Guest Post – Discovery and the Inductive Approach

by davidwatson on November 9, 2010

Another Guest Post from David Broodryk.  I spent the last three weeks with David in South Africa.  We discussed many of the topics covered in this post.  David is working hard to develop Disciple-making approaches for a post modern culture.

Discovery and the Inductive Approach

There are two main approaches to Bible study.  One is inductive.  The other is deductive.  Discovery groups work with an inductive approach.  They fail when using a deductive approach.  The struggle we have in particularly Christian-background cultures is that most seminaries and churches teach a deductive approach to scripture.  When this Christian baggage is carried into our Discovery groups, it causes serious problems.

The Deductive approach

A deductive approach begins with generalizations, conclusions or doctrines and moves for support of these by using scripture.  In other words, it begins with a prior belief and then attempts to make scripture support this predetermined belief.  Deduction is subjective and often prejudicial.  It is narrow by nature and is concerned with testing or proving hypotheses.  It produces Christians who dictate to the Scriptures, rather than disciples who listen to the Scriptures.

When we talk about placing the Word of God in the hands of ordinary people, many church leaders express a fear that heresy will develop (A fascinating return to pre-reformation thinking!).  This fear arises from their deductive training.  A deductive Bible study or sermon begins from a point that the teacher is trying to make, and then uses a number of scripture verses and examples to support that conclusion. Most Western churches are built on this deductive approach to scripture.  So are most cults.  A cult begins when a powerful leader begins with a premise and then brews a concoction from scattered pieces of scripture to construct support for his premise.   Cults are formed when God’s people become too lazy to form their understanding of truth on Scripture itself, but rely on a strong teacher or denomination to interpret scripture for them.  Cults use the deductive approach in order to keep people ignorant of the scriptures and dependent on the leaders of the cult.  This “top down” approach is the root cause of most heresies.  The result of the church adopting this approach to scripture is that most churches are “heresy management centres.”  They are continually trying to counter heretical deductive reasoning with truth arrived at by using the same deductive approach.  The result is all kinds of arguments about often petty issues that ignore the simplicity of plain obedience to scripture.  The best defence against heresy in small groups is not a deductive process, but rather an inductive approach to scripture.

This is not to say that there is no place for the deductive approach.  Not all deductive study is dogmatic or heretical (making scripture say something it actually does not say).  At its most basic level, deductive Bible study is simply instruction in Biblical doctrine.  As long as doctrine is formed by correctly handling scripture, it is of some benefit.  Of course, in deductive Bible study the student places a lot of trust in his teacher to guide him through the doctrines.  This creates a problem in our “insight-based” culture.  Too often, leaders under pressure to reveal their “latest insight” fall into weaving a web of interpretations that appear to support their desired view.  They deceive themselves and their audience by impressing their own thinking into the Bible rather than allowing the Bible to impress it’s thinking on them.  They are less concerned with what the scriptures say than they are about protecting their own personal insight.  The result, regardless of the teacher’s intent, is that the listeners are misled (2 Peter 3:16).  It is therefore vital that we teach believers to be like the Bereans, who tested what they heard against the scriptures (Acts 17:11-12).  This is the strongest defence against heresy.  Scripture teaches this practice, continually warning us to guard against fables, babblings and contradictions that are falsely called knowledge (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 6:3-5; 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 4:3-4).  The only way to truly test what Scripture says is to use an inductive approach.

The Inductive Approach

A better approach in a small group is an inductive approach to scripture (what we call a Discovery Group).  An inductive approach is objective and impartial. It demands that we first examine the particulars of the Scriptures and then make conclusions based on those particulars. It begins with the plain text of scripture, and encourages participants to read the passages and draw conclusions directly from what the text itself says.  Inductive reasoning, by its very nature, is more open-ended and exploratory.  It uses questions asked by a facilitator in order to elicit thought and learning.  It is a highly effective learning method, especially in a self-correcting group process.  Facilitators of an inductive study group are trained to ask questions, not provide answers.  People are trained to study the scriptures.  They are taught to ask questions which help them understand what is going on, what is being said, and how that relates to the rest of the passage.   Inductive Bible study on the basic level is simply careful instruction in the meaning of the Biblical text.  It produces students of Scripture rather than students of doctrine.

