Group therapy and a bible study group. What is the difference?

Especially if if the bible study is led by a pastor with a phd in psychology. So what is the difference between a self help seminar and church? Are the people who buy those self help books and go to such seminars weak minded and delusional as well? A person browsing at the self help section at a book stores is.... ? A person browsing at the spiritual section at a book store is....?

Group therapy and a bible study group. What is the difference?
Now this is an interesting question.


The answer is yes and no, depending on the bible study group being an emergent type or the traditional type.


The emergent church movement have been emphasizing "conversations" where there's no absolute truth in this postmodern era. I mean, they start all their "bible study" with "to me, this means this. and it relates to my life this way...etc."


A real Bible study studies the Bible hermaneutically, where the group trys to understand what the Author actually said and meant within the context and the historical and literal meanings behind it. In that sense, the true Bible study is not the same as group therapy. The true Bible study of the holy scripture that was inspired by the Holy Spirit has the Holy Spirit transform the person from the inside out by changing the person's heart during the study of its words, a supernatural total transformation in the preaching and understanding with faith.


We, the modern church, lost most of that in the USA, sadly.
Reply:Argh! yes, unfortunately that can happen, but I promise you that there are psychologists out there, that has taken the real education and not some "wanna" be exam.





The same thing goes with the AA groups. They use the authority of a pure atheist study to lure people into their folds. It is very very scary that misuse of serious educations.
Reply:Group therapy is usually for personal self help needs and bible study group is a brainwashing method of learning the bible. I'd suggest you just stick with the first option.


The two have nothing to do with each other. The bible is an evil book of war, lies and self destruction.
Reply:In my opinion, while I can see how they can have some similarities, the two are entirely different. I don't think anyone who buys self-help books or goes to group therapy is weak by any means. In fact, seeking out help is usually a sign of strength, not weakness. At group therapy, there is often one or more mediators (such as a therapist) and the rest of the group has people who have similar issues they are trying to work through (could be addiction, grief, etc). They are there to support each other and work through those issues. Bible study, on the other hand, examines a specific part or topic of the bible, and often looks at how we can apply that biblical principle to our life, but doesn't necessarily focus on helping the group overcome one specific shared issue.
Reply:The difference is the expectation of the participants.





Group Therapy has a focus on a specific behavior and/or challenge every member of the group is striving to overcome. In therapy, people are taught replacement behaviors to overcome the difficulty they face -- members are encouraged to use these actions to change habits and obtain different results.





BIBLE Study is an examination of the word of GOD and every member of the group anticipates that God will speak to his/her individual problems as they diligenty seek guidance. In biblical study, the participants seek to increase knowledge and anticipate devine intervention to change the heart and thereby overcome life's challenges.





Group Therapy and BIBLE Study can be good or bad depending on many factors but that is not the question you have asked here so I will not address these issues. To directly answer your questions, I will simply say we all strive to overcome something in life -- most of us have many things we could certainly do better. It takes courage to change and anyone trying to do so is a better person for the effort.





In short:





Group Therapy =learning new responses to create new results and utilizing this knowledge through strength of will while supported by others who share your challenges.





BIBLE Study = gaining deeper knowledge of GOD to change the heart and using this knowledge to deepen your relationship with GOD; thus strengthening your resolve to become the person GOD wants while supported by others of like precious faith.
Reply:one group studying the bible is too tunnel visioned. the other has more varied subjects like television.
Reply:ones free......and sets you free..(bible study)
Reply:your safer with the bible study.
Reply:The difference is that the word of God has power. If you do the will of God and are obedient, he will pick you up and make you stronger with his word.





DO THE WILL OF GOD


You need to find a home church, be obedient, follow his word, be baptized with the holy spirit, show your self approved and do the will of God (Mark 16: 15 - 18)


http://www.fcflighthouse.com/healing%20S...


http://www.mylordmysavior.com