{"id":10112,"date":"2025-04-21T16:13:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T20:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/candlerdmin\/?p=10112"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:05:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:05:33","slug":"transforming-bible-study-at-el-bethel-baptist-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/candlerdmin\/2025\/04\/21\/transforming-bible-study-at-el-bethel-baptist-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Transforming Bible Study at El Bethel Baptist Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

How El Bethel Baptist Church Masters Genesis Through Language, Literacy & Scriptural Diagramming<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Have you ever wanted to understand the Bible not only spiritually but also structurally and intellectually? At El Bethel Baptist Church, my research project, Innovative Bible Study: Integrating Biblical and Academic Literacy through Language Reasoning Skills Application and Scriptural Diagramming of the Book of Genesis<\/em>,<\/strong> does exactly that. I\u2019ve combined spiritual reflection with academic tools like language reasoning, sentence diagramming, and analytical thinking, using Genesis as the foundation. The result? A Bible study model that strengthens both faith and intellect.<\/p>\n

Understanding the Ministry Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Photo Taken by Charles Atcherson and Rev. Carolyn Craddock<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Welcome to El-Bethel Baptist Church. Our purpose is to worship God in unity, love, and fellowship, minister to the needs in our community, lead lost persons to Christ, disciple the Believers, and aid in spreading the gospel throughout the world.[1]<\/a> El Bethel Baptist Church’s foundational scripture is:<\/p>\n

Matthew 16:18-19<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Building Lives by Sharing God\u2019s Love.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

El Bethel Baptist Church, nestled in Fort Washington, Maryland, is a faith-centered community dedicated to worshiping, serving, and sharing God’s love.<\/p>\n

Our multi-generational church family includes 200 local members and 65 virtual members who join through Facebook, YouTube, and our daily Noon Day Bible Study. With ministries ranging from Christian Education and Youth Ministry to IT and Community Service, we are committed to nurturing both spiritual and academic growth for all ages.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo Provided by Carissa Lee – El Bethel Baptist Church<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

You can expect to hear traditional and contemporary musical style hymns. Our many voices of \u201cPraise and Worship\u201d can be heard throughout the community.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dreamstime.com\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0ID 1939933569\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Daniel Tadevosyan<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo Provided by Carissa Lee – El Bethel Baptist Church<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our members include children aged infancy to twelve; twenty, youth ages thirteen to seventeen; five, young adults aged eighteen to twenty-five; ten, adults aged twenty-six to seventy; eighty, and our senior adults ages seventy-one and older; twenty. El Bethel has sixty-five out-of-state members.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

El Bethel Baptist Church\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Chart Created in Excel By\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Rev. Carolyn Craddock<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo Provided by Carissa Lee – El Bethel Baptist Church<\/p><\/div>\n

Why We Needed a New Study Model<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Preaching and teaching go beyond sharing biblical truth; we are required to equip believers to study, analyze, and apply Scripture in their everyday lives. While many people read the Bible, fewer fully understand its depth and meaning. To close this gap, I merged biblical content with academic literacy, specifically, language reasoning and sentence diagramming.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo Provided by Carissa Lee – El Bethel Baptist Church<\/p><\/div>\n

Virtual classrooms have given the church new ways to reach learners and create dynamic, engaging study environments. My goal was to move learners beyond surface reading and to help believers to develop deeper, critical reflection on God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo from Pixnel.com<\/p><\/div>\n

How the Study Was Done (with Examples)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We selected foundational Genesis passages known for theological richness and structural clarity. For instance, Genesis 1:3, \u201cAnd God said, \u2018Let there be light,\u2019 and there was light\u201d was dissected into speaker (God), action (said), command (\u201cLet there be light\u201d), and result (\u201cthere was light\u201d). The structure reinforced the impact.<\/p>\n

In Genesis 1:1, students identified the subject (God), verb (created), and objects (the heavens and the earth), showing how word order reveals God\u2019s creative authority. Genesis 1:2 introduces adjectives like \u201cformless,\u201d \u201cvoid,\u201d and \u201cdeep,\u201d painting a picture of chaos before divine order. Genesis 1:26 led to rich discussion about divine plurality in \u201cLet us make man in our image.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Diagram from “Diagramming the Scripture: Systematic Approach to Sentence Diagramming” by Shirley M. Forsen<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Diagram by Pinterest.com<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The \u201cWheel\u00a0 of\u00a0 VISIONS”<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Photo Provided by Rev. Carolyn Craddock El Bethel Baptist Church<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To enhance learning, we introduced a tool: the Wheel of VISIONS<\/strong>, featuring categories such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, themes, and context. When the wheel landed on \u201cverbs,\u201d and we studied Genesis 1:3, learners identified \u201csaid\u201d and discussed its theological significance.<\/p>\n

A spin on \u201ccontext\u201d inspired reflection on the passage\u2019s role within Genesis and modern life. These activities merged grammar and theology, deepening engagement and understanding.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo by Instragram.com Verse of the day com<\/p><\/div>\n

Role-Play<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scripture came alive through dramatization. Participants acted out pivotal scenes like Genesis 22, Abraham\u2019s test of faith, taking on roles such as Abraham, Isaac, the angel, and even the ram. This emotional and experiential method brought Scripture off the page and into the heart.<\/p>\n

Scripture is a lifeline for the believer, and studying it with others affirms and clarifies its truth. In a group, we benefit not only from the truth of the Word itself but also from the exhortation and application of the Word alongside others. We learn what verses of a Scripture passage stood out to someone else and why.[2<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo Provided by Tessa Morrell, Lifeway<\/p><\/div>\n

Role-playing helped the learners to relate to biblical characters, understand their faith struggles, and personalize the message.<\/p>\n

How the Wheel of VISIONS and Role-Play Deepened Understanding<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These tools created hands-on, participatory learning. Diagramming Scriptures into digestible parts, role-play encouraged empathy and engagement, and the Wheel added spontaneity and fun. Rather than memorizing verses, participants internalized them. They didn\u2019t just study the Word; they experienced it.<\/p>\n

Why These Methods Were Effective<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This approach works because it connects the heart and the mind. Diagramming sharpened analytical skills. Role-play deepened the emotional connections. The Wheel of VISIONS brought movement and unpredictability. Together, these elements made Bible study rich, captivating, and transformative.<\/p>\n

Bible Study Brings Order to Misinterpretation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Just as God brought order to chaos in Genesis 1, Scripture study helps clear confusion. Diagramming \u201cGod created the heavens and the earth\u201d illuminates God\u2019s authority and intention. When life feels messy, God\u2019s Word reminds us that He still brings beauty from brokenness.<\/p>\n

Integrating Biblical and Academic Literacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To engage Scripture deeply, we must go beyond reading; it takes analysis. Diagramming helps uncover key themes, grammatical relationships, and practical applications. By asking, “Who is speaking? What action is taking place? How do the words function together?” we<\/em><\/strong> grow in both spiritual wisdom and academic skills.<\/p>\n

This method teaches participants to:<\/p>\n