Frequently Asked Questions About This Firm Foundations Bible Study:
1. If I don't know anything about the Bible, will this "Foundations' series of lessons be over my head?
No. This video series of lessons is for anyone: atheists, agnostic, people who have no religion as well as those who have been raised in the church, or have been Christians for years. If you don't have a Bible, we'll supply you with one. Also, every lesson has 6-12 pages of notes which will help you to "track" with the teaching.
2. Why do I need to watch 60+ videos in this Foundations Study. That's a heavy commitment which I don't know if I'm ready to make.
We live in a day of high-speed internet connection, precooked frozen meals, microwave ovens helping make sure that everything is on the table in a few minutes. We tweet constantly with brief 140-character messages and we are always looking for any gadget that will save us time and energy. This thinking has made inroads into the Christian church but God does not change His methods to fit our pressured schedules. Not everything instant is worthwhile.
No amount of human wisdom, ingenuity, or high-pressure methods can hasten the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Unfortunately, most people in our society have not had the privilege of growing up under godly teaching. They may have a surface knowledge of many Bible stories, but few people have an overall grasp of what the Bible is all about. This course is designed to give the basic thematic foundations that prepare the student for knowing the character of God and the Gospel. These 60+ video teachings have the goal of presenting God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
Building that foundation cannot be done overnight. It takes time for abstract spiritual concepts to be firmly grasped. Only clear, Scriptural teaching, done in the power of the Holy Spirit, can plant these truths firmly in the students’ minds.
3. Dismantling misconceptions takes time. Misconceptions, too, are built over a lifetime. Remember, in addition to teaching
truth, you are also dismantling any false teaching and misconceptions which are already established in your students’ thinking.
4. Is it worth all that time? What could be more worthwhile? People who go through the Foundations' study gain foundational
understanding that helps them see the Bible as a whole. Their understanding of God and His Word become the basis for their
lives.
Once the foundation is built, all future understanding is built on that firm basis of truth. Studying the foundations presented in God’s Word is well worth all the time and effort it takes for everyone, both the student and the teacher. God is not into "shortcuts" and there is NO shortcut to understanding Him, His will and purposes for our lives or His book, the Bible.
5. Did you come up with the Foundations Study? Where did it begin?
The "Firm Foundations: From Creation to Christ" was developed by Trevor McIlwain along with Nancy Everson. Trevor is an author, speaker and international coordinator for church planting and evangelism with New Tribes Mission. He's been with New Tribes Mission since 1965 (an interesting side note is that New Tribes Mission is mentioned several times in John Grisham's bestselling novel, "The Testament.") This course has been translated into 15 languages. The "Firm Foundations" course is used in the documentary film, "Ee-Taow: The Mouk Story" (you can watch this video) where the Mouk tribe of Papua, New Guinea heard the the Bible taught through the Firm Foundations lessons in such a clear cut, understandable manner that they were delivered from bondage that had held them in darkness for years.
6. Who's teaching this study?
Dale Yancy will be teaching these video lessons. Dale is an ordained minister and has been a pastor for over 30 yrs., teaching and serving as a pastor to congregations in Los Angeles, CA., Vermont, and New Hampshire. Dale will be using PowerPoint slides to depict timelines in the Bible, along with maps, etc. to highlight important themes each week.
No. This video series of lessons is for anyone: atheists, agnostic, people who have no religion as well as those who have been raised in the church, or have been Christians for years. If you don't have a Bible, we'll supply you with one. Also, every lesson has 6-12 pages of notes which will help you to "track" with the teaching.
2. Why do I need to watch 60+ videos in this Foundations Study. That's a heavy commitment which I don't know if I'm ready to make.
We live in a day of high-speed internet connection, precooked frozen meals, microwave ovens helping make sure that everything is on the table in a few minutes. We tweet constantly with brief 140-character messages and we are always looking for any gadget that will save us time and energy. This thinking has made inroads into the Christian church but God does not change His methods to fit our pressured schedules. Not everything instant is worthwhile.
No amount of human wisdom, ingenuity, or high-pressure methods can hasten the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Unfortunately, most people in our society have not had the privilege of growing up under godly teaching. They may have a surface knowledge of many Bible stories, but few people have an overall grasp of what the Bible is all about. This course is designed to give the basic thematic foundations that prepare the student for knowing the character of God and the Gospel. These 60+ video teachings have the goal of presenting God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
Building that foundation cannot be done overnight. It takes time for abstract spiritual concepts to be firmly grasped. Only clear, Scriptural teaching, done in the power of the Holy Spirit, can plant these truths firmly in the students’ minds.
3. Dismantling misconceptions takes time. Misconceptions, too, are built over a lifetime. Remember, in addition to teaching
truth, you are also dismantling any false teaching and misconceptions which are already established in your students’ thinking.
4. Is it worth all that time? What could be more worthwhile? People who go through the Foundations' study gain foundational
understanding that helps them see the Bible as a whole. Their understanding of God and His Word become the basis for their
lives.
Once the foundation is built, all future understanding is built on that firm basis of truth. Studying the foundations presented in God’s Word is well worth all the time and effort it takes for everyone, both the student and the teacher. God is not into "shortcuts" and there is NO shortcut to understanding Him, His will and purposes for our lives or His book, the Bible.
5. Did you come up with the Foundations Study? Where did it begin?
The "Firm Foundations: From Creation to Christ" was developed by Trevor McIlwain along with Nancy Everson. Trevor is an author, speaker and international coordinator for church planting and evangelism with New Tribes Mission. He's been with New Tribes Mission since 1965 (an interesting side note is that New Tribes Mission is mentioned several times in John Grisham's bestselling novel, "The Testament.") This course has been translated into 15 languages. The "Firm Foundations" course is used in the documentary film, "Ee-Taow: The Mouk Story" (you can watch this video) where the Mouk tribe of Papua, New Guinea heard the the Bible taught through the Firm Foundations lessons in such a clear cut, understandable manner that they were delivered from bondage that had held them in darkness for years.
6. Who's teaching this study?
Dale Yancy will be teaching these video lessons. Dale is an ordained minister and has been a pastor for over 30 yrs., teaching and serving as a pastor to congregations in Los Angeles, CA., Vermont, and New Hampshire. Dale will be using PowerPoint slides to depict timelines in the Bible, along with maps, etc. to highlight important themes each week.