I was fortunate while growing up to have Bible publications and study resources around the house. Material written by Guy N. Woods, Gus Nichols, Bobby Duncan, and other faithful preachers and teachers was always near. Articles about doctrine, Christian living, worship, and the Church were right at our finger tips. Good Godly material was beneficial in our home while growing up, and the benefits continue today. This article has a twofold purpose: (1) to emphasize the need for good study material and (2) to recommend a new series of class books being released.
Good material has always stimulated students in their studies. If I knew nothing about Brother Camp, these quotes would peak my interest in studying the Book of Matthew:
“We begin the study of the greatest sermon that has ever been preached. This sermon becomes the basis of the preaching that’s found in the book of Acts. The basis of the preaching that the apostles did when they went out into the great commission and we need to take some time to study this sermon carefully”.
“I’d like for us to think about that the things, the attitudes and the principles that are set forth in the Sermon on the Mount is giving us a picture of the inside of a man or the person that has believed and repented and been baptized in the book of Acts. If you want to find out what one is to be like, the principles are given in this Sermon on the Mount. We have taught, rightly so, that one must be a citizen in the kingdom that started Pentecost in order to be saved. But not only must one be a citizen in the kingdom, he must be a particular kind of person that is a citizen.”
“That’s the reason that I told you when we started this book. This book will upset you. If you are in earnest about going to heaven it’ll upset you. It won’t let you just go along from day to day and be the same. It’ll dig around the root of where we live. It’ll make us look on the inside and examine what we are like on the inside. It’ll make us think about what we are. That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s what we need to do. That’s what we must do.”
The benefits of good material are limitless. Reading and studying good material will help us mature in God’s word. Paul told Timothy “to study or give diligence” in 2 Timothy 2:15. Peter said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). Our familiarity with scripture is enhanced through Bible study. Peter uses an expression, “But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off…” (2 Peter 1:9). Today, blindness of scripture, typically speaks to one’s spiritual immaturity. Good material also challenges us to grow. I remember my first day of preaching school at Memphis School of Preaching. I thought, as many young preacher students do, I knew it all. It didn’t take long to realize just how little I really knew! I was overwhelmed with good material while in school and it helped build my foundation and stimulated spiritual growth. Good, scriptural material can do that.
Good material helps Christians to ascertain and to maintain the truth as well. Good writers help point us to the truth and help us see the validity of searching the scriptures for answers. Studying with good writers will guide us into areas of study that we might not have gone. Good material helps broaden our minds.
I have pointed out the necessity and benefits of good material, and now I would like to recommend a new series of material. Brother Franklin Camp’s material, Redemption through the Bible, is being bound into book form and formatted into a Bible class series. While the material is geared towards adults, it could be used for High School aged teens as well. It will be at least a five year series to study the complete Bible. Over a five year span Brother, Inc. will be producing this material, with one Old Testament book and one New Testament book released each quarter. We are very excited about the opportunity to produce this material and any profit that is gained from its sale will be used to put preacher students through faithful schools. Each book will be Brother Camp’s material condensed for spacing. That is why, especially for teachers, we suggest that you also get a set of Brother Camp’s CDs, so that you will have every word he spoke. It is our hope and prayer that this material will be a great benefit to Brothers and Sisters in Christ everywhere.
We are thankful to have Christian Family Bookstore to handle all of the material for us. If you would like more information, you can contact us or Christian Family Bookstore. To order, call Christian Family Bookstore at 1-800-782-8175.
Submitted by: Ronnie Hayes
