Group Study
Group study is a good way, maybe the best way, for a person to
begin to really study the Word of God. It goes well with Individual Study. Many churches have one or more ongoing bible study groups. They
may focus on an overview of the Bible; on an individual chapter, or topic, or be organized in yet another manner. But they bring structure, there is fellowship with other believers and provide many insights that someone
studying on their own might miss. Group study can be combined with individual
study. In a group, especially a small group, there can be time for discussion,
for contemplation and also for prayer. My wife and I have participated in several
small group Bible study programs. They are often combined with video presentations,
fellowship (like coming together for a meal), and discussion. You learn about
the Word with others and make new Christian friends to form new communities of faith.
At our church, we have the Alpha Course which consists of a video
presentation, fellowship (meals together) and small group discussion. It is designed
for beginners in the Word. It is available free online at this link: http://alphacourse.org/. We also have men’s small group study, woman’s group’s
study. The men’s small group study (5 to 10 or 12 men) has become a ministry
unto its self and grown from one group to 4 individual groups over the past four years.
We have a more advanced small group study that focuses on the Book of Philippians.
.
Another Bible study group program is “See through the Scriptures.” This is ideal for group study and is an overview of the Bible appropriate for small
group study. A link to this site is: http://www.crossways.org/courses/seethrough.shtml. I am participating in this course, through our church, as of this
writing.
Or use the very popular “40 Days of Purpose” book
and do a 40-day- program with a small group, or even with just your family. The
book, by Pastor Rick Warren, is available almost everywhere. Here is a link: http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/.
(Help) My
Church doesn’t have any Bible study programs.
Some churches are small and lack resources, or much worse (an
interest in the Word), and do not provide their members with Bible study programs. There
are several solutions for this. Be bold and start a small Bible study group for
your church. Find some Christian brothers and sisters and start a couple’s
group, a mixed group, a kid’s group or whatever type you wish. There are
many packaged programs you could use.
Many churches will allow non-members to participate in their groups
without making you switch churches. At our church (http://home.earthlink.net/~decluth/), we had Catholics, other Protestant denominations (and even non-believers) in our many 40-days-of- purpose
small groups. We welcome Christians from other churches to join our men’s
small group study. And believers from other churches add new perspectives. In Heaven, we won’t be separated by our particular flavor (denomination) of
Christianity.
If your church really lacks an interest in the Word and you can’t
find any brothers or sisters interested in studying the Word, this might be a good reason to consider looking for a different
church.
