The local church is meant to be the expression of Jesus Christ for the community in which it has been planted.  Members bring their gifts and talents to the table and God fits them together to be used to form a complete body (1 Corinthians 12).  At FBBC, small group Sunday School classes are the organizational structure that brings the many together to form the one functioning body. 

As a small representation of the church as a whole, each small group Sunday School class is a functioning body that works in sync with the other small groups to fulfill the Great Commission given to the church.  Small groups offers a personal environment for members to connect, grow and serve together.  In other words, each class has all it needs to be disciples and make disciples.  Our involvement in Sunday School puts us “in the game” of making disciples.

Small group Sunday School classes should offer the following: 

1.  Point of Connection: a place where believers connect with one another, and a place where a discipler can connect their disciple to the church.

2.  Practical Equipping: offer training and resources that allows each member to be a disciple and make a disciple.

3.  Personal Accountability: build relationships with one another that foster spiritual development and disciple-making.

Evaluation: Am I presently experiencing daily worship with the Lord?

What is a Personal Time of Worship?
We are talking about a daily quiet time.  We are talking about daily time set apart for you to draw close to the Lord. This personal time of worship allows you to set you heart and mind on things above.  What you experience in your personal worship will position you to “see” God’s work in your day-to-day activities.  From this, you will have opportunities to join God in His work and truly experience His power and glory in your life. 

What do I do in this personal time of worship?
How one connects with God on a daily basis varies from person to person. Some incorporate praise music or journaling into their quiet time with God.  Some prefer a set pattern of Scripture reading, while others prefer to meditate on the weekly sermon or Sunday School lesson.  The following is an sample list of possible resources to give you an idea of what is available to assist you in developing a personal time of worship.  The important point is that you stick with the pursuit until you find a method that sticks with you.

Books:

Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life – Don Whitney

The Life I’ve Always Wanted – John Ortberg

The Pursuit of God – A.W. Tozer

Desiring God – John Piper

My Utmost For His Highest – Oswald Chambers

Experiencing God  Day-by-Day Devotional – Henry Blackaby

Lord, Teach Me to Pray – Kay Authur

The Power of a Praying Parent – Stormie Omartian
 

Internet Resources:

Bible Gateway
www.biblegateway.com
Contains devotional material.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
www.billygraham.org
Contains devotional material, teaching on prayer, etc.
 

Consider the following questions:

When will I have my daily personal worship?

Where will be my special meeting place?

What activities will I do during my worship time?

How long will I spend in worship?  

Again let me say, you must find what works for you.  Be persistent until you are consistent! Once you are in the habit of meeting with God, experiencing the benefit of your daily relationship with Him, you will long for your personal worship time more than you long for any other activity that tries to get in the way!

This first step of establishing daily personal worship is crucial to the rest of your spiritual development and success as a missionary.  What we pour into people must be the overflow of what we are experiencing personally!

Goal: For every member to enjoy a lifelong, vibrant, daily, personal worship time with God.

Evaluation: Am I presently taking intentional steps to grow spiritually?

What is Personal Time in the Word?
We are talking about spiritual development. We are talking about having your mind renewed by the Word of God so that you can enjoy the abundant, victorious life promised to us by our Savior.  Basically, we are talking about DISCIPLESHIP!

Thorough discipleship should progress from the infancy of faith through stages of spiritual growth, until the person is a fully devoted follower of Christ who delights in knowing God and making Him known to the world.  No single program can accommodate all of the individual dynamics that foster true discipleship.  Each person is on a spiritual journey, and each moves along the path at a different pace.  Further, circumstances and phases of life tend to dictate a person’s receptiveness to spiritual truths.  In other words, one size does not fit all, and one method or program doesn’t work for everyone at the same time.  Discipleship cannot be mass-produced.  While the church fosters and equips for the developmental process, each person must be actively responsible for his or her own spiritual growth.

How must I go about having a personal time in the Word?
First, settle in your heart that you will be engaged in some kind of discipleship activity for the rest of your life. 

Next, take periodical self-examinations and see what areas in your life need strengthening.  Then be proactive in seeking out a venue that will help you develop in that area.

