In my opinion, the 2x2's collectively demonstrate a lesser respect for the Bible than do many other denominations. Every other young Christian I know was TAUGHT the Bible. A 2x2 may LEARN the Bible, but it will be largely without the assistance of the 2x2 Church, and depending on the family, the parents may assist to some degree. And if someone looks to an authority outside the 2x2's for assistance in understanding the Bible, their efforts are actively opposed, their intentions slandered, and their salvation may even be questioned. In discussions with true believers of many different denominations (Methodist, Baptist, LDS, Presbyterian, Catholic, Unitarian) , I have found the 2x2's to be the least Biblically informed. 12/96

Yes we go to a wonderful church nearby, AOG (Assemblies of God). We enjoy so much worshipping and praising God and I love going now for real, I don't have to pretend anymore. I used to think the Bible was a bit contradictory but now it all makes sense. We hear clear teaching about doctrine which means so much to me now. While a 2x2 I used to think the word doctrine was a bad word because no one ever mentioned anything about it. I didn't even know what it meant. The only time I would hear something about it was when some workers would mention doctrine and "false" churches in a negative way. 8/96

<you asked> When you were professing how did you learn about the Bible? Did you receive specific instructions from anyone? As a child? As an adult?<

Supposedly, we (my older sister and I) as children, resisted/resented the attempts my folks made at bible studies so we were drilled on what was said in meetings after every meeting... IF I didn't remember what was said in meetings or pay attention, I received parental rebuke, ridicule, or scorn. I was made to think/feel that GOD thought I was BAD, and would also punish me for not paying attention at meeting. I received many specific instructions if I was caught in ANY falsehood, for every disobedience, and for every indication I was NOT respectful of our elders, or was becoming "worldly" or participating is something "worldly".

As an adult, I went into the work at 22 and a half years old. I had some companions who "expounded on a daily chapter" in the homes of families with whom we stayed and some who didn't. I had companions who "read" the bible with me and told me what they thought about it. RARELY was there "study", nor was I made to feel free to speak up or raise questions. I did so on occasion anyway, and felt companion disapproval for having done so...At convention preps there was a daily bible study...only the older ones were encouraged to comment on the verses read.

Rightly or wrongly, I perceived asking tough questions was NOT approved... A few times some "older" visiting Brother worker was asked to conduct a "bible" study. Ususally such a study was merely a "line-up" on the chapter of the thoughts that came to their mind upon reading it.

<and you asked> Did you read together as a family? Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?<

No. Punishment for "lying" (ANYTHING PERCEIVED AS A FALSEHOOD BY PARENTS) or "disobedience" (ANYTHING EXCEPT BLIND RESPONSE IN THE MANNER EXPECTED BY PARENTS) was writing repetitions of a bible verse my parents deemed applicable in the situation. I think my record punishment was 5,000 (maybe 10,000--sure seemed like it! ...it took 2 complete yellow legal pads!) reps of "obedience is better than sacrifice and to harken is better than the fat of rams..."

<also you asked> Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?<

Sometimes, but it was only interesting once in a while.

<yet another question you asked> How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?<

I read the bible profusely from the time I was 7 and a half years old. I remember as a lad with rheumatic fever thinking "if ONLY Jesus lived while I was alive, I would get word to Him somehow, and He would heal ME! Considerable knowledge, little understanding.

<and your last> And dare I ask how much time you spent reading/studying your Bible when you were professing?<

Sure! I spent hours reading the bible each week by myself...learned it very well. Took my responsibility seriously, so I read for hours at a time...though not daily, more likely two or three times a week...usually...Can remember a few times not reading that week and feeling guilty for it. 6/97

1. "When you were professing how did you learn about the Bible?" After I "professed" to be a part of the fellowship at about age 19 (away from home, at college), I was given a Bible by Ruby Edwards and Gertrude Ruyter who had gospel meetings for me. Prior to that I had a New Testament and Psalms book which I read.

2. "Did you receive specific instructions from anyone? Yes. After I professed to believe that the fellowship was "the way" and professed to be a part of the group, Ruby told me to "take part" in the meetings but not to participate in the commemoration of Jesus' sacrificed body and blood by way of the bread and grape juice.

a) As a child? No instructions from the Bible directly. The basic Biblical concept from parents which was taught very forcible and effectively was to be honest; "never lie!"

b) As an adult? Perhaps I was an adult when I professed so the above answer may suffice, except to say that whenever I asked Gertrude questions, she said I should ask Ruby and Ruby said I would understand the answer to those questions after I professed and as I went on in the way. Gertrude was fairly young in the work at that time.

