METHODS AND GUIDELINES Motivating People for Bible Study

BY USE OF ILLUSTRATIONS

In the course of your conversation, tell your contact any of the following illustrations to show the importance Bible study.

1. Wala kabasa karatula.
2. Ignorance of the law excuses no man: Manila jaywalking incident.
3. Fish that is afraid of its natural habitat - water.
4. Taking exam without studying textbook.
5. Judging a book by its cover. Refusing food without tasting.
6. Standard weighing scale provided by government for consumers to check if what they bought are correctly weighed by businessmen.
7. Fat man, thin soul

BY USE OF CHALLENGE QUESTIONS

Appropriately insert any of these questions in your conversation:

1. ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION
   Say: Every person should be free to choose his religion:
   ...Do you believe in freedom of religion, don't you?
   ...Did you have a chance to choose your religion or somebody else did it for you?
   ...What options did they give you?
   ...Did you have a chance to consider the claims of the Bible?
   THEN SAY: You see, the reason Jesus commanded the disciples to preach the Gospel is NOT TO IGNORE your freedom but TO DIGNIFY it by giving you a chance to believe or reject.
2. ON THE COMMON STATEMENT: `I ALSO BELIEVE IN GOD’.
   If you believe in God, what about of God do you believe?
   ...Do you know WHAT He wants you to believe and WHY?
   ...What instructions does He want you to follow?
   ...What promises does He wants you to believe?
   THEN SAY: You see, we need the Bible in order TO KNOW WHAT GOD COMMANDS US to believe. We must not just believe anything or do anything. (MAT 22:29) Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
3. The Pope commanded to read the Bible 15 minutes daily. Are you doing it? Bible itself says: (2TI 2:15) Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. PSA 1:1-3
4. How do you know that the preacher (priest or pastor) is not cheating us about the truth? Read ACT 17:11&12 regarding the Berean. Did the apostles get angry because the people read the Scriptures to check what they were preaching?
5. Do you pray the `Our Father.’ Would you say that God is your heavenly Father? Read JOH 8:42-47. He who claims God to be His father, he who is of God hears the Word of God.(V.47).
6. Are you a believer of Jesus? Read JOH 8:30-36. Jesus said that the true disciples are those who abide in His Word.
7. Do you also pray and believe that God will answer prayer? PRO1: 24-31; ZEC 7:11-13. The people who listen to God will have a God that listens to them. JOH 15:7 If you remain in me and MY WORDS remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (1JO 5:14) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
8. Do you also teach your children about God and His Word? What is your basis of correction and instruction? 2TI 3:15-17.
9. How should we deal with Satan who is God's enemy in our lives? EPH 6:12-17 Satan feels free to deceive & destroy us if we do not know God’s Word. His chief advantage over us is ignorance of God’s Word. (Cite how Christ used the Scriptures in dealing with Satan, MAT 4:1-10).
10. Are you a lover of truth? The Word of God is the Truth. (JOH 17:17) Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. Read 2TH 2:9-12. If we refuse to love the truth, we must study the truth – the Word of God.

BY USE OF TESTIMONY

1. Tell of your own testimony or other person's testimony you know. At the end of the testimony, emphasize the role of the Word of God in your experience.
2. Testify why more people are drawn today to the study of God’s Word. Tell how the Holy Bible used to be one of the Forbidden Books (The Catholic Council of Toledo, 1229) but that today it is one of the best selling books. There is a worldwide movement by God's Spirit today to study the Scriptures!

BY USE OF LESSONS
Refer to lessons in this manual. The following are helpful lessons you can use: