What I Like About Bible Studies for Life

Since the beginning of the year I have visited in many churches throughout northern Georgia with one conversation in mind. I have tried to tell as many ministers as possible about the many great enhancements and added facets to the ongoing Bible study curriculum called ‘Bible Studies for Life’.  Next month will be the first opportunity to order this refined tool that has been designed to:

1.                  Help you connect the unconnected to a Bible study group

2.                  Help you strengthen families

3.                  Help you disciple your people

Let me remind you of some of the things that I’m so excited about the new Bible Studies for Life:

• An aligned scope and sequence of study from Preschool through Adults which can provide churches that ‘one voice’ message on Sunday morning.
• Name changes to curriculum pieces that clarifies and simplifies the target group.
• Sermon ideas that can be used to deepen and enrich that ‘one point’ emphasis of study that was discussed in Bible study.
• The Church Campaign units that not only provide the above points but also provide ideas for worship and promotional banners.
• The ‘One Conversation’ page  which provides a parent the opportunity to deepen their spiritual conversations at home and throughout the week with their children.
• Videos that are provided to promote each six week study.
• Videos that are provided to help the teacher prepare the study.
• Videos that are provided in each age group that augment the study session.
• Updated printed material with eye-popping artwork, clean white paper, and perfect binding.
• Personal Study Guides that are interactive and prepare the person for the upcoming study.
• Study materials that are provided in print or by digital download …  and by app.
• Six week small group study materials that can be used in small group ministries or discipleship groups.
• A well thought out discipleship plan that permeates the curriculum.
• A curriculum that builds a disciple who will:

- passionately seek Christ through spiritual disciplines

- gladly submit to Christ through continual repentance

-  actively participate in the community of faith

- generously serve others with their spiritual gifts and resources

-  unashamedly represents Christ to those around him

-  lovingly engage the culture with the Truth

 

I invite you to go to the website to see these things for yourself:

 http://www.lifeway.com/n/Bible-Studies-for-Life

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADER TRAINING: The Ministry Grid; an online leadership development platform for pastors, staff, and volunteer leadership - http://www.ministrygrid.com/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: MasterWork Supplement for MasterWork curriculum users - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/masterwork-leader-supplement-P005601369-2013-SUM

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY 2014: Colossians: Christ is All You Need - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/January-Bible-Study

FOR NEIGHBORHOOD VBS: Colossal Coaster World Backyard Kids Club – http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-backyard-kids-club-P005532691?intcmp=VBSCCW-MTX-Text-BackYardKidsClub-20121030

FOR CHURCH-WIDE EVENT: Experiencing God documentary – DVD multi-pack kit includes 10 DVDs to share, lifetime site license, movie posters, immediate availability of download of movie - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/experiencing-god-documentary-dvd-multi-pack-P005586193

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Gideon: Your Weakness, God’s Strength by Priscilla Shirer - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Gideon?intcmp=LWMain-Hero2-Gideon-20130429

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Courageous Dads simulcast, June 14 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Courageous-Dads-Simulcast?type=events&intcmp=LWMain-Event1-CourageousDadsSimuclast-20130429

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  The Main Event men’s conference, July 26-27, Nashville, TN featuring 18 speakers including Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, Coach Bobby Bowden, Dr. Tony Evans: http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events

For Family Ministry: Experiencing God at Home; a Bible Study for Parents - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/experiencing-god-at-home-a-bible-study-for-parents-P005558726

I Am A Shepherd

by Stephen Drake

I realize the sheep I tend do not belong to me. There is a Chief Shepherd to whom all the sheep belong. I did not pay for the sheep - He did. He traveled a great distance to procure these sheep. He lived a life of perfection for their sake. He fought death, hell, and the grave for these sheep and He won. He healed their wounds, comforted their hearts, and nourished their bodies, souls, and spirits. He died to give the sheep His life. Now He has handed His sheep to me to care for them on His behalf. I am a shepherd.

I must give account to Him for the way I care for His sheep. I will seek to feed them well, in the green pastures of the Word of Life. I will walk beside them when they pass through the valley of death. I will not run them to fatigue, but will cause them to lie down in the green pastures and lead them beside the still waters. I will love His sheep and lead them as He leads them. I am a shepherd.

I will do all I can to multiply the fold. While I recognize that sheep produce sheep, I will remember I am a sheep serving as a shepherd and will be an example to the flock on bringing other sheep in to the fold. I am a shepherd.

I know that sheep can be trying at times, and may need rebuke. I will seek always to speak to them with wisdom. I will try to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. I will endeavor to guide my sheep toward "what's right" rather than toward "who's right." I will pledge to bring my sheep together rather than scatter them, keeping my eye on the unity of the Spirit for the glory of God.

There are many other shepherds whom I know. Some are good shepherds who love their flock because they love the Chief Shepherd. Other shepherds care little for the flock, using it to enhance their reputation and decorate their resumes. They claim to love the Chief Shepherd, and I will not judge their claim. But I will not look to them for wisdom or follow their example. I will pray for them and speak to them the truth in love. Being a shepherd has more to do with the sheep than with me.

I will seek to be with my sheep when lambs are born and as they grow. I will be there when the younger sheep play and when the older sheep die. If I appear disheveled, it may be because I have been pulling a lamb from a ditch or saving one from a wolf. At times I may need to save myself from the wolves. There may be times when I dirty the floor, because I have been in the pen feeding, leading, and loving my sheep.