Possible venues may be specific discipleship classes or Bible Studies offered through FBBC. Other possibilities included books and resources written by reputable Christian authors and teachers.  The Internet also can prove valuable in providing lessons, teachings, sermons, workshops, podcasts and seminars. Below is a suggested list of resources:

Books:

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health – Don Whitney

What Every Christian Ought to Know – Adrian Rodgers

How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth – Gordan Fee and Douglas Stuart

Experiencing God- Henry Blackaby

Discerning the Voice of God – Priscilla Shirer

Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren

EKG The Heartbeat of God- Ken Hemphill

Kingdom Promises: (He is, We Are, But God, We Can) – Ken Hemphill

How to Get the Most Out of God’s Word – John McArthur

Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

Periodical Resources:

ParentLife – Lifeway Monthly Magazine

Homelife – Lifeway Monthly Magazine

Church Resources:

Weekly Sunday School Teaching
   – 9am Sundays at FBBC
   - Small Groups

Weekly Worship / Sermon Teaching Series
   - Sermons Online

Semester Discipleship Classes
   – Fall Semester to begin Sept. 13, 2009 4:45pm

Internet Resources:

Biblical Training
www.biblicaltraining.org
Offers free downloadable lectures by reputable seminary professors; classes available for beginning Bible students through advanced Master-level.

One Place - Christian Radio Ministry
www.oneplace.com
Offers a full assortment of downloadable sermons and teachings from some of the leading evangelical teachers and preachers of our day.

The Shape of Faith to Come
www.lifeway.com/sfr
This site offers a variety of resources group by domains of spiritual development.

Bible Gateway
www.biblegateway.com
Contains search engines for various Bible versions.

Study Light
www.studylight.org
Contains search engines and a large reference to commentaries, dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Goal: For all members to be equipped with all they need to be self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted followers of Christ.

Evaluation: Am I currently seeking opportunities to share my faith?

What does “sharing the Word” mean?
Basically, we are talking about sharing your faith. Evangelism.  Witnessing.  Spreading the Gospel.  Telling the story of Jesus.  Telling your own story of spiritual transformation. 

When it comes to sharing the Gospel, Christians tend to have a high degree of anxiety.  A plethora of resources are available to aid a believer in the art of witnessing.  These resources are helpful in providing a person with a specific plan or script.  However, most people who are active in sharing their faith tend to develop a style that fits their own personality.

Books:

Share Jesus Without Fear – William Fay

The Art of Personal Evangelism – Will McRaney

Stop Witnessing and Start Loving – Paul Borthwick

Questioning Evangelism – Randy Newman

Eternal Impact – Ken Hemphill

Splash – Ken Hemphil

Articles: (these articles and more can be found at www.lifeway.com/sfr)

7 Habits of Highly Effective Soul-Winners

Overcoming a Fear of Witnessing

Tips for Sharing Jesus Without Getting Tongue-Tied

Everyday Evangelism

Workplace Evangelism

Sharing Christ with a Christless Culture

How do I share my faith with others?

-Personal Witnessing (one-on-one)
The art of sharing the gospel typically falls into two categories: “Straightforward” evangelism and “lifestyle” evangelism.  “Straightforward” evangelism would involve engaging total strangers for the purpose of making a gospel presentation (the door-to-door type of evangelism).  Whereas “lifestyle” evangelism promotes building meaningful relationships with people for the purpose of presenting the gospel (like the “Splash” method advocated by Ken Hemphill).  Both approaches are legitimate and needed.  For there are times when we have “divine appointments” with total strangers, and we are nudged to give a witness for the Lord right there on the spot.  Yet there are other instances when we have to first “earn the right” to present Jesus to those who must be convinced of our sincerity and authenticity before they will really hear what we have to say about Christianity.

Someone once asked, “What is the best method for sharing my faith?”  The answer: “The one you will use.”  If you think you have any good reason why you shouldn’t share your faith, then check out this humorous video

 -Organized mission trips and mission experiences
    FBBC Missions

Going on mission with a group from your church is another great way to share your faith. 

Mission trips are designed to bring the message of Jesus to a people-group in a culture different from your own.  Having the support of your team and a specific time and purpose set aside for witnessing provides a great opportunity for you to hone your evangelistic skills.

