HELP YOUR CLASS MEMBERS STUDY THE BIBLE FOR THEMSELVES

The largest research project ever conducted on effective discipleship practices revealed that healthy churches teach people to connect to God’s Word, both on an individual basis as well as in community. But that connection doesn’t just happen.  It requires an intentional plan and provision of resources.  It also requires a consistency of purpose.  Finally, it requires time in God’s Word.

So how can you help your members learn to connect to God’s Word?

By training them on how to use a Personal Study Guide!

Why Personal Study Guides are important to a person’s discipleship development:

1.       THEY REMOVE BARRIERS.  When you hand someone a Personal Study Guide, you remove his/her biggest obstacle in connecting with the Bible – confidence.  Essentially, you equip long term members to become active participants and you tell new visitors, “We want you back. You belong here.”

2.       THEY ARE A TOOL.  Learning to connect to God’s Word doesn’t happen overnight. It takes intentionality and commitment. The Personal  Study Guide provides guidance and commentary to help an individual understand what they’re reading in a format that is easy to follow.

3.       THEY INCREASE A PERSON'S EXPOSURE TO THE WORD.  Exposure to God’s Word transforms a disciple’s life.  Giving someone a Personal Study Guide communicates that personal Bible reading and study is essential for spiritual growth and it provides them with a practical guide to approach their person Bible study time.

4.       THEY CAN ADD TO DEEPER DISCUSSION.  The Personal Study Guide expose an individual to questions that promote understanding and application throughout the week. Giving an individual time to digest the Scripture on their own leads to deeper discussion when the group meets weekly.

5.       THEY CREATE A STRONGER COMMUNITY CONNECTION. Through repeated exposure to the Word and to deeper group discussion, Personal Study Guide also helps deepen the investment an individual makes to their group and to their church.  As a result, the people in your groups become some of your most engaged church members.

6.       THEY DEVELOP LEADERS.  Every group has people who are already well equipped to lead, but may not believe it yet.  These guides demystify the process of preparing and leading the group conversation, giving the group member the confidence they need to take the next step toward becoming a group leader.

Ways to encourage a member’s use of the Personal Study Guide.

1.       Ask a member to be prepared to share a summation of a section of the study material.

2.       Email/Message/Facebook class members about their response to a particular quote on a page.

3.       Break class into small groups to compare responses to an assigned part of the study.

4.       Encourage use of the application questions in small groups during the class session.

5.       Encourage recording prayer requests in Personal Study Guide margins.

6.       Refer to some of the study questions throughout your teaching presentation.

7.       Ask a member to be prepared to present a report on a doctrine, person, or event that is in the Personal Study Guide.

8.       Tweet a quote (with page number) from the study to your class members.

9.       Encourage members to frequent the blogs on the curriculum’s website.

10.   Remind the class members of their responsibility in the discipling process.

11.   Have class members create accountability partners who will check on each other’s personal preparation for the upcoming Bible study through phone calls, social media, and email.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH & COMMUNITY – DevoHub, providing daily devotional material directly to your smart phone or tablet - http://devohub.com/

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Sunday School Matters by Alan Taylor, 12 sessions to build, expand and maintain a healthy Sunday School ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sunday-school-matters-leader-kit-P005792826

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Think Differently by James McDonald - http://buff.ly/2nIbKaO

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path: The Journey, Volumes 1, 2, & 3 are now available! Relational, Intentional, Progressive, Comprehensive: http://buff.ly/2fWPk2b

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Foundations for Adults, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-P005769893?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-Foundations-20170103

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: ETCH (Equipping The Church & Home) Conference, October 16-18, Register Now: http://buff.ly/2nw9Wpc

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Priscilla Shirer Simulcast, April 8, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Priscilla-Shirer-Live-Simulcast?type=events&ecid=PDM15267&bid=594041255

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Transformed Lives: Taking Your Women’s Ministry to the Next Level by Chris Adams - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/transformed-lives-revised-and-expanded-P005371579?intcmp=LWB-WM-transformedlives

