Evangelical Christians affirm that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, but far too many know little of what the Bible says. I believe this is due to a conviction that they cannot understand the Bible very well. They have tried to read it on their own, but find it easier to let their pastor explain it to them. Listening to a faithful pastor expound the Word is essential, but failure to study the Bible personally is both unfortunate and unnecessary. It is unfortunate because in depending only on sermons one is exposed to a small portion of the Scriptures only one or two hours a week. It is unnecessary because every Christian has the Holy Spirit within to enable them to read and understand the essentials of the Word.
On this site I am making available for free a number of Bible study guides I have written over the last several decades. They take the reader to the text, help him ask the right questions of the text, and find the answers to those questions.
Each study guide deals with a book of the Bible or a section of a book. Each study guide is divided into lessons dealing with a natural unit of the text. A lesson begins with a series of questions working their way through the text. Space is left under each question for the reader to write his or her answer. The questions are followed by answers. Following the answers are study notes dealing more deeply with a particular topic or with a broader, related topic.
The lessons are useful not only for individual learners, but also for adult or high school Bible classes which have a teacher or study leader. In fact, the lessons provide a framework for a teacher to go through a book of the Bible on a weekly basis.
At present study guides are available for the following Bible books: Romans, Ephesians, Hebrews, the Letters of John, James, Parables of the Kingdom, and Ecclesiastes. You may download them for free and make copies. They are in Microsoft Word 97 (any newer version of Word will also download them) as well as PDF. You may copy them and distribute them. They are in 8½x11 size, with a wide left margin for punching. I ask only that you make no charge to students other than the cost of copying.
I welcome any questions or comments at rdrogland@gmail.com.
Robert Rogland