GADARA MINISTRIES PRESENTS
Inductive Bible Study Methods
When: Starting January 7, 2012
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: City of Refuge
3150 Yellowstone
Houston TX 77054
Teacher: Reverend Carroll Bobb
Transportation will be provided if needed
If you are in a Season in Life that you want to…
Know Him
Know His Word
Know what He is saying to you
Come join us to know Christ and His Word better, be convicted and impacted so you can line your life up to His.
You will not be disappointed
Contact : Minister Thornton 832-677-4286
Joshua Clemons: 832-206-1416
E-mail: gadaraministries@yahoo.com
What is Inductive Bible Study?
It is a tool and a discipline which enables us to get more out of what we read, so we can see a text in its background and then gain the intended meaning, not what we want it to mean. As a tool, it is an examiner and a detective that interviews a passage in a comprehensive, extensive and serious manner. This will enable our better understanding of the Bible that helps us draw out more of the meaning for our personal understanding and spiritual growth.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Gadara Ministries Monday Night Bible Conference Call
Gadara Ministries Conference call bible study info…
Its held on Monday nights at 8pm
Dial in number is 530-881-1000
Acess code is 985868#
To listen anytime on play back dial: 530-881-1099
985868#
It will ask for a reference code just press # again.
So its 530-881-1099
985868# and # again, for play back
Its held on Monday nights at 8pm
Dial in number is 530-881-1000
Acess code is 985868#
To listen anytime on play back dial: 530-881-1099
985868#
It will ask for a reference code just press # again.
So its 530-881-1099
985868# and # again, for play back
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Yellowstone Academy
Yesterday my wife and I attended a breakfast to kick off the 10th Anniversary of Yellowstone Academy. It was an amazing event! It was held at the Westin Galleria, an upscale hotel in one of Houston's Galleria, which is one of the cities landmark locations. The Galleria boasts of some of Houston's finer retail establishments and shops. We were invited by and were guest of kind friend from our church, the City of Refuge, Karen Geisen. She is a kind lady with a generous heart and it shows. We had dining on white linen tablecloths, fine china, and black tie servers.Yet for all the pomp of the hotel and its service, and the stores and shops in the Galleria, the most beautiful thing that would happen in the Galleria on that day would be the testimonials that would be given by the teachers, students and administrators for Yellowstone Academy.
Yellowstone Academy is a miracle. It is located in Houston's 3rd ward, and is a high quality, faith based private school for those living in poverty, below poverty, and some cases extreme poverty. ( See history here http://www.yellowstoneacademy.org/history/ ) But it is more then a school. It is a sign of hope. For too many children in the 3rd ward, like most poor inner-cities, poverty, crime, drug abuse and a lack of education are go hand in hand like a beach and sand. Its just expected and the way things are....but things are different at Yellowstone Academy. Yellowstone Academy is demonstrating that with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27) The students there are excelling academically far beyond there peers and have high aspirations for the future., while still dealing with the struggles and trials of living in some of the worst and most dangerous situations imagineable. But, they are not allowing the struggles of today to determine their tomorrow. And the statistics show by the cyclical nature, that is not an easy task. But they see their future as given by divine decree. Jer 29:11 says "for I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope". They see that hope and dream of that future being able to be realized because of the faithful servants that poor their hearts into their lives at Yellowstone Academy. Because people step outside of their comfort zone to be a blessing to others.