-Internet Witnessing

Many of you are already part of an Internet social network.  Let your witness be evidence on your Facebook page.  Use your connections as a means to share the gospel.

Goal: For each member to develop a deeper sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a greater obedience to evangelize the lost.

Evaluation: Am I presently in the process of making a spiritual investment in someone else?

What does it mean to “show the way”?
Basically, we are talking about investing in other people.  Making disciples.  Walking alongside someone and helping them know Christ, and grow in Christ.

How do I “show the way” to others?
How you invest in the lives of others largely will be dictated by your own circumstances.  You may be limited simply to bringing the person to church with you, and that is a great start.  But as a Christian, please know that you have what it takes to be a disciple-maker. As a matter of fact, if you simply invite someone to join you in a particular study you’ve chosen to do for yourself, you Grow (as a disciple) and Go (by investing in another) at the same time!
 

Ways to invest in others:

Keep a prayer journal/record of those you are praying for

Share your faith

Invite friends and family to attend Sunday School and Worship with you

Teach Sunday School, discipleship classes, etc

Initiate and/or participate in mission projects, activities, and trips

Hold a Bible Study in your home and invite your neighbors

Begin a Bible Study at your workplace
 

Investing in your children:

Books:

Parenting with Kingdom Purpose – Dr. Ken Hemphill and Dr. Richard Ross

30 Days Turning the Hearts of Parents and Teenagers Toward Each Other – Dr. Richard Ross & Dr. Gus Reyes

Parent's Guide to Spiritual Growth in Children – John Trent, PhD. and Rick Osborne

The 5 Love Languages of Children – Dr. Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell

Grace Based Parenting – Dr. Tim Kimmel

Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right – Dr. Tim Kimmel

The Parent Adventure Preparing Your Children for a Lifetime with God – Rodney & Selma Wilson & Scott McConnell

Raising a Modern Day Joseph – Larry Fowler

How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph – Linda Massey Weddle

Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions – George Barna

Shaping Your Family's Faith -  Jack Egger

Articles: (these articles and more can be found at www.lifeway.com/sfr)

Investing in Others

Designed to Make a Difference

You may wonder why we would encourage you to have a Bible Study in your home when we already offer perfectly good Bible Studies at the FBBC campus.  Let me give 2 reasons:

1. You have family and friends who are not willing to come to church with you, but may be willing to come to a small gathering at your home
2. The home setting fosters a level of fellowship and accountability that is almost impossible to replicate in the “classroom” setting of a Sunday School class.

If you would like to host a home Bible study you must decide the following:

1. Who is my target audience?  Friends and family? Those who live in my neighborhood? 
2. Do I want to establish an ongoing group (more like a Sunday school class), or set a hard stop date for the study to end (like with school semesters)?
3. Will childcare be provided? If so, how?

You may want to read this article for ideas.

Once the group and meeting guidelines are decided, then you are ready to decide about content.

1. What and how will I teach?

Will you provide a strong teacher role, or will you adopt more of a facilitator role and encourage peer-learning?  For examples of easy Bible teaching methods ideal for home groups, read these articles.

2. What resources do I need?

If you are doing the Bible study methods described in the previously mentioned articles, your participants only will need their Bibles.  But if you are doing a published study or book designed by a Christian author, your participants may need workbooks or other supplies.  For DVD-driven studies you will need to make sure you have the electronic components necessary for viewing. 

Lastly, you should plan for success.  In other words, what will you do if your group grows too large to meet comfortably in your home?  At what point will you start a new group?  You also should actively look for those who show potential as leaders and begin mentoring them as soon as possible for the day when they will step out with a new home group.  Remember, the idea is to be make disciples---multiply!!!

Goal: For every member to be personally active in the discipling of someone else.

Getting Visitors To Come

One of the biggest killers of a small-group home Bible study program is a lack of visitors. The easiest way to get visitors is to invite your friends and family to the studies. But, after a short time, you will exhaust this resource and need to try something different. The best way to get visitors to come on a steady and ongoing basis is to invite everyone you come in contact with.

