As our church rents all the building, we have little choice but to keep gatherings to a minimum. Things have improved a lot now, but in the past, most of the congregation would change every year, preventing long-term discipleship programs. Given my missionary background, I have experience with various Bible study materials and, as God’s gift, I enjoy teaching the Bible. I have tried many different methods of Bible study.
At first I used Bible study materials from various missionary organisations, but have since created my own. Among these, a systematic Bible study course (B2 course) that covers the gospel from the life of Jesus to His death is currently running as a one-day course. In addition, we recently introduced a “Bible overview” course to help grasp the general message of Scripture, a grace-oriented Bible Study that encourages those who are just starting out, and a Bible Study designed to help people read the Bible from a theological perspective beyond simple reading.
Once we even studied the Old Testament books from Genesis to Esther, as well as the entire New Testament in sections of one to three chapters, analysing the text in detail. Sometimes we referred to commentaries, studied the text thoroughly, and worked to apply it to our lives. All such Bible Studies were conducted through cell groups, so it wasn’t easy for the leaders who guided the groups or for the cell members either. Thankfully, now that many people stay long-term, having families or as settled professionals, I have felt the need to create a more systematic Bible Study curriculum. Due to my pastoral experience and confidence in how to conduct Bible Study, I did not feel inclined to use discipleship training materials available elsewhere, yet creating a new one seemed a heavy task. After much deliberation, I think it is something we will need to create ourselves eventually.
Therefore, the cell groups will serve as places for sharing sermons and fellowship so that anyone can comfortably participate. Bible Studies will be held separately and developed gradually, so that many members can join and grow in deeper and more consistent discipleship. The plan is to proceed step by step and integrate steadily. Rather than simply delivering knowledge or giving lectures, the goal is to gather in small groups, learn the Bible in the context of relationships, and allow those who have learned together to naturally go on to teach others, continuing the cycle of life.
First, I plan to start with a small group of people who apply to practice “listening to God’s voice” through Bible Meditation. This will be repeated in multiple rounds until enough people have completed the process and can form another group to study important biblical topics together. After completing the Bible Study, what I would like to continue with is discipleship training, studying the gospel that changes our thinking, character, and life, and learning to apply it.
The method will be to find and teach relevant Bible passages, or to choose a particular book of the Bible and study the text carefully. By studying in this way, people will naturally become familiar with how to interpret the text and apply it to their lives. If we do this, even without special Bible Study materials, anyone with the Bible will be able to teach. I hope our church will become one that teaches the Bible well.