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event -  http://buff.ly/2jvnImd

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sleeping Giant by Kenny Luck, steps toward beginning a men’s ministry that transforms men - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sleeping-giant-leader-kit-P005469852

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unfolded by Dr. Eric Geiger - http://buff.ly/2hGyO9w 

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Two Ways to Help Parents See the Importance of Summer Camps - http://buff.ly/2lrFIhG

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Disciples Path for students – a new series for developing your student’s discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/Disciples-Path/Youth/c/N-1z0znzeZ1z141ym?intcmp=DisciplesPath-MTX-Text-Students-20150625

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Foundations for Students, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-teen-devotional-P005791600

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Summer camp options for students - http://buff.ly/2l9tXgo

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Pastor Network, connect with Student Pastors around the country without leaving your office AND get $200 worth of 'stuff'. http://buff.ly/2lksLHS

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Free Webinar on using Explore the Bible for Kids, April 6; Register here - http://buff.ly/2oCtrZL

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Five Mistakes Preschool Ministry Leaders Make - http://buff.ly/2okqM7D

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 Podcasts -  http://buff.ly/2kPNDFV

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 magazine, sign up for this free resource - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/kids-ministry-101-magazine-signup/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Summer Options for your kids ministry - http://buff.ly/2hByVAl

CHANGES ARE IN THE AIR FOR EXPLORE THE BIBLE THIS FALL

Here is a list of changes that will grace the resources of Explore the Bible this fall

ADULTS

·         The Young Adult version will be discontinued.

·         Explore the Bible Daily Discipleship Guide will be introduced. This is an all in one resource (leader and learner in same piece). It will encourage daily Bible engagement, support discipleship groups meetings during the week, and simplify training additional leaders to start new groups.

·         Studies of longer Bible books that require more than 3 months of study will be done in consecutive quarters.

·         In the Personal Study Guide, the Bible text will be printed once (with the commentary). This will gain space for additional commentary.

·         The Leader Pack will add pack items in PDF format to the CD-ROM.

·         In the QuickSource, we will change the way the key words are marked

·         No changes to Leader Guide and Leader Commentary.

STUDENTS

·         The Central Truth of each study will appear at the beginning and the end of each study.

·         NEW! Family Connection provides simple questions based on each session for parent to discuss with students throughout the week. It also contains a family devotion for those families who want to go deeper with their students.

·         NEW! Middle School Option: A middle school specific version of the leader guide complete with unique Explore Options and discussion questions will be available for a free download to all who purchase a leader guide.

·         Leader pack will contain posters to help make sessions more interactive, videos that provide leaders with hands on training for each session, and PowerPoint templates.

·         Midweek Studies: Free downloadable studies will provide complementary studies in other books of the Bible for students and student leaders who have additional meeting in the middle of the week.

·         NEW! Explore Options: Interactive activities and engaging illustrations that provide leaders with fresh ways to introduce the Central Truth of each session and connect it to the lives of students.

·         NEW! Discipleship Moments: Provides leaders opportunities to share their lives with their student and to connect with them at a deeper level to show that there is more to following Jesus than just studying the Bible.

·         Verse number headings will be added to the commentary to make it easier to use and follow.

·         Context Notes: Notes about theological, cultural, historical, and literary context will be designed to train students and leaders how to study the Bible in context.

·         Now What? Application questions that challenge students to process the implications of each study and apply its central truth to their lives at school, at home, and in their neighborhoods.

·         Personal Challenge: Each session will end with a personal challenge calling students to continue processing what they’ve learned and apply the central truth to the context in which they live.

·         Bible Reading Plan will be contained in each guide that will challenge students to dig into that session’s book of the Bible on their own.

 

KIDS:

·         Explore the Bible: At Home will connect adults with what kids are studying. It will provide a devotional thought and a family reading plan.

·         New Scope and Sequence will provide a three year plan where all 66 books of the Bible will be studied in a book by book fashion.

