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GROUP BIBLE STUDY - GBS
1.0 Biblical Basis:
1. Joshua 1:8 - God says
that we must know His word and how and why we should study and what results we
can expect
a. Perpetuate
b. Prosper
c. Prepare
d. Possess
e. Practice
2. Acts. 17:11
2.0 GBS is…
a group
discussion
where there is Co-operative thinking and exchange of views all based on facts
discovered from the Bible.
3.0 Advantages of GBS:
-
Personal
investigation is encouraged
-
Passage
is led to speak of itself
-
Participants minds are fully involved
-
Preaching
of Holy Spirit through individuals
-
Prejudices and misunderstandings are checked
-
Personal
faith is reinforced and challenged
-
Purity in
heart as a result of honest sharing
-
Precise
communication
-
Person to
person relationship grows
-
Professionals are not needed
-
Prospective leaders grow
-
Progress
in fellowship and dynamism of group
4.0 Preparation -
Personal (Self):
4.1 Prayer:
-
Time
spent in prayer is not time wasted. It is essential
-
Pray for
yourself - to understand and to apply
-
Pray for
the members of the group
-
Pray for
the working of Holy Spirit
-
Pray for
definite and specific results - goals / objectives
4.2 Personal Study:
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GBS is
essentially a PBS magnified
-
Good
Bible discussions rarely happen by accident. They are the result of careful preparation.
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Follow
Inductive Bible Study method.
Observation ...... What does the Bible Say?
Interpretation ...... What does the Bible mean?
Application
...... What does the Bible mean to me?
4.3 Purpose of the Study:
-
If you aim at
nothing, you’ll hit it every time
-
A good study should
have a clearly defined purpose
-
Form a statement of
purpose for the study based on the primary focus of the passage
-
Decide the purpose
before writing your study so that the questions will reflect that purpose.
5.0 Preparation - Posers (Questions)
5.1 Purpose of Questions:
-
Questions
should be designed to get maximum information at a minimum time
-
Questions
are the leaders best tools to stimulate others to examine the facts of the text & to discover its
significance and application.
-
Co-operative thinking - Mind involves
Exchange of views - Mouth involves
Questions alone can make both of them to involve
4. Questions
should be
* Keys to unlock the mysteries (Observation)
* Lamps to
understand the truth (Interpretation)
* Guide posts
to practice the truth (Application)
5.2 Types of Questions:
5.2.1 Observation Questions (Eye questions to discuss)
-
Observation is finding the facts and
their implications in the text. It is also noticing things which need
explanation
-
Should
help a person to gain knowledge from the passage
-
Should be
able to answer by one thoughtful reading itself
-
Should
take the group into the teaching or events
-
Should
help one to reconstruct the narrative or discourse in his own words
-
Can make
use of 7 FFQs - who, where, what, when, why, how & so what.
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Avoid too
many silly questions
5.2.2 Interpretation Questions (Mind questions to discuss)
-
Interpretation is finding the significance of the facts & their
implications, explaining or the meaning of the facts
-
Meaning,
significance, explanation - goals of interpretation
-
Should
help to understand what the biblical facts mean
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Should
promote meaningful discussion
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Should
not be too abrupt or pointed
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Avoid
speculative questions e.g. Why did Jesus send the demons into pigs?
-
Avoid
asking opinions on controversial doctrines.
5.2.3 Application Questions (Heart questions to decide / direct)
-
Application is acting on the conclusions. It is personally responding to the
message of the text
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Should
help a person in applying his understanding to every day
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Should
lead to actual implementation of what is learnt
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Should
yield answers that are achievable goals within a specific period of time.
6.0 Preparation - Place:
7.0 Leading Group Bible Study:
7.1 Warm-up Period:
time where
people can mingle & talk with each other catching upon the past week, sharing
answers to prayer or how they attempted to follow through on specific
applications during the week. A Short time of worship will be enjoyable.
7.2 Study Period:
7.3 Discussion Period:
7.3.1 Tools:
Best tools -
good questions and good ears.
7.3.2 TIPS (Principles
of good leadership):
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Respect the authority of the Bible
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Be kind
and open toward people with a relaxed attitude
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Stick to
the passage being studied
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Avoid
answering your own questions
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Don’t be
afraid of silence
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Don’t be
content with just one answer
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Listen
attentively - acknowledge their contribution
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Be
enthusiastic - Enthusiasm is contagious
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Admit
your own ignorance, faults or inability
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Periodically summarize
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Be
punctual - in starting, in dividing and in closing
7.3.3 Tensions:
Derailer:-
whose comments lead the group off the track. Remind the topic. Assure that it
can be discussed later.
Monopolizer:-
who
does most of the talking, preventing others. Address the question to others.
Announce the limitation of time.
Timid
Person:- who feels comfortable when he isn’t sharing. Ask
a simple questions. Ask him by name. Appreciate him.
IMPORTANT:
%%% An alert Bible
study leader watches %%%
How the content is
being covered?
What is happening to
the people?
8.0 After GBS:
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Praise
God for His mighty work using you
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Spend
sometime with new comers
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Acknowledge the ideal participants
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Discuss
with those who may need more help
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Troublemakers may be counselled
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Get the
feedback
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Evaluate
with keen leaders
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Pray,
plan and prepare for the next GBS.
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