Here is the tool I currently use to invite people. I walk up to someone and say, Hello, I attend a small-group Bible study that is hosted in a home. We try to apply the Bible to our lives and learn from the life of Jesus. We are looking for new people to come. Would you be interested? If they appear interested at all, you must ask for their phone number! If they won't give it, leave them a card. If they say that they work evenings and couldn't attend, flip the card over and ask them if they want the first lesson of a free Bible correspondence course. Say, You can study the Bible in the privacy of your own home at your own speed. Just fill in your name, address, and phone number and I will see that you get lesson one.

Generally, you will have to invite 50 people (50 attempts to establish a dialogue) to get one person who holds promise. Develop the routine of devoting one hour a week to intensive inviting in the parks, malls, campuses, etc. It takes boldness; but if you develop the lifestyle of inviting all you come in contact with, you will overflow with visitors every week. You must invite this way in order to have ongoing success. There is no middle ground or room for any half-hearted effort! Either each Christian commits to invite like this, or don't bother starting up the program.
 

Three Stages Of The Study

Just as members are vitally important for bringing visitors, they also play a key role on the night of the study. If you have someone who says that they will come, it is best to offer to pick them up. This makes it more difficult for them to change their mind about attending. Everyone should be at the study ten minutes before it begins. Once you arrive at the home where the study is hosted, think of the study as having three stages. This will help to understand what is being accomplished.

A. Icebreaking (before the study)

The icebreaking stage continues from the time people arrive until you actually start the study. Imagine how you would feel as a visitor when you walk into a strange home for the first time and see an assembled group, all seated, very quiet, and looking at you. You would feel uneasy and out of place. At that point a visitor might say to himself, How did I get myself into this? One way to overcome this problem is to create a warm, casual, and genuinely friendly atmosphere. A few basic guidelines can be adopted to help the visitors feel relaxed and comfortable. I suggest that everyone remain standing and strike-up conversations with members and especially with visitors. Be enthusiastic. The result should be a smooth transition as you start the study. Don't stand around and look bored. Show how glad you are to be there. Visitors will pick up the pulse of the group. If they feel they just walked into a morgue or feel intimidated at the beginning, it's harder to get them to return. Look ahead to when the study begins. Do each of the visitors have a Bible? Have at least five extra Bibles ready for use. Can they find verses for themselves? If not, make sure an appropriate person sits beside them to help. The Christian can find the verse in his Bible and then swap Bibles with the visitor. Or, they can share one Bible. Start on time!

B. Creating Interest (during the study)

During the study the most important thing is to create interest and salt their appetite for further study. Remember, they came because you advertised the study to them by saying, We apply the Bible to our lives in a practical way; you will enjoy the study. If the study is not interesting, they may not return! You were guilty of false advertising. One of the goals of the study is to get every visitor to openly participate by making comments. Here is an easy way of getting the visitors to contribute right at the start. If the topic is Dealing with Stress in the Workplace (Ex. 18:13:27), then ask an opening question like What would you do if you were expected to do the work of two people and were continuously overloaded with work? Have each person attending introduce themselves and then give their answer. Before you have each person make comments, instruct the group to say pass if they can't think of an answer or don't want to respond. Although the teacher's outline preparation is important, the Christians present will truly make or break the study. They can salvage a poorly prepared outline or kill even the Lord's own sermon on the mount ! They must work hard at participating. They are assistant teachers!

C. Building Relationships (after the study)

Since the studies are hosted in a home, it is natural to have some light refreshments following the study session. This time is dedicated to building relationships and starting friendships. Designate someone beforehand to prepare and bring the refreshments. This should be on a rotating basis. Also, designate someone to be the babysitter in case visitors bring their children. Christians should make their own babysitting arrangements.

Immediately after the study, the Christians should invite the visitors to have some refreshments. The visitors will certainly not make the first move. Talk with each visitor yourself but give others a chance to greet them as well. Make sure no visitors are left unattended for an extended period of time. Christians must be especially careful about spending a lot of time talking about highly personal matters with other Christians. Visitors will feel out-of-place if they sense there are social cliques.
 

Suggested code of conduct for Christians in the study

For conduct during the study, the group members (Christians) might consider adopting the following list of guidelines.

1. Be active in reading passages. Everyone who will read should raise their hand. Visitors will know that they won't be called on to read unless they raised their hand. Be conscious of who has read and take turns. When chosen to read, always wait until every visitor has turned to the passage.
2. There is no need to raise hands for comments. Long statements (30 seconds or longer) tend to stifle comments from others. Offer relevant life experiences, illustrations, and even humor. Visitors with no Bible knowledge can contribute as much as anyone in this area.
3. Be careful not to use fancy theological words and statements. Visitors probably won't know what you're talking about and will feel that they should keep quiet while in the midst of theological experts!
4. It is best not to mention a Bible verse the leader hasn't introduced. The members goal is to expand on the present verse. The verse you give might be one of the teachers concluding points. Don't even mention parallel verses in the gospels. The ones used are carefully chosen.
5. Don't mention any specific denomination because you never know the background of the visitors. The place to talk about denominations is in a one-on-one study and not in a group study.
6. Never disagree with a visitor or attempt to straighten their doctrinal views. This is the leader's job.
7. Never disagree with what the leader says, even if you think he is wrong! The teacher's credibility will be damaged in the sight of the visitors. Take him aside later (after the study) and discuss the subject. Chances are you were wrong!
    

Go for One-On-One

Once a visitor has come to the study group a few times, ask him/her if he/she would be interested in studying on a one-on-one basis. Teach them the gospel and listen for the rejoicing of the angels!

Advertising in Newspaper:

Ad placed in the Newspaper free of charge in the community bulletin section:

Fax this to the newspaper directly to their editorial office:

Please place this notice in the Bulletin board Small group Bible study Special meetings are beginning May 17 for seven weeks. Exciting and challenging, Applying the Bible to our lives. Hosted in homes every Monday night at 7 PM. Free. For more information call ****

Business Card size personal invitation for each member:

Side #1 of business card

SMALL GROUP STUDY Informal Bible Study Hosted In Homes Learning From The Life Of Jesus Applying The Bible To Our Lives Asking Questions & Finding Answers Transportation And Child Care Available

Side #2 of business card

Every Monday 7pm LOCATION: YOUR HOSTS: Address Name Phone number for ride Invitation Presented By: "name of member" ______

Below are types of participatory Bible learning methods that your campus church can use to facilitate growth and obedience to God's Word in your campus church meetings.

METHOD I

A few verses are read, and then the group answers three questions.

• What does it say?
• What does it mean?
• What difference does it make in my life?

You may wonder if there is any difference between questions one and two. But take the phrase from John 1 where it says, In the beginning was the Word. There is a huge amount of meaning in there that could get missed if the second question were not included. It is very simple and easy.

METHOD II
This is a modified Navigator s method. A couple of verses are read, and we look for things that correspond to three different symbols. The first is a question mark, which obviously symbolizes something a person does not understand. The second symbol is a candlestick and is used to represent something that sheds light, either on another passage of Scripture, or else something that is going on in a person's life. The third symbol is an arrow, and stands for where God is piercing a person s heart--they know that they have heard from God and need to do something about it. So a person might say, I have a candlestick on this verse. This describes a situation that happened to me at work last week...

METHOD III
The third method is called S.P.E.C.K.A. and it is an acronym used for a participative Bible Study as follows:

S = Sin (Is there anything God is displeased with here, is it present in us)

P = Promise (Is there a promise from God? Is there a praise in here that we can make a song out of this? Is there a prayer from God?

E = Example (Any positive or negative examples for us to follow here? What are the examples here and lets chew on them and see how we can practically apply them in our life.)

C = Commands (what are the commands in here? Many of the commands in the New Testament are followed by "one another" - love, pray, forgive, bear, this involves the community and body.)

K = Knowledge (What are some "truths" what are the implications Example: Ephesians 1 says, "we are seated at the right hand of God w/ Christ "right now." Now God will give different truths to different people with what knowledge is there for them to take home.)

A = Accountability (As a group how can we keep each other accountable to what we just read and learned? When we get together next week we start by saying "were we obedient to what we learned last week?)

METHOD IV
The fourth method we learned from Robert Fitts. In discussion Bible Study we simply read the Scripture, each taking turns reading a few verses, depending on how many people are present. While it is being read, everyone is invited to interrupt at any time and make a comment or ask a question.

