Bible Study

Sunday Morning Bible Study is the primary time each week that Westbury members, regular attenders, and guests dig into God's Word.  In the Branch, we are blessed to have adult leaders who are gifted and called to teach God's Word to teenagers in a way that is engaging and relevant to their world.  Bible Study begins with worship in music, prayer requests or praises, and announcements regarding upcoming Branch events and important information.  Sixth graders are released to their Bible study while 7th-12th graders are given a general overview of their material for the day.  Then, they too are dismissed to their small groups.  7th-8th graders form the middle school small group.  9th-12th graders form the high school small group.  Here's our schedule for the academic year:

The Gospel Light & Experiencing God
by Joe Cartwright and Sally Kubiak
6th grade
August 21, 2011 - May, 2012
Because 6th graders are in a transitional time in their lives and in school, their first year of participation in the Branch Sunday Morning Bible Study provides them with an opportunity to learn as a group separated from the rest of the youth ministry so as not to overwhelm them.  They begin with Gospel Light, a curriculum designed for young believers that focuses on Bible verse memorization, fun activities, and colorful lessons based on Bible stories.  In the Spring, the 6th graders will begin launch into Experiencing God: Youth Edition, a more advanced study based on the study written by Henry Blackaby. 

How to Interpret and Study the Bible
by Stephen Ray
7th-12th grade
August 28, 2011 - September 25, 2011
Students will receive instruction that equips them with the tools to "rightly divide" God's Word.  From technical to spiritual and from research to application, students will dive into the world of Biblical exegesis - the process of "leading out" God's Truth so that we may apply it to our lives.  Each's week's focus is given below:
August 28 - Introduction: Why do we interpret and study the Bible?
September 4 - Researching Contexts: How do we discover more about the biblical author and audience?
September 11 - Analyzing the Text: How do I dig deep into the text?
September 18 - Determining Meaning: How do I combine all these to come up with meaning?
September 25 - Application: How do I live out these truths in my life?

Dreamer: The Life of Joseph
by Martha Aschenbrenner, Dale Davidson, Garnet Gunn, Tronie Gunn, Rachel Venzant
7th-8th grade (Achenbrenner, Ray, Venzant,); 9th-12th grade (Davidson, Gunn, Gunn, Ray)
October 2, 2011 - December 18, 2011
Dreamer is a leader-facilitated study on the life and events of Joseph.  Not only is this story one of the jewels of Bible history, it is also one of the greatest account of God's ability to "work out all things for the good of those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).  Students will be encouraged to use the tools provided for them during the previous 5-week study on "How to Interpret and Study the Bible" in order to bring the events of this story to life.  Students WILL be given assignments to work on during the week prior to their next Bible study class.
October 2 - Genesis 37: Big Mouth
October 9 - Genesis 38: Pause for Judah
October 16 - Genesis 39 & 40: False Accusations
October 23 - Genesis 41: Pharoah Dreams
October 30 - Genesis 42: The Confrontation, I
November 6 - Genesis 43: The Confrontation, II
November 13 - Genesis 44 & 45: The Climax
November 20 - Genesis 46: Egypt Again
November 27 - Genesis 47: Famine...Again
December 4 - Genesis 48 & 49: Blessings
December 11 - Genesis 50: The End
December 18 - Overview and Application

Radical for Teens - David Platt
by Martha Aschenbrenner, Dale Davidson, Garnet Gunn, Tronie Gunn, Rachel Venzant
7th-8th grade (Achenbrenner, Ray, Venzant,); 9th-12th grade (Davidson, Gunn, Gunn, Ray)
Website: http://radicalforteens.com/Radical-for-Teens/Home
January 8, 2012 - February 26, 2012
"Radical for Teens" is an 8-week study for based off of the best-selling book by David Platt, Radical.  In it, teenagers will be exposed to what the Bible says about truly following Christ rather than the us-based, success-driven model of Christianity that has replaced real, transformative worship in the Church today.  It will challenge teens to dig deep and ask themselves, "Have I traded Christ for the Christianized form of the American Dream?". 

Surrender - Francis Chan
by Martha Aschenbrenner, Dale Davidson, Garnet Gunn, Tronie Gunn, Rachel Venzant
7th-8th grade (Achenbrenner, Ray, Venzant,); 9th-12th grade (Davidson, Gunn, Gunn, Ray)
Website: http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Youth_Group_Video_Bible_Studies/5356/2012_Youth_Ministry_Video_Kit_with_Francis_Chan_David_Nasser_and_Joshua_Harris/xcid=1000
March 4, 2012 - March 25, 2012
Surrender is a four-week video-based series that asks the quesion, "What are you holding on to?".  Each session begins with a 20 minute video that features the real life stories of teenagers as they struggled with various sins and surrendered those things to Christ.  The sessions are followed by discussion and questions led by adult leaders. 
March 4 - Surrender Stuff
March 11 - Surrender Status
March 18 - Surrender Sin
March 25 - Surrender Self

King David - David Nasser
by Martha Aschenbrenner, Dale Davidson, Garnet Gunn, Tronie Gunn, Rachel Venzant
7th-8th grade (Achenbrenner, Ray, Venzant,); 9th-12th grade (Davidson, Gunn, Gunn, Ray)
Website: http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Youth_Group_Video_Bible_Studies/5356/2012_Youth_Ministry_Video_Kit_with_Francis_Chan_David_Nasser_and_Joshua_Harris/xcid=1000
April 8, 2012 - April 29, 2012
This video based series works much in the same way like "Surrender" in that students will begin the session by watching a video, then separating into their Bible study classes for small group discussion and questions led by their adult leaders.  This series highlights the heights and depths of the life of David, King of Israel. 
April 8 - Overcoming our Giants
April 15 - When Life Isn't Fair
April 22 - Things You Never Thought You'd Do
April 28 - One True Friend

Dig Down Deep - Joshua Harris
by Martha Aschenbrenner, Dale Davidson, Garnet Gunn, Tronie Gunn, Rachel Venzant
7th-8th grade (Achenbrenner, Ray, Venzant,); 9th-12th grade (Davidson, Gunn, Gunn, Ray)
Website: http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Youth_Group_Video_Bible_Studies/5356/2012_Youth_Ministry_Video_Kit_with_Francis_Chan_David_Nasser_and_Joshua_Harris/xcid=1000
May 6, 2012 - May 27, 2012
The final series of the video-based studies trio is "Dig Down Deep", a series that challenges students to really think about the struggles and doubts that they have when it comes to their faith.  Students are challenged to use scripture in order to root their lives and faith in Jesus Christ. 
May 6 - What are you building you life on?
May 13 - The Importance of Knowing God
May 20 - How God Makes Us Right
May 27 - How We Change