A simple inductive study involves three steps:

1)      Observation of the scripture (what does it say?)

2)      Interpretation of the scripture (what does it mean?)

3)      Application of the scripture (what will I do in response?)

The purpose of inductive Bible Study is not to build doctrine (although over time people do begin to form doctrinal understandings based on the scriptures they have read).  Rather, it is textual in nature, demanding careful examination of the Biblical texts in order to know what they mean and how we should apply them to our lives.  The primary purpose of the inductive approach is to lead students into a knowledge and understanding of scripture that moves them towards practical application (2 Timothy 3:15-41).  The ultimate goal of a faithful Bible teacher should be to raise his students up to his level of understanding and obedience, so that they may eventually instruct and correct him (Ephesians 4:11-16).

A common objection to the simple inductive process is that people will become so focused on the details of the text, that they overlook the larger picture.  It is true that a person or group looking at one text or passage can interpret that passage incorrectly.  In our post-modern age of personal insight and personal application that is a valid concern.  However, the objection ignores the fact that over time, the group will self-correct if taught correctly.  Any imbalance is corrected over time through a balanced approach to the entire body of Scripture.  As new scriptures are introduced, the group learns a vital principle of interpretation – that scripture interprets scripture.  Without fail, they adjust and grow in their understanding of scripture at a deeper level than the deductive approach would ever have produced.

How Deductive reasoning destroys groups

The biggest failure of the deductive approach is that it does not lead naturally to obedience.  Rather, it most often leads to disagreements and arguments between group members.  This sometimes happens so subtly and suddenly, that an inexperienced facilitator is easily caught off guard.  Christians, especially, are so programmed to think deductively that some of them almost never “get it.”  For example, let’s look at an all-too-common interaction when Christians attempt the Discovery process:

Facilitator: What is this passage in Genesis 1 saying?

John (unbeliever): It says to me that God made everything (inductive conclusion).

James (new believer): This passage tells me that God made everything around me.  If that is true, then we have a responsibility to look after it.  This week, I will make a point of picking up litter and looking after the world that God created (inductive conclusion and obedience statement).

John (unbeliever): It seems to be saying that God made everything in six days and then rested on the seventh day.  I have been working a lot lately, but if God saw the need to take time to rest, then I also need rest.  I will take time this week to rest and spend time with my family (inductive conclusion and obedience statement).

Mary (believer): Well, I don’t believe God made the world in six literal days.  If you allow me, then I can show you that the days were not literal, but figurative.  Also, Jesus did away with the Sabbath.  In Hebrews it says . . . (approaching scripture with a doctrinal premise and using scriptures to try prove a point).

Facilitator: Mary, let’s try to stick with this passage and learn what God is saying to us through it – how we can obey Him.

Mary (gets offended): Well, if you don’t want to hear what I have to say then tell me so.  I think it is important for these new believers to understand what the Bible really says!  They can easily fall into error, you know!

What is taking place in this interaction?  The unbeliever and new believer easily follow the inductive approach.  They deal with the passage before them and instinctively follow the process of “simple truth simply obeyed.”  The believer enters the discussion loaded with deductive reasoning and defensive doctrine.  She believes that she is the defender of truth.  Unaware of the consequences of her actions, Mary continually interferes with the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the others present.  She uses her doctrines to avoid simple obedience.  Her statements muddy the waters, making it difficult to see the simple truth in the scriptures before the group.  The ideal is to never have unbelievers and believers together in the same group.  In reality, this is not always possible.  In this case, Mary will need to be confronted gently until she changes or leaves.  Left unchecked, her behaviour will destroy the group.

How deductive reasoning destroys replication

The inductive process keeps the Word of God as the central authority in the group.  This is easily replicated.  The group does not need a Bible expert to lead the group – they simply need a Bible.  Members of the group quickly understand this and develop a boldness to start groups of their own.

