LifeWay

Group Ministry

Conversations on Group Practices

Church Leadership

Why Group Members Fail to Study

By

Bible study leaders regularly express frustration or amazement over their class or group failing to study outside the group time. Over the past few months, I have been collecting reasons for why some group members choose to ignore any encouragement to study beyond the group time. Here are the more common reasons shared so far.

  • I don’t need to. This segment knows that the group time will be a repeat of what they would have studied prior to meeting. They compared it to the college class in which the professor reviewed the content assigned to be read the previous week. Just like in college, once we know we can get by without any extra effort, we will take the path that gives us time to do other things.
  • I didn’t know I was supposed to. No one has told this segment about the value of daily Bible engagement. They don’t know that daily Bible engagement is the leading predictor of year-over-year spiritual growth. Unless the group meets daily, this person is being led down a dangerous road that leads to scavenging for spiritual food
  • I don’t think they want me to. This segment understands the unintentionally communicated expectation of their group leader: I do not expect you to do anything but show up at the group time. For some, the leader may not want the group to study outside the group time, making it easier on himself (they will not be ready to ask me any hard questions) or to stroke his ego (they need me to do the studying for them).
  • I don’t have the tools to do so. This reason falls on the back of the group member, the leader, and the church. Tons of daily Bible reading plans are available to anyone seeking a plan. Not all of these help the group member process the content being studied by the group, but there really is no reason for a person not to have at least some type of daily plan for engaging with the Bible. The leader and church are responsible as well because of their failure to provide a resource that helps the members study outside the group time. “But they will not use it” does not excuse us from at least providing something.
  • I don’t know how. Tools may be provided, but no one has shown this segment how to actually use them. As leaders, we assume the people in our group automatically know how to use the resources we place in their hands. Not so! Taking a couple of minutes to show (not just explain but actually show) them how to use the resource will go a long way.
  • I just don’t want to. There are several kinds of people in this category. The rebellious or disobedient know the power of reading God’s Word and they really don’t want to change. Jonah would have counted himself in this group. Another segment of this group is the lost. We read messages from those we love and ignore messages from people we don’t know. The same is true here; they don’t know Christ so they ignore His messages to them.
  • The reasons shared with me can be lumped into three categories: the expectations of the leader (or church), the way in which the leader teaches, and the short-sighted philosophy of group-time-only Bible study resources. Notice that much of the responsibility falls on our backs as the leaders. The people in our groups will rarely do something they are not led to do.

What other reasons have you encountered? What actions are you taking as the leader to address the issues expressed in the reasons you encounter?

Dwayne McCrary is a project team leader for ongoing adult Bible study resources at LifeWay, including the adult Explore the Bible resources. He also teaches an adult group and preschool group every Sunday in the church he attends, and serves as an adjunct at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

 

Friday Features

Friday Feature: Lamplighters

By

What would happen if you gave your entire life to Jesus Christ? What extraordinary things would God do in you and through you? Evangelist Dwight Moody (1837–1899) said, “The world has yet to see what God would do through a man who was completely surrendered to Him.” What if that person was you?

The book of Colossians teaches Christians why we should give our entire lives to Jesus Christ and what our lives would look like when we do. Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, teaches us in only four short chapters how we can give Christ His rightful place in our lives. Only four chapters, but four chapters that could change your life forever!

In the first lesson Paul affirms his love for the Colossian believers and expresses his desire for their spiritual growth. He emphasizes the fact that the gospel—the truth that changed their lives—continues to change lives throughout the world. His point? The gospel of Jesus Christ is enough for all believers, for all the world, for all time. Adding to God’s Word doesn’t strengthen it. It distorts the truth and leads believers into error. Now ask God to reveal Himself to you through His Word and conform you into the image of Jesus Christ.

1.Paul introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (Colossians 1:1). He included Timothy, missionary companion and spiritual brother, in his initial greeting to the church. What words are used to describe the Colossian Christians (Colossians 1:2)?

2. When the word saint is applied to the New Testament believer, it signifies our dual calling to salvation and sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:2). Alexander MacLean, a famous Scottish preacher, said, “Saints are not an eminent sort of Christian, but all Christians are saints, and he who is not a saint is not a Christian.” What are some other words the Bible uses to describe the believer’s relationship to God (John 1:12; Galatians 4:5, 7; 1 Peter 2:9)?

