BSF Bible Study Fellowship

[Anonymous (63.190.32.100)]

I have only recently discovered this study group.
From what I understand it is over 50 years old.
I am wondering why it is not more visible in most communities? I had only been recently introduced to BSF by another friend who attends. I understand they usually meet in local community churches. I have not heard anything bad, except for a few that mentioned it was "very structured" or could be "controlling". It is supposed to be a 7 year study of the Bible.
I am interested in knowing more about the founder, and it's mission statements. I have found little on the internet.

I would appreciate any with info to just post here on the board.

[Neil Carrick (24.172.44.98)]

It's great! The vast majority of concepts it uses are some of the best in Christianity.

[Cecelia Drake (205.188.117.20)]

I attended this group for a few months and stopped only because of family responsibilities due to young children. It is, in fact, a 7 year study and very structured. I, too, had not heard of it prior to a friend introducing me. While I would consider the group to be conservative and Bible-based, I would not consider it to be controlling. There are expectations regarding promptness and completion of the work (it is a very "academic" approach-there are written materials each week), but it is attended by people from all denominations. I thought it was excellent and I would welcome the opportunity to go back.

[naomi01 (naomi01)]

For another perspective on BSF, see the links below:

http://watch.pair.com/Feldman.html
http://watch.pair.com/bsf.html

I found the above references helpful and decided not to join BSF after reading them.

Kind regards
In Christ
Naomi

[epiphany (epiphany)]

Hi

I've been participating in BSF for 3 1/2 years. It's not really a 7 yr study but more like 7 different 1 yr studies. I've found it very valuable.

I read the link above with interest. It simply doesn't talley with my experiences of BSF & I was quite compelled to write a response to it. If anyone's interested, it's at http://www.jade.net.nz/blog/archive/2005_04_01_archive.html#111418717029288055 (sorry for the long url)

[faithchaser (faithchaser)]

I had to chime in on this one. I am in my second year at BSF. I'm not at all or ever have been a bible thumper and the last time I even attended church before going was at my wedding. I truley wanted to learn about the bible without any particular religions ideas being thrown in the mix, I got exactly that with BSF. I was nervous at first that I would have bible thumpers preaching to me, or I wouldn't fit in due to my lack of religous background, that was not the case, everyone is very careful not to judge others or thump bibles over heads. I've not had any issues with the structure of it. It is a learning situation and there has to be rules when attending any class. In regards to the above links, the bible passages that are used are out of context. In reading this, I would guess that the writer would have issues with any woman in any role of authority. This group is not cult-like in any way shape or form. I'm sorry that anyone would not try attending because of one person's bad experience or opinions. It is free to attend and worth looking into, but be warned it is work and takes commitment to learn.

[djrfw (djrfw)]

"I found the above references helpful and decided not to join BSF after reading them"

It's a shame that you would let this one person's opinion stop you from finding out what it is on your own. I am in my fifth year and it is the best way to learn about the bible I have ever found.

Attend a class, make up your own mind; instead of allowing someone else to make your decisions for you.

DJR
Fort Worth, Texas

[gordo (gordo)]

While this thread does appear old, I had to say something akin to the previous post.

BSF is the most in depth bible study I have found to date. Such topics as mist theory are brought up for scientific intrigue and homoletics as a way to study the bible for more in depth reading. So many good discussions have come from my 1/2 year of attendance.

I agree with the previous poster in that you should attend a class before you make your decision.

[jellybean (jellybean)]

There is a book, Created for Commitment: A. Wetherell Johnson (ISBN 0842304436)that tells the life story of the founder of BSF and about BSFs beginnings. Ms. Johnson has lead a rather remarkable life.

BSF is the best Bible study I've ever done. From what I hear there is another one similar called Community Bible Study.

Here is how it works:
You call the person listed as the contact person and tell them your desire to attend BSF. Then they have what is called an intro class where they briefly explain the history of BSF, about BSF. The next time you come, you will be with a small group where you go over the answers to the weeks questions. There is no pressure to answer if you don't want to. After the small group time, there is something called A.S.K. (Ask, Seek, Knock) where if anyone wants to ask for prayer they can. After the small group time, you go back into the large group, sing a hymn, then there is a speaker who lectures on the area of the Bible that you have been studying. When that is over, you pick up a lesson sheet for the next week.
They ask that participants don't discuss their church affiliation so everyone will feel comfortable no matter their background. They generally like for everyone in the lecture portion to sit near one another (IOW, not a huge space between people so no one will feel like they aren't a part of the group). Every month or two there is what is called a "fellowship" where the small groups get together and have lunch. No one has to participate in that if they don't want to. Generally, you take a sack lunch. Sometimes different people in the small group will have it at their home, or in the night class, we just did it in our classroom.

There are also kids classes. Night Men's classes, and Day and Night Women's classes, and Teen classes in some areas.

I highly recommend BSF. For the most part is is a verse-by-verse study where you learn what was going on at the time the passage was written, cultural history, archeological finds, greek and/or Hebrew terms, etc. They do ask that you attend regularly because there is generally a waiting list to get into BSF in most areas. Not matter where you go in the country or world, the same weeks lesson is done. So, if you are traveling, you can attend wherever you are. I did that one time, and it was awesome attending in a different area.

Hope that helps. http://www.bsfinternational.org

[osyanez (osyanez)]

I went to one study a few months ago. I can't say there was anything I heard that contradicted Scripture or anything I would disagree with during the lecture, but the ecumenism is what has kept me away since.

[fivebartons]

Osyanez,

ec·u·me·nism n.
A movement promoting unity among Christian churches or denominations.

And why is this a problem?

[just_curious]

Depends what the unity is based upon.

[future]

You can write an article about Bible study for missionary web site, just visit http://www.missionopportunity.com/bible-study.htm and take part in missions work...

[noblewoman]

I completed three full years of study at BSF: Matthew, Life of Moses, and John.

My children were enrolled, too; and my husband attended Men's BSF classes, although he was not able to complete a full year due to lack of available time.

I agree with Naomi01.

I just finished reading the two cites referenced by Naomio1 and they are accurate according to my three years of involvement and experience.

I do not wish to offend but if asked for my opinion,I would recommend to any born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible, that you stay far away from BSF. I wish I had been warned....

[noblewoman]

Hi, I forgot to mention that I attended BSF in two separate locations (different states, actually).

My sister attended BSF in Europe.

Two friends attended in two separate states of USA; all of us different from one another.

Without talking to eachother about it, we came to similar conclusions about BSF. None of us would recommend BSF today, and would actually discourage believers from attending if we were to be asked our opinion.

Just wanted to add that information in the event it is useful for someone.

God bless all readers.