Developing a Study — Part 1 — Introduction
Posted on: June 27, 2010 in The Hub Feature, The Hub News
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1)
APPLYING TRUTH TO LIFE
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to take a look at the practical work of preparing a GROWTH Group study. As a part of a GROWTH Group meeting, studies can help us learn to apply truth to life. If you’re the designated leader of the group, ultimately it is your responsibility to guide the members of the group through the stages of group life, and much of that navigation is done in the group meetings themselves. The skill of conducting great meetings is one that combines many factors, none of them overwhelming in themselves, yet all significant in their application.
Over the next 5 weeks, we will equip you to prepare a study based on scripture, that will inform and empower those in the meeting. To help you with this process, we have supplied a guide (Preparing a Bible Study) that you can use to record your notes and questions.
Before commencing the process of putting together a study, it is beneficial to remind yourself of exactly who will be in the room when it is delivered. Author John Ortberg coined the helpful phrase “You have to put the hay where the horses can eat it”. He was making the point that truth is always wonderful, but it isn’t transformational until it can be grasped, understood and applied. Likewise, if the group is one that learns best through visual, auditory or experiential means, then some forethought must go into determining how to present the truth in ways it can be most effectively absorbed by them. In this regard, you may need to consider the use of DVD teachings, music, practical exercises or conventional spoken methods in the delivery of the study.
1. TEACHING GOAL
One of the most challenging yet beneficial facets of study preparation is the task of defining the goal of the teaching. Preferably, you should be able to define that goal in one sentence. It may be something like: “To have the group internalise the value of people so they will be motivated to reach out”, or: “To understand and apply God’s forgiveness”. Note that “Filling up the teaching time” is not really an acceptable goal! The goal should have an element of measurable transformation attached to it, whether the change is in belief, character or action.
The key to setting a goal that is more than just a random line in the sand is to apply SERVE skill number one: See Ahead to a preferred future. More than anyone else in the group, the leader will be aware of how the group is positioned along the stages of the group’s development continuum. This will assist you in determining whether the group is more in need of learning aimed at belief, practice, outreach, community or spiritual development.
In the absence of some strategic initiative on the leader’s part (albeit clothed in a degree of consultation) the group can quickly descend into a situation we might call Curriculum Gridlock. This often appears when someone in the group asks: “What should we study next?” As innocent as that question can be, it opens the door for each person to passionately suggest a theme of interest that suits their current phase of curiosity. A no-win situation then results since the potential denial of a request will bring tension, especially if you have no real reason to not comply; or, if you do comply, then the study series will potentially serve no strategic purpose for the overall direction of the group. If that logic sounds harsh, consider the consequences of what is not being accomplished for the Kingdom because just one group of people have bogged down in admirable, but probably unproductive material. Romans 12:8 states that if we are leaders, we are to lead diligently. That needn’t be an onerous responsibility, but it will require us to be intentional. Where possible we are to facilitate the journey of the group towards multiplication.
Therefore, when considering which material to use for your study material, always take the time to dwell on where the group is at, where they are to be going, and what steps might help to bridge that gap. Then you can articulate your goal by answering two questions:
1) What would you like the group to do or change?
2) Why?
At times you will simply use externally produced material for your study component, however there will certainly be seasons where you will require some personally developed, Bible-based studies that reflect what you believe to be God’s reasonable direction for the group. To aid you in that process we suggest you use a tool called SOAR (yes, another acronym!) to guide you in forming a scripturally sound study session.
Scripture
Observation
Application
Response
Next week we’ll examine S for Scripture…
Written by Pat Hegarty, from STEP 4 — Passing It On.
STEP 4 Resources — ©2009 Kenmore Baptist Church. For more information on STEP 4, and the Pathways Spiritual Development program, visit us here
