Christians on the Side of Israel (CSI) has published a new course on Israel that addresses key questions surrounding Israel from a biblical perspective. It covers topics such as Israel's election, the history of the covenant, its dispersion and restoration, and the role all of this plays in personal faith. Dr. Tobias Krämer, head of the Theology and Church department at CSI, explains in a conversation with Anja Weippert what makes this new Bible course on Israel so special.
Anja Weippert: Tobias, CSI's "Discovering Israel: A Bible Course for Small Groups" has just been published. What is it about?
Dr. Tobias Krämer: CSI has long offered a basic course on Israel, which has been very well received. However, it was becoming increasingly outdated and needed to be revised. We then decided to develop a completely new course that is shorter, more contemporary, and better suited for small groups. This seemed like the better option.
How exactly does this Bible course work?
The course consists of video lectures, a participant booklet, and a leader's guide. The lectures lay the foundation for the teaching methods – concise, memorable, and to the point. These are watched together at the beginning of each session. The participant booklet offers background information, discussion prompts, practical exercises, compelling quotes, photos, text excerpts, and more. Each participant receives a copy and can use it both individually and in the group.
The leader's guide provides leaders and pastors with support on how to conduct the course and structure the meetings. If you don't have a group, you can even work through the course on your own. While you'll miss out on the group dynamic, it's still possible. The entire package is available in our shop.
Your book "The Israel Project" was published last year, and the Israel Academy, also founded in 2023, is attracting more and more participants. Why is this new format necessary?
That's an important question. The book can be read like any other book and provides a profound overview of the entire history of salvation – from Abraham to the Book of Revelation. Israel is the central theme. At the academy, participants first attend the basic level, which consists of ten online evenings. Those who wish to learn more afterward can register for the advanced level. "Academy" means: People come to us.
The basic course works in exactly the opposite way: We come to the communities, so to speak. We provide the course, and anyone can conduct it in their own environment. This is even possible without extensive prior knowledge. You can simply form a course group or conduct the course with a house group, at a women's breakfast, a men's group, or during a retreat.
If you want to scale it up, you can even turn it into a community program: The pastor preaches the core messages on Sundays, and the small groups work on them throughout the week. All of this runs completely independently of CSI – the course is in the hands of the local people.
How can one get the most benefit from the Bible course?
By engaging thoroughly with the content. Let me put it another way: If you only half-listen to the lectures, then aimlessly flip through the course booklet and ultimately just look at the pictures, you won't get much out of this course. But if you really work with it and fully utilize its potential, then you will gain considerably. Afterwards, you will be well-informed about Israel, have developed depth in crucial areas, have cultivated a spiritual understanding through exchange with others, and have grasped the essentials. All of this in a lively and varied way.
If you also read "The Israel Project" or another book from the course's reading list, you will have really gotten the most out of this course – and with manageable effort.
What would be your wish – what feeling or conclusion should people take with them when they close the participant booklet at the end?
Hmm, I need to think about that for a moment. Engaging with Israel strengthens faith, broadens the heart, inspires wonder at God's greatness, and refocuses us. Spiritually speaking, that's incredibly healthy, healing, and truly good for us. Therefore, I would say: with enthusiasm for God, who acts so incredibly faithfully, reliably, and lovingly, even amidst all the turmoil. And with a heart that now—alongside the many things that occupy us these days—also beats for Israel. Then the goal would be achieved.
Thank you so much for the conversation!
Further information about the new Israel Bible course can be found here . The book "The Israel Project" by Dr. Tobias Krämer is also available in our webshop . You can also find out more about the Israel Academy here
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 139. You can order the newspaper here . We would also be happy to send you several copies for distribution.