3. "Did you read together as a family?"

A) While as a child, NO.

B) When we had children of our own, we did occasionally read to them, but generally not. We did not know how to make the classical stories we now cherish to come alive for our children. "Religious books" which I now know exist, and which do such an excellent job in this respect were of the devil, or so we were taught by those who "have the rule" over us. Now I like to give such books to our grandchildren. Our 6 year old grand daughter now understands more meaningful content of the scripture than I did after professing for 40+ years. She drew us a picture which she explained was Jesus hanging from a tree and said "Jesus blooded for me!" Well, that was when she was about age 4. She has only had the advantage of parents who know this, and of attending children's education classes at the church they attend.

4. "Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?" The only "study topics" were those given to us by the workers; the typical "Wednesday Night Bible Study" list chapters, verses and occasionally topics. We were never encouraged or discouraged to have any other "topics" by the workers. There never seemed to be much to study about. Preachers go out 2 and 2 and meetings are held in the home, and all other churches are of the devil and their preachers are false prophets, and those people are all going to hell because they do not go to Gospel meetings so they can profess and attend Sunday Morning Meetings in a home. If this sounds cynical, I have not written clearly for this is actually the way it was.

5. "Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?" Although we had workers as guests frequently and for extended periods of time, it was a rare occasion that we discussed scripture. It was implied that this was what meetings were for.

6. "How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?" I read the Bible a LOT, and thankfully I learned a great deal about what the words of the Bible were. So, to that extent, I "knew" the Bible quite well. On the other hand, I read it through a filter. I learned the verses well which would help me justify the existence of our "peculiar" manner of religion. If your questions was, "What was my understanding of the Bible during my first 40+ years?" I would have said it would have been about 1-2 on a scale of 1-10. Now, after having simple, yet profound teaching and accepting the Bible for what it says - without any special interpretation, and thereby learning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace in the past 2-3 years, my "knowledge" is like 10 on a 1-10 scale. Definition of "knowledge" as I use it here is important. It doesn't mean I am so smart. My reading the Bible for a half century and never accepting what it clearly says speaks for my lack of smarts. By "knowledge" I mean I now "know" what God requires of me for eternal salvation. I now "know" what God's gift to me is. And knowing this makes a difference that gives me so much happiness and joy, it is indescribable.

7. "And dare I ask how much time you spent reading/studying your Bible when you were professing?" Since I am still "professing" I can only say that I spent a considerable time reading the Bible in the past 40+ years, trying to understand it but mostly for getting something to "speak" on in meeting. In the past 2-3 years we have read it much more and enjoy it so very much as we marvel at God's goodness to us, and his love for all mankind.

8. "....Well, you get the idea." I hope I did "get the idea" correctly and have answered in line with the intent of your questions.

May I add a PS? Thanks! I want to express my thanks to those on this list who have helped me/us to have a clearer understanding of the love of God, his plan of salvation (as differentiated from a certain manner of ministry and where people meet for Sunday Morning fellowship). I/we love you dearly. Recently we were saddened to be told by a worker, "You are associating with enemies of the truth!" Well, since his car was running, door closed and shift lever in reverse when that was said, we could not inquire of him more specifically. Perhaps we will. Perhaps not. 6/97

1.."When you were professing how did you learn about the Bible? Did you receive specific instructions from anyone? As a child? As an Adult?

````` No I didn't get any instructions from anyone, as a matter of fact, our Bibles stayed in our bedrooms, everyone was expected to go to their rooms with the door shut, to read and pray. But I remember how holy I felt, when any 'unsaved people' visited, to have my Bible OPEN, on my bed or bedside table. But then if anyone mentioned it, or asked questions, it would cause embarrassment, because how could I explain what I believed?

2.. Did you read together as a family? Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?

````` I remember my mother telling me Bible stories when I was very young, (likely the ones she had heard in the Methodist church, before the homeless servants came along) but by the time I was older and asking questions, there was never any Bible reading or story telling.

3.. Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?

````` Never! not even with my 'worker brother'. It was a thing to do behind closed doors, alone.

4.. How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?

`````NIL! except for certain passages, which was used over and over, and to my ears and heart only fear and more fear!!!

5.. You asked: "And dare I ask how much time you spent reading / studying your Bible when you were professing?"

`````My answer, "As little as possible, except for the frantic search for something to speak on, three times a week."

I could go on and on about the deceit and hypocrisy, that I experienced . I think you 'get the idea.'

Freedom in Christ,

_____ from _______

Ps. Of course, George Walker (as well as Willie Ford in Vermont who my mother and grandmother professed thru' in 1922) were some of the first workers in northern Vermont and Quebec, but there were others i.e. Annie Corcoron, Willie Sims, Jimmie Patrick, and many more. I have my Autograph book that have at least 30 workers names in it, dated 1937 to 1942. 6/97

The only time that I ever remember actually studying the Bible was when the workers stayed over in our home. The four of us and the two of them would sit in a circle and take turns reading from a certain book. Depending on how long the chapters in the book were was what determined how many chapters were read. Usually this happened for about an hour and I don't remember any discussion only the reading.

Even though my family had a 'bible table' in the living room or the main room of the house, where the worldly people would have had a TV, I only remember seeing my parents reading there. And my father didn't always read only the Bible there! I often found the latest copy of VC Andrews book sitting right next to his Bible!

I remember when I was 'troubled' and was thinking of professing, I tried to read the Bible to fit in with the professing friends. The only book that I could even come close to understanding was Proverbs and I even had a hard time with that. I remember when I was enrolled at a local Christian school, we had weekly memorization, and I chose to learn mine in the KJV version. I remember thinking how lucky everyone else was who was using NIV because they didn't have to learn all those 'thees and thous' but I could never bring myself to learn NIV myself because the workers had told me that the KJV was the only acceptable version all my life. So I never really understood what I was learning! Most of my understanding of the Bible and about being aChristian I learned at that school. I remember how drawn I was to the obvious love they had for each other that never had limits. I always wished that I could be like them but always looked at them as sinners, no matter how loving they were, they were going to hell. They all had problems with me and my beliefs, too. I often would just avoid any and all discussions on the Bible or being Christian all together.

After I professed both times, I never picked up my Bible. I was so depressed with the pressure that I was under that I never felt like I wanted to have anything to do with it.

I am so glad that I have seen the true light and can use or read other versions now that makes everything so much clearer. There are times though that I still wonder if I am reading something wrong, though. I guess it is just a sign of "withdrawal" and I pray that it will eventually go away completely because I long to know the stories and promises that are in the Bible that I never knew existed until now! 6/97

This is kind of fun taking a trip back in time to one's childhood. It helps in sorting things out when you look at what happened then with the perspective we have now.

These two topics are very much a "family" thing.

I have of course gone to meetings since I was brought home from the hospital, the earliest time of learning anything spiritual was from being in the meetings. Howard Mooney came to Oregon 1959-1960. After coming home from meetings my Mom would ask us what we remembered hearing. Being the youngest of course I didn't always remember very much, but listening to Howard was easier than other workers and easier to retain also.

I remember Boring Convention when Willie Jamieson spoke. This would have been before I could read, so I was very young. Everyone was so excited, Willie was going to speak, I remember the excitement too, I even told my friends, and when the meeting started, here we were sitting up attentive ready to listen with most everything he said going right over my head. I heard the words, but the meanings weren't there.

Maybe some of you remember the graces we sang before we ate. In not seeing the words, and not being able to read yet anyway, we learned them from hearing them, and as a child not knowing some big words, thinking they were different words, then you learn to read, and see the grace written out, it was so different from how you learned it.

Same goes with some hymns. "More precious than rubies can be", becomes "More precious than Ruby's canned beans" to a child. Especially if you know of a woman named Ruby!

My parents never read the Bible to us, never prayed with us at night, never asked us to give thanks at the table. I realized from observation that you didn't take the bread and wine at meeting until after you were baptized.

Being the youngest of four I decided that I didn't have to profess until the oldest ones did, that again was what I came up with in my own mind. Because of my many relative workers, we had workers at our house a lot. Even the workers in the field stayed over a lot. I don't remember having any studies after a meal around the table, of course, with a small house and four kids, maybe the workers thought it might not be the easiest thing to do.

