Spence Bible Study

This website provides support and resources for the Bible studies offered by the Reverend Dennis W. Spence. Rev. Spence is a retired elder in the United Methodist Church (UMC) who attends services at the St. James UMC in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Seven classes are offered at various times throughout the year. 

• Torah Story - An in-depth investigation of the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, the foundational collection of five books that constitute the core of the Hebrew Bible and the Jewish tradition.

• From Canaan to Kingdom - A comprehensive exploration of the historical and theological themes of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and the two books of Samuel, the five books of the Hebrew Bible that narrate the emergence of Israel as a nation.

• From Kingdom to Chaos - A two part study of the Books of I and II Kings.

  • From Solomon to Jehoshaphat (I Kings) - An exploration of the dramatic shift in Israel's history, from the pinnacle of King Solomon's wisdom and glory to the complexities of the divided kingdom under Jehoshaphat, examining themes of leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of choices that shaped a nation's destiny. 

  • The Decline and Fall of the Divided Kingdom (II Kings)- A compelling journey through II Kings, witnessing the stark consequences of unchecked power and spiritual compromise as the once-glorious kingdoms of Israel and Judah tragically descend into idolatry and ultimately, fall to foreign empires. Discover the unwavering prophetic voices who warned them and the profound lessons their decline offers for our own lives today. 

•  Jonah, Job, and James - This study explores the profound questions raised in Jonah, Job, and James: Jonah, a prophet who questioned God's loyalty to justice and Israel; Job, a righteous man who wrestled with God's righteousness; and James, a faithful follower who challenged the value of faith without works. Together, these books reveal the complexity of faith, justice, and human responsibility in the divine narrative. 

• Jesus and The Gospels Four - An examination of the diverse representations and interpretations of Jesus in the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament.

• Revelation as History, Mystery, and Eternal Hope - A comparative analysis of the different perspectives on the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible. 

Classes are held in-person and meet weekly on the campus of St. James. Classes are free and registration is open to the public. A variety of other Bible studies and religious training curricula are offered through St. James UMC. Access the St. James website for information about these studies.

Each class has its own web-page where resources can be found. A detailed schedule for each class, including weekly topics, Scripture readings, Rev. Spence's Scripture summary, and other useful resources can be found in each class's web-page. Additionally, Rev. Spence often publishes a video version of his weekly lecture intended for those who miss a class meeting or would like to review the in-person lecture. Each class web-page can be accessed by the Classes menu option found at the top of this page.

Click here to be added to the mailing list for notifications of future class meeting dates and times.

If you have questions or would like more information about a class offering, please complete and submit your inquiry to Rev. Spence through this form.