Online Bible Study

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On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Bobby Gruenewald about the Bible and technology.

Bobby Gruenewald serves as Pastor, Innovation Leader at Life.Church and is the founder of the YouVersion Bible App, which has been installed in every country of the world. As one of the leading voices in the Church on innovation and the use of technology, Bobby has been featured in The New York Times, TechCrunch, CNN, and more. Prior to joining the Life.Church team in 2001, he started and sold two technology companies as well as served in advisory capacities for various startups and venture capital funds. Bobby and his wife, Melissa, live in Edmond, Oklahoma with their four children.

Questions:

Tell us about your journey from rapper/entrepreneur to pastor.
What was the impetus behind creating YouVersion?
Why do you think people struggle with consistent engagement with the Bible?
What do you say to people who have issues with others reading the Bible digitally?
The opportunity for community is built into the YouVersion app. How can small groups take advantage of it to encourage and challenge each other?
How can Bible Plans help people engage with the Bible on a deeper level?
What is next for technology and the Church?

Quotes:

We were beginning to connect with Scripture more consistently in places we had not done that before.

It’s been a sprint of us racing to keep up with what God’s doing.

For many people, I think the Bible is a bit intimidating.

There are some things about technology that give some new opportunities for people to experience Scripture in different formats that have been very helpful for people in their consistency and their engagement.

The Bible has changed formats many times over the last few thousand years.

There are many people today who still cannot read Scripture in their own heart language.

It’s difficult today to have meaningful conversations around Scripture in some of the more public social media environments. We wanted to create a safe place for that conversation to take place.

We just see technology as a tool that can be used for the Gospel.

Church leaders need to be asking the right questions.

Sometimes the most effective thing to do is write it on a piece of paper.

This Episode’s Sponsor: Feeling unequipped for marriage ministry? Woo Marriage is here to help. Backed by research and designed with your church in mind, Woo Marriage provides Christ-centered marriage coaching for your entire church. Get your first month free with offer code LEADERSHIP at WooMarriage.com/FreeTrial.

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 Leading Small Groups.

Friday Features

November 17, 2017

For the Sake of the Gospel

Acts 15:22-24

Ephesus had become a second home for Paul, but now it was time to move on. From the port city of Miletus, about 30 miles from Ephesus, Paul sent for the Ephesian church leaders to gather for his parting address to them. He began by recounting past experiences with them. He emphasized ministering in the church with humility, passion, and boldness in the midst of conflict (Acts 20:19-20). He recalled how he had faithfully witnessed to unbelievers about their need for repentance and faith (v. 21). After reflecting on the past, Paul then turned his attention to what lay ahead.

In spite of the potential dangers, Paul decided to return to Jerusalem (vv. 22). He made the decision before he left Ephesus, and no one was going to change his mind. He reminded the Ephesian leaders that the Holy Spirit was pushing him to go to Jerusalem.

The apostle was unsure about what lay ahead for him. The only thing he knew about his future was that he would go to Jerusalem, that he would faithfully share the gospel, and that he would face opposition once in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had already told Paul that chains and afflictions were awaiting him once he arrived in Jerusalem. On multiple occasions while on this specific trip, Paul had received warnings about going to Jerusalem. Luke recorded two specific warnings—one in Type and the other in Caesarea (21:4,11-12). The Holy Spirit was preparing Paul for what he was about to endure for the sake of the gospel.

But Paul was all in. The warnings did not keep him from doing what he knew was required for the sake of the gospel. As Paul considered the cost of obedience, he realized that the greater cost would be found in failing to share the gospel. He had already been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20). He was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Christ, calling his life of no value when compared to the gospel (Acts 20:24).

When writing to Timothy, Paul compared the Christian life to running a race (2 Tim. 4:7). In this passage as well, he compared his ministry to running a race (Acts 20:24). To win the race, the runner must stay the course and keep running. Runners endure the pain of the race not just to run, but also to finish and to do so well. Paul knew that only through finishing well would he find true satisfaction in this life.

Paul’s ministry was summarized as a testament to the gospel of God’s grace (v. 24). He spent his life telling others about God’s grace, found through faith in Jesus. It was the gospel of grace that made the potential adversity worth it.

How does understanding the value of the gospel give a person the strength to endure difficulties that result from the gospel?

This article was adapted from Session 10 in the Winter 2017-18 issue of Explore the Bible: Adults. Explore the Bible is a book-by-book group Bible study that encourages participants to let the Word dwell in them and challenges them to live it out in their own context. Preview one month free at lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible

Group Leadership

November 13, 2017

Almost 88% of Vibrant Churches Have Sunday School

By Ken Braddy

If you think this is Sunday School, think again!

The words “Sunday School” cause people to react in different ways. Some people have fond memories of their experiences in Sunday School. They remember a favorite classroom, good friends, a beloved teacher, or asking Jesus to come into their life as Lord and Savior. Other people may have different impressions about Sunday School. They associate it with boring lessons, or something that “their parents’ church” does. In some places, Sunday School has gotten a bad reputation, and that’s too bad. Sunday School is a significant ministry that teaches God’s Word, assimilates people into the church, shares the gospel, provides foundational discipleship, and mobilizes people for ministry. And the research proves it! Have you given up on Sunday School? Don’t. Keep reading and learn what’s happening in vibrant churches.

