Enjoying

Bible

In Groups

Other Booklets in this series

Contact <scripturalfocus@gmail.com> for copies Biblical Truths on Quiet time with God(Eng/Tel) Biblical Truths on Christian Marriage Biblical Truths on Career and Money Biblical Truths on Christian Discipleship(Eng/Tel) The Backslider at heart (Eng/Tel) Student in Missions (Eng/Tel) Christ and Leaders Biblical truths on stewardship

Enjoying Bible in Groups All rights reserved, no part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the prior permission of the copyright owners. Any part of this booklet that is quoted must bear reference to the title and author. The meticulous efforts of Ms Mary K and Muthu kumar in reviewing the language of the manuscript are acknowledged. Printed by: Campus Books. INDIA Price: Rs 15
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Content

Introduction..4 Biblical basis for GBS..5 Purpose of small Groups..6 Forming a small Group..7 Group ethics...9 Preparation for Group Discussion..10 One to another in all...12

Introduction
Bible is our rule book. It gives us our path. When we study scripture Personally (PBS), we could understand the scripture which mainly depends on our ability to read understand and interpret. When we hear to another person's preaching (church, fellowships), we can understand the scripture which depends on his study and presenting ability and your receiving ability. These two channels have great significance in understanding the scripture. Yet with these two channels everyone still have unanswered questions, lack of platform for giving their opinion. Thus there is a necessity for bible study as a group. Group Bible study is an added advantage to our spiritual disciplines: Quiet time with God, Discipleship, and stewardship. It helps in continuing in Teaching, worshipping, Prayer and Fellowship (Acts 2:42). Group Bible Study helps us to check our reading and gives answers to our ambiguous, controversial and unanswered questions. It helps us to increase confidence of our understanding of the word in turn it helps in speaking the same in public. It challenges us to prepare ourselves to answer questions. It helps to accept, forbear and pray for one another.
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Biblical Basis for Group Bible Study

Jesus said For where two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Mathew 18:20). And they continued in Apostle Doctrine (Acts 2:42). Bereans are more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with readiness of mind, in scriptures daily whether those things were so ( Acts 17: 11). God himself is in a community of three persons in onethe Father, Son, and Holy Spiritwho exist in perfect unity. So , God created us to be in community with one another. There's no sin yet and no disobedience;Genesis 2:18 states: "It is not good for man to be alone." Jesus' called 12 disciples to be his primary relational and ministry community. Jesus chose to love them, teach them, and pour himself into relationships with them, thereby creating the first "small group." The apostles continued Jesus' model and formed a community of believers who loved God and loved one another. Despite incredible persecutions and against all odds, this rag tag group of Jesus-followers launched small communities (i.e. church) that proclaimed the gospel and changed the world forever.
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Purpose of Small Groups

The most important purpose of a Christian small group is to honor God. With Christ held central, we are to worship God, Spend time in studying word of God, Sharing, Prayer, Fellowship, Missions, Accountability, and Mentoring as a small group. Every believer becomes part of a small group for different reasons. It may be for Making Friends, Asking Questions, Share Personal Experiences, Share Personal needs, Enjoy socializing with others, Learn to apply scripture to daily living. In continuous Bible study group there is a Spiritual Growth (Ecc 4:9-12), Spiritual Nurture (Heb 13:1; Heb 10:24), Spiritual Ministry (Phil 1:27), Spiritual Community (Acts 2:42) all these will help in being witness to the world. Each individual must choose a good Bible study group and he should continue in that.

Forming a Small Group

Starting a group: To form a group for GBS we need at least two believers. If you are able to meet a believer and then you can start believers Group Bible Study (Acts 5:42; Acts 20:20). In GBS continuity is important. For college students 12 classes in a year is good to start. Pray sincerely, God will lead you to the right people. Group members: Group members may compose of variety of individuals. Some may be sharp and some may be dump. Some are morally upright others may be weak and into pre-marital sex, live in relations, adulterous, flirt in nature and violent associations. Small group should be sensitive to every individual, and each member should give self respect and dignity to others. Such varieties in the group bring spice to the group and lends a great deal to the Bible Discussions. Have specific syllabus and time: Members can evaluate the objective of the group in early gatherings. It is good to have specific objective for the group to meet and discuss. Selecting proper topics based on the need of the group members. Prepare syllabus and content for

the group. Also have a specific timing for meeting so that everyone will have clarity about the program. Be enthusiastic: Groups in campus should rise over coffee, lawns and under trees. Even they met once, that meeting should be with an agenda. What Bible says about the selected subject? It should end with a Question, How we can do this meet again? Much preparation is needed for the first meet itself. Church will have time for worship, Prayer and bible study. Campus groups should not clash with church programs. Invite people: God is continually drawing men unto him (John 17:2). Draw people towards the small group through various means by Prayer over Coffee, Personal mails to encourage them in their need, Face book posts, sharing messages through Power Point, writing small booklets, producing Pamphlets and Writing articles.

