Bible Study Curriculum- Discipleship

They key focus of any bible study curriculum shoud be discipleship.  Jesus has called us to be disciples and make disciples.  This takes a relationship and a long term investment.  I say this because I want to be clear that a curriculum cannot be the sole tool used in discipelship.  But it is a great starting point.  You see the people in your small group need to be being discipled.  They need to have that relatioship where they are being invested in and growing in their walk with Christ.  The curriculum you study can be a launching point for those relationships and conversations. That is if the curriculum is written the right way. Some curriculums are only about gaining knowledge but the best curriculums are also about living life and specifically how we are to be living life differently. Our curriculum, Follow, is written this way.  So make sure that the people in your group are being discipled and ensure that the curriculum you are studying is helping in that process.

Bible Study Curriculum- Follow

Hey everyone, I wanted to let you know that our new bible study curriculum follow is in its final stages of production.  It should be out by the end of May. You will not want to miss out on this great study and all that it will offer your group. I firmly believe that the lessons it contains will radically change your lives, your communities, and our world.  It's all about how we are not supposed to just be a body of believers but actually followers of Christ.  This is a message the church desperately needs to hear.  I hope you will sign up for our email list to get word when it is finally available. Also, be on the lookout for samples and other news.  I hope you have a blessed and that you continue to diligently do the work that God has laid out before you.  We will be talking to you soon. 

Bible Study Curriculum- What Now?

At a teacher of bible study curriculum you probably noticed a spike in attendance this Easter Sunday.  I also hope that with that the Gospel was clearly preached. I pray that God moved and that lives were changed.  But what now?  For far too long we have seen the phenomenon that everyone comes to church on Easter and instead of doing something about it we just accept it.  This should be a launching time into a new area of ministry and in your small group. Take time this Sunday to talk with your group about last weekend, the message that was preached, and what they now need to be doing because of it.  Maybe get a hold of the visitor list and find the ages that would be in your small group and give them an opportunity to get connected.  They are obviously seeking something so why not write them a letter or give them a phone call so that you can have the opportunity to show them what they are seeking.  Either way you and your small group need to do something with the opportunity you have to impact the fresh harvest God has brought your way. 

Bible Study Curriculum- Studying

When it comes to teaching bible study curriculum you really need to study.  The material we provide gives you a lot of commentary and biblical background information but I encourage you to look for even more.  You need dig into God's word and own it. I used to be afraid of this feeling that it would make me a cold hearted academic. But I have found that actually the more that I study the more I end up understading what a passage means and I am ready to live it out. I also find that as a teacher the more I study the more prepared I am to teach. I can answer any questions that might come my way. I can also speak with confidence truths that are in a passage and be prepared to go wherever the Spirit may lead our group in that session.  So I encourage you to study hard and be the best student of the word that you can possibly be.  

Bible Study Curriculum- Sacrifice

When it comes to teaching bible study curriculum it takes sacrifice. You sacrifice your time to be prepared to teach and you also sacrifice certain things in your life in order to make sure your heart is right to present God's word.  But sacrifice is not just limited to us as teachers.  It is something we are called to do as followers of Christ. Jesus told us to take up our cross. We must remember this and make it a part of our lives. Also, we must call the members of our group to do the same. This may not make us popular or make some people but it does not matter. The Christian life and teaching God's word is not about a popularity contest. It is about speaking and living out truth. So I encourage you, no matter how much it goes against the flow of cultural norms, to live a life of sacrifice for Christ and call the members of your small group to do the same. 

Bible Study curriculum- Humility

As Christians, but especially as teachers of bible study curriculum, one key characteristic that we must possess is humility. When we are in a leadership position it is easy for us to get our attitude and priorities out of whack. It can quickly become about us drawing attention to ourselves instead of us having the heart of a servant.  As this happens we will lose influence in our classes and effectiveness in our teaching.  Those of us who teach and lead our held up to a higher standard than other so we need to take extra care that we are living up to those standards. You need to constantly be in prayer and have accountability to make sure that you are thinking and living like a servant and not like a celebrity or a dictator.  Follow Christ's example and humble yourself. Those whom you teach and lead will notice and appreciate what you are doing and will see exponentially greater effectiveness in you teaching and work. 

Bible Study Curriculum- Book Studies

When it comes to choosing a bible study curriculum there are a lot different kinds that you can choose from. Which one you choose has a lot to do with the needs and makeup of your group.  But one particular style that I like is a book study.  This kind is where you and your group take a book of the bible and just walk through it piece by piece. 

Like with any bible study there are a few things that you want to be aware of.  You want to make sure that the author is credible.  You want to make sure that they are a good writer but more importantly that they have solid beliefs and theology.  Often this can be found out by doing some quick background research online and through informal questioning with those that you trust.  You also want to make sure that you choose a bible study curriculum that covers a book that works well for your group.  While each book has beautiful truth to share there may be some truths that are more pertinent to your group.  For example, if they are struggling with the basics of their faith you may want to start with one of the Gospels or Romans.  If they are struggling with trials you may want to choose a book like James.  You know your group though and that knowledge combined with prayer will direct you to what God would have you to study.