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Bible Studies: How should they be designed? |
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Written by John K Fulks
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Tuesday, 07 April 2009 21:28 |
If one should start churches with the Bible studies, what type of Bible studies should be used? To answer this question, one must remember the long-term goal-salvation of unbelievers, established into a local church, that continue growing as healthy disciples of Jesus Christ. This means the studies should be easily multiplied and reproduced.
Why are multiplication and reproducibility important?
While in PhD studies at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, I had the privilege to sit at a man’s table who has been involved in training multiple generations of disciples makers all over the world. He made a good point. “Can one that is not involved in developing other disciples be called a disciple?” Disciples make more disciples. Therefore, we want a type of Bible study that not only makes disciples, but also helps those disciples become disciple makers. This is important not only in the knowledge of a disciple, but also in the manner in which he becomes a disciple.
One of the greatest problems hindering the multiplication of churches and disciples is the “traditional view of ministry” (Brock, Indigenous Church Planting: A Practical Journey, 1994, page 62ff). This view of ministry makes a non-biblical distinction between “ministers” and “lay persons.” The New Testament does not show the great distinction that is seen in today’s traditional view of ministry. We often feel like the preacher or church leader is the one to do the teaching and leading. While this IS one of his biblical job descriptions, and probably his most important, he should not be only one of a few doing this type of ministry. Therefore, which style of Bible study helps believers to be involved in leading others in Bible studies? This is what we desire-Bible studies where multiplication and reproducibility are easily done. Ask, “Can a teenage girl who has been through my Bible study lead others in the same Bible study?” If not, it is not yet designed as reproducible as one might wish.
Charles Brock illustrated one technique of Bible studies that has proven effective for both new churches and established churches. His illustration is not the only way to do Bible study, but it does get people involved in the Word. Remember, “The prolonged exposure of the receptive heart to the Word of God is a fundamental which cannot be by-passed if we hope to have healthy, New Testament churches” (Brock, Indigenous Church Planting: A Practical Journey, 1994, page 163ff). While this is not the only method of Bible study that can be used, it has been proven to work around the world in multiple cultures. It may well be the easiest method to bring about multiplicity and reproducibility.
What is needed for this method of Bible study?
Not much is needed to accomplish this method-the Bible or New Testament (possibly only the Gospel of John) and a prepared Bible study lesson, such as Brock’s Good News for You. Song sheets and Gospel tracts are useful, but optional. Another example of similar Bible studies are those found in Thomas Wade Akins' Pioneer Evangelism. These Bible studies have been multiplied into other languages and can be done so multiple times over. These types of studies can also be modified to be done in oral cultures and with non-literates.
To be effective in this approach, one must be dedicated to the INDIRECT STYLE OF LEADERSHIP. In this approach, the leader provides guidance for the members of the group. This has many benefits (see below). The leader’s attitude is extremely important. While he maintains control of the meeting, he does not speak all the time. He must allow the Scripture to speak, instead of dominating the conversation. He trusts the Word. He trusts the Holy Spirit.
How is this method designed?
This method does require thought and preparation by the leader, but not more than other types of studies. If one uses those studies already prepared, such as those by Brock and Akins, then preparation is minimal. It is desirable for each member of the study to have a copy of the prepared lesson. This is easily done by purchasing the studies (Brock’s are very inexpensive) or by photocopying what has been prepared. Remember, this method can be used very effectively throughout the life of a church, young or old. The healthy church does not stop evangelizing. It always is teaching the Word.
Basically, the leader has determined the topic of each study. The topic should be kept simple and narrow, especially in the beginning of the group studies. Like every good sermon, it should have only one main idea, only one question that it answers. In the beginning studies, in the pre-salvation stage, bringing people to an understanding of biblical salvation might take 5 or 6 studies. Brock has provided a wonderful example of keeping the studies simple, yet exposing the full Gospel to the members (Good News for You). One will notice that he leads the members to a clear understanding of sin, the need of a Savior, example of one seeking salvation, and man’s proper response before a formal invitation to become born again. It is the leader’s responsibility then to develop “guiding” questions from the Scriptures he has chosen to develop the topic. The Scriptures he chooses should be used in the proper context in which they are found.
The study is written to include the Scripture reference and the guiding question. Space on the page should be given for the member to write the answer to the question. The answers to each of the questions come directly from the verses read.
Scripture and question given,
Space for answer to be written by the study member.
Scripture and question given,
Space for answer to be written by the study member.
Scripture and question given,
Space for answer to be written by the study member, etc.
After one answer is found in the corresponding verse, the next verse and question is read and answered by members of the group. The learning is taking place by asking a leading relevant question, finding the answer in the Bible by reading the verses, and writing the answer. Remember, each lesson is designed to accomplish a specific knowledge in the member. The study is designed to bring about knowledge of the Word of God over an extended exposure of the Word. Keep the questions based upon what is found in the Scripture. The questions should lead the member in a progression of understanding. There should be no allowance for side issues or questions that are not important to the particular study’s topic. Those should be handled outside of the study by the leader. There might be chance for later studies on these issues, but do not allow them to distract from the well-planned sequence of studies while in the group setting.
A few of the benefits of the indirect leadership Bible study approach:
1. It instantly prepares others for leading this type of studies. Bible study members can quickly share the study and lead others to discovering the same truth in the Word.
2. It can result in rapid transfer of leadership. This is important in the multiplication of disciples and churches.
3. It promotes the authority of the Word of God. It keeps the focus on the Word and off the leader. It promotes future growth in members through the Word.
4. It begins the idea of “everyone a minister” by promoting participation from the beginning. The leader is not the only one involved in ministry. Everyone participates in the studies from the beginning. This develops a biblical-based view of ministry.
5. It promotes more learning and retaining of the Word by involving people more in the study. They read, hear, speak, and write. They hear, see, analyze, and do.
6. It allows anyone who has been involved in a single study to lead a late-comer in that same study to bring them into the group without them missing the lessons already learned.
7. After the initial group of studies, it allows the church planter/leader to oversee multiple Bible studies at different levels going on at one time being led by knowledgeable members who have already been taught, thus allowing for quicker growth of a healthy church.
While this type of Bible studies is wonderful for starting new churches, it is also excellent for established churches. It helps church planters and churches begin and multiply small group Bible studies that reach lost people AND disciple believers. It also takes much pressure off of the church leaders to be “in charge” and doing all the work of ministry. Remember, almost anyone who has gone through group Bible studies of this type can then lead others in the same type of studies.
Does this Bible study design require more work from the church planter/leader?
Yes and no. Yes, the initial studies need to be well prepared and thought through. More and more studies are needed as people become born-again and grow as disciples. This approach can continue and multiply the need for studies quickly as many come to Christ. However, there are studies already provided that can be used. Brock has a series of studies already designed and ready to use. These can be easily multiplied and reproduced.
No, the work load is often less after multiple series of Bible studies have been produced or reproduced. The collection of studies that a leader develops or copies will continue to be used by multiple groups and multiple leaders to establish new groups and new churches. Once one single study is used in a group, it can be used with other groups. ALWAYS KEEP A CLEAN COPY OF THE STUDY FOR FUTURE MULTIPLICATION AND REPRODUCTION. Others can use what you have done. If one is producing his own studies or copying them from another, he should never allow them to be used only once. DISCIPLES MAKE DISCIPLES. 2 Timothy 2:2 – “Pass It On.”
John K. Fulks
President, Global Theological Seminary
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Last Updated on Monday, 13 April 2009 20:00 |
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