3. a. Paul often expressed thankfulness for other believers (Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians1:4; Philippians 1:3). What specific spiritual qualities was he particularly thankful for in the lives of the Colossian believers?

b. Name two things Paul did to express his gratitude for the Colossians.

c. In what ways have you recently expressed your appreciation and gratitude for another Christian?

4. a. The Colossian church had a love for all the saints (Colossians 1:4). The remarkable frequency of the word all (28 times in only 95 verses) is more than coincidence. It emphasizes an important truth. Please list the remaining phrases that include the word all and their corresponding verse references in Colossians 1.

b. What important spiritual truth do you think is being taught by the frequent use of the word all when it is linked together with the other terms?

5. The Christian traits of faith, love, and hope form a familiar triad (trio) in Scripture (Romans 5:2–5; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8). In these passages, hope is coordinated with faith and love, but in Colossians 1:4–5 hope represents the source from which faith and love spring. What do you think is meant by the phrase the hope which is laid up for you in heaven (Colossians 1:5)?

6.  a. What was Paul referring to in Colossians 1:6 when he said, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit?

b. The phrase, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, has profound theological implications, especially in the area of world missions. What do you think this important phrase teaches about the spread of the gospel (the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone) throughout the world?

7. a. Bible scholars believe God used Epaphras to start the church at Colossae (Colossians 1:7; note: Epaphras is a shortened form of Epaphroditus, but this man should not be identified with the man by the same name in Philippians 2:25 and 4:18). Paul was obviously impressed with Epaphras’s spiritual character. How did Paul describe this man (Colossians 1:7)?

b. Sometimes we view the biblical characters as otherworldly—people we read about, but whose lives could never be replicated. The truth is, however, that they were ordinary people who simply surrendered their lives to Christ and allowed Him to work through them for God’s glory. What aspects of your life would you need to surrender more fully to Christ to become a dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ?

8. Paul thanked God for the Colossian Christians (Colossians 1:3) and then offered a specific request on their behalf. What was it (Colossians 1:9)?

9. Some Christians are uncertain what God wants from their lives (God’s will). They appear to wander aimlessly in their Christian lives, unsure how they can serve God. List four specific things God desires every Christian to do to fulfill His will (Colossians 1:10–12).

This article is an excerpt from the Lamplighters series on Colossians. Be inspired to pursue a passionate relationship with Christ, and learn why you must avoid secular psychology, legalism, mysticism, and asceticism in your quest for spiritual maturity. Head to your local LifeWay store to get a Lamplighters study! Click here to find the closest store near you! 
Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 82: Launching Your Group Well

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:17 — 47.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | RSS

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian, and Brandon discuss how to launch your small group well in the new year.

The 6 “Don’t’s”:

  1. Don’t assume everyone you ask will show up.
  2. Don’t take the Bible study portion of the experience lightly.
  3. Don’t be unintentional about when to launch and how much lead time to build in.
  4. Don’t conclude that your winsome personality will be enough.
  5. Don’t be flippant about the schedule.
  6. Don’t create false expectations early in the group life.

Blog Post:

Don’t Do These 6 Things When Starting a New Small Group

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us.

Thursday Giveaway

Thursday Giveaway – Pathways

By

Each week on Thursdays we highlight a trustworthy discipleship resource that can help you in your mission to make disciples. This week’s post is adapted from Pathways. Fill out the form at the end of this post by Friday, January 4th at 11:59pm to enter for a chance to win this free resource!

The Security of Sovereignty: Worried You’re Not on the Right Path?

Have you ever felt that you were on the wrong path? Have you ever surveyed the circumstances of your life and been unable to find God in them? This may seem like an odd way to begin a Bible study, but taking a moment to consider these questions will help you begin your study of Pathways.

As we consider the Book of Esther in depth during the coming weeks, you’ll undoubtedly notice that God seems conspicuously absent. While the king of Persia is mentioned 190 times, the name of God never appears. The further we venture in the book, the more the circumstances will seem to be stacked against Esther. Yet when it seems as though Esther is on the wrong path, the invisible hand of God is always at work. The story of Esther urges us to trust God even when we’re worried that we’re not on the right path. Here at the beginning of our time together, let’s take a moment to address that concern.

How do you respond when you feel that your life isn’t going the way you hoped or planned? 

Even though this is a common struggle, why is it such a difficult struggle? 

If we were honest, we’d admit that we’ve all struggled with questions and doubts, wondering why God has taken us where He has or allowed us to face what we were facing. It’s human to feel these emotions. It’s human to lose hope. You don’t need to pretend that you’re superspiritual. God has seen discouragement and doubt before. He knows our frame. He knows we’re modified dust (Ps. 103:14).

In those times we just want God to show up to let us know He’s still there. We reach for Him, but like the wind, He escapes our grasp. His invisible hand eludes us, while His words urge us to keep walking the path He has called us to take.

But do we take the next step? Do we walk in faith? Are we able to believe the words spoken through the prophet Isaiah? 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, you Savior (Isaiah 43: 1-3, NIV).

A prophet may not show up at our door with a message from the Lord, but God has left us a witness in His Word. So how does God’s Word address our emotions and questions when we face loss and doubt? God is able to secure the promises delivered to Isaiah and to us because of who He is. To better understand what God does, we first need to consider who God is. At this point we need to introduce a theological idea that will be considered over and over again throughout this study—providence.

This article is an excerpt from Pathways: Lessons from Esther. This resource will help you discover the power of God’s providence in the midst of your personal pain, fear, gain, loss, and love. You’ll see that God has a purpose for your life, and He uses every action and event that occurs in it to make that purpose a reality. Fill out the form below for an opportunity to win a free resource.

Giveaway form

by filling out this form you agree to receive more information regarding this resource

 

Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 81: Jeremiah Johnston

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:59 — 42.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | RSS

In this episode, Brian and Chris speak to Jeremiah Johnston. Jeremiah J. Johnston, Ph.D., is president of Christian Thinkers Society, a Resident Institute at Houston Baptist University where he also serves at Associate Professor of Early Christianity. His latest book is “Unimaginable: What Our World would be Like Without Christianity.”  He also wrote the Bible study Unanswered, published by LifeWay. You can listen to him regularly on his nationally syndicated radio program, The Jeremiah Johnston Show.

Questions:

1. I heard it said one time, We cannot abandon the intellectual struggle. How would you define intellectual struggle?

2. How do you think the difficult questions contribute to discipleship?

3. How would counsel a group leader about how to navigate a group members unanswered questions?

4. How would you advise a group leader to lead a discussion that includes spiritual warfare references?

5. What’s the hardest question for you to answer?

Quotes:
The greatest thing about our faith is that it is holistic, we are always growing.

There is always a Pharisee in the crowd.

Where the intellectual struggle has been forfeited, that’s where faith becomes irrelevant to life.

We no longer, as a society, think in Biblical terms.

Jesus was all about addressing the difficult questions in his discipleship.

We have to give permission for our group to question our faith. Questioning your faith is not a sin.

Everybody has unanswered questions.

Questions create conversations, assertions don’t.

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us.

Church Leadership

Tips for Gospel-Centered Group Resolutions

By

“What are your goals for 2019?”

Once Christmas is around the corner, this question starts coming once again. We often feel hopeful as we look to the new year. We want change. To develop deeper relationships, healthier habits, new skills. But what’s often at the center of our resolutions? Us.

We can lose sight of Christ as we decide what we want to do to bring our change.

Instead, we can think a little differently. We can look to where God has placed us and our responsibilities to lead in these areas. We can ask what God might desire for our 2019.

What about the God-given responsibility of your group? Here’s four Gospel-centered resolutions to keep your group centered on conforming to the character of Christ well into 2019 and beyond.

Repent of our sins

“The present, the gift, is for all the people. The Savior from sins is for all the people; the Messiah-King is for all the people. Repent of your sin and believe in Jesus, who died for sins and rose from the dead that you may have life. “See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor. 6:2).” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 5).

Confession and repentance. They are core to Christianity, but are they always core to our churches and groups? It feels better to talk about how we “messed up” without going to the base level and calling the things that are sin sin. We can even simply focus on “discussing challenging topics” and “celebrating together,” both of which are good. Yet, in 2019, let’s add in a regular rhythm: confession and repentance. It might be seeking out a group member to hold each other more accountable one-on-one. It might mean gathering as a group and spend time in prayer, repenting before the Lord. No matter what it tangibly looks like in your group, let’s regularly repent.

Remember His promises

“All these promises and more are fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is not only the promised eternal King; Jesus is the evidence that God keeps every one of His promises, both now and forever.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 5). 

