Community Bible Study - Kalamazoo & Portage
Community Bible Study is an interdenominational Bible study for the community. We offer a wide range of courses in classes throughout the United States and welcome people from all backgrounds and levels of Bible knowledge. The mission of Community Bible Study is “to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in our communities, through caring, in-depth, Bible Study, available to all.”
Since its inception the philosophy of Community Bible Study has always been that it is every person's Bible study, available to all. Each man, woman, youth, and child will be so cared for and loved that all will feel comfortable in their class regardless of background, education, church involvement, ethnicity, or economic status. Our desire is to build unity in the midst of diversity in our community.
Community Bible Study makes every effort to stand in the center of the mainstream of historic Christianity. We concentrate on the essentials of the Christian faith, not on denominational distinctives. As we grow in our love and respect for one another we learn that Christians can hold differing views on matters that are not essential to salvation. Regardless of these differences, we learn to love and care for each other as we grow in our knowledge of the Bible and in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The focus of Community Bible Study is to glorify God. Leaders are volunteers who are called by God to their roles, and give of their time and talents out of love for Him.
Location:
Calvary Bible Church, 855 South Drake, Kalamazoo, MI
Time:
7:00 - 8:45 PM Thursday evening
Contact:
Marcia Dykstra (269) 343-1403
Deb Bos (269) 343-4100
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Bible study:
CBS is a 4-fold study method. CBS material provides Home Study Questions we study at home during the week. On Thursday evenings women break into groups of 10-12 to discuss our answers to the Home Study Questions, followed by a practical lecture given to the whole group on the same scripture & then class members read a Commentary to further understand the passage.
Statement Of Faith
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is divine revelation and the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original manuscripts. Its teaching is the final authority for all Christian life in matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the unity of the Godhead, eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and yet identical in nature; all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and unchangeable; infinitely perfect in love, truth, righteousness, justice, goodness, grace, and mercy.
We believe Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both fully God and fully man, two natures in one Person. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He performed miracles to manifest His deity, lived a sinless life, suffered, and died as a completely satisfactory sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. He arose from the dead on the third day and His bodily resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all who believe in Him. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father where He reigns over the universe and intercedes for believers, and will return to earth to establish His kingdom.
We believe man was created in the image of God but fell into disobedience by a voluntary decision and, as a result, became separated from God, and therefore spiritually dead and subject to physical death. This fallen nature was transmitted to all humanity, except Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life. The blood of Jesus Christ was shed for our redemption.
Only those who receive Jesus Christ by faith are forgiven, born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. Faith alone is the condition of salvation, but good works and righteous living should accompany such faith and furnish evidence of its existence.
We believe the Holy Spirit indwells and seals every believer at the moment of saving faith. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convince men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct,and empower the believer for godly living and service. We believe all Christians should witness for Christ in His power and study the Bible with His help.
We believe the Church, composed of all who genuinely believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Savior, is united together into one body, of which He is the Head. As members of the Church, it is our responsibility to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, supporting the local church and loving one another with pure hearts.
CBS History
The ministry of Community Bible Study began as an answer to the heartfelt prayer of a group of women who prayed that the Lord would provide many effective Bible Studies for people in the Washington, D.C. area. As a result of those prayers, the first Community Bible Study class began in the Fall of 1975 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Over 500 women, from many different churches, registered to study the Gospel of John. Lee Campbell, along with her husband Floyd (Corky), were used by God to found Community Bible Study and she taught that first class.
One year later, another day class began in Alexandria, Virginia, and the first co-ed evening class started in Tysons Corner, Virginia. In 1977 classes began in California, Colorado, and Tennessee. 1978 found classes opening in Alabama, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois, and in 1979 Texas and London, England birthed classes. Without any advertising, publicity, or human planning, classes spread throughout the United States. The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, birthplace of the first class, now has 19 classes. The Gospel of John, which was the first course written for CBS, has been supplemented by many other 30-week courses.
The Lord has truly blessed this ministry, and with grateful hearts we desire to love, to serve, and to honor Him in all that we do. Prayer gave birth to the ministry and prayer will always be a vital part of CBS.
Our Relationship With Local Churches
Community Bible Study classes are composed of people from many different churches; it is designed to complement not compete with the local church. CBS recognizes that the Lord has chosen the local church as His main channel of ministry. It is our goal to encourage class members to belong to and actively support their local churches and to be servants and leaders in their congregations.
As class members grow in faith and in their knowledge of God's Word they become better equipped to serve in their own churches. Leadership skills learned in CBS increase commitment to Jesus Christ and in turn strengthen the local church.
We are very grateful for the churches that permit CBS to use their facilities. It is our goal to leave the church property in even better condition than it was found and to avoid inconveniencing the church in any way. In fact, we desire that our presence be a blessing. At the end of the class year, a contribution that is a percentage of the class receipts is made to the host churches.
Leaders in Community Bible Study are called volunteers who love the Lord and His Word and receive no remuneration. Only employees at the National Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado and at the Training Office are compensated.
Future Bible Study for 2009 - 2010:
The Divided Kingdom & the Minor Prophets
COURSE DESCRIPTION;
Conspiracies. Idolatry. Murderous plots. This epic drama begins with the death of King David. After Bathsheba and Solomon narrowly escape assassination, God vindicates His Word by
seating Solomon on the throne of Israel. As Solomon’s many foreign wives succeed in turning his heart away from the one true God, king following king spiral deeper into spiritual darkness,
leading their people into sin and idolatry. In the midst of widespread spiritual collapse, the ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha begin demonstrating the reality and power of God
to an unbelieving world. From the splendor of the kingdom during Solomon’s reign to the final collapse of the surviving kingdom, these books teach personal and institutional faithfulness to
God. Interspersed among the stories of the kings are the messages communicated from God through the minor prophets: warnings of coming judgment, yet hope for a future restoration of
a godly kingdom. Despite Israel’s determination to rebel against God, the Lord’s faithfulness and love for His people never ceases.
E-mail us your Bible Study website link to: KalamazooBibleStudy@gmail.com