Gadara Ministries is following the lead of ministries like Yellowstone Academy. Although we are not scholastic ministry to children, we see are call as one and the same. A call to make a difference by the power of God. Because real hope and real change only come about as the people of God do the "good works that good prepared in advance for us to walk in"....Eph 2:10
Yellowstone Academy is a miracle. It is located in Houston's 3rd ward, and is a high quality, faith based private school for those living in poverty, below poverty, and some cases extreme poverty. ( See history here http://www.yellowstoneacademy.org/history/ ) But it is more then a school. It is a sign of hope. For too many children in the 3rd ward, like most poor inner-cities, poverty, crime, drug abuse and a lack of education are go hand in hand like a beach and sand. Its just expected and the way things are....but things are different at Yellowstone Academy. Yellowstone Academy is demonstrating that with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27) The students there are excelling academically far beyond there peers and have high aspirations for the future., while still dealing with the struggles and trials of living in some of the worst and most dangerous situations imagineable. But, they are not allowing the struggles of today to determine their tomorrow. And the statistics show by the cyclical nature, that is not an easy task. But they see their future as given by divine decree. Jer 29:11 says "for I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope". They see that hope and dream of that future being able to be realized because of the faithful servants that poor their hearts into their lives at Yellowstone Academy. Because people step outside of their comfort zone to be a blessing to others.
Gadara Ministries is following the lead of ministries like Yellowstone Academy. Although we are not scholastic ministry to children, we see are call as one and the same. A call to make a difference by the power of God. Because real hope and real change only come about as the people of God do the "good works that good prepared in advance for us to walk in"....Eph 2:10
Gadara Ministries Lauches Inductive Bible Study Methods class
Inductive simply means to use logic induction and reasoning by examining the particulars, facts and essence of a text first before making any conclusions. Thus, inductive Bible Study enhances the exegesis process by enabling us to read the Bible for all its impact, value and significance. In practice, we first examine the ideas and words of the text, then this leads us to the meanings and interpretations, and then we are led to the conclusions and applications. As we are interviewing a passage, we are also allowing His Word to intervene and interview us. And then we are to do this with reverence, respect and humility without our preconceptions or agendas. Thus, seeking what God is actually saying before we seek what a passage means. Then we can apply it to our life in a more effective and effectual manner. In other words, I want to know Christ and His Word better, to be convicted and impacted so I can line my life up to His.
The mission of the bible study is to provide the formerly incarcerated the training and skills needed to study extract and apply the doctrines and principle of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Many formerly incarcerated persons whom have given there lives to JESUS CHRIST often sometimes never get the chance too pursue a Christian education because of the tremendous challenges faced reintegrating into society. Things like housing, employment, and ect can prove difficult for the average citizen let alone one with a felony.
Many formerly incarcerated persons don’t come into society ignorant of the challenges. Those of us who have decided to give our lives to JESUS CHRIST even though there challenges exprience peace in the midst of the storms. Our faith is in, the little we know of, the applicable word of GOD we apply. GOD’s word will keep all mankind sane as we travel through life stresses. The bible study methods class will give a great advantage to those men and women returning from prison with a desire to live, not just right, but righteous as they become productive members of society. To the point of no return.
COMING SOON!!!!!!! 2011
The mission of the bible study is to provide the formerly incarcerated the training and skills needed to study extract and apply the doctrines and principle of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Many formerly incarcerated persons whom have given there lives to JESUS CHRIST often sometimes never get the chance too pursue a Christian education because of the tremendous challenges faced reintegrating into society. Things like housing, employment, and ect can prove difficult for the average citizen let alone one with a felony.
Many formerly incarcerated persons don’t come into society ignorant of the challenges. Those of us who have decided to give our lives to JESUS CHRIST even though there challenges exprience peace in the midst of the storms. Our faith is in, the little we know of, the applicable word of GOD we apply. GOD’s word will keep all mankind sane as we travel through life stresses. The bible study methods class will give a great advantage to those men and women returning from prison with a desire to live, not just right, but righteous as they become productive members of society. To the point of no return.
COMING SOON!!!!!!! 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Discipleship.....the heart of what we do.
Recently I began to think about what it really means to be a "Disciple". According to W.E. Vines Expository dictionary of New Testament words, the word itself comes from the Greek word Mathetes: a learner (from Manthano, to learn from a root Math-, indicating thought accompanied by endeavour) a disciple was not only a student, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.
