First Timothy is one of the most important books in the New Testament, both doctrinally and practically. It deals with the most important aspects of our faith: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; the importance of prayer; the qualifications to be a leader in the church; and the centrality of Jesus. The book also deals with important practical issues: true versus false teaching; spiritually disciplining one’s life; rebuking and counseling people; the church’s responsibility to the poor and needy; issues involving church elders; and the gospel and money. This volume contains a detailed outline of, and commentary on, the book of 1 Timothy. The “Inductive Training Manual” is a series of questions on each section of 1 Timothy, designed for small group discussion, to help Christians in general and church leaders in particular evaluate their own spiritual lives and the condition of their churches.
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Below are video lectures (MP4 format) that summarize the highlights of the book 1 Timothy. Each lecture is focused on one topic or section of the book and is between approximately 25-30 minutes in length:
James
The book of James was probably written by the half-brother of Jesus, and most scholars consider it to have been probably the first New Testament book written. The book contains many parallels with the teachings of Jesus. The book concentrates on what is necessary for us to live as we should. It discusses many of the most important issues of life, including: testing, trials, and temptations; prayer; the sin of partiality; the nature of true, living faith; control of the tongue; wisdom from above versus wisdom not from above; indwelling sin and its outward manifestations; the sin of autonomy and its outward manifestations; and true faithfulness.
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Below are video lectures (MP4 format) that summarize the highlights of the book of James. Each lecture is focused on one topic or section of the book and is between approximately 20-30 minutes in length:
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Revelation
The book of Revelation is one of the most misunderstood and misused books in the Bible. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important books of the Bible. Revelation contains approximately 630 allusions to the Old Testament alone. It was written to, for, and about the church, which appears throughout the book in symbolic form. It ties together and completes the entire Bible. The book of Revelation was written to explain to the church how God is dealing with the world, to call Christians to persevere in the struggle against the powers of evil, and to comfort and encourage believers because Christ is victor. The book continually raises the issues: Where do my primary loyalties lie? and Who is my true Lord? By giving us God's perspective on the world, Revelation helps to enable us to critique our own societies and cultures.
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TOPICAL STUDIES
Biblical Counseling
Biblical Counseling is an important part of a pastor’s responsibilities. This manual presents the basics of Biblical Counseling. It covers the most important aspects of Biblical Counseling in a practical way: the goal and nature of Biblical Counseling; the nature of God and people; the characteristics and activities of biblical counselors; and a strategy for a short-term counseling relationship. The focus of this manual is on the skills of a biblical counselor: attending skills and communication skills: understanding; listening; and empathy. Specific problems that are frequently encountered in counseling are discussed, as are problems that often arise, and suggestions for personal soul care. Case studies and counseling forms are attached to assist the biblical counselor.
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Biblical Eschatology is the study of the “last things.” This study includes sections on how to interpret prophecy and apocalyptic and the importance of eschatology. It discusses the Bible’s overall eschatological structure, how the OT fits together with the NT, provides an historical overview of eschatological thought, with particular emphasis on the apostolic and post-apostolic fathers, and deals with such major themes as the Antichrist, the millennium, the “rapture,” and the Second Coming of Christ. The major systems of eschatological thought are discussed, and the most important portions of Scripture that deal with eschatology are surveyed, including Ezekiel 40-48, Daniel 9:24-27, Zechariah 14, the Olivet Discourse, Romans 11:25-26, and the book of Revelation. Helpful tables and appendices are attached.
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An expanded version of this book (Biblical Eschatology, 2nd ed.; ISBN: 9781532643170) has been published by Wipf & Stock Publishers. Print and Kindle editions may be ordered from multiple online booksellers or directly from the publisher (at a 20% discount on the hard copy) by phone (541-344-1528) or email (orders@wipfandstock.com).
Click the book cover at right to learn more.
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This course provides a description and explanation of the principles of how to understand and interpret the Bible truly and accurately. Included are the nature of the Bible, theories of biblical translation, descriptions of the major biblical genres, principles of hermeneutics and exegesis, and a focus on applying the biblical text today. Examples of the principles of interpretation and application are liberally provided.
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This course and Christ-centered biblical exposition and application of God’s revelation concerning marriage and parenting, covering its institution, purposes, our roles and responsibilities with particular attention to relationships, communication, sex, parenting, family planning, and divorce.
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This course is an exposition and application of God’s Word concerning biblical stewardship, which covers the meaning, creation, and nature of biblical stewardship, and our roles and responsibilities as stewards in major areas of our lives. Particular attention is given to stewardship of the environment, our minds, time, bodies, relationships, money and possessions, and the church: its basic mission and purpose; the church and finances; and the church’s responsibility to the poor and needy.
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Biblical Theology is the basic story-line of the Bible, from the creation of the world and humanity in Genesis, through the fall of humanity into sin and its aftermath, and the history of God’s progressive redemption of humanity, culminating in the new heavens and new earth in Revelation. The Bible tells a coherent story, with Jesus Christ at its heart. Biblical Theology looks at major themes that run throughout the entire Bible, focusing on God’s relationship with humanity. It also shows how Christ and the church are the fulfillment of the covenants, promises, prophecies, and institutions begun in the Old Testament. Maps, timelines, and summaries are attached as helpful aids.
