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Bible Study

Writer's picture: Canvas NetworkCanvas Network

Introduction


Bible teaching is an important part of leading a microchurch and so we have to ask a very important question; ‘Am I simply trying to teach my group what to think, or rather how to think?


Bible study, spiritual formation are crucial parts of the discipleship process and when we include discipleship on mission we will successfully make disciples as Jesus did.


How did Jesus teach? He asked questions and He told parables that were hard to grasp but did arouse curiosity and enhance deeper conversations.


How did the Apostle Paul preach and teach? We get a clue in Acts 20:7-12 where he is preaching to a room full of disciples in an upper room. In verse 7 the word ‘spoke’ is the Greek word, ‘dialegomai’ meaning, to ponder, converse, dispute, discuss, to reason with, discourse through conversation and to mingle thought with thoughts.


The word, ‘preached’ in verse 9 comes from the word ‘homileo’ meaning to be in company with, to converse with!


Paul was also a ‘herald’ derived from the Greek word, ‘kerygma’ and in light of his exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14:26 he may have an expectation that no one would have simply been a passive listener.


I illustrate this sometimes by covering a famous statue with a plastic trash bag and get the audience to feel it in turns and simply tell us what it seems to be on the inside.


Eventually, together their shared thoughts and impressions lead them to a shared conclusion. This type of conversational and investigative study leads to a revelatory and shared conclusion.


Below is an outline for the study time in our microchurch rather than an outline for the whole Gathering.

 

Bible Study


We simply want to choose a text and discuss the four questions below.


Text: Matthew 16:13-20


Q1. Who is God in this story?


With this question we want to ask after the character and nature of God, not what He

does in this text as that question is answered in the second question. Its important to

allow people to come up with their own answers, so allow for any awkward silence.

  • Blesser

  • Christ

  • Son of Man

  • Son of God

  • Teacher

  • Revealer

  • Builder

  • Lord

  • Father

  • Prophet

  • Lord of the disciples

  • Caster of vision.


Q2. What has he done in this story?


Remember this question is about what He is doing rather than Who.

  • Asked questions to disciple others.

  • Revealed Himself through questions.

  • Promised to build his Church.

  • Revealed faith.

  • Authorized his disciples.

  • Prophesied.

  • Encouraged disciples.


Q3. Who am I in this story?


Here we use the experience exercise; This is where we -

  • Choose a character from the story.

  • Write in the first person without changing any of the facts.

  • In no more than thirty words, what you experienced.

This exercise can sometimes reveal what is going on in the life and heart of the group you lead and importantly the individual(s) you are discipling.



Q4. How should I live now in light of what I learned?


Here is where we reflect on our study and ask God what He is saying to our hearts about us as disciples first and then as leaders of others. We look at ‘Who God is’ and how we view and relate to Him! Our view of the gospel is crucial.

  • In our responses to Q1 (see above), were there any that God seemed to highlight

  • What might help you to grow in one or two of those areas?

  • Is there any confusion about how we might grow in these areas?

  • What might help? It is here where we hope our microchurch member might sense and confess their weakness and begin to anticipate the inner need for discipleship.

  • When people begin ‘leaning in’ to questions then this is often a sign of a cry of the heart for growth.

  • Question 2 reveals to the disciples of the need to ask questions so as to assist the discipled to begin the journey towards curiosity, thinking more deeply and becoming a disciple.

  • Question 3 is a very useful tool that brings some revelation and insight.

So, experiment with this tool and if further training might be useful, we suspect it might, then reach out to info@canvasnetwork.org.

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