Sometimes, we can become frustrated when it seems like God isn’t answering our prayers — not in the way we want or in the timing we hoped. But what’s the bigger picture? Jesus is the fulfillment of so many of the promises of the Lord, and we can rest in that. In 2019, let’s refocus our groups on finding Christ in all of Scripture instead of finding our anger at the way we wish things were. Let’s not just know that the Lord is good and faithful to help us, but let’s find specific verses that remind us of specific promises. Let’s consider memorizing these veres as we keep our groups centered on the faithful promises of our Lord.

Remove our focus from success

“This is the radical reversal, the “upside-down-ness” of the kingdom that the church easily forgets. Every time she has pursued worldly power, forsaking worldly weakness, the church has parted company with Jesus. God is not magnified in that way. He is magnified by the pierced soul of His people, emulating the pierced hands and feet of their Savior. God is glorified when the church treasures Christ above all else and lives with meekness, even if that leads to suffering.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 5)

Often, we like to focus on the ways we can “succeed” each new year. But, where do we find success as the focus in the Gospel? Money, power, fame, pleasure. None of this is to be treasured above all else. Achieving this is not biblical success. Instead, obeying the Lord, being a faithful witness, seeking to bear each other’s burdens, being ambassadors of reconciliation — this is success. In 2019, let’s shift our focus in our groups from how we can be “a more successful group” in terms of what the world values. Instead, let’s try to focus on obedience, on prayer, on supporting each other, on treasuring Christ and magnifying Him above all else, even when that leads to the opposite of success and even suffering.

Recognize His fullness

“God presents His gift, the Son. And this Son answers the question, He solves the problem of their gloom—He will save His people from their sins. Their lack of justice and righteousness will be made up in His fullness.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 5)

We often feel empty. Why can’t I seem to be as productive as I want? Why do I get so angry at my kids? Why do I slide into that temptation, again and again? We are fallen humans who live in a sin-stained world, and we can be frustrated as, during our group discussion about our failures and the failures of the world around us, we just seem to see emptiness. In 2019, let’s flip this focus. Instead of being pain and incompleteness, let’s look to Christ in our groups. Let’s continually point out how He brings fullness even when we’re empty. We fail each other. Christ never fails. We see so much division. Christ is about reconciliation and redemption. We’re empty. He’s the fullness this world needs.

The Gospel? It’s the foundation to our Group. This week, we’ve been exploring for more Gospel insights to guide you in finishing out this year as we head towards 2019.

But your journey with the Gospel can go far beyond these posts. We have an entire Bible-study line that walks you through the storyline of Scripture to point you to the Gospel. It reveals how Jesus is the hero from beginning to end. Sound too good to be true? Try it. Find a free download of study PDF and video content here. 

Deborah Spooner is a Minnesota-born analytical creative serving as a Marketing Strategist for LifeWay’s Groups Ministry. As a pastor’s daughter with a background in Digital Communications and Media and Biblical & Theological Studies, you can find her at her local church, in deep conversation, or with a book or pen in hand as she seeks to know Christ more and make Him known.
Church Leadership

Hidden Gospel: Finding Jesus Beyond the Christmas Manger

By

In our Christmas narratives, where does our story end?

We start with the journey of a carpenter and his wife. We move into the no-room-in-the-inn, the stable, manger, and swaddling clothes. Then, to the angels, shepherds, and star guiding the wiseman. Finally, to the birth of our Lord and Savior.

This is an incredible story with power beyond comprehension. Our Christmas narrative often wrap up with praising Him: the Savior born, the baby come, and the Light of the World. This profound mystery should never leave us.

Yet, we can praise this incredible Savior even more when we see Him beyond just the Christmas story. What if Jesus was a thread throughout all of Scripture, shown as hero from beginning to end, not just the hero on the Bible’s pages only in the Christmas narrative and Jesus’ incredible ministry on Earth?

The Gospel touches all pages of the Word of God and deeply impacts every season.

“The Bible has its coda as well. But unlike the happily-ever-afters of fairy tales, this is one of expectation—not for the end to come but for the next chapter to be written. A promise summarized in three words: ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ (Rev. 22:20). This is the promise the entire story of Scripture builds toward. It is the deepest longing of the heart of God’s people.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 6)

1. Promise

We find Christ throughout scripture in promise.

