Author: Jerry

What is a "Torah/Bible Study" group?
By the strictest definition, "Torah study" is the examination and analysis of the first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These books are often referred to as the "Pentateuch," or the "Books of Moses." However, as the term "Torah" means revelation of/from God, Torah study should include the entire word of God. The Torah Study Group has two Bible studies each week, covering books from Bereshit (Genesis) to Revelation.
View the first five books of the Bible (Torah proper or Pentateuch) as being the foundation to interpreting the rest of the Scriptures. The balance of the Tenakh is to be understood in light of the Torah's principles, and the "New Testament" is to be interpreted according to what has been established in the Torah/Tenakh.
Sections of the Bible:
Old Testament: Tenahk
Law = (Torah or Pentateuch) = Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
History of Israel = Joshua through Ester
Poetry = Job through Ecclesiastes
Prophecy = Isaiah through Malachi
New Testament: Gospel of Christ
Gospel (Good News) = Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
Early Church History = Acts
Church & Pastoral = Romans through Philemon
Prophecy = Revelation (Apocalypse)
In addition to this, a proper understanding of Scripture is based on correct interpretation of the texts. As all the books of the Bible are Hebrew & Greek documents, a basic understanding of "Hebrew & Greek thinking" and "rules of interpretation" are important. There are many resources available. It all depends on your resources, and how serious you want to be about your study.
Have at least a half-dozen translations available at all times, however we recommend a Stone Edition Chumash for the Torah portions, the KVJ, 1611 KVJ subject Bible, Young’s Literal, Geneva, Farrar Fenton, English Revised, NASV, the Great Bible, Bishops Bible, Septuagint, Wycliffe, Tyndale for the books of the "New Testament & old Testament." An audio Bible, the Young’s concordance and an 1800’s era Webster’s dictionary may also assist your study group as well. Sometimes a copy of a 1911 or older encyclopedia Britannica will also help. You can gradually acquire these references after you start. They will just help you grasp different concepts and meanings better.
How many people should you have?
A Torah study "group" can of course be as few as two people. Of course the more people you have the more opinions you have and more discussion. Too large of a group can create a number of problems -- everything from accommodations and for being hard for the person running the study to control. Our own group began as four people and has grown to ten, though not everyone can make every meeting. This is a good number, although it's a "snug" fit when everyone shows up and we all sit around the same table. If the number grows beyond 12 you should split the group in half and have two separate groups.
Including new people later on.
Here is one of those areas where you have to "strike a balance." On the one hand, you don't want to turn someone away who is interested in learning more about God. On the other hand, if you're in the middle of studying a particular book or subject, it is both difficult for someone coming in "late" to catch up, and also can be frustrating for the group to have to "slow down." Try to make time before and after the actual "session" for someone to spend time with a new person to get them "up to speed" with everyone else.
Where to meet.
As small groups can't afford to rent places, this usually means meeting at someone's home, office or a classroom in the Church. Rotating locations gives everyone a chance to play host, helps us all get to know one another better, and takes the pressure off one person (family) always having to be ready for a group to invade! Sitting together at one large table is best, as being too far apart frustrates the discussion. Being around one table not only adds to the intimacy of the conversation, but makes it easier to reach over and grab either a concordance or a slice of pizza from the person across from you.
How often to meet.
Naturally, a true "Torah study" (for the purpose of following and studying the weekly parsha), should be held on Shabbat, either Friday evening or Saturday day, but could also be held after your regular Church service as well. It would make for a good Sunday social/fellowship too. Your own group should meet twice a week. On Saturdays (or after Church Sunday) you can study the Torah portion for the week. Then also meet on Wednesday evenings to study one of the books of the "New Testament."
How long each meeting should last?
Make a day out of your Shabbat meetings; typically go from about 11:00 AM or from right after Church service or after your dinner to 6:00 PM or so. Most of the day is spent in study/discussion, with time allowed for lunch and snacks, prayer and friendly conversation. You could occasionally even throw in a Sunday social if you want.
Your Wednesday evening meetings could go for 3 or more hours. Some people leave early for work/family reasons, others stick around later into the evening. There are some "Bible Studies" that meet for one hour, but that's barely enough time to get your coat off, never mind doing any serious research and discussion. We recommend two hours as a minimum block of time to set aside.
If you use video and audio documentaries it will take one to two hours of time just for them.
Munchies!
Plan your food for Shabbat ahead of time, making sure you don't end up with 5 deserts and no main course! Generally, the person/family hosting the study for that day makes the main dish. The others split up the side dish(es), snacks, desert and beverages. Of course, everyone knows to bring only Biblically kosher food.
Disposable dinnerware is a plus for quick clean up. A typical day might involve some bagels or fruit upon arrival (you can't study on an empty stomach!) with coffee/juice. While this is served, begin your study (after a prayer) which goes for 2-3 hours before we break for lunch, (during which time discussions never stop!) Sometime during the latter part of the afternoon, some sweet stuff usually finds its way onto the table. No one should leave your Shabbat study hungry for food or the Word of God!
Your Wednesday meeting could be are conducted after everyone has already had dinner, so you don't need to plan anything, though someone always seems to show up with some type of snack for everyone!
