Steps In Selecting a Bible Study Apprentice

If you are interested in growing your church (and who isn’t), you know the importance of creating new groups. In fact there is a website whose entire purpose is to stress the importance of starting new groups and how to keep them healthy.  If you haven’t been to the website, here’s a link to it – www.groupsmatter.com.

One of the steps in starting new groups is training new leaders. Below is a great article by Rick Howerton about how to enlist Bible study leader apprentices who will become the leaders of new groups you create.

Apprentices are the key to a Bible study small group ministry that grows numerically while also making disciples that make disciples. An apprentice is a future small group leader who is mentored by the current leader of the group the apprentice is currently attending. In almost every instance, it is best if the small group leader determines who the apprentice for his or her group will be. But very few group leaders know what to look for when determining who will fill this vital role.

Ask these questions to determine who will be an effective apprentice:

·         Are they fully on board with the vision of the church and the small group strategy your church utilizes?

·         Are they in agreement with the theology and doctrinal perspective of your church?

·         Is the Bible their guide for life?

·         Do they have the heart of a shepherd? That is, will they nurture and protect a flock/small group?

·         Are they engaged in daily spiritual disciplines?

·         Is the possible apprentice a person of integrity? That is, do they live by the ideals they verbalize?

·         Do they know and understand the gospel? Are they able to explain it? If not, are they willing to allow you to aid them in learning this essential aspect of Christian leadership?

·         Are they teachable?

·         Do the other group members listen attentively when they speak? If so, this is a good sign that they are already perceived as having leadership qualities.

·         Are they willing to fall under the authority of the church leadership, be directed by them, held accountable by them, and attend training and events that are made available to them?

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: 15 Books Church Leaders Should Read in 2015 - http://www.briandoddonleadership.com/2014/11/23/the-top-15-books-christian-leaders-should-read-in-2015/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BrianDoddOnLeadership+%28Brian+Dodd+On+Leadership%29

FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: 2015 BACE Conference, Johnson Ferry Baptist/Marietta, April 9-10, 2015 - http://www.baptisteducators.org/conference/

FOR CHURCH DEVOTIONALS: DevoHub is Coming! Church devotionals delivered directly to personal devices - http://www.devohub.com/?emid=BL-BSI-DevoHub-20141118

FOR NEW BELIEVERS: The Beginning -http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 2015-18 Plans for The Gospel Project unveiled – A Chronological Journey for all ages! -http://www.gospelproject.com/2015-2018/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Ordinary by Tony Merida - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/ordinary-bible-study-kit-P005644105

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: VBS 2015: Journey Off the Map Preview Events and Resources – http://www.lifeway.com/n/Vacation-Bible-School?intcmp=VBSSite-Shop

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: D’Now resources -http://www.lifeway.com/n/merchandised-landing-page/DiscipleNow?intcmp=DnowSearch-MTX-Button-ViewAll-20130227

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: LifeWay Girls Conference, Nashville, TN, February 20-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Student-Event-LifeWay-Girls-Conference-Nashville-TN

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin  -http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-sermon-on-the-mount-leader-kit-p005644877

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: What Love is by Kelly Minter - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/what-love-is-the-letters-of-1-2-3-john-leader-kit-P005635537

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event 2015 will be in THREE locations! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events&emid=BL-BSI-MainEvent-20141230