY, honest!) introduction to the mechanics of its grammar; particularly as it relates to our English translations. We will also explore sound techniques and methods of Bible study, such as an exploration of exegesis vs eisegesis, the use of concordances & analytical lexicons, online resources, “considering the source”scepticism, and even a look at the history of the Greek texts. All this comes with a goodly helping of eye-opening surprises for the poor English-only Bible readers among us (surprises like the Greek word δαιμονιον [daimonion], which is translated as "devil" or "demon" everywhere in the NT except Acts 17:18; where the plural form is rendered "gods"--and it turns out that that is the only time the word has been translated "correctly"!). Basically, this class will inverse the Why Learn Greek to Language Study-ratio of the last class.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it!

I think it'll be especially enjoyable for those of you who attended the last class--after all, you'll get even more out of it, and much more quickly, than those who haven't got any Greek at all.

So, along with inviting you to come and join us again, I'd like to ask you to pass this ευαγγελιον on to any other Christians you know in the BOI area who might be interested in exploring How to Study the Greek New Testament!


Thanks and God Bless,
Ιακωβος

Class is Starting...

...on the 20th of March 2011, at 1:30pm, at Paihia Baptist Church. That's only THREE Sundays from today. Time to make contact with any Christians you know who want to become familiar with the original Greek New Testament.

But HANG ON! It isn't going to be your typical language class--it isn't PBC Greek Class II. It's more of a How to Study the Greek New Testament Class. Υes, we will be learning some basic Greek, but the bigger emphasis will be on how to apply that language knowledge to gain a greater understanding of the Original Word of God.

Clear as mud?

Right.

Watch this space--more details to follow...


Χαρις,
Ιακωβος

Skoolz Owt

πεποιθως αὐτο τουτο ὅτι ὁ ἐναρξαμενος ἐν ὑμιν ἐργον ἀγαθον ἐπιτελεσει ἄχρις ἡμερας Ἰησου Χριστου•
ΠΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΗΣΙΟΥΣ 1:6

This particular work of God in us, the study of the Koine Greek of the New Testament, was begun six and-a-half months ago. Last Sunday, we gathered with family and friends to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the work. It was Graduation Day for the inaugural Course A of the Paihia Baptist Church Grεεk Class and a great time was had by all.

It was a day of fellowship, prayer, learning AND feasting! Spirit-filled Christians from four different churches came together to enjoy the wonderful Greek meal that all the students had a hand in preparing (and Sandy, who reminds us again that she is NOT learning Greek, prepared a most excellent lamb—thanks, Babe!); to listen to a special Why Learn Greek illustration, which hopefully gave the guests a small appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice all the students put into the course, and a glimpse of the wonderful rewards that come from it; as well as to congratulate the students in completing the course and earning the title of ΜΑΘΗΤΗΣ.


Congratulations to Colleen, Raewyn and Trish!

And I’d like to personally thank you for all the hard work you put in, for your patience with, and correction of, my many mistakes, and for your kindness towards me as I struggled to find my feet as a teacher—thank you, thank you! Each of you in your own way helped make the class a fun, encouraging and blessed place to spend a Sunday afternoon. I will miss you all and I ask God to be with you and keep you wherever He takes you until that glorious day of our Lord and Saviour, ὁ Ἰησους ὁ Χριστος.

God Bless,
Ἰακωβος

Lesson 18 and Why Learn Greek

Lesson 18 notes and the latest Why Learn Greek have been posted. As with last week's WLG, the latest incarnation is quite different from the in-class presentation, so it's definitely worth taking a look.

And, as always, if you'd rather have a hard copy, just post a request here or email me and I'll get one to you asap (in either MSWord or PDF format)!

Actually, saying that reminded me that I've edited the L18 notes since posting them here last night...I'll email you all a copy of those anyway.

God Bless,
Ἰακωβος

Upload Update Update

...okay, the latest Why Learn Greek has been written out and posted. Although it's on the same topic, the finished document is very different in form from the way it was presented last Sunday. So you might want to have a look. Let me know if you want a pdf or MSWord copy emailed to you.

Also, Lesson 17 is now posted--and btw, I had to put L1, 2, 3 & 4 together and L5, 6, 7 & 8 together.

God Bless,
Ἰακωβος