Preschool:

·         Redesigned layout for Babies & Toddlers Leader, Preschool Leader, and Preschool Worship.

·         Introducing new Family Card for preschoolers: Larger format card with rounded corners and hole punch.

·         Added Text Connection to leader guide to spotlight other areas of Scripture that tie in with what preschoolers are studying.

·         Bible Skills Spotlight: Bible skills are highlighted for each session.

·         Inclusion of next hour teaching helps in Preschool Leader Guide for ready access by teachers.

Kids:

·         Redesigned layout for Younger Kids Leader, Older Kids Leader, and Kids Worship.

·         One Family Card to be used for both Younger and Older kids.

·         Added Text Connection to leader guide to spotlight other areas of Scripture that tie in with what preschoolers are studying.

·         Bible Skills Spotlight: Bible skills are highlighted for each session

If you want more information and download a sneak peek of some new studies, click on this link: http://www.lifeway.com/Explore-the-Bible/Sign-Up/c/N-1z13wmcZ1z0zrbi?cid=RDR-explorethebible2017

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR PASTORS: 7 Seismic Shifts in the Church All Leaders Need to Know Webcast by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/virtualtour/?utm_content=buffer6855e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

FOR CHURCH & COMMUNITY – DevoHub, providing daily devotional material directly to your smart phone or tablet - http://devohub.com/

FOR OUTREACH: After Easter by Jeremy Howard & Doug Powell – a great gift to give to Easter guests (I can arrange to get you the book at $5 each in boxes of 20) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/after-easter-P005773744

FOR LEADER TRAINING: On Track National Sunday School Conference, Hendersonville, TN, March 17 & 18, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/OnTrack?type=events

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Sunday School Matters by Alan Taylor, 12 sessions to build, expand and maintain a healthy Sunday School ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sunday-school-matters-leader-kit-P005792826

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path: The Journey, Volumes 1, 2, & 3 are now available! Relational, Intentional, Progressive, Comprehensive: http://buff.ly/2fWPk2b

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Foundations for Adults, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-P005769893?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-Foundations-20170103

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Five ways to help women engage with the Bible. http://www.lifeway.com/womensministry/2017/02/06/five-ways-to-engage-with-the-bible/ …

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Priscilla Shirer Simulcast, April 8, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Priscilla-Shirer-Live-Simulcast?type=events&ecid=PDM15267&bid=594041255

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event -  http://buff.ly/2jvnImd

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unfolded by Dr. Eric Geiger - http://buff.ly/2hGyO9w 

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Disciples Path for students – a new series for developing your student’s discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/Disciples-Path/Youth/c/N-1z0znzeZ1z141ym?intcmp=DisciplesPath-MTX-Text-Students-20150625

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Foundations for Students, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-teen-devotional-P005791600

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Summer camp options for students - http://buff.ly/2l9tXgo

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Pastor Network, connect with Student Pastors around the country without leaving your office AND get $200 worth of 'stuff'. http://buff.ly/2lksLHS

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Foundations for Kids: a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-for-kids-a-260-day-bible-reading-plan-for-kids-P005790788?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-FoundationsKids-20170103

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 Podcasts -  http://buff.ly/2kPNDFV

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 magazine, sign up for this free resource - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/kids-ministry-101-magazine-signup/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Summer Options for your kids ministry - http://buff.ly/2hByVAl

Eight Benefits of Multiple Sunday Schools

 David Cunningham, a good friend and a mentor to me in Church Education ministry, shared this information with me as I was leading a church toward creating a second Sunday School. Its truths are still valid.

1.       It Creates an Awareness of Bible Study.  There is a natural curiosity concerning the church that offers multiple services.  People in the community ask, “What’s going on at that church? Why are they growing so fast?”  It also gives an internal sense of achievement.  A healthy sense of “sibling rivalry” develops as the “Red Sunday School” tries to outdo the “Blue Sunday School” in ministry and outreach.