David Francis, Director of Sunday School at LifeWay Christian Resources, conducted a survey of the 400 vibrant churches that were surveyed for the book, Simple Church by Eric Geiger and Thom S. Rainer. He was able to gather data on 94% of the vibrant churches (a vibrant church was identified as one that had experienced at least 5% growth for 3 consecutive years). He discovered that 87.5% of those vibrant churches conducted Sunday School adjacent to the worship service on the Sunday morning schedule. Simple and complex churches utilize Sunday School as a strategy, but how they utilize Sunday School differs greatly. Simple churches are using Sunday School strategically, but complex churches are simply putting on a program. David Francis and Eric Geiger identified several characteristics of simple churches that utilize Sunday School strategically. Click here to go to the article.

Ken Braddy is manager of LifeWay’s ongoing Bible studies. He leads a weekly Bible study group at his church, and blogs daily about Sunday School at kenbraddy.com.

Group Leadership

November 1, 2017

A Letter to Small Group Pastors: Why It’s Important to Count Your Numbers

by Boyd Pelley

Pastors are generally not numbers people. Small group pastors, especially, are more oriented to shepherding than accounting. If this is you, then measuring seems tedious, time-consuming, and not something you are wired for. You are more interested in reaching, discipling, and serving people. Yet I challenge you to think about measuring your groups through another lens. Here are three reasons to measure the size of your group:

1. You want to reach lost groups.

Lost groups are groups that don’t meet anymore or, when they do meet, less than half of them bother to show up. These are groups that are wandering around the open country separated from the vision, values, and strategies you are providing as their shepherd. Like the shepherd in Luke 15, you need to count to identify which groups have lost their way.

2. You want to build groups where disciples are made.

When you go to lost or struggling groups, you have an unbelievable chance to pick them up and carry them back to the vision and goal of Christian life together. Group members usually wander off course because of conflict, poor leadership, disagreements, or other relational problems. When these things happen, people stop coming; groups stop meeting. But if you measure and spot these trends in your small groups early on, then you have the chance to go to them, learn what’s going on, and help them grow in their walk with Jesus.

3. You need to steward your time to serve people most effectively.

You can’t do everything and be everywhere at the same time. As a small group pastor, it’s easy to only hang out with your healthy groups. In fact, if you measure these groups, you will quickly realize that 80 percent or more attend every time those groups meet. This tells you something is happening in this group that people love. They don’t want to miss—they will even plan their vacation around when their group gets together. These are the groups where new leaders are being formed; you want to stay close to them. But you also need to invest time in the groups that are in critical growth seasons.

It has been said that the best times for coaching in small group ministry are when a group: 1. begins; 2. goes through a stormy season; or 3. needs to reproduce to stay healthy. By developing a system to measure when a group is in any of these three seasons, you can focus your time and energy where it will count the most.

If your primary reason for measuring group life is to brag about your numbers, then you’ve missed the whole point of measuring. Good shepherds measure not to brag, but to reach lost groups, make disciples, and be found faithful stewards.

Boyd Pelley is co-founder and CEO of Churchteams.com. This software for groups and church management was developed during the last half of his 18 years on church staff as a discipleship and family pastor.

August 3, 2017

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 6

Welcome to the last session of The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We hope you have learned a lot through this study and have found new ways to dive deeper into the Bible.

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7^th.

Click here for Session 3.

Click here for Session 4.

Click here for Session 5.

Below are this week’s video and discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

Why is it important for us to recognize that Jesus is fully God and fully human?
When did you first encounter the Person of Jesus?
What are some ways we can wear the name of Jesus? Bear the name of Jesus? Share the name of Jesus?
Lastly, please provide any feedback on this online Bible study experience, including what you loved and any recommendations you have for future Bible study experiences.

Thank you so much for joining us in this online Bible study! We’ve loved going through this study with you, and getting to know each of you. We pray that you continue to grow deeper in your knowledge and love for the Lord as you reflect on His wonderful attributes and names!

July 27, 2017

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 5

Welcome to Session 5 of The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We hope you had a great week of learning and enlightenment.

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7^th.

Click here for Session 3.

Click here for Session 4.

Below are this week’s video, discussion questions, and your assignment for next week.

Discussion Questions:

What can we learn about God’s character from His name El Elyon?
What are some ways people can be held hostage in today’s culture?
Respond to Dr. Evans’s statement: “The beautiful thing about this name [El Shaddai] is that your mistakes don’t have to cancel out His power, because He is the God who can come through.”
How can we support one another in moments when we’re waiting for God to come through?

This week, read and complete Week 5: El Elyon & El Shaddai (pages 123-146) in your Bible study book.

July 20, 2017

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 4

Welcome back to The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We hope you are enjoying this study of God’s names and why they are important.

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7^th.

Click here for Session 3.

Below are this week’s video, discussion questions, and your assignment for next week.

Discussion Questions:

How does the metaphor of the shepherd and his sheep help you picture your relationship with God?
Review Psalm 23. With which verse do you resonate the most? Why?
When have you been in a situation when it seemed as if nothing made sense?
What emotions did you experience during that time?

This week, read and complete Week 4: Jehovah Rohi & Jehovah Jireh (pages 95-118) in your Bible study book.

July 13, 2017

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 3

Welcome back to The Power of God’s Names online Bible study. Can you believe we are almost halfway through the study?

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7^th.