What to Study?
The Shabbat Torah study should follow the established calendar of weekly readings, known as the parshat for the week. By following this program, you will cover the five books of the Torah in one year. (The cycle repeats annually.) Although it would be ideal to start at Genesis 1:1, you don't have to. Start when you are ready!
Your Wednesday study could follow this path: Matthew-Romans-Hebrews-Revelation or something similar. With each study, you should build upon what was learned in the previous one(s).
You will also want to use some study aids, like audio and video documentaries. It will give you a short break, but will create more for discussions.
It would be good to start a book reading program too, just like the John Birch Society did in the past. Have books available for checkout to those who want to go the extra mile. If they have time and want to they could write a summary to pass out to everyone and/or give a short talk or review on the book if they would like.
Recommended Documentaries:
(1.) Genesis one (2.) The Exodus by R. Wyatt (3.) Creation of a Nation (4.) Heirs of the promise
(5.) Strange parallel (6.) They came a Viking (7.) Glastonbury (8.) Stone of Destiny (9.) Glory of the stars (10.) American Roots (11.) Sodom & Gomorrah- Wyatt’s (12.) Who is Esau today? (13.) Lucifer’s children (14.) Final warning (15.) DC street sorcery (16.) They sold their souls for rock & roll (17.) Faith of Our Fathers & Stone of Destiny (you can get this from artisanpublishers.com) (19.) America’s Godly Heritage by David Barton (wallbuilders.com)
You can find most of the audio and video documentaries at civildefensenewsnetwork.com
Recommended books for reading program:
(1) The traditions of Glastonbury (2.) Biblical Antiquities I, II & III also in audio (3.) Abrahamic Covenant all by E. Raymond Capt (4.) Dan Pioneer of Israel by Col. J.C. Gawler (5.) Israel-Britain by Adam Rutherford (6.) Strange Parallel by H. Koppejan (7.) Missing links Discovered by E.R. Capt (8.) Celto-Saxon Israel by W.H. Bennett (9.) Heirs of the Promise by Sheldon Emry (10.) Judah’s Sceptre and Joseph’s Birthright by J.H. Allen (11.) The Origin and Early History of Christianity in Britain by Andres Gray (12.) The Origins and Empire of Ancient Israel by Steven Collins (13.) Israel’s Lost Empires by S. Collins (14.) Parthia by S. Collins (15.) Israel’s Tribes Today by Collins (16.) The Resurrection Tomb by Capt (17.) The Rapture of the Saints by Duncan McDougall (18.) The Greatest Love story never told by Pastor Peters (19.) The Greatest Discovery of our Age by Pastor Peters (20.) The Book of Jasher (21.) The Book of Enoch (22.) Not of one Blood by Pastor Charles Wiseman (23.) Our Nordic Race by Richard Hoshkins (24.) The Law on Abortion by C. Wiseman (25.) Noah’s Flood by C. Wiseman (26.) The Origin and Race of Civilization by C. Wiseman The Mystery of True Israel by Gen. Jack Mohr (27.) 10 Truths about America’s Christian Heritage by Coral Ridge Ministries (28.) The Stolen Birthright and the coming Destruction by Pastor Peters (29.) The Seven Feasts of Israel by Zola Levitt (30.) Christians before Columbus by Pastor Earl Jones (31.) Missing Links Discovered by R. Capt (32.) The Coming of the Saints by John W. Taylor (33.) Drama of the Lost Disciples by George F. Jowett (34.) Bloodlines of the Illuminati by Fritz Springmier (35.) Codex Magica by Pastor Tex Marrs (36.) Mysterious Monuments by T. Marrs (37.) Foxes Book of the martyrs (38.) Pilgrims Progress (39.) The Light and the Glory & From Sea to Shining Sea by Peter Marshall (40.) Facts and Fiction regarding Noah’s Flood by Pastor C. Wiseman (41.) Chart : Heritage of the Anglo-Saxon Race (42.) Chart: Linage of the Royal House of Britain (43.) Maps: Lost Tribes of Israel
Most of these books, videos and maps can be found at Artisan Publishers, Scriptures for America, Stone Kingdom, News watch Magazine, New Crusades Christian Church, Infowars.com or at Amazon.com. You can also find good resources at civildefensenewsnetwork.com.
Leadership & Organization
There are several roles here. It may be that the person scheduling locations and times, coordinating the food, outlining the study, and doing most of the teaching may be the same person. Then again, perhaps not. We recommend splitting those duties up as much as possible, with one person making sure it all gets done.
Preparation for the study is critical and falls into two parts:
Whoever is leading the study should have an outline of things to discuss. It also helps to have some challenging opinions to throw out for discussion.
Everyone should know a week beforehand what the subject matter is and be encouraged to prepare some questions & comments. Leave some time at the end of each meeting to discuss what the next week's discussion will be about. You may even want to prepare a handout with an outline of things to read or think about between then and the next meeting.
One last practical note -- don't be shy about asking folks to help pick up, do dishes etc., before leaving! You can have some great discussion while one washes and one dries!

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