I am grateful to the Chief Shepherd for His trust in me. May I always remember that my calling is one of oversight and not ownership. When generations of sheep think of me in years to come, may they recall with kind thoughts the life of one who had their highest good always, in his heart.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: Five Steps to Get Beyond Sacred Cows in the church by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/2013/03/23/five-steps-to-get-beyond-sacred-cows-in-the-church/#.UVA3q2kS6zo?emid=Content-PastorsToday-SacredCows-20130401

FOR CHURCH LEADER TRAINING: The Ministry Grid; an online leadership development platform for pastors, staff, and volunteer leadership - http://www.ministrygrid.com/

FOR BIBLE STUDY: Bible Studies for Life; a Bible study resource that provides an aligned study across all age groups – www.biblestudiesforlife.com

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: MasterWork Supplement for MasterWork curriculum users - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/masterwork-leader-supplement-P005601369-2013-SUM

FOR CHURCH-WIDE EVENT: Experiencing God documentary – DVD multi-pack kit includes 10 DVDs to share, lifetime site license, movie posters, immediate availability of download of movie - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/experiencing-god-documentary-dvd-multi-pack-P005586193

FOR CHURCH-WIDE EVENT: The Gospel Project Experience event and simulcast, May 17 -18; journey through the story of the gospel - http://www.gospelproject.com/experience/#.UVxtfay1Ug8

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Gospel Revolution for Students by J.D. Greear - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/gospel-revolution:-students

FOR DISCIPLESHIP LEADERS: Bible Study Insider preview kit; provides tips for small group leaders and samples of the latest adult discipleship studies - http://biblestudyinsider.com/

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: All Pro Dad small group study by Mark Merrill - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/all-pro-dad-seven-essentials-to-be-a-hero-to-your-kids-dvd-leader-kit-P005520634

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  The Main Event men’s conference, July 26-27, Nashville, TN featuring 18 speakers including Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, Coach Bobby Bowden, Dr. Tony Evans: http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Gospel According to Jonah by J.D. Greear - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-gospel-according-to-jonah-a-new-kind-of-obedience-leader-kit-p005558798

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/wonderstruck-awaken-to-the-nearness-of-god-dvd-leader-kit-p005515840

5 Mistakes Made by Leaders When They Speak

copied from Dr. Thom Rainer's blog

Many of the failures in leadership are failures to communicate well. No matter how smart we are or how good our strategies are, they are doomed for failure if no one understands them.
In previous articles, I dealt with poor written grammar, so much so that some of my friends refer to me as “the grammar cop.” In this article, I deal with five of the more common communication mistakes made by leaders when they speak.

1. Poor grammar. Grammatical mistakes are not limited to written communication. They are much too common when leaders speak as well, including some leaders who are highly educated and in positions of great influence. The most common speaking grammatical error that I have noticed in recent years is the incorrect use of reflexive pronouns. For example the reflexive pronoun “myself” is used improperly in this sentence: “The award was presented to Janice, John, and myself.” The correct pronoun is the non-reflexive “me.”
2. Too much information. An audience can only absorb a limited number of facts in a given presentation. Some leaders attempt to cover a multitude of items, leaving the hearers bored, confused, and frustrated. Speak to the essential issues and provide supplementary written material if necessary.
3. Too many visuals. PowerPoint and other visual aids can be either a help or a hindrance to a speaker. Too often leaders try to put too much information in visual aids. At that point the aid becomes a barrier to communication. Consider having no more than one visual aid for each three minutes of speaking. You might be surprised how much the retention of your listeners improves.
4. “Insider” language. Acronyms should be banned from speaking presentations. At my organization we have one acronym for every molecule that exists in our building. Those who are on the inside may think it’s okay to use acronyms with other insiders. The problem is that the pattern of speaking develops into a habit that will creep into external presentations. Indeed, good speakers avoid acronyms and insider technical words unless they are clearly explained to the audience.
5. Insufficient pathos. Aristotle divided the means of persuasion into three categories. Ethos is used to establish the credibility or character of the speaker. Logos means persuading by reasoning or logic. Pathos means persuading by appealing to the readers’ or hearers’ emotions. Too few speakers attempt to speak to the hearts of the audience through personal illustrations, humor, or captivating stories. As a consequence, the presentation is often deemed dry and boring, regardless of the quality of the content.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR VBS TRAINING: Regional VBS Training Conferences - http://gabaptist.org/contentpages.aspx?parentnavigationid=7526&theparentnavigationid=4896&viewcontentpageguid=58658d80-0148-496b-bd39-a0a831b76eb1

FOR EDUCATION LEADER TRAINING: Go Forward Conference, March 14-15, 2013, FBC/Woodstock - http://sundayschoolinhd.org/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Experiencing God: the documentary prescreening simulcast, March 12-14; http://www.lifeway.com/Event/lifeway-film-event-experiencing-god-pastors-only-screening

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Secret Church with David Platt, March 29, 2013; studies on Heaven, Hell, and the end times – http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Secret-Church-Simulcast-with-David-Platt?type=events

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Gospel According to Jonah by J.D. Greear - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-gospel-according-to-jonah-a-new-kind-of-obedience-leader-kit-p005558798

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/wonderstruck-awaken-to-the-nearness-of-god-dvd-leader-kit-p005515840

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: All Pro Dad small group study by Mark Merrill - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/all-pro-dad-seven-essentials-to-be-a-hero-to-your-kids-dvd-leader-kit-P005520634

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  'The Main Event' men’s conference, July 26-27, Nashville, TN featuring 18 speakers including Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, Coach Bobby Bowden, Dr. Tony Evans: http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events