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Below are video lectures (MP4 format) that summarize the highlights of the book of Galatians. Each lecture is focused on one topic or section of the book and is between approximately 16-32 minutes in length:
| 1-Introduction to Biblical Theology |
2-Creation |
3-Humanity's fall into sin and its aftermath |
4-From Abraham to united Israel in the land |
5-From divided Israel to the New Heaven and New Earth |
6-Jesus Christ as the subject and fulfillment of the OT |
| 7-How Christ and the church fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant |
8-How Christ and the church fulfill the Davidic Covenant |
9-How Christ and the church fulfill the New Covenant |
10-Christ is the new, true, faithful Israel |
11-The church is the new, true, spiritual Israel |
12-Christ and the church are the true temple of God |
| 13-Christ fulfills and replaces the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks |
14-Christ fulfills and replaces the fall feasts, Sabbath year, year of Jubilee, Purim, and Hanukkah |
15-Christ fulfills and replaces the entire OT sacrificial system and priesthood |
16-Christ fulfills and replaces the entire OT Law |
17-Christ fulfills and replaces the OT Sabbath |
18-Christ and the church are the prophesied Servant of the Lord |
| 19-God's dwelling with his people: the Garden of Eden, Tabernacle, Temple, and New Jerusalem |
20-God's relationship with his people in terms of marriage |
21-God's Sovereignty, Human Responsibility, and the Existence of Sin and Evil: Part 1 |
22-God's Sovereignty, Human Responsibility, and the Existence of Sin and Evil: Part 2 |
23-Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man |
24-Jesus and the Sign of Jonah |
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Christianity and Islam: The Essentials is an examination of Islam from a Christian perspective and a comparison of major Christian and Islamic doctrines. It includes examinations of Islam’s basic authorities, beliefs, sects, and history and comparisons of Jesus and Muhammad, sin and salvation according to Christianity and Islam, Yahweh and Allah, and the Bible and the Qur’an. This analysis reveals Islam’s commonalities with and differences from Christianity. Many Muslim sources are cited and quoted from. The bibliography indicates which sources are written by Muslims, ex-Muslims, and non-Muslims. Appendices include the chronological order in which the Qur’an’s surahs were given, examples from the Hadith of what Muhammad requires and prohibits Muslims to do and believe, and the 99 names of Allah.
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Because Christianity and Islam: The Essentials is a lengthy book, for teaching purposes it may be helpful to use a condensed version. Below is a condensed version of this course book in three parts. Part 1 includes examinations of Islam’s basic authorities, beliefs, sects, and history and discusses the primary Muslim objections to what Jesus did and who Jesus is, namely, that he was crucified, resurrected, and is the divine Son of God. Part 2 includes a discussion of Jesus as found in the Qur’an and looks at the character of Muhammad. It also discusses sin and salvation according to Christianity and Islam and the radically different implications they each have. Part 3 includes discussions Yahweh and Allah and the Bible and the Qur’an. The text concludes by discussing ways to bridge the divide between Islam and the gospel, including using the Qur’an and Islamic practices to point Muslims to Jesus Christ. The Appendix lists the chronological order in which the Qur’an’s surahs were given.
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Christianity & Islam (condensed), Part 1:
Christianity & Islam (condensed), Part 2:
Christianity & Islam (condensed), Part 3 (including Appendix):
Below are video lectures (MP4 format) that summarize the highlights of the book Christianity and Islam: The Essentials. Each lecture is focused on one topic or section of the book and is between approximately 15-30 minutes in length:
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Expository preaching—i.e., how to expound, preach, and apply the Bible well—is described and demonstrated. The importance of the preacher’s own life is explained. Each aspect of a good sermon, from the introduction, through the proposition and exposition, to the applications and conclusion, is analyzed and made clear. How to prepare and organize a good sermon is examined, different organizational models are presented, and detailed sermon outlines are included. What makes communication persuasive, and the preacher’s style, are discussed.
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Below are video lectures (MP4 format) that summarize the highlights of the book Expository Preaching. Each lecture is focused on one topic or section of the book and is betwen approximately 24-33 minutes in length:
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Forgiveness and reconciliation are at the heart of Christ’s ministry to us, and are to be at the heart of our approach to others. This course deals with the important Scriptural bases of forgiveness and reconciliation. It discusses what forgiveness and reconciliation are and what they are not as well as how reconciliation differs from forgiveness. Practical reasons why forgiveness and reconciliation are discussed and practical models for how to forgive and how to reconcile are included. Also covered are the relationship of forgiveness and repentance and the issue of forgiving oneself.
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Dr. Everett L. Worthington, Jr. of Virginia Commonwealth University has spent his professional life studying the issue of forgiveness. He has developed a 6-hour small-group course to promote forgiveness (which can be expanded to 12 or 18 hours) entitled Experiencing Forgiveness: Six Practical Sessions for Becoming a More Forgiving Christian. Dr. Worthington has graciously permitted ECLEA to include both the Leader’s Manual and the Participant Manual on the ECLEA website.
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English
Read or download a PDF of the Participant Manual:
English
OT and NT Overview
This is a basic Bible literacy course. The Old Testament overview, which consists of two parts, makes understanding the OT easy as it takes us through the 39 books of the OT. It includes the 5 categories (law, history, poetry, major prophets, minor prophets) and the 8 major periods of OT history (beginnings, patriarchal period, Israel becoming a nation, conquest and occupation of the promised land, united kingdom, divided kingdom, exilic [captivity] period, and post-exilic period). This first course looks at the major persons and events of each period.. The course shows how major OT prophecies are fulfilled by Christ. Many helpful maps are included. The second Old Testament course then takes the poetry and prophetic books and shows where they fit into the 8 periods and what each book covers. The New Testament overview describes the nature of the 27 books of the NT, gives categories such as Gospels, history, church, pastoral and general letters. It also provides summaries of each of the books, lists major events in the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, and includes helpful maps.
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OT Overview, Part 1:
OT Overview, Part 2:
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