ONLINE SUMMER STUDY: COLOSSIANS

Join us this summer for our online study of Colossians.

There will be two online study groups running, the dates, and times of which are as follows:

Study Group 1
(Tuesdays 8-9 PM):

• Colossians Part 1 - Tuesday 4th July

• Colossians Part 2 - Tuesday 18th July

• Colossians Part 3 - Tuesday 1st August

• Colossians Part 4 - Tuesday 15th August

Study Group 2 
(Wednesdays 10-11 AM):

• Colossians Part 1 - Wednesday 5th July

• Colossians Part 2 - Wednesday 19th July

• Colossians Part 3 - Wednesday 2nd August

• Colossians Part 4 - Wednesday 16th August

Joining us? If so, here's how to take part online via Zoom in any of the group study times listed above:

• Print off the required study beforehand (see studies section below).

• Click the ZOOM INTO THE BIBLE button (see below) around 5-10 mins before the group start time and when requested enter the password which is 081402

• If the leader of the group has not yet joined the study you will be put into a waiting room until they do.

• Once the leader joins you will come out of the waiting room and join the rest of the group.

STUDIES

There is no preparation required before each group study. All we ask is for you to print off the necessary study beforehand. Each study is available to print in 2 formats - either as a BOOKLET (two pages folded in half) or a 4 PAGE study.

PRINT AS BOOKLET

To print a study as a booklet do the following:

• Click the BOOKLET BUTTON below for the study you want to print.

• Click option to print document - on most devices this should bring up print options to choose before printing document e.g. pages to print, colour / black white etc.

• Before printing - check if there is an option to print as a booklet, if so select it. Note - printing as a booklet uses less paper but depending on the device you are using this option may not be available or require a bit of searching to find it.

• If the option to print as a booklet is not available then we recommend printing as a 4 page study (see instructions below), especially if you are taking part in the online study.

• Print study - fold pages in half and make into booklet.

PRINT AS 4-PAGE STUDY

• Click the 4-PAGE BUTTON below for the study you want to print.

• Click option to print document.

• Print document as is.

TAKING PART

On the day click the ZOOM INTO THE BIBLE button below around 5-10 mins before the group start time and when requested enter the password which is 081402

As always, we are here to help. So, if we can be of any further assistance about taking part in this study then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us - email info@preceptireland.org or give us a call on 028 9074 6082 (Mon - Thurs 9 AM - 1:30 PM).

Visit our Lightning Study Archive for more free downloadable studies!

My Story: Studying the Bible Together in a Digital World

Being a leader in 'normal' times has many challenges. Then with lockdown came the additional challenge of classes no longer able to meet face-to-face. However, with lockdown came a great opportunity. An open door inviting (and challenging) us to think of different ways of connecting. 

As a ministry it has been so encouraging to see how you as leaders have embraced technology to stay connected with your class and keep studying together.

Two such leaders (among others) are Janet and Margo. Both have adapted to the changed circumstances by moving their classes online. In this edition of 'My Story' we hear from them of the benefits and challenges they have faced in doing so.

We pray that as you hear their story you will be both encouraged and challenged.

Encouraged that God's Word is not bound and that through technology we are reaching more people than ever before.

Challenged to seize the opportunity, whilst physical restrictions on meeting continue, to move your own class online and so help others to continue to know God more deeply through the study of His Word.

Here Janet shares her experience of leading a Precept class during lockdown, and of moving from meeting in person to meeting online.

Dave also had the opportunity to speak to one our Precept leaders Margo in Wexford to hear about her experience of taking her Precept class online.

Dave: Hi Margo. Tell me a bit about the study you were doing with you class.

Margo: We were studying a Precept Upon Precept course, Romans Part 1, and would meet most Fridays.

D: And as lockdown took hold, how did you feel about taking your group online?

M: Going online was necessary for us as we wanted to continue, and there was no alternative for us: the virus kind of mandated it! Thankfully I use it in my job regularly, and so had no qualms about going online. It wasn’t as daunting for me as it may have been for others as I was already familiar with it.

D: That was a blessing for you as a leader, but I suppose for some people it may have been a barrier?

M: There were a couple of hesitations from some in the group. For some, the technical aspect may have presented a challenge. For others, it wasn’t practical for them with a family at home at the same time. Most of the group did however join in, and we got one new person who joined. It meant there were six of us online on a regular basis, usually four out of that number would show up in any given week. The first meeting took a bit of getting used to for the group, but everyone picked it up very quickly. Those who did attend online generally were the ones most comfortable with the technology.

D: How did the study progress?

M: We were able to go at the same pace and enjoyed the banter as normal really – but the biggest thing we noticed was how we missed the closeness of meeting in person. Online can seem a bit cold, and there is a warmth in meeting together. When you can give one another a hug or pray together in person; these were important elements that we really missed.

D: Studying together in person is often such an important part of what makes a Precept study special, and it’s very hard to replicate that online. Were there any other disadvantages from meeting online?

M: You are relying on technology, and sometimes technology isn’t always reliable! A lack of internet connection or disrupted internet was a nuisance. As I mentioned, some people weren’t comfortable with the technology, which means you may lose a couple of regulars from the class.

D: What have been the benefits of studying online?

M: There are some very practical benefits from meeting online, particularly time and travel. There is no setting up tables and cleaning up like you have after a physical meeting. Nobody has to spend time travelling to a group either. We would have some people who may have travelled 20 minutes to our study, and so that barrier is removed.

D: What have you learned from this time of studying online during lockdown?

M: Studying online is a workable alternative to meeting in person. It’s given us another option for being able to study if circumstances mean that we can’t meet in person. Though it’s not my preference, it has given us a substitute way of doing things that can hold us over temporarily when necessary. It has also been a means of connecting with those who have been isolated during lockdown. It has definitely made me more sensitive to how isolation can affect someone when it is enforced and not by choice. It’s really made me appreciate how important face to face contact and church fellowship is!

D: I totally agree and studying online in a group can sometimes be the only contact for those who are isolated, which is wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to share some of your insights with us, and may God continue to bless you and your group as you study God’s Word.

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The impact of Covid19 will be felt for quite some time and the future is uncertain, as restrictions may be lifted, and at other times may be reinstated. We would encourage you to consider how you can connect with students online and study the Bible together. If you would like any help with setting up an online study, please contact us.

The Essentials of Effective Prayer (Lesson 6)

The Essentials of Effective Prayer Lesson 6 of 6
You can order a copy of the book here to follow along with the study: http://preceptireland.org/40-minute-series/the-essentials-of-effective-prayer