Do you have a copy of my 2024 book, Discipling: Disciple-Making Sunday School and Bible Study Encounters? Discipling is an updated version of my 2017 book, Disciple-Making Encounters. The premise is the same: teachers/group leaders need an encounter with God in Bible study before leading their groups to meet Him in Bible study during group time and life. But the contents now apply in every group setting for Bible study: Sunday School, small groups, house churches, and marketplace groups. Let’s look at shifts needed for the two encounters.
Preparation to Move Toward Discipling
The big shift here is from lesson preparation to a life-changing encounter with God. This shift begins immediately after the last group session with four steps: Bible study (listen to Him), prayer (respond to Him), commitment (commit to obey Him), and obedience (walk with Him). Out of this encounter with Him in His Word, the goal is to lead group members to walk through the same steps of a life-changing encounter with God in Bible study.
Often lessons are “about” the Bible rather than an encounter with God in His Word. Too often teachers share more about what they learned rather than lead attenders to open God’s Word to listen, respond, commit, and obey Him. Testimonies of a teacher’s encounters can be inspiring, but they can never substitute for group members’ personal encounters with God.
Disciple-Making Sessions Shift
The big shift here is from spectating to participating. It is a shift from listening to the group leader to listening/responding to God. To move toward discipling, it will be necessary for the group leader to talk less in order for God and group members to talk more.
Instead of group leaders sharing what they learned about the context and passage, the session will lead participants to discover the context and truth for themselves. The job of group leaders becomes that of a guide. As disciple-makers, the guide’s job is “teaching them to observe everything [Jesus] commanded” (Matthew 28:20a, CSB). When they have “aha” moments, they will be more likely to remember, understand, and apply the passage and truth. In other words, our job is to help them obey…not just know.
Want to Make the Shift Toward Discipling?
Get a copy of Discipling to read, and make one or two adjustments in your preparation and in your sessions each month. Continue the adjustments and add new ones the following months. Progress is often more likely to occur when you make the shift together with friends. Enlist one now.
If I can help the Bible study leaders for your church or association, let me know. As part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention staff, I am able to provide free consultation and training for Kentucky Baptist churches due to their generous support through Cooperative Program giving. Invite me to lead the training, and I will provide books at a great discount. If you want to lead the training, I’ll be happy to ask the publisher what discount he can provide for your group size.
Make the shift. Move toward discipling. Disciple your group members. Be revolutionary!
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