I like the end of that definition....."an imitator of their teacher". As children growing up, we all have had someone in our lives that have had some effect on us to the point that we would "imitate" something about them. I was a big sports fan growing up and remember imitating Billy "White shoes" Johnson doing his dance in the end zone after making a long touchdown run. I remember imitating Ervin "Magic" Johnson making his Jr sky hook to beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Championship. How many young boys did Joe Namath inspire to want to play quarteback in the NFL? We have all had teachers, family members, friends, other people that we admired something about them and have attempted to imitate. As I get older, I look back and find myself "imitating" my parents in some regards saying the same things to my children that my mother often said to me. While we are all unique and individuals, there are some things that are common to our humanity, and imitation of someone, somehow, someway, and at sometime is as much part of our humanity as it is to be born. I recently had a conversation with a friend and we talked about doing certain things because "thats the way we always did them". Some things we imitate for so long we forget where we got the from.
Jesus Christ had a group of 12 close followers that became known as his "disciples". My dictionary app on my Android smartphone (I love technology) defines disciple as one of the 12 personal followers of Christ . He was the teacher, they were the followers.....the imitators. He didnt call them to imitate only some parts of His life and not others. He didnt say "follow me boys while the lights are on, but when they are off, dont do as I do, do as I say". No, Jesus Christ lived his life everyday, teaching his disciples to be imitators of his conduct, character, and conversation. To think like Him, respond like Him, love like Him, give like Him, serve like Him, be like Him. They would fail often, but He would never give up the mission of making disciples. Shaping and molding them into His very own image.
At the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus after He had been crucified, buried, and resurrected, met 11 of his disciples. Chapter 28 verse 18 Jesus said "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. GO therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." The teacher was passing the baton to the students. Graduation time boys, now get out and go to work!
It is the goal of Gadara Ministries to pick up that baton and continue to imitate the Master. The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ", and that is what we intend to do. Gadara Ministries is nothing if not a ministry of discipleship. It will always be the very heart of what we do. We will offer a lot of services to the formerly incarcerated in an attempt to meet their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs with different programs available throughout the community. We do so knowing that God doesnt just redeem the soul, His plan of redemption includes the whole person (Romans 8:23) But above all else, we are not in the need providing business, we are in the disciple making business. We are looking to not make disciples of our own, but those of the highest order, the greatest calling, the order of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So, we are heading our call to the great commission, to go and make disciples of all nations....anyone wanna join us?
I like the end of that definition....."an imitator of their teacher". As children growing up, we all have had someone in our lives that have had some effect on us to the point that we would "imitate" something about them. I was a big sports fan growing up and remember imitating Billy "White shoes" Johnson doing his dance in the end zone after making a long touchdown run. I remember imitating Ervin "Magic" Johnson making his Jr sky hook to beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Championship. How many young boys did Joe Namath inspire to want to play quarteback in the NFL? We have all had teachers, family members, friends, other people that we admired something about them and have attempted to imitate. As I get older, I look back and find myself "imitating" my parents in some regards saying the same things to my children that my mother often said to me. While we are all unique and individuals, there are some things that are common to our humanity, and imitation of someone, somehow, someway, and at sometime is as much part of our humanity as it is to be born. I recently had a conversation with a friend and we talked about doing certain things because "thats the way we always did them". Some things we imitate for so long we forget where we got the from.
Jesus Christ had a group of 12 close followers that became known as his "disciples". My dictionary app on my Android smartphone (I love technology) defines disciple as one of the 12 personal followers of Christ . He was the teacher, they were the followers.....the imitators. He didnt call them to imitate only some parts of His life and not others. He didnt say "follow me boys while the lights are on, but when they are off, dont do as I do, do as I say". No, Jesus Christ lived his life everyday, teaching his disciples to be imitators of his conduct, character, and conversation. To think like Him, respond like Him, love like Him, give like Him, serve like Him, be like Him. They would fail often, but He would never give up the mission of making disciples. Shaping and molding them into His very own image.
At the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus after He had been crucified, buried, and resurrected, met 11 of his disciples. Chapter 28 verse 18 Jesus said "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. GO therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." The teacher was passing the baton to the students. Graduation time boys, now get out and go to work!
