Who We Are
Bereans of the Valley is a Bible-centered study group dedicated to developing lifetime followers of Jesus Christ. Just like the Bereans, we strive to set a positive example of how we should respond to biblical teaching, no matter who or where the information is coming from, to search and verify it through scripture. We provide support and information from valid and verified sources that are Christ-centered and Biblically based for spiritual growth and development into disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
To follow what Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Supporting Scripture:
-Acts 17:11-12
-1 Thessalonians 5:21
-1 John 4:1
What is a Berean?
Bereans were the people of Berea. Berea is a city of Macedonia located about 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica and 190 miles north of Athens.
In Acts 17:11 NIV, Paul referred to them as “noble” in character: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
A Berean is one who RECEIVES the Word with all READINESS of mind and RESEARCHES the Word.
A Berean is one who is open-minded to the TRUTH. The Bereans had an openness to the Word preached to them. They had an anticipation, an expectation to learn and grow. The Greek word translated as “received” means to receive favorably, to give ear to, and, in this context, to take up the thing offered in speaking, teaching, and instructing. This was the attitude the Bereans had toward the Word and examined them for validity.
A Berean attitude is a humble understanding that there is always room for refinement and growth in knowing the truth in the Word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit and using proper hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is essential because it is the study of biblical interpretation that allows one to understand how to interpret the inerrant Word of God according to it's original intended meaning.
When reading the Bible, it's important to first ask, 'What did the author intend to communicate?' Skipping over this question can cause misunderstandings and misapplications of the text. [click here to read more] - Ligonier Ministries