However, when the group falls into a deductive mode, members become passive.  Stronger leaders that dominate the conversation quickly emerge.  These leaders become the “experts and defenders” of Biblical truth.  Members of the group stop participating for fear of being shot down by the experts.  Replicating the group becomes impossible, or at best extremely slow, because each new group needs another expert in order to survive.  Groups based on deductive reasoning cannot effectively replicate.

 Inductive rules

A simple set of rules have helped us to keep the Discovery groups faithful to the inductive process.  These rules guide the group discussion. 

Rules for a Discovery Group:

1)      The passage preaches, not any person.  Stick with the passage of scripture in front of the group – no “hyperlinking” to other passages!

2)      No individual may impose his or her “insight” on others – stick with the plain and simplest meaning of the passage in front of the group.

3)      Any individual may challenge any other individual in the group with one simple question, “Where does it say what you are saying in this passage of scripture?”

The rules are not fool-proof.  We still have people resorting to deductive reasoning.  But the rules have helped us to stay reasonably faithful to the process – even in a churched context.  In order to work, every member of the group must “own” the rules.  Every member of the group becomes a policeman of the process.  And yes, people with a Western church background are by far the most difficult to manage in this process!

Curriculum Design

It is vital that those who design and determine curriculum, have a deep understanding of the inductive process.  Curriculum cannot be scripture-based – it must be scripture-only.  Curriculum designers cannot begin with a premise and then attempt to piece together passages that support that premise.  The meaning must flow from the simplest interpretation of the passages.  This becomes even more complex when working with various translations, cultures and languages.  The basic test for curriculum designers is, “Does the simplest interpretation of this text inside the target culture and language, using the translation that people will be reading, consistently lead to the desired truth discovered and obeyed?”  Application is often personal, but the interpretation should be consistent.  This kind of curriculum is something that is only arrived at through careful research, practical testing, intensive review and a dynamic process of continued self-correction.

Conclusion

The Discovery process is a powerful method for leading people to become obedient followers of Christ.  But in order to work, it needs to stay with an inductive approach to scripture.  Curriculum designers must stay engaged through a dynamic process of testing and self-correction. Outside leaders must carefully train the inductive method.  Facilitators must ensure that the approach to scripture remains inductive.  Any member of the group that enters into deductive reasoning can potentially destroy the process.  When every person in the process becomes a guardian of the inductive process, it never leads to heresy, but rather releases the life-transforming power of the gospel.

David Broodryk
South Africa

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Guest Post – Small Groups that have the DNA of a Gospel Planting Movement

by davidwatson on October 11, 2010

Following is a guest post by a team member, Paul Watson.  Paul’s article has included my treaching and his application and thought in a well written article.  I hope you enjoy it, and find it helpful in your ministry.

Blessings!

David Watson
Irving, Texas

 

Small Groups that have the DNA of a Gospel Planting Movement by Paul Watson on February 18, 2010

A Group Exercise

David Watson put an image up on the screen.  “I want you to take a look at this image.”  After a few seconds, he blanked the screen.  “Now, describe the image.”

People called out various things they remembered.  David allowed them to continue, just until they started repeating things that others said already.  He put the picture back on the screen.  “Could any one of you remember everything in this image?”  A collective, “No” swept through the audience.  “Yet, together, you manage to remember most of the details in this painting.  Now that you’ve heard everyone list what they remembered, I’ll bet that you remember more of the image than you did before we talked about it.”

David looked around the room, “Group memory is better than individual memory.  And, as groups recall what they remember, their collective memory becomes the memory of the individual.  This is one of the many reasons groups, and the group process, are essential to starting movements.”

Benefits of Groups

Groups, and the group process, are a strategic element of our strategy to plant the Gospel all over the world.  When I say ‘strategic element’ I mean, ‘our strategy would fail miserably if groups, and the group process, were not part of it.’  Underestimating the power of groups, and the importance of group process, is one of the biggest mistakes a Gospel planter can make.

There are several reasons groups are so powerful:

Groups remember more than individuals. As David demonstrated