“It is not possible, I say not possible, ever to exhaust the mind of the Scriptures. It is a well which has no bottom." (St. John Chrysostom, Hom. XIX On Acts)
Diving in to this inexhaustible well is the goal of the new formed Bible Study Group. Traditionally Holy Trinity has had incidental bible studies during Advent en Lent. But following the last Lent Bible Studies, Pam de Wit encouraged us to start a regular Bible study group. Together with Andrew Tucker she has formed and trained a group which will be responsible to provide two-weekly bible studies, starting January 2012.
We have all experienced that studying God’s word together is not only fun, but grows our mutual friendships, and leads to a deeper understanding of the Lord Jesus, of our relationship with Him and His calling in our lives. It is our hope that the study of God’s Word will bring us all at HTC closer together as a congregation in faith, hope and love.
Our goal is to provide a good variety of study series. We may focus on specific books of the bible, on specific themes or for topics fitting the specific time of the year. We will use our Bible, of course! But may also us other methods, such as using DVD courses, discussing books and movies, etc. It also depends on your interest! We really want as many people as possible to join us. We would be delighted if you would!
You may join any time you want or for any series of studies that you like. Initially, we meet every 2 weeks on Tuesdays in the parsonage. You are welcome from 1945 and we start the study at 2000. It ends latest at 2145. The exact program of studies will be made available on this webpage (scroll down!) and will be published in the newsletter and on the notice board.
If you have any question, suggestion or request, please feel free to contact Andrew Tucker or Adrian Los
The Bible Study Team
Bible Study on the Letter of James (January - February)
We will start this year by studying the Letter of James. James has a very practical view of Christianity. Faith is no abstract theory or feeling. It must be acted upon! We look forward being encouraged and challenged by studying his letter together. We will have the following studies:
24th January – James 1 and 2 (by Adrian and Danielle Los)
31st January – James 3 and 4 (by Hans and Isabelle Baars)
14th February – James 5 (by Stephan Westerbeek and Joel van Rossum)
NEW - LENT STUDY: The Cross and the Resurrection
The Season of Lent is to prepare ourselves for celebrating the great works Christ did on Good Friday and Easter. Good Friday and Easter are the very essence of Christianity. It's fair to claim there is no more important observance or celebration in the Christian Calendar. Yet what do the Cross and the Resurrection mean to our lives? Why are they so important? And how can they change the way we live? Traditionally, at Holy Trinity during Lent we offer bible studies for all to attend. Together we will deepen our understanding and faith. We will do the following studies:
1. Feb 28th - Why Jesus had to die
We always like to think of our lives as a spotless and continuous pursuit of sanctification. But as Mark R. McMinn reflects in a Christianity Today article in this study, we can persist in sin for years without realizing it. So in this study we will look closer at what sin is and how can we recognize it?
2. March 6th - The cross and our guilt
In this study we will look at how some people struggle with guilt and how others have simply learned to live with it. In his Christianity Today article for this study, Philip Yancey says there’s a better way for believers to handle guilt. It can even work for us as we seek to grow in Christ’s likeness. This study asks, “If God forgets our sins, why can’t we? Or should we?”
3. March 13th - Encounters with the risen Lord
This study will zero in on how the risen Christ appeared to his followers in different ways, which demonstrated his care for their uniqueness. He continues to meet people in distinctive ways today, accommodating our pain, fear, doubt, abstraction, and pride. In what unique ways did Jesus meet his followers after his resurrection? How did his appearances demonstrate his consideration of their life experiences, emotional fragility, and individual personalities? How does Jesus meet people today? How do we respond with grace to other believers who experience Christ in ways that are unfamiliar to us?
4. March 27th - A resurrection that matters
Many Christians know Jesus’ death is important. But in this study we will look why Jesus Resurrection is also vital to our faith. Does your gospel have room for the Resurrection? This study will help show you why it should.
All are most welcome to participate, please sign up in the parsonage or just show up at the study on Tuesday-evening 19:45. Study ends at approximately 21:45. If you have any questions please contact Adrian Los on adrian_los@yahoo.com or on 030 236 8572.
Study Tools
On the Web
If you are preparing a study or are studying Scripture at home, you might find it helpful to make use of some of the tools available on the web:
- www.biblija.net - compares translations of various languages, including Dutch and English.
- www.biblestudytools.com/ - Has many, many commentaries, encyclopedias, concordances, books, and translations of the Bible available online, including interlinear versions of the Greek and Hebrew text.
- www.biblegateway.com - Has the IVP New Testament Commentaries and a number of dictionaries. There are also numerous translations. The website also includes various versions of the Greek and Hebrew text; and a concordance for searching.
- www.ccel.org - For more advanced study, the Christian Classics Library provides translations of Commentaries of Church Fathers, many other famous works by Christians in the 2000 year history of the Church, and a World Wide Study Bible.
Study Bibles
There are numerous paper Study Bibles for good prices available on the market. When studying the Bible it is good to have such an instrument aside or at home. You may bring any bible to the Bible Study. The following list of more recent study bibles is not exhaustive.
- The NLT Study Bible (2008). The NLT is a thought for thought translation, conveying the perceived meaning of the author; the Study Bible has been prepared by many scholars from various denominations; it includes also many word-studies and has thorough introductions.
- The ESV Study Bible (2008). The ESV is a word for word translation; the Study Bible has been prepared by renown evangelical scholars as J.I. Packer and J. Piper). It includes many articles on basic questions of faith, doctrine and ethics.
- The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible of the New Testament (2010) or the Navarre New Testament (2008) are something different. Most Study Bibles are protestant and evangelical. They pay a lot of attention to scientific questions, and little attention to the Church Tradition, Liturgy and Sacraments, to a mystical/allegorical interpretation of Scripture, and the early Church Fathers. These Study Bibles fill that gap by placing Scripture in the Church Community.
- Next to these general Study Bibles, numerous topical Study Bibles are published, such as the archeological Study Bible, the women Study Bible, etc.
Church Library
A number of commentaries are available on the web itself (see the websites); but we are working on creating a small library, including a commentary series which can be used in preparing and during Bible Studies. And you can always ask Fr. John or Fr. Chris for some help.
Bible Study Program 2012
| DATE | TOPIC | LEADERS | |
| CHRISTMAS - EASTER | 24 January | James 1 and 2 | Adrian and Danielle Los |
| 31 January | James 3 and 4 | Hans and Isabelle Baars | |
| 14 February | James 5 | Stephan Westerbeek and Joel van Rossum | |
| LENT | 28 Feb | Why Jesus had to die | Adrian and Danielle |
| 6 March | The cross and our guilt | Peter and Andrew | |
| 13 March | Encounters with the risen Lord | Madeleine and Mamolepa | |
| 27 March | A resurrection that matters | Stephan and Debby | |
| 3 April | |||
| 8 April EASTER | |||
| EASTER - PENTECOST | 10 April | ||
| 24 April | |||
| 8 May | |||
| 22 May | |||
| 17 May ASCENSION | |||
| 27 May PENTECOST | |||
| PENTECOST - CHRISTMAS | 29 May | ||
| 12 June | |||
| 26 June | |||
| 10 July | |||