Archive for Bible study – Page 3

Expect God’s Word to Speak Twice

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (2)
Friday, September 9th, 2016

BiblenPenWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? First, God desires to meet the teacher in His Word before the teacher leads group time. For the teacher, that encounter is THE lesson. Teacher, expect Him to speak to you and change you.

Second, God desires more than reciting your encounter. While a testmony is inspiring, it is not life-changing. For needed life-change to occur in lives of group members, we must lead them to open God’s Word so they can meet Him. When we do so, God speaks, convicts, and changes.

WHAT DO I DO? Start your preparation time early. Seek a personal encounter with God in His Word before you put together your plan for leading learners to do the same during group time. I read the passage several times daily during the first half of the week before I open a commentary. I want to listen to what God is saying to me before I hear what others heard. My personal steps are listen, pray, commit, and obey.

Having encountered God in His Word personally, I listen for what God desires my group to hear and do. I put together a plan to facilitate their encounter. I may call, email, or text group members with a question or assignment. During group time, we open the Bible and listen. Questions and discussion are common. Lecture, if any, will be brief. No one but God talks more than half of the time, including the teacher. When God speaks twice, lives are changed!

Comments (2)
Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Learning, Teaching
Tags : , , , ,

Personal Development through Reading Through the Gospels

By David Bond · Comments (0)
Thursday, August 18th, 2016

bibleOne of the key Bible texts that has been used to describe the ministry of Sunday School is Matthew 9:35.

Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. (HCSB)

In these verses, we see Jesus focused on three essential actions that should be present in any Sunday School group: Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering. The great majority of verses found in the gospels on the life of Jesus can be placed under one of those categories.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Reading through the gospels gives leaders a great opportunity to focus on engaging people the way that Jesus did. A focused reading of the gospels helps identify key principles that shape the way Sunday School groups share the gospel, teach for obedience, and meet needs.

WHAT DO I DO?

  • Select a Bible reading plan that challenges you to read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in a focused period of time (30-60 days).
  • Create a method to write down the verses, stories, and references that show Jesus reaching the lost, teaching His followers, or ministering to someone in need.
  • Reflect on each of these categories (Reaching, Teaching, Ministering) for ways they relate to your Sunday School group.
  • Identify some specific ways in your class might improve in each category of ministry.
  • Discuss with other leaders and share ideas on how to implement needed changes.

_______________

David Bond, assistant team leader for the Church Health Team for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention

Comments (0)
Categories : 100 Small Changes
Tags : ,

The Art of Closing the Lesson

By Sandy Coelho · Comments (0)
Thursday, August 11th, 2016

So by now you have introduced your Bible lesson with an introductory activity that has whet their appetite and they are hungry to know more.  You have brought them to a time of encountering the truth of the Word.  This Bible study time is primarily about imparting information that they can wrestle with, ask questions about, and discover the underlying truths that are found in the Word of God. During this time it is very important to be sure to ask some penetrating questions that will drive the class deeper and challenge them to see the fresh ways that God is revealing himself.  The introduction and the Bible study time usually takes about 45 minutes of your hour long class time.

conclusionThe last 15 minutes of your class should be the time to close your lesson and lead your class from information to transformation.  It is imperative that your guard this time and plan to use it for bringing the lesson to a strong close.  This is an opportunity to bring all of the content of the lesson into practical terms that will help your students to understand the application for their daily lives.  How?  Through good questions! Through a focused activity!  Through dialogue/conversation!  As a teacher/facilitator, it is up to you to use the best method or methods that will meet the needs of your students.  These methods should help you drive home the points from the Truth and bring them into focus for day to day living.  This time of application should help to bring them deeper into the Word where the answers live.

Sometimes as teachers we tend to wrap everything up in a neat little package and send them home with all the answers but the best gift you can give your students is a hunger for more and a fresh perspective in how the Word provides the practical tools for living.  Now go and close that Lesson!!!

_______________

Sandy Coelho is the Lay Leadership Director for the Baptist Convention of New England.

Comments (0)
Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study
Tags : , , ,

Direction

By Phil Miller · Comments (0)
Monday, August 31st, 2015

bibleI really do not like Garmin.  We had purchased the GPS device while on a trip back home from visiting our daughter and son-in-law in South Carolina. At first, I became mesmerized with the woman’s voice, how she knew every turn in advance, specific conveniences were listed on the device’s screen. Wow! Then, it began, “Recalculating.” I missed a turn – actually because I was watching the shiny, new GPS screen and didn’t turn where I was told.

The more we drove, the more she interrupted, “Recalculating.” A little annoying now. Toward the end of our trip, her voice growing hoarse at my every misdirection, I thought I heard her say, “Oh, have it your way. I give up.” The lesson for me? The teacher (in this case, Garmin) is only as successful as the willingness of the student (me) to be taught.

Proverbs 16:9 has continually spoken inspiration to me at several turns in life, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I need that kind of wisdom taught to me. Often. With clarity. Even at times when I ignore it. It is essential for me in attempting to stay on the right path along my journey.

It is essential because the Bible – every word, every verse, every chapter, every book – is the only trustworthy essential guide for my life. For all our lives. Collectively, for all believers in community.

We may choose, as Christian educators or individual believers, to meander through our study of God’s Word. Or, some would take a menu approach, selecting portions that give us the most direction in lives at various stages – from preschoolers to children to students to adults.  Ultimately, the long-term success comes with having a map. A trusted source that we can depend on for perfect direction. Individually? Yes. Collectively? Definitely.

I cannot remember the first person I heard say, “The textbook of Sunday School is the Bible!” But, I know it is something I say often to leaders in practically every local church with whom I work. I say it not because I love to hear the sound of my voice. It is my consistent directive to listen for that “still small voice” of God which can come to us any time we are diligent in seeking His guidance through His Word.

_______________

Phil Miller is the Director of Discipleship for the Baptist General Convention of Texas

Comments (0)
Categories : 31 Day Countdown, Bible Study
Tags : , ,
« Previous Page