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The Greek word pente means "five" and represents the five sequences of the Pentex approach. Each sequence begins with the letters "ex"
| EXamine: | Examine Scripture carefully to observe what Scripture says. |
| EXegete: | Exegesis is accurately interpreting Scripture to extract the original author's meaning. |
| EXemplify: | Discovered biblical principles must be internalized, and when we apply Scripture to our own lives we exude its truths as a living example. |
| EXpose: | After experiencing growth out of Bible study, we share those lessons. Exposition explains Scripture and edifies others by drawing from a passage's inherent power and authority. |
| EXpand: | Extend the borders of God's kingdom by training others to train others to train others in this entire process so that exponential growth results. |
The Pentex logo is formed by five X's to show the integration of each step. This formation also creates four crosses joined at a central point. This arrangement speaks of the Christ-centered focus required for any methodology to be life producing rather than a fleshly struggle.
The Pentex method will transform your Bible study from drudgery to a rich harvest.
For many years my Bible study was a chore and sometimes boring. Those feelings produced guilt. So I tried harder, reminding myself that a "good Christian" should relish Bible study. When my best efforts resulted in so very little, I felt even guiltier.
Then someone taught me how to dig into Scripture in a way that reaped rewards. My efforts went from fruitless to fruitful. Bible study was no longer drudgery, but a grand adventure, an exciting time of discovery, and finally I wanted to study!
Will it work for you? I've been training lay people for more than five years, and I've seen scores experience the same transformation.
Pentex trains students to become discoverers: "William Barclay, in his book Daily Celebration, says, 'It is only when truth is discovered that it is appropriated. When a man is simply told the truth, it remains external to him and he can quite easily forget it. When he is led to discover the truth himself it becomes an integral part of him and he never forgets.' The pattern in many Bible study groups is for the leader to be the discoverer and share his discoveries with others. Since the participants are not helped to become discoverers, they quickly forget what was taught." [Emphasis added. Oletta Wald, The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1975, Revised Ed.) p. 8.]
The Pentex method is practical and designed for the lay person. Over and over again I've seen ordinary Christians embrace these methods and greatly profit from them. Even seminary graduates have marveled at how it enhanced their formal educations by putting a practical use to all the theory and lecture. Most people will see results early in their training.
You will be able to study Scripture and feed yourself. But Pentex also promotes an accuracy that protects against subjectivity. Knowing how to verify the teachings of Scripture can protect us. It protects us from our own prejudices and presumptions and it protects us from dangerous teachings that are unbiblical or biased.
As a Christian equipped with a knowledge of Scripture, you'll have the foundation to effectively minister within your church body. The body of Christ is built up by your growth, and it also grows by the growth you can produce in others.
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