“And as this good news continued to spread, the promise spread with it—the promise that tells of the day when Jesus returns to make all things new. When every tear will be wiped from every eye. When suffering, sadness, and death will be no more. In their place will be joy, gladness, and life everlasting as God dwells with His people forevermore.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 6)

The baby in the Manger came to give us everlasting life. This redemption story is woven from beginning to end as we see that the Gospel doesn’t just affect our life after death, but the promise changes our life before death. For? We are living in light of death. The reality that our King died and was raised again. That we live, knowing one day we will give account before our Risen King but that He’s also given us everything we need to life for Him in the here and now.

2. Perspective

We find Christ throughout Scripture in perspective.

“But for now, we wait. And as we do, we join with our brothers and sisters across the centuries as we long for that day to come, echoing these words: ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 6)

We waited a long time for the Christ’s first coming, the baby in the manger. But, through the Old Testament prophecies to the New Testament declarations, we gain a new perspective: he’s coming again. We eagerly long for that day. We find the Gospel empowering our waiting, changing our perspective to be one of hope: hope in the One who gives strength for today and is the reason for all days.

3.  Presence

We find Christ throughout Scripture in presence.

“When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, He promised Himself too. He is seated at the right hand of the Father (Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:1; 12:2) and He is also with us always, ‘to the end of the age’ (Matt. 28:20). When the Holy Spirit is sent to us, God is present, and that, of course, means that Jesus Himself is present with us.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 6)

Christ became present to us, in a new way, while He walked on earth for over thirty years. But God was with His people in other ways, both before and after. He has given us the helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). We know that Our God does not leave or forsake (Deuteronomy 31:6). We find everyday Gospel power in knowing that He is with us, and we can seek to bring His presence to others, being ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). His presence, so powerfully shown through the manger, has implications for us spanning not only into our preset but into our past and future.

The Gospel? It’s the foundation to our Group. This week, we’ve been exploring for more Gospel insights to guide you in finishing out this year as we head towards 2019.

But your journey with the Gospel can go far beyond these posts. We have an entire Bible-study line that walks you through the storyline of Scripture to point you to the Gospel. It reveals how Jesus is the hero from beginning to end. Sound too good to be true? Try it. Find a free download of study PDF and video content here.

Deborah Spooner is a Minnesota-born analytical creative serving as a Marketing Strategist for LifeWay’s Groups Ministry. As a pastor’s daughter with a background in Digital Communications and Media and Biblical & Theological Studies, you can find her at her local church, in deep conversation, or with a book or pen in hand as she seeks to know Christ more and make Him known.
Church Leadership

Year In Review: Finding Gospel Evidence in Your Group

By

As Thanksgiving slides into Christmas and New Years, we often slide straight through one year into the next (and the next and next).

Without pausing.

We don’t pause nearly as often as we could (and maybe should). What could happen if we did? What if we took time to look back at our Group’s year–in light of the Gospel?

We might be surprised by how the Gospel brought transformation meeting by meeting, month by month. At the year’s end, try looking at your group in light of the Gospel to find evidence of the Gospel’s impact in four areas:

  1. In listening

“This same heart of love, grace, and compassion is on display as God listened to the

cries of His people” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 2)

We see our God listening. Listening to His people and being moved to act and speak. Looking back at your group this past year, how have your members reflected the character Christ through mirroring such listening? What struggles have surfaced, but people listened to each other and were moved to act and speak? What was celebrated, and people listened to each other’s stories of triumph and praised? The Gospel is seen through each long and short moment of listening as we care for each other just like Christ cares for each one of us. This is Gospel evidence in your group’s year-in-review.

  1. Through faithfulness

“The God who spoke the cosmos into existence is the faithful God who keeps His promises to His people. He is faithful despite His people’s unfaithfulness to Him” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 2)

Sometimes, we can look back at our group’s year and see difficult moments: when conflict arose, when jealousy surfaced, when tension was high. Yet, what about faithfulness? What about the moments when members disagreed but agreed to hear each other’s opinions? What about when sin emerged, but other sinners rallied together in prayer?  What about when conflict began, but the Lord worked through it to bring reconciliation on even deeper levels than we knew were needed? Looking back at your group’s year, don’t neglect thankfulness for the evidences of Gospel-grace in your group’s faithfulness towards each other and, ultimately, towards the Lord.