2.       It Gives Strength in Leadership.  Multiple Sunday Schools demands more teaching units which demands more leaders.  As more leaders are developed and involved a deepened sense of “ownership” permeates throughout the church membership.  A mark of a healthy Sunday School class is the number of leaders it develops.

3.       It Gives Choices to Members.  People want to be able to have a choice what they want.  Multiple schedules offer choices in hours of Bible study and worship.  It gives members opportunity to choose the style of teaching and the personality type of class they desire.

4.       It Encourages Excellence in Teachers.  When teachers know that members have a choice if they fail to meet their needs/or expectations they tend to become more serious in their preparation and organization of ministry.

5.       It Demonstrates Stewardship.  The question, “Do we really want to build space for a one hour a week use?” is a valid one.  When the rooms can be used for two or three groups, it cuts the effective cost of the space by one-half to two-thirds.  The second groups use the space essentially for free.

6.       It Strengthens Visitation.  Since two or three classes are given the name of the same prospect, follow-up generally occurs at a quicker pace.  Another facet of this benefit is since new members tend to know more prospects, the more new persons reached by new units, the more prospects are discovered.

7.       It Emphasizes Ministry.  Building new buildings is expensive so instead of the investing 30% of its money in building that money can be used in ministry.  Also, ministry does not have to be confined to the teaching group.  Since there will be two or more units for each age group, when a ministry need is discovered all the classes ministering to that age group can be enlisted to help meet the need.  This can be most significant when a long-term care need is experienced.

8.       It Advances Missions.  With a more efficient use of space, and the creation of more new units, and more people being reached, more money is available to share with those who need Christ around the world,.  If I am not being called on to give sacrificially for buildings, I have more discretionary income to share in missions.  A feeling of sharing can be experienced.  Effective use of space allows members and leaders to concentrate less on personal luxury and become more sensitive to the needs of the world.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR PASTORS: 10 Attitudes of Healthy, Long Term Pastors by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2016/10/20/10-attitudes-of-healthy-long-term-pastors/

FOR PASTORS: 7 Seismic Shifts in the Church All Leaders Need to Know Webcast by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/virtualtour/?utm_content=buffer6855e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

FOR CHURCH & COMMUNITY – DevoHub, providing daily devotional material directly to your smart phone or tablet - http://devohub.com/

FOR OUTREACH: After Easter by Jeremy Howard & Doug Powell – a great gift to give to Easter guests (I can arrange to get you the book at $5 each in boxes of 20) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/after-easter-P005773744

FOR LEADER TRAINING: On Track National Sunday School Conference, Hendersonville, TN, March 17 & 18, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/OnTrack?type=events

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Sunday School Matters by Alan Taylor, 12 sessions to build, expand and maintain a healthy Sunday School ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sunday-school-matters-leader-kit-P005792826

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Foundations for Adults, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-P005769893?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-Foundations-20170103

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation by Russell Moore - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-gospel-racial-reconciliation-P005778812

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path: The Journey, Volumes 1 & 2 are now available! Relational, Intentional, Progressive, Comprehensive: http://buff.ly/2fWPk2b

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: "Knowing Jesus" A New 6-Session Bible Study By Robby Gallaty. Samples here:

 http://lifeway.com/n/product-family/knowing-jesus

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Priscilla Shirer Simulcast, April 8, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Priscilla-Shirer-Live-Simulcast?type=events&ecid=PDM15267&bid=594041255

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unfolded by Dr. Eric Geiger - http://buff.ly/2hGyO9w 

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Foundations for Students, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-teen-devotional-P005791600

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Disciples Path for students – a new series for developing your student’s discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/Disciples-Path/Youth/c/N-1z0znzeZ1z141ym?intcmp=DisciplesPath-MTX-Text-Students-20150625

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Foundations for Kids: a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-for-kids-a-260-day-bible-reading-plan-for-kids-P005790788?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-FoundationsKids-20170103

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 magazine, sign up for this free resource - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/kids-ministry-101-magazine-signup/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Summer Options for your kids ministry - http://buff.ly/2hByVAl