I remember being very uncomfortable whenever the "truth" or scripture was talked about, since it wasn't a common topic in the home, usually when the workers came. When I was about 10, my Dad thought maybe he would try to get the family together and study the Bible in the evening. It sure didn't get very far, no one except my Dad and me came to the living room at the appointed time to study, so that was the end of that.

The only instruction we received about the Bible was in the meetings from our own listening, and if we had sister workers in the field. It seemed to me as a child that sister workers were the only ones that asked the children's questions. I thought that was because they couldn't speak as long and they needed something to fill up the time with.

I remember so vivid the evening I professed. The ride home in the car was the same as it had been when my brothers and sister had professed. Silence!!! No one said a word, which in our family was very unusual. Thinking then at night when I went to bed, that I had to get down at my bed and pray. I had never done this before and now that I professed I knew I had to do this.

Taking part was the most horrifying thing I ever had to do. I was so nervous and scared that I waited almost until the elder got up. A couple of times there at the first I didn't take part because I was so afraid. After missing giving my testimony a few times the elder took it upon himself after the meeting to tell me to "get up first" and get it over with. Forget it, I'd rather not give my testimony at all if I had to be first, so I didn't. From that time on until I moved away from home at 18, I didn't take part. My sister never took part all the time until she was older, and one of my brothers didn't take part either. I suppose the fact that my Mom didn't take part had a lot to do with it all.

I went to school with other professing kids. There were about ten of us in this one high school. One of my friends took me aside in the library one day and told me that if I didn't take part in the meetings then I wasn't considered professing, the same rule was applied also to my Mom and brother. She was the elder's daughter, most likely parroting something she heard at home. 6/97

Another episode at _____’s household that was so different than at mine. When I went to stay with his family, the guest would be asked to give thanks, even though they might be only six years old. There were many times when I was asked, and because I didn't know what to say I just sat there, after what seemed like hours, someone else prayed. _____’s sister was my age, and I remember the grace she said, "God is good, God is great, .....". I remember thinking that it wasn't right to pray the same prayer, it was repetitious. 6/97

Bottom line is, I wasn't really given any instruction except from being in the meetings and from what I gathered in my mind. 6/97

I professed as an adult "outsider." Frankly I'm quite shocked at the home life of you who were rasied in it. I had no idea that you did not have little Bible studies with your parents and the workers. 6/97

I professed when I was 11 and then we only went to meetings about once a month when some "friends" came by and picked us up. In the summer time we sometimes walked 3 miles to a closer temporary place. We had no other way as my Dad wasn't professing and my mother didn't drive. We went to a few gospel meetings but I don't ever remember any questions being asked the children.

We never had studies of the Bible at home nor did we give thanks at the table as my Dad didn't. My Mom taught us a few things and she taught me a little prayer to say that she had learned as a child, long before professing days. We read the Bible on our own (which wasn't that much) and I think I enjoyed reading it more as a child then I did when I became an adult. By that time I was just reading it to find a testimony. I've learnt more about the Bible in studies and sermons at church in the last five years then I ever did in my past lifetime.

I knew we were expected to take part as soon as we professed so I did even though it was terribly hard. But I managed to make it become a habit because I was scared of "losing out". I even considered offering for the work when I was 18 but thankfully I didn't.

Things were a bit different after I was married as we had an "open" home and the workers came and visited quite often. We moved around a bit but at one location we had Sun. mtg. once a month in our home, and then at the last location before moving here we had Wed. night mtg. in our home for 10 years.

The workers had studies with us in the morning when they stayed with us. We would take part reading verses of a chapter and then they would discuss it. I seldom contributed as I was never sure if I had it right. ____ was seldom in on these studies though, as he had already gone to work and usually the kids were gone to school except when small.

I remember one particular study with Mildred L. & companion about all the places in the New Testament that they use to prove that Jesus is not God. I had forgotten about that study until I was saved 5 years ago and found out who Jesus really was and then it came back to me so clear. That was a particular study that they had with us (I was the only one there) because ____ had told some new babes what he believed about Jesus which was Trinity. It sailed over my head and I remember the workers being concerned about making sure that I had the right belief that Jesus wasn't God. Since I didn't have a belief about it at that time it didn't matter what they told me I was in agreement. It was ____ they "should" have studied with, rather amusing looking back now. 6/97

