Thursday, December 15, 2011

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

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

Friday, March 11, 2011

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

Monday, February 28, 2011

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