  1. By light

“Jesus is God’s Word to us, breaking through our dark, silent prison and saying, ‘Let there be light!’”(Gospel Foundations, Volume 2)

Our God is a God who defeated sin and death. He is the Light of the world, and He brings light into our worlds (John 8:12). This past year, we must look back at our groups and celebrate the victories over sin. They may be daily surrenders of selfish ambition, complaint, or self-focus and daily choosing to be Christ-dependent. They may be breakthroughs in lifelong, destructive addictions to make room for life-giving habits. For these moments of light breaking into darkness in our groups, we can be thankful for this evidence of the Gospel at work.

  1. For worship

“But there’s one dominant theme: ‘You will know that I am the Lord’ (see Ex. 7:17;8:10,22; 9:14,16,29; 10:2). God let everyone know that He alone is God. We must not miss this overarching theme … God’s mission is to be known and worshiped.” (Gospel Foundations, Volume 2).

2018 may have been a year of deep pain even amid moments of incredible joy. Yet, how does the Gospel show itself in it all? We can see the Gospel at work throughout our year when we find the moments focused on mission: knowing Christ and making Him known. This results in and often comes from a heart of worship. For the moments that your group focused on worship through speech, song, and service, we can stop to give thanks. This is evidence of Gospel transformation.

The Gospel? It’s the foundation for our Group. And, we’re only beginning to explore this. Check back on the blog this week for more Gospel insights to guide you in finishing out this year as we head towards 2019.

And you don’t even have to wait till then. We have an entire Bible-study line that walks you through the storyline of Scripture to point you to the Gospel. It reveals how Jesus is the hero from beginning to end. Sound too good to be true? Try it. Find a free download of study PDF and video content here.

Deborah Spooner is a Minnesota-born analytical creative serving as a Marketing Strategist for LifeWay’s Groups Ministry. As a pastor’s daughter with a background in Digital Communications and Media and Biblical & Theological Studies, you can find her at her local church, in deep conversation, or with a book or pen in hand as she seeks to know Christ more and make Him known.
Church Leadership

How to See Your Group in Light of the Gospel

By

by Deborah Spooner

Gospel. We speak it in our churches. We hope it saturates our homes. We pray it impacts our groups.

But sometimes we become so familiar with the word that we lose sight of its power. The gospel is the profound, life-changing truth of Jesus.

“Jesus is God’s word to us, breaking through our dark, silent prison and saying ‘let there be light!’” (Gospel Foundations, volume 1).

It’s that moment when you realize your heart cannot begin to hold all the love Jesus has for you. It’s when you realize that moralism is empty and all of life is really about His life, death, and resurrection. When the light of the gospel transforms just one individual, it also has the power to illuminate your group, your church, and even your entire community.

How can you see your group in the light of this gospel?

1. First, see Jesus.

We’ve all been there. Tired. Close to burnout. Knowing it’s because of Christ we lead our group but feeling like we need a little more grace and a lot more of Jesus to open up our space, our time, and our hearts yet again.

“How else could you describe the creation of everything unless you’re first introduced to the Someone who preceded everything? That’s the whole point of Genesis 1:1. The God who simply is, who preceded everything and is not dependent on anything, created all that we know and all that we don’t know as well.” (Gospel Foundations, vol. 1).

For us to see our groups in light of the gospel, we must begin by looking at the gospel’s beginning, The Creator. The One who is not dependent on anything but who we depend on for everything. Before we take more gospel-centered steps, we must turn to Him, seeing Jesus and holding fast to the reality that He is the way, truth, and life who supplies all we need (John 14:6; Philippians 4:19).

2. Look through the lens.

What is the foundational, gospel lens? We can look at our groups through the lens of the truth of Scripture.

“The Bible is a God-centered book. We have been given Scripture so that we might know God. That means when we read Scripture, we should focus primarily on what we can learn, love, and embrace about God and His Son, Jesus” (Gospel Foundations, volume 1).

We don’t let our judgments, our complaints, or even our pride about our groups taint how we see our members and interact with them. Every thought that is not in obedience to the truth of Scripture, we take captive (2 Corinthians 2:5). This is our lens.

What does Jesus show us about seeing people? Instead of responding from our frustration, our desire to please others, or even our selfish ambition, we have compassion (Luke 7:12-15). We speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25).

We see people through the fact that Christ died for them just as He did for us. That we show the fruit of the Spirit in our actions: being loing, kind, faithful, and self-controlled (Galatians 5:22-23). That we love because He first loved us, regardless of if we feel like it or not (1 John 4:19).