>When you were professing how did you learn about the Bible?

Just by my own reading.

>Did you receive specific instructions from anyone?

No

>As a child?

Just that there was an Old and a New Testament. Most religious instruction was about the 2x2 way.

>As an adult?

Any instruction I received was about the 2x2 way.

>Did you read together as a family?

Not when I was a child, but I was in a divided home. In my own family (after professing as an adult) yes, we read together as a family and sometimes together with each child at bedtime.

> Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?

We were usually trying to find support for the 2x2 way, or obedience and submission. I now think of how little we instructed our children about how much God LOVES them.

>Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?

No.

>How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?

Limited.

>And dare I ask how much time you spent reading/studying your Bible when you were professing?

At first quite a bit...but I wanted to talk about what I was reading/studying. No one seemed to be interested. Soon my time was less and less spent in the word. After I was exposed to some 'born-again' Christians, my interest swelled again. I began studying constantly and my Christian friends loved to discuss with me the wonders of God's word. I still couldn't discuss any of this with the 'friends' without problems arising. Love, _____ ____ 6/97

Well _____, I think you hit a 'hot' spot with me.

>When you were professing how did you learn about the Bible? Did you receive specific instructions from anyone? As a child? As an adult?

The whole problem was I didn't learn about the Bible. The attitude I grew up with was, don't use anything but the Bible, and if you read it, you'll learn all you need to know. About the only specific instructions I got was when we had a worker in the field who would ask the kids questions before gospel meetings. After I professed I always felt so lost because I could never figure out how everyone else in the meeting knew all this stuff about the Bible! It sure wasn't in my KJV!

>Did you read together as a family? Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?

No, since my Dad didn't profess, this activity wasn't encouraged.

>Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?

Don't remember this happening at my house. When I was living with my aunt and uncle one year, we did have a Bible study with the workers when they came to stay a couple of days. I HATED it! I just felt stupid, mostly because I didn't understand so much.

>How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?

See above, or slim to none! (Loved those Proverbs! Could always get a testimony out of there!)

>And dare I ask how much time you spent reading/studying your Bible when you were professing?

Do you even need to ask! <very big grin!>

My grandmother would tell me Bible stories from memory when we visited her, but that was once every 2 years. And they had a definite 2x2 slant.

I have learned so much more in the past 7 years than I ever did the preceding 30 going to meeting. I've discovered Bibles with FOOTNOTES! I'm in, and have attended Sunday school classes where we actually learn about the Bible. The history, how to apply it to my life, etc. My kids have a better understanding of the Bible than I did at their age. Which thrills me, but at the same time makes me sad that I've lost so much time. I'm just thankful that I'm learning NOW, and not years from now! 6/97

In my beginning I read the Bible a lot as I hadn’t ever read it before I met the "Truth." But after a couple of years I seemed to know it well enough that I could "wing" it for meeting. Once I learned about the meeting in the home and the homeless preachers I pretty well had it down pat!

Sometimes the workers would bring up the last study or the next upcoming study when they were in our home. Sometimes they would talk about it a bit. More often they just talked about the outsiders who were coming to their Gospel meetings.

As the years went on I felt more and more guilty for not reading and praying enough. I felt close to God, but not to Jesus.

Now that I have left the fellowship I have a deep relationship with my Lord and Savior. I understand God’s plan of salvation by grace and He means so much to me.

Now that I understand the basics (who Jesus is, what salvation is all about and what MY part is, and where the law comes in) I can understand the Bible when I read. NOW I can talk to other Christians and actually enter into the joy they have and the knowledge they have. Praise God! 6/97

I knew next to nothing about the Bible when I professed, and learnt very little thereafter. I did not receive specific instructions from anyone, and for many years only had a New Testament (Dad said this was quite ample). I didn't even realise until well into my teens that the Gospels all told the life of Jesus from different writers. (!!!) I had no knowledge of the Old Testament at all, except the creation in the first few chapters of Genesis.

>Did you read together as a family? Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?

Nope. Not that I can ever remember. I can remember asking a few difficult questions about the Bible when I was very young, but don't remember discussing the Bible at all when I professed.

>Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?

Nope. Never.

>How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?