Group Ethics
In campus, GBS group would be done by the students, of the students, and for the students. In order for the group to be efficient, purposeful and useful, students should follow certain ethics in the GBS group. Here is a list of ethics to consider for small group : All cell phones and other equipment can be switched off/ in silent mode. Everyone should let others finish, without interruptions. Everyone listen to each other and react with respect, even if we disagree. Everyone should be present as much as possible and should notify the small group leader when being absent. Meeting should start and end on time.. co-ed cells). We bring a Bible, pen and paper/note to each session. Confidentiality: what happens in small group stays in small group. Forgiven and take care of member if he trespass or sinned.
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Everyone should dress modestly (especially in

Preparation for Group Discussion

Studying Bible on your own is one thing and presenting the study to the students which is another thing which needs preparation. Statistics reveal that only 10% of what we hear, 30-50% of what we see, 70% what we hear and see, 90% of what we hear, see, and do can be recalled three days later. . Important part in group discussion is asking Questions. The person who is leading the study need to ask the questions to him first and then find answer for them, and such questions will fall into following categories. Questions based on the topic which you selected. Questions based on the fact finding Questions: who, what how, where when and why Questions based on type of learners: how learners, what learners, when learners, result oriented learners. Questions based on personality type: Popular, powerful, Perfect and peaceful.

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Preparing questions is not an easy task. He might have spent much time in preparing the Bible study. It will be good if he knows how to read and Understand the Bible well. Though it not a necessary condition to conduct group Bible study. He should start to know the techniques in Reading and understanding the Bible. Once you prepared the questions, review them check the flow of Questions. Smooth transition of questions from basic Questions to advance questions helps the participants to improve their learning abilities. Check the pase and evaluate the time.

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One to another in All

As group member we want to maintain group dynamics and unity among each other, while group discussing the topic by the steps of observation, Interpretation and Application. Every member is supposed to walk worthy of vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace(Eph 4:1-3). By seating arrangement: As a group we are not following Leader and sub-ordinates and not a group more than 12 people, it is recommended to sit in a circle. Our leaders are responsible brethrens to the group and are servants. It will create an atmosphere for openness of individual in the group to express, learn and see other members. Make sure everyone knows another. By Active Participation: In the group asking or responding to questions, reading scripture, or researching a word or thought will guarantee a higher rate of retention. The more participation and involvement we have in the learning process, the
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greater our retention. The result is that we get to know something or someone both intellectually and experientially. By Question and Answers: Group leader should be sensitive to the group and maintain relationship with everyone. Initially the leader may lead the study by asking questions and followed by the members answering. As the days go by group should mature so that every member will start to both question and answer which would lead to more mature study. By Time: Respect each one schedule. Begin the study at the announcement time. If we delay the starting time members get into a habit of Late. Keep your eye on watch and pass on to the next item as soon as constructive understanding has been reached. We should have schedule for the Group Bible Study and time allocated to the pace of the study. Let the members know we are completing the study in time. By Prayer: When you pray, remember each person in the group, main purpose of the study and needy people in and around. Ask couple of members to pray so that
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entire environment of group gets into the openness to the spirits work. Have a list of members with their clear name, address, Phone number, e-mail address etc. so that every other member pray for each other member throughout the week. By Reading: Read the passage slowly and very clearly. It helps everyone to grasp and get acquainted with the scripture. Each person can read a verse. Everyone can read portion in silent, then a person can read portion aloud. As reading happens take your pen and paper start writing observations. The person who is taking care of study can pool all the observations and draws every one into discussion. Make sure that everyone is able to answer and or understand basic fact finding questions. By Interpretation: All learning of Bible Teacher should be transformed into seqeunce of questions. Question should be placed such a way that members are able to interpret the passage. Each person has his own interpretation, taught and ideas about the passage. Our questions should make as many as possible to participate, encourage discussion by commenting on answer or showing approval. Whenever controversy
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happened, it simulates interest and thought by all members of the group. When individual in a group differ encourage him to go through the passage, if not study between sessions and encourage agree to disagree. By this we are forgiving each other and accepting each other views. By Review: During the course of study and between the studies we need to review. Whenever there is silence or pause is there in study, a group member can ask others to summarize what discussed. So that study leader get time to think of next major point!. Sometimes silence s good. God delights to speak when we are silent. Try to discern the silent: when people are thinking- which is good. Other way of silence is they are not clear or irrelevant. If studies are in series of sessions, it is good to have summary of previous sessions. By Problem solving: Ask direct and simple Questions to new members and or shy members. Ask too talkative person to prepare questions for next sessions and have private chat with him. In private chat appreciate and accept his talkativeness. Ask a person Where in the text did you find? to the person who is making
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irrelevant questions or to a person who digress by quoting from other parts of the scriptures. By Summarizing: Ask a group member to summarize what discussed. A good summary of clear cut points will help group members to easily emphasize points for practical application and further study. Those who wish further discussion may be encouraged to stay longer, or meet in another time, but official study should close in time with prayer and fellowship. By Delegating: As the group grows our job is to entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). We may need to devote our selves to an inner core who are faithful- training them to teach others also. By Differences: Just as everyone has unique

personalities, senses, and relationships, we also have different learning styles. Everyone will able to get comfortable with others learning and personality type and determine where you might best benefit yourself and your small group.

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