“Can you give me one book to read that explains what you think it means to be a Christian?” While this may be a dream scenario, it’s something we all should be and can be prepared for.
Pre-written studies have a place in growth group leading, but they work best when we use them to teach the Bible well rather than just to save time.
We are intimidated by the communal approach to life displayed by the early church in Acts 2. We are terrified of being defrauded, of suffering wrong. We skim right over having “glad and generous hearts”.
The original Swedish Bible Study Method was introduced into the Church of Sweden in the Swedish city of Västerås in the 1940`s by David Berglund.
If anybody was regarded as a little bit crazy in his time, a bit of a round peg in a square hole but who ultimately changed the world, it was Paul.
When I glance around my church during the sermon, I don’t see many moving pens or pencils. I do see lots of open Bibles, and a couple of people furiously typing with their thumbs.
We are saved from God’s wrath and the consequences of disobedience, but for good works. In Ephesians these works include: works of ministry, avoiding unfruitful works of darkness; and serving others in a Christlike manner in family, marriage, work and church.
The most common mistake people make in working with volunteers is thinking that a low bar is the best way to get people onto a ministry team. “You only have to…” “It’s just once every…” “There’s not much preparation…”