jimmy
New Member
Posts: 11 
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Post by jimmy on Jul 8, 2014 9:54:33 GMT -6
Hello friends,
Do any of you have or participate in home groups? If so, what curriculum or is the typical format for your groups?
I want to stay tuned to what is working with others abroad.
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Post by monkwithsevenkids on Jul 8, 2014 17:11:13 GMT -6
We have what is discipleship/small groups at our church. The purpose of these groups is to meet any time/any location to make scheduling flexible for those who can't attend traditional discipleship groups. Each group is free to choose their study from a list of studies that we provide. This helps us to keep the groups accountable and ensure they are not studying something that is unscriptural. The most popular types of studies are ones from Northpoint Community Church in Atlanta. This is Andy Stanley's church. These studies are normally 4-6 weeks in length and are mostly DVD driven. The teaching is relevant, Biblical, and very high quality. You can find these at northpoint.org.
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Post by CowboysDad on Jul 9, 2014 9:05:05 GMT -6
One of our elders has a small group at his home on Sundays nights once or twice a month which he calls Life Group. One of our core values at the church is "community." His wife provides a buffet-style, bring-a-side-if-you-can, sit-anywhere-and-visit meal from about 5:00-5:45. Then we all cram into the living room and he teaches a light study (not sure what curriculum because I've only been twice) from 5:45-6:30 and then people stay and play games and visit for at least another hour or more. Family style. I've noticed that some people come more for the games afterwards than the study. It seems to work.
Some small groups enjoy book studies. One of the ones I've used with good success is "Stranger on the Road to Emmaus." It is a survey of the Bible in 15 weeks. You can buy study questions that go along with it as well. It's really good for those who aren't Christians and are interested in learning about the Bible, but it also seems to work well for those Christians who have never quite put the flow of the Bible together in their mind. It is structured well enough that you can take turns reading through one chapter during the group time rather than having to read it at home before you come. Seems to work especially well for men.
My two cents.
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jimmy
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by jimmy on Jul 9, 2014 9:24:26 GMT -6
Thanks for the input.
I like the community emphasis. That is something I may try and focus on so that the leaders/teachers will not feel so intimidated.
My avatar is REALLY bald. lol…
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Post by disciple6640 on Aug 8, 2014 18:18:29 GMT -6
Everything that has been posted thus far has been good. I run a home study on Wednesday nights out of my house and one of the things I have always liked was going through a book of the Bible in an inductive way. There is a big push right now to use booklets and DVD studies which are awesome as well and are good for small breaks, but I think we have to be careful not to substitute the Word too much or too often.
When going through the Word in a small group / in home setting I have found the most productive ones are done with a group inductive method.
1. Lead the group, but not in a absolute teaching/preaching role; instead lead it as a facilitator.
2. Have the group read through the text together, each person reading anywhere from 5 to 10 versus a piece depending on size of group and size of section of Scripture.
3. Then have them read it to themselves privately.
4. Then the leader will read aloud each section of versus ( 5 or 10 ) pausing to unpack each section as follows:
A. Highlight some key words or thoughts; pointing out "Observations"
B. Ask the people what they see in this section, if there is anything God may be revealing to them or something that stood out to them (there observations).
C. Point out any cross references and provide minimal interpretations at this point.
D. Most importantly ask thought provoking questions that lead them to come up with more interpretation and/ or applications as a group.
5. If done right the group will
A. Work and learn together what the Scripture is teaching in context
B. Learn how to properly do an inductive Bible study
C. Get excited about reading the Bible because it will come "alive" right before their eyes.
Leading as a facilitator means letting them discover the meaning as you guide them instead of just listening to you teach. Also, your job is to keep them on the right path, as this type of study can take things out of context if not corrected, but once again it is a another great teaching tool as you show them by reminder how to keep everything in context of the author when you correct a faulty thought or interpretation. This also is an easy way to lead a group for someone who has a strong knowledge base, but may be nervous about being authoritative because of a lack of confidence as they are simply guiding the group to come up with the right conclusions rather then "telling" them what it means.
Every group I have been a part of that has been like this has always had a great time in the Word and have come away feeling like they really have learned something exciting. I have seen many come away saying that they have a new found thirst for the Word.
Anyway, just a thought. God Bless all of you keep seeking the kingdom first.
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