Absolutely terrible. I didn't realise until I stopped professing how little I really knew. The first time I went to a Youth Group Bible Study with my husband (then boyfriend), I was asked by the leader to read a portion of scripture from Romans. I flipped around for a while, and eventually said "Where's Romans?" Everyone went very silent and looked at me, and David took my Bible and found it for me. I later heard that they had all been quite stunned. (She went to some church her whole life and doesn't even know where the books of the New Testament are?). This was a very embarrassing incident, but has become a real family joke (among my in-laws). Nowadays when we read Romans in church or Bible study, David will lean over and whisper in my ear "Where's Romans?" :-)

My lack of Biblical knowledge has been a great source of embarrassment to me, even though I learnt more in one year at my current church than in my whole life in the 2x2s. I am still trying to catch up on reading the Old Testament, something I had never really looked at before.

>>And dare I ask how much time you spent reading/studying your Bible when you were professing?

I had not really read the Bible much at all before I professed, but tried to read a chapter everyday when I did. This I usually failed in miserably, and got frustrated trying to find something late Saturday night (or early Sunday morning) for the meeting. With so little knowledge and understanding, I often went to one of the parables or psalms.

I still can't get over how little I knew after growing up going to at least 3 meetings per week! The average 5 year old in Sunday school knew more than me. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone to Sunday School when I first joined my church... to try and catch up! 6/97 Love to all, ______ .[Actually a lot of church’s have ADULT Sunday school classes.]

Often when the friends are professing they feel like they really know a lot about the Bible. It comes as a shock to them that they have a very poor grounding in the Bible. 6/97

I knew the books of the bible before I could tie my shoe laces. My mom was diligent in teaching me them because the workers would ask the kids to rattle them off in meeting. I learned the stories from the Bible (Samson, Moses, David, etc...) from my mother. She would read to my sister and I out of a children's illustrated Bible. I learned everything else at the feet of the workers. When I was about 8th grade I remember getting a book out of my Jr. high library about the Bible. It was written by Isaac Aimov. I remember beginning to question some stuff regarding the authenticity of certain things.

<<Did you read together as a family? Did you have certain family study topics or discussions about the Bible?>>

Except for the above mentioned reading by mother (maybe until I was 10), we did not read the Bible together as a family. We did not study the Bible together. We really did not discuss the Bible.

<<Did you study the Bible with the workers when they were in your homes?>>

The workers always did a "study" with my family when they were in our home. We would go around the breakfast table, taking turns reading verses, and then the workers would begin talking about the chapter or selection read. There was a time when the workers (Joel Boyd and Jonathan Wright) were in our house non-stop during the hymn book project, and we had studies galore.

<<How would you say your knowledge of the Bible was when you were professing?>>

I really did not know a portion of what I know today. In fact, I think I only knew the party line, and the stories. After I quit professing, I did have enough knowledge though to be a pain to Christians who did not really know their Bible. I remember this one woman who prayed for me constantly (I found out later), and yet all I had to do was start going off about church in the home, unpaid ministry, no name for a church, and she and others were usually left clueless without an answer. It is so imperative for Christians to know their Bibles so they can answer effectively.

<<And dare I ask how much time you spent reading/studying your Bible when you were professing?>>

I read my Bible during the meeting while everyone else was speaking. It stayed in its nice little case the rest of the time. 6/97

I'll tell you about my *real* Bible instruction.

I was talked into going to a Bible study at an independent Baptist church in _________. I, like _____, felt this would be a breeze, since I would probably know my Bible MUCH better than anyone else there. (Probably even the leader, who is an assistant pastor, since I had heard that those "false preachers" all used "canned" sermons sent out by their headquarters.) I had read my Bible several times a week since I professed at 8 years of age (I'm now __). The first week I was shocked to realize that *everyone* else had worked further through the study guide than I had. They all had intimate knowledge of several Bible passages in reference to the subject being discussed. During the discussion (which centered mostly around how we could be better Christians and show others the marks of Christ lived out in our lives) I was *shocked* to discover these people knew more about Christ and were more sincere about yielding in service to Him, than *anyone* I knew in the "Truth." They wanted to serve because they *knew* Him and loved Him for what He had done in their lives, not led by a spirit of fear that they'd goto Hell if they didn't serve! I have been part of this Bible study (driving almost 100 miles each week to attend) for several months now. We're getting close to the end of the study guide and are making plans to start on another one as soon as we finish. I feel like my relationship with God has been renewed, reborn, etc, 1,000 times over. It's like a new life. I still attend meetings and it hurts me unbearably to hear dear friends and relatives giving cold testimonies about how glad they are for "the Way" and "the workers" and so little about Jesus Christ who died in our place that we could live!

With real love in Him,

_______ 6/97

I believe so strongly that SOUND teaching MATTERS. As I have said before, because of the WRONG teaching which I received, I believe I was guilty of quenching the Spirit as He tried to teach me and direct my life... because He was teaching and directing in opposition to what I THOUGHT I KNEW about God's plan of salvation and His will for my life. 6/97

I learned more about the Bible in the 7 years I studied with BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) than in all the meetings put together that I sat through for 42 years.

I told this to Harry Brownlee, too. Teaching is NOT the strong point of the workers or "the truth." 6/97

Bible Study Fellowship International, 19001 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258, 210-492-4676

FAX No.: 210-493-4111

Call BSF's automated toll-free phone No. anytime at:1-888-BSF-CLASS (1-888-273-2527) From San Antonio, TX, dial: 493-7310

We were told that the outsiders who claim to be Christians mainly go to church to socialize or out of habit; that they are shallow and insincere; or if they are sincere, they are sincerely wrong, like Paul. We were told they attend church to be seen of others and show off their fancy clothes and are trying to out do the Jones’s. We were told that they are not friendly, that they have no real unity or harmony and that they are constantly at each other’s throats, battling over scriptural details. We have heard them ridiculed for not knowing the scriptures very well: (teaching there were three wise men...when the exact number isn’t disclosed and teaching Jonah was swallowed by a whale, when Bible says a "big fish"). We were told that they are empty, unhappy and unsatisfied. We were told they are not really serious about serving God; that they just want to go the easy route and think they can buy their way into heaven. We were told they don’t want serving God to change their lives.

While we have heard many comments made about Christians outside the 2x2 group, many of us have had very little first-hand experience with them, especially those born and raised 2x2s. How many truthers and ex-truthers (especially those born and raised in it) can say they have been in a place for a reasonable length of time where Christian outsiders discussed and shared spiritual matters with them beyond a surface level?? Or actually studied with them? The ones who told us all these things for years are the same ones who intentionally deceived us about the 2x2 founder and history! Why should you take their word for it? Shouldn’t you check it out for yourself?? A safe place where there is no pressure to discover what is really in the hearts of those we didn’t/don’t consider true Christians is at a good in-depth Bible study like BSF. Here you can learn for yourself whether or not the Holy Spirit truly dwells within them also.

BSF is a VERY thorough in-depth, interdenominational, expository Bible study plan. BSF is an international, independent study group—not affiliated with any church or denomination or other group. BSF is not a place to socialize—it is similar to a college class. Expository teaching or study of the Bible is going verse by verse in chapter order, picking up with the next verse or chapter the next week until a whole book is studied. There are no collections passed or fees charged, and it is a non-profit corporation. BSF does not advertise publicly—word of mouth only, and personal invitations. BSF members are to use the Bible only—no outside sources, other than maps in preparing their lessons. There is no pressure to join anything—there isn’t anything to join!

Cheerio, Cherie

Cherie highly recommends BSF which is in lots of areas. If there is no Bible Study Fellowship in your area I suggest you tap into John MacArthur’s tape lending library. He is a solid Bible teaching pastor with GRACE TO YOU church in California. I think others on the List would agree that his preaching is sound doctrine.

This is a very economical way for us to catch up. There is a small annual fee and other than that you just pay postage to return the tapes once you have listened to them. You pick the sermons/topics and return them once you are done. They send you a catalog to choose from.

I used to listen to these tapes while driving my car. I’d be sure to listen to each one at least twice before returning them. About the time I’d be returning one set (I’d get 3 at a time) the next set would have already arrived.

I did this for a couple of years and I found him excellent and I really learned a lot.

To look into this call 1-800-55-GRACE in the USA and ask about their tape lending library. Or write:

In Canada call 1-800-565-2425

(Same tapes in Canada but you don’t have to deal with Customs by ordering from Montreal.)

There are hundreds of sermons to choose from. John MacArthur has been a Bible-based expository preacher for many years. Preaching/teaching is obviously his gift!!

[This has NOT been a paid commercial announcement!!! <grin>] 6/97

Sandi Gunther

Check out their site at: http://www.gty.org:80/

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