HOME BIBLE STUDIES

Realizing a Dream – actually beginning Home Bible Studies. Your church can do it. Perhaps you can be the catalyst for its happening.

Always the crucial matter is the preparation of those who will lead. That is first. To help, I am presenting a three-session training plan for prospective leaders. Obviously, one must be prepared to lead this training of leaders.

Notice this plan presents nine major areas that are to be covered in the three sessions. Preparation and much prayer will be required as you study this material. Keep always in mind God’s authentication:

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” II Corinthians 5:18-21

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:32

Thus we join Abraham who: “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 5:21

TRAINING FOR EVANGELISTIC HOME BIBLE STUDY LEADERS

SESSION I

I. Approach (Philosophy) to Evangelism

Rather than hitting people at random, go down the lines of natural contact such as families, close friends and associates at work, school, neighborhood.

II. Overall Objectives of Home Bible Studies

  1. Explore contacts in a given area.
  2. Locate and develop clusters of interest to gain nucleus of converts.

(Differentiate: Home Bible Study and Beginning of Church Group)

III.   Questions Arising in Discussions with the Unsaved

  1. Questions you can answer (worker must be prepared)
  2. Questions you don’t know the answer to (Don’t be afraid to say so and try to find the answer later for the person.)
  3. Questions no one can answer completely (ultimate questions)

Frequently raised:

    1. Problem of evil – God not the direct cause of sin. It is part of his plan.  Good will ultimately come of it.   Man responsible.
    2. Are the heathen lost? – None condemned for lack of information. All without excuse for sin and not acknowledging God. (Romans 1 and 2)
    3. Infant death and salvation – All human beings born outside Eden and liable to death. As all are counted guilty in Adam, so all may be saved in Christ. (Romans 5:12-21)

SESSION II

IV.  Specific Goal of Bible Study

  1. Get people exposed to God’s Word and the gospel.
  2. Provide an atmosphere for sharing the gospel personally.

V.  Procedures

  1. Host invites people for 3 or 4 week study. (Leader to guide host in this. Warn of discouragements. Suggest ideas: relatives, friends, acquaintances. Warn against prejudging and not inviting.)
  2. Set a definite time (schedule should call for 50-minute study, light refreshments, discussion (one to one!) and personal witness) Good to have partner (wife or other) to help in witness afterwards.

VI.  Survey of Material

Select special portions from Gospel of John for closer inspection – especially those rich with salvation truths. For Example: Make a list of “evangelistic” truths and “Christian Life” truths in John 1. Study should major on former.

VII. Leader’s Role

Precipitate discussion, leading people to discover gospel truths themselves.

For Example: The Navigators’ System

“What does it say here about…?”

(Or – “What do we learn here about Jesus?” or “about sin?”)

“What does it mean?”

“How does this apply to our lives today?”

SESSION III

VIII. Special Problems

  1. Discussion lagging – start with easy, “fact” questions with many answers. Repeat questions.
  2. Discussion “hog” – turn away, involve others: “Any other opinions?” “Some who haven’t shared yet, what do you think?”
  3. “Wrong” opinions voiced – discern essential and nonessential.
  • “Each has own ideas, but what does the verse say about that?
  • “Thanks. Now what do some others think?”
  • “Other opinions?”

4.  Unrelated discussion – Does it center on Person and work of Christ? Avoid tangents. Is it afield from test?

5.  Capitalizing on refreshment time – group shared questions we might use to open up personal spiritual conversation.

6.  Getting started – getting acquainted, introduce four Gospels, use John 20:30, 31 to introduce Gospel of John.

IX.  “Practice” leading a group, with constructive criticism.