This fall I was able to participate in a conference about building small groups concentrated on Bible Study and building a Christlike DNA. I had never been at a conference that was SO biblical. Every day we sat in small groups and studied God's word. Nothing more, nothing less. In each session, we were given several Bible passages and then asked to take a piece of paper and divide it into four columns. In the first column, we would write out the ENTIRE Bible passage we were studying. Tedious? Yes. But the idea is that once you have to copy and write something out, you tend to concentrate and process that much more. So, in the first column we would write out the entire passage. In the second passage, we would then REWRITE the passage in our own words as if we had to tell someone else exactly what happened in the story/passage. This is NOT interpretation, but rather, a retelling of the story in different words. In the small group one guy wrote in column two (a very theological pastor) that, "salvation comes only through God." As a group we responded that we agreed, but where did he get this from the passage. Hence, the idea is to re-tell the story and not interpret it. In the third column we would write two to three "I will" statements with the idea of obedience. For instance, "after reading this material, I will do a), b) or c). In the fourth column, you would write what the passage teaches about leadership, or note if there was any promise given. After completing this process, we would discuss as a group what we wrote, what we learned, etc. It is a very SIMPLE process that includes community action questions and Biblical DNA principles. We will be piloting this approach in small groups in Romania. Already in areas like India, this form of study has already produced over 30,000 groups! Please pray for God to raise up a new generation of people hungry for His Word.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Discovery Bible Studies
This fall I was able to participate in a conference about building small groups concentrated on Bible Study and building a Christlike DNA. I had never been at a conference that was SO biblical. Every day we sat in small groups and studied God's word. Nothing more, nothing less. In each session, we were given several Bible passages and then asked to take a piece of paper and divide it into four columns. In the first column, we would write out the ENTIRE Bible passage we were studying. Tedious? Yes. But the idea is that once you have to copy and write something out, you tend to concentrate and process that much more. So, in the first column we would write out the entire passage. In the second passage, we would then REWRITE the passage in our own words as if we had to tell someone else exactly what happened in the story/passage. This is NOT interpretation, but rather, a retelling of the story in different words. In the small group one guy wrote in column two (a very theological pastor) that, "salvation comes only through God." As a group we responded that we agreed, but where did he get this from the passage. Hence, the idea is to re-tell the story and not interpret it. In the third column we would write two to three "I will" statements with the idea of obedience. For instance, "after reading this material, I will do a), b) or c). In the fourth column, you would write what the passage teaches about leadership, or note if there was any promise given. After completing this process, we would discuss as a group what we wrote, what we learned, etc. It is a very SIMPLE process that includes community action questions and Biblical DNA principles. We will be piloting this approach in small groups in Romania. Already in areas like India, this form of study has already produced over 30,000 groups! Please pray for God to raise up a new generation of people hungry for His Word.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Us Crazy Romanians
Apparently a Romanian working in Rome recently got fined 160 Euros for diving "spectaculousy" several times from the famous Fontana di Trevi. The Romanian was showing off his acrobatic gymnastic skills and wowing the crowds of turists, but I guess it had a hefty price. I would have at least loved to have seen his dives :)
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Kairos Course
My colleagues and I have been busy teaching a course to Romanian youth that gives an introduction to the global missions movement and God's heart to see all peoples from every tongue, tribe and nation worship and glorify His name. The course covers such things as missions history, the Abrahamic covenant of Genesis 12 (where God promises Abraham that He will make his name great and that his descendants will outnumber the grains of sand), missions strategies, and cultural adaptation among other things. This particular group of youth are on fire for the Lord and we have been encouraged to see the participants process the material and seek ways that they can greater partner to see the Great Commission fulfilled.
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