It is the goal of Gadara Ministries to pick up that baton and continue to imitate the Master. The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ", and that is what we intend to do. Gadara Ministries is nothing if not a ministry of discipleship. It will always be the very heart of what we do. We will offer a lot of services to the formerly incarcerated in an attempt to meet their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs with different programs available throughout the community. We do so knowing that God doesnt just redeem the soul, His plan of redemption includes the whole person (Romans 8:23) But above all else, we are not in the need providing business, we are in the disciple making business. We are looking to not make disciples of our own, but those of the highest order, the greatest calling, the order of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So, we are heading our call to the great commission, to go and make disciples of all nations....anyone wanna join us?
Monday, September 12, 2011
The 3rd ward area, like most inner cities is plagued with high crime rates, drug abuse, educational deficiencies, poverty, unstable single parent homes, and a tearing apart of the family structure. Many of the formerly incarcerated are parents, and Harris County has the largest percentage of returning prisoners being released back into society. 46% of imprisoned parents lived with at least one child prior to their incarceration. The average age of children with incarcerated parents is 8 years old. 22% are age 5 or younger. It is estimated that 65, 129 prisoners are returned to their communities in Texas each year. Harris County had 10,264 incarcerated persons in 2010 and had the third fastest growing jail population in the nation with an increase of 46% from 1999 – 2009. With these staggering numbers, it is of vital importance to break the cycle with this generation of formerly incarcerated, to become influencers in their communities and stop the cycle for the next generation. Delivering hope to these communities by providing the way to transformation of those who were in the past a part of the problem, and will in turn become a part of the solution. Providing the necessary tools to stem the tide of degradation of this important part of society is a necessary building block of re-establishing our community.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
SOME REASONS WHY GADARA EXISTS....
I. TO DELIVER THOSE THROUGH THE GOSPEL APPROACH FROM ... MENTAL...EMOTIONAL....AND SPIRITUAL ISSUES, WHEN COMING OUT OF PRISON. PROVIDING HOPE TO THE HOPELESS...LOVE TO THE OSTRACIZED..EDUCATION TO THE UNEDUCATED....SKILLS TO THE UNSKILLED.
The challenges faced by the formerly incarcerate can be enourmous upon release back into society. But with the power of God to transform lives by His Spirit, we believe that Gadara Ministries will make a difference.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
II. TO RE-UNITE THE FAMILY STRUCTURE BACK IN THE HOME.
The family structure is a vital building block for all society. To build bridges of hope and encouragement to the many families that are torn apart by the seperation from past behaviour resulting in incarceration, is an important stepping stone to rebuilding our communities.
Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
III. TO REDUCE CRIME.....AND THE RECIDIVISM RATE.
The rate of prison recidivism among those in the inner cities is staggering. Those being released back into society need more then just a bus ticket home. They need the power to make lasting change.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
IV. TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.... FROM DRUGS AND CRIME...
The problem of crime and drugs effects all of our society, but is more prevalent in the inner city such as Houston's 3rd ward. The role of our prison systems is not rehabilitation, but rather punitive, which rarely leads to real change. Offering faith based solutions to the real problems of sinful issues is our only hope to make a difference.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
V. TO REDUCE THE DROP OUT RATE..
Children of incarcerated parents drop out at a significantly higher rate then those with both parents in the household. Education is a primary key to opening career doors and establishing vocational success and avoiding the temptations and lures of "fast money", which ends up being "fast prison sentence".
The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."Proverbs 18:15
VI. TO REDUCE TEEN PREGNANCIES...AND ABORTION...
Teen pregnancies rates are considerably higher in the absence of the father in the home. We believe that all life is sacred and that it is necessary to call men to responsible roles of leadership in their homes.
Isa 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen
VII. TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES AND CITIES INTO SAFE PLACES TO LIVE AND GROW.
Psa 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Psa 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Psa 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Psa 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
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