Internet
Explorer users will notice that the reviews are organized in a collapsible
outline. Simply click on a question and the answer will appear below it.
Resource: Bible People
Published by: Abingdon Press.
-
What are the central learning goals of this Bible study?
The goals of this resource include helping the students to discover information and reflect on insights relating to important figures in the Bible. This resource also seeks to help one examine the text, background information, explore issues of motive and character, and discuss virtues, vices, decisions, and faith issues illustrated in the life of particular Bible characters. - What parts/how much of the Bible does it cover, and how
does this resource organize the Bible (for example, by themes, by books, by
lectionary, etc.)?
This resource covers women, missionaries, disciples, and prophets of the Bible. Each book, however, only contains 7 figures from each of the categories listed above. As such, much of the Bible and many of the characters therein are not covered in this resource. - For what age group(s) is this Bible study material
intended?
This Bible study material would seem to be most appropriate for adults or older youth - As this Bible study resource sees them, what are the
learners like? (this is
probably implicit rather than explicit…)
As this resource sees them, the learners are interested in studying the Bible with guidance but are also interested in doing some Bible study through the use of extrabiblical aids such as commentaries, concordances, and Bible dictionaries. The resource sees learners in three categories: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Consequently, the resource lists activities, materials, and resources that it would be appropriate to use for students at each level. I do not, even with the inclusion, of an African-American woman as the author of Bible People: Disciples think that this resource sees its learners as any particular race. I think this resource intends for people of all races. I did not see anything in the resource that made me think it was geared toward any particular race, African-Americans included. - In what setting(s) would it best be used
(for example in Sunday School, at home, in a long-term covenant
group, etc.)?
I agree with what the resource says in that this resource would be well-suited for the classroom and/or in personal study. - How adaptable is the material,
for use in other settings or groups??
I think that this material is quite adaptable. I could see it being used in a classroom, in personal study, or in a long-term covenant group. I think this resource is particularly flexible because of the fact that it is very open-ended. No specific time is set for any of the activities so in that regard you are free to take as long or as short a time period as you want. I have already used one of the Bible study resources in a Sunday School class and in personal study and I can see using it over a long period of time as well. I also think that this resource can serve as background information for one planning on doing a role play on some of the characters. One of my Sunday School students is actually using the material for that purpose. - What is the time
frame:
For each session? For each unit (for example, if the resource covers each book of the Bible separately, how long do you spend on each book)? For the entire series? The time frame - Each session depends upon how much study time is spent prior to the lesson. If the learners come to the session having already studied then it should take approximately an hour and a half. There are seven biblical characters per unit. It should take about two months to get through one unit if it is taught once a week. The entire series should last about a half year. It requires at least twenty-eight sessions to complete the entire series. - What is the structure of a session/lesson in this Bible
study, and what kinds of learning activities are typical within that
structure?
While the lesson structure for Bible People does not vary from lesson to lesson, the content therein does. Each lesson is similar in structure in that each has six elements: discussion (starter questions and discussion questions), group activities (group interplay that will require interaction), Bible study (time given to “dig” into the text to find out more about a given subject), Bible tools (activities that require learners to use Bible dictionaries, commentaries, concordances, etc.), reflection (gives opportunity to think on questions and new insights) and worship (session can begin or end with corporate/private devotion). - Theologically speaking, as this Bible study resource
understands and treats it, just what IS the Bible (for example, a book of
eternal truths, the story of God’s work in the world, etc.)?
“Bible People” takes an in depth look at the Bible person/character being studied. The lessons are based on the life of the biblical characters. Don’t be afraid, the Bible is still treated as the word of God but the focus is on the life of the character. - In this Bible study resource, who interprets the Bible
(for example, the writers of the resource, the teacher, the learners, etc.?
Interpretation is left up to the learner. The curriculum guides the learner in finding information by suggestions, questions and assignments. The resource guides the learner and it is up to the learner to use what he or she finds interesting and applicable. - In this resource, HOW does one interpret the Bible (for
example allegorically, literally, through historical-critical study, etc.)?
The Bible is interpreted through historical contextual study. It views the Bible as a history book in which the biblical characters exist and are recorded. Then the curriculum leads the learner to do a contextual study on the character for the benefit of learning from their lives. This resource does not preach at the learners but leads the learners to information that will inform their portrait of the Biblical character. - What is the relationship of the Bible to our lives, as
this resource treats is?
The Bible serves as an instrument by which the learner can measure their life with that of the biblical character. It is the compass that guides our actions by helping us to examine our lives with that of the biblical character. - What is the explicit or implicit stance on Biblical
authority, inspiration and inerrancy, within this Bible study?
This curriculum explicitly takes the stance that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired and authoritative word of God. This series in no way says that the bible is false in any of the portraits of the biblical characters. Instead, the curriculum uses what the Bible says about these characters in order to give us a look at their lives. However, this curriculum does require the student to use “Bible Tools” in order to uncover the entire story behind the character. It does not look at the Bible in a literal manner, but contextual one. - Are there any unique or distinctive features about this
Bible study resource?
One unique feature about this resource is that it is intentional about using other resources in order to study the word of God. It does not give the learner an option on whether or not he or she wants to use the resources (commentaries, Bible dictionary, etc.). It is intentional in its design to make the learner use those Bible tools. Another unique feature is the questions raised by this resource. These questions are designed to cause the learner to wonder about issues of motive and character. - What are the strengths and weaknesses of this Bible
study resource?
Strength one is that this resource is inclusive to both genders of male and female in all the units (except when specified). This gives a great variety to the learner as he or she progresses through the series. Another strength is the resource’s approach in using a historical contextual study model. This is very different from most resources in that often times they tell the learner what he or she should believe. This resource leads the learner to information in a way that promotes good study habits for future study. This resource is strong in its probing questions that are left out of other resources. It engages the learner and forces him and her to think critically about their lives in comparison to that of the biblical character. Another strength is the diversity of activities that are provided for adults. When reviewing other curriculum resources, including David C. Cook and UMI materials, one thing that was lacking was fun, innovative, and creative activities for adults that help facilitate the learning process. This resource does not lack in that way. It includes activities such as journaling, role playing, worship, discussion, and the like for the adults who use this resource. One weakness is that “Bible People” should only be used by those trained to handle historical contextual study method. This resource is not for everyone and therefore most persons will need a teacher to guide them in their study. Another weakness, for some, could be the fact that there is no set time for the lessons. Rather the lessons, are open ended which allows the teacher to take as much time as necessary to complete the lesson. Some teachers, however, might need more structure and guidance especially if they are newer teachers who are unsure how long certain activities should or can take. Overall, however, this is an excellent resource and while it is not specifically written for an African-American audience, it is certainly a quality resource that could be used in the African-American church. If, however, an African-American church wanted some history or heritage lessons incorporated into the lesson, the teachers would have to use supplemental resources.
