The following is a brief History of the ON-LINE BIBLE STUDY CONCEPT
The first On-Line Bible Study was started aprox. 25 year ago, as a way
for 3 Christian friends to share their thoughts on the study of some
Bible texts via E-Mail. Thus the first name was THE E-MAIL BIBLE STUDY.
Due to our not being able to meet each other for a home Bible Study.
Mostly due to our different work schedules, this seemed to be a way we
could continue to study the Bible together.
The original 3 people were all of different denominational backgrounds.
(Evangelical Lutheran, Former Roman Catholic and Ohio Conf. Mennonite.)
The E-Mail / On-Line Bible Study Groups -DO NOT- and -HAVE NEVER- had
a denominational backing or church affiliation.
We then (the original 3) prayed about the idea of going public with the
(then) E-Mail Bible Study idea. We agreed to share this idea.
We were all on the then new Cleveland Freenet & felt we could also make
some new Christian friends this way.... OFF WE WENT...
The E-Mail Bible Study Group then grew to aprox. 56 people on Cleveland
Freenet in the first year alone. When The Youngstown Freenet came on-line
we set up a similar Study that grew to about 36 people over a period of
6 months or so. (both were sepetate systems & study groups)
We found that the as the 2 E-Mail Bible study groups grew and matured,
each had a local flavor of it's own with a very special uniuqeness.
Much in the way we would expect the Body Of Christ (The Church) would be.
I was excited to see things talked about in God's Word repersented in
of all things, a Computer Bible Study.
The study started out as Christians sharing with other Christians.
Later we found that some non-Christians (self proclaimed) wished to
study and discuss Bible topics with us as well.. Nothing in the study
format has changed to accomidate one or the other's position in any way.
We have heard from at least 11 different people that have made statements
that God has become real in their lives & they now follow Jesus Christ as
Lord and Saviour.
We thank and Praise God that He has worked through the On-Line Bible Study
concept and pray that He continues to bless our efforts here with the
Internet Version of The.. E-Mail Bible Study / On-Line Bible Study Area. (Lord Willing)
As other systems become available we pray God will open the doors for
NEW E-Mail Bible Study and On-Line Bible Study Groups as He wills.
I have found this type of Electronic Bible Study to be a way I can
share my God given skills as a Telecommunications Specilist in a world
where we seem to move all too fast to allow Christian fellowship or
Christain Community to form and grow.
I'M SOLD ON THE IDEA OF ON-LINE AN BIBLE STUDY !! HOW ABOUT YOU ??
I wish to invite you to study with us, in the ON-LINE BIBLE STUDY AREA.
Much Love In Christ Jesus Our Lord & Saviour
Gerry Freed
E-Mail / On-Line Bible Study
gerald_freed@hotmail.com
http://geocities.datacellar.net/olbibst/