If it seems that too much is being read, then the facilitator will stop the person reading and ask, Does anyone have a comment? It is unusual for more than a few verses to be read before a discussion develops.

The method used is not important. It is just a tool to accomplish the goal of a participatory Bible study. Here the Bible itself is the teacher, and everyone in the group is involved in both the teaching and learning process and the application of what is learned to daily life.

The Joy of Teaching God's Word
by Chuck Missler

During the past several years I have been frequently asked to provide some personal perspectives and general comments regarding the study and teaching of God's Word in a Home Bible Study setting.  I have always been convinced that Home Bible Studies are where the "real action" is for committed Christians. There are no hard and fast rules regarding how to prepare for or conduct a Home Bible Study, but there are some principles which may prove helpful. 

Our Central Focus

One of the key secrets to a successful Home Bible Study, in my experience, has been to focus on an expositional study, expounding upon the text.  There is a simplicity-and a fruitfulness-to focusing on what God has said in His Word, addressing one specific book of the Bible at a time. This has proven to be one of the most effective means to laying an in-depth foundation that will last a lifetime, and which will ultimately cover "the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27)

Preparation

My personal method is simplicity itself.  After serious prayer, and having selected a target book for study, I then collect a few selected commentaries on that particular book.  I prefer to own my own, so  I can mark them up and annotate the margins.  Commentaries are not expensive, and they will quickly take their place among your most reasured investments.

What Pace?

Another issue is the tempo or pace of the study.  I have found that for most books of the Bible, a chapter each week is usually about the right pace.  This allows some real in-depth exploration without getting bogged down in too many details or tangents.  There are, of course, portions of Scripture-especially in the epistles-that merit a more measured and penetrating pace, but you can lose your group's attention if you don't keep it moving.

After careful and repeated rereading of the chapter for the coming week, I simply glean the insights from each of several commentaries, underlining and annotating as I go.  It's not difficult to stay a chapter or so ahead of your group. As the day of the study approaches, I prayerfully collect my notes from the annotations in each of my sources.  It's not difficult or burdensome to gather enough to contribute a valid understanding of the chapter to be discussed. Along the way, some specific topics or issues will emerge, lending themselves to more specific investigation.  This is where some easily available supplemental resources-such as a Bible encyclopedia or dictionary-can be handy.

Where to Start?

One of the most frequent questions I get is, "Which book should I start with?"  There are many sound answers.  Which book interests you the most?

I startle many with the suggestion of starting with the Book of Revelation!  It is the only book in the Bible that declares a special blessing on the reader and hearer!  No other book singles itself out in that respect.  One of the reasons it is always such a special blessing is that a proper review will include supporting passages from virtually every other book of the Bible.  (The 404 verses of Revelation include over 800 allusions from the Old Testament!)  It puts God's entire plan of redemption into focus-from Genesis to Revelation.

Another sound suggestion is the  Gospel of John.  It has been said that it is shallow enough for a child to wade in, and deep enough for an elephant to bathe in!  No matter how diverse your group-from the novice to the sophisticate-all will benefit from going through this book again.  It deals with all of the basics. I've taught it many times-and each time results in new discoveries!  Other suggestions include the book of beginnings-the Book of Genesis, the prophetic Book of Ruth, or the Book of Acts.  You can really start anywhere.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you.  He always knows best, if you're listening. And here's another incentive: there's no way to better learn a specific book than to teach it.

The Role of Prayer

Prayer is, of course, your most formidable weapon.  You need to be in prayer continually in preparing for the study; you must always open in prayer; and you need to have a prayer team committed to continuing to hold up the study in prayer.  It is a warfare, after all.

It should be understood that these brief comments are merely suggestions for teaching the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate teacher and He will teach you in ways that can neither be manipulated nor regulated.  His diversity and style is very individual. My personal prayer is that Jesus would reveal and teach His Word to you in ways that you could never have imagined, and that you would take to heart the words of the apostle Paul: "Let the Word of God dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another..." (Colossians 3:16)

(See our series of articles:  "The Joy Of Teaching God's Word" for more information)