3. End with wonder, not wondering.

Even when depending on Jesus and seeing others through the gospel lens of Christ’s sacrifice, we can still wonder. “I wonder if they’ll even make it through that difficulty.” “I wonder if they’ll ever stop talking so much.” “I wonder if I’ll ever be as good of a leader as I want to be.”

“When there was nothing but nothing, God was, and that ought to create in us a sense of wonder about Him that trumps all our other wonderings” (Gospel Foundations, volume 1).

At the end of the day, the gospel leaves us in wonder. Who are we that Christ died for us? Who are we that we experience reconciliation with a Holy God? This worshipful wonder can quiet our wonderings, frantic thoughts, and worries. We don’t have to question the power of the gospel. We can rest in the fueling wonder, knowing that it is by Him, for Him, and to Him that we live (Acts 17:28).

The gospel? It’s our foundation. And, we’re only beginning to explore this. Check back on the blog all this week for more gospel insights to guide you in finishing out this year as we head towards 2019.

And you don’t even have to wait till then. We have an entire Bible-study line that walks you through the storyline of Scripture to point you to the gospel. It reveals how Jesus is the hero from beginning to end. Sound too good to be true? Try it. Find a free download of the Bible study PDF and video content here.

Deborah Spooner is a Minnesota-born analytical creative serving as a Marketing Strategist for LifeWay’s Groups Ministry. As a pastor’s daughter with a background in Digital Communications and Media and Biblical & Theological Studies, you can find her at her local church, in deep conversation, or with a book or pen in hand as she seeks to know Christ more and make Him known.

 

Church Leadership

3 Ingredients for a Satisfying Bible Study

By

How would you like to eat a spoon of flour? Thought so. What about gulping down 1/4 cup of vegetable oil? No takers? How about eating a tablespoon of salt? No way? How about letting a couple of farm fresh eggs slide down your throat like Rocky Balboa? You’ll pass? But what if I mixed all of

those ingredients together and added some chocolate chips (and sugar) and baked them for for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees until golden brown? Any takers for some hot, out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies? Now we’re talking! Any of of the ingredients by themselves aren’t palatable, but when mixed together, something wonderful is created.

Likewise, every Bible study you teach has certain ingredients that go into it. When you learn to mix them together in just the right order and quantity, something great takes place.  Any one of the by itself is not nearly as good as when they are all mixed together to form a Bible study.

There are three key ingredients.

First, you need a strong opening.  Some educators call this the “hook,” while others use a term like the “motivation” stage. Whatever you call it, it’s the part of the lesson where the group leader captures everyone’s interest and directs the group members’ attention to the session title, the teaching aim, and a central truth that will be explored. Some group leaders will ask a great discussion question to open the study. Others will refer to a current event. Still others may show a video clip or read a quote from a book. No matter what the hook is, the goal is to redirect group members’ attention toward the lesson. Don’t make the assumption that people have arrived to your Bible study with an eagerness to learn and apply Scripture. You must get their attention first – this is the very first ingredient that must be present.

Second, you want to sprinkle in a variety of learning approaches. Appeal to your group members’ preferred learning styles and make sure to include a variety of learning approaches over time. Create smaller groups and use triads or quads to help group members open up and discuss their answers to a discussion question. Use visuals like a PowerPoint slideshow, a poster, a map, or something you’ve written on a marker board to appeal to visual learners. The list goes on, but the idea is to have enough variety over time that each of your group members feels you’ve crafted an activity just for them – one they really get into and appreciate – and learn from! An excellent resource to learn more about the various learning approaches is the book 7 Kinds of Smart.

Third, finish with a strong closing. If you’re going to create a masterpiece, you can’t fall short at the end! The application stage of Bible study is the time when you can help your group  members answer the question, “So what?” as they think about the Bible study. Give practical suggestions for applying the truths from the Bible study session. Make sure that the suggested applications are achievable and measurable. Take into account the spiritual maturity level of your group as you craft these. If you use an “ongoing” curriculum, the creators of those Bible studies have built this into each of the studies.

Creating a pleasing Bible study isn’t hard at all if you’ll base it on these 3 ingredients (strong opening, a variety of activities, and a strong closing). Think of your Bible study in 3 stages:  motivation, examination, and application. When you break a Bible study down into these three ingredients, you are well on your way to creating an experience your group members will love.

Ken Braddy manages LifeWay’s adult ongoing Bible studies, has written several books on Sunday School and group ministry, and blogs daily at kenbraddy.com