In a nutshell, a reading group is a group of people organized for the purpose of learning about a topic and then engaging one another in discussion about it. 

Question:  Are there different ways to approach this goal?  Absolutely!  It depends on the preferences and abilities of its members. 

Question:  Can a PSL group use a variety of approaches, rather than choosing just one?  Absolutely!  In fact, you might think about adapting your approach to the kind of investigation you want to tackle. 

Here are some examples of different approaches:

Alpha:  Group decides to examine a book on prophecy written by a Christian teacher-scholar (see Booklist page for suggestions), going through it chapter-by-chapter, and choosing one or more people in the group to facilitate the discussion.  The idea is that everyone will read that chapter during the week, taking their own notes, writing down questions they have while reading, and then bring those notes and questions to the next meeting, where the leader will guide the group through a discussion (see page on Tools for Leading Discussions).

Beta:  Group decides to do an Inductive Study of a particular Bible text (see Tools for Inductive Study).  There are a couple ways a group can unfold that study.  One, they can have a person facilitate a discussion of the text, using key questions that follow the Inductive pattern of Observations-Interpretation-Applications.  Two, one person can “teach” the text to the group using the same Observations-Interpretation-Application structure.  Inductive discussion tends to be slower (due to greater participation by members) and allows for more variation of input.  “Teachings” tend to be more concise, more focused, yet less interactive.  It really depends what the group is interested in at the time.  Consider choosing the approach based on (1) what the group is comfortable with, and (2) what kind of learning goal you have in mind.

Gamma:  Group decides to do a survey of end-times prophecies so they can get an overview, or big picture, of what’s ahead.  So they use a list or framework (such as those on the Indicators and Sequences page) to guide them through a prophecy-by-prophecy description.  They might take turns reading a short passage about that prophecy, or, having assigned texts ahead of time, they could take turns giving a summary of the content of that text/passage.  That way the time won’t be taken up with reading, and some time can be given to asking and answering questions about the event.  The group might also want to construct a graphic timeline of those events, so that members can see prophetic events in relation to one another in time.

Delta:  Group decides to investigate a specific prophecy, just one event on the timeline.  They might start the project with a research question.  Such a question can give focus to the investigation and discussion.  Examples of research questions include: (1) When is the Gog/Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 likely to take place?  (This question challenges the group to find the best arguments and evidence for locating the prophetic event on the timeline.  (2) What happens to the USA in the last days?  (This question challenges the group to research the best answers and uncover the reasons behind them.)

The idea behind a research question is that (1) it gives the members a specific target, (2) questions require some fact-finding, and (3) it helps maintain the focus of the discussion. 

Investigating a specific prophecy takes the group beyond the Bible.  The project should being with the specific Bible text, come back to that text, and should look at other Bible texts that shed light on it (we should always let Scripture teach us about Scripture, such that we let the rest of Scripture tell us, for instance, who Gog and Magog are). 

However, an in-depth investigation like this will also take us outside Scripture, to such sources  as (1) current events (i.e., Iranian movement toward Israel), (2) geographical and archaeological data (i.e., location of Petra as possible hiding place for remnant of Israel), (3) science and technology (i.e., how a Verichip might connect to the 666 mark of the beast), (4) leading Bible prophecy scholars (whose arguments might be worth considering), and (5) Bible commentaries (where textual, theological, geographical, and linguistic insights might shed light on the problem under investigation).

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"Since the main thrust of Bible prophecy for

the last days is the rise of the antichrist's

government, understanding the global political

scene is essential to understanding God's

unfolding plan."

Hal Lindsey, 16Feb2006, "The Enemy Within"

commentary at www.hallindseyoracle.com.

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