In the fall of 1992, 10,000 attractive 4-page folders were mailed directly to homes in an area of Canton, Ohio. Recipients were invited to attend a free seminar in a local community center where, during six weekly 1 1/2 hour sessions, they would learn to read the Bible more effectively.
By our standards, the response was overwhelming; 120 people responded, 105 of whom registered for the seminar. Bro. Randall Coy and Bro. Dave Noble of the North Industry, OH Ecclesia were presented with an unusual problem. The rented facility could hold only 40 people, much too small for the number of interested friends. The solution was to run two seminars in the fall and one in the winter with each being attended by about 35 people.
Each person received, free of charge, a three-ring binder containing 160-pages of easy-to-read, professional-quality study notes, copies of about 20 charts and diagrams and 2 full-color historical charts. In addition, many overheads were used.
Follow-up class
At the end of the seminars, there was much interest in further study. An eight-week seminar was thus arranged, using the Gospel of Luke as a basis. Over 30 people attended.
A passage from Luke was read and the class derived a list of questions that flowed naturally from it. The class was then instructed how they could find answers to those questions in the Bible. Questions not covered during the session were answered the following week on a prepared hand-out. Unlike the initial seminar, the Luke class was held as open discussion with much participation from the students. No supplies or materials were used for the Luke class other than an initial copy of the first two chapters of Luke, which served as a common starting point.
At the end of the eight-week session, the brethren offered a study at one of their homes. At present, 14 people are attending those studies. An example of the continued interest was evidenced when 34 interested friends attended a recent public lecture; most of them were past attendees of the seminar.
Other places
The Pittsburgh, PA Ecclesia sent out 7,500 direct-mail pieces almost identical to those used by North Industry. They received 42 responses, with 29 people starting the seminar.
The Thousand Oaks, CA and Santa Barbara, CA ecclesias tried some variations on the basic approach by using a newspaper ad and by running four rather than six sessions. They each had about 40 registrants. Thousand Oaks now looks forward to a follow-up seminar on Bible prophecy (see under “Ecclesial News”).
Material available
Further information is available from: Bro. Norm Luff, 22 Hillier Cresc. Brantford, ONT, Canada N3R 1X1 Bro. Norm has a video tape of a
presentation of the seminar. Cost is $25
CDN per video tape.
Bro. Norm also has a diskette (5 1/4″ or 3 1/2″) with Word Perfect 5.1 files of: the 160-page workbook, the overheads and a presenter’s manual which is a condensed transcript of an actual seminar. Material is designed for a laser printer. The kit also includes a sample newspaper ad, a sample direct-mail folder and information on where to obtain the color charts. Cost — $5 CDN.
Learn to Read the Bible Effectively
Attend this seminar and learn to read the Bible effectively!
If you find reading the Bible difficult or frustrating at times, then this seminar is for you. Six concise and informative sessions are delivered in a friendly, comfortable environment. They are aimed at equipping you with the skills and determination to understand scriptural doctrines for yourself and benefit from a new appreciation of the Bible. Whether you are familiar with the Bible or not, you will walk away with loads of information and new energy to begin reading more effectively.
7 Reasons why you should attend
- No obligation! No one will attempt to “convert” or “save” you.
- You will never be asked for money, to purchase materials or make a donation of any kind (and we mean never!).
- No one will ever call you on the phone or in person.
- Quit at any time. If you find the program inadequate you may quit with no strings attached.
- Take advantage of a legitimate opportunity to break away from the TV. Enjoy time with the family or friends learning about God in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Learn and fine-tune skills which will allow you to read the Bible with a better understanding than before. Many people desire to learn but initial frustration discourages and hinders progress.
- Everyone attending receives extensive free materials including a 3-ring binder of class outlines which will allow you to review material at home.
Questions and Answers
Q. What if everyone there knows more than I do?
A. The classes are paced in such a way to make everyone feel comfortable. No one is ever put “on the spot.”
Q. Who is paying for these seminars?
A. All expenses are being absorbed by the Christadelphians in this area. No financial expectations will be expressed to you now, or in the future.
Q. Will I be asked to be “saved” or “join” the Christadelphians at the end of the seminars?
A. No! Our hope is that the classes will encourage you to draw your own conclusions about God and His plan. Our goal is to equip you with the necessary tools to make your own decisions about what you have learned.
Q. Who are the Christadelphians?
A.The name implies “Brethren in Christ.” Christadelphians are found in countries all over the world and are bound together by a common faith in God’s plan of salvation as revealed throughout the Bible. Our faith rests squarely and solely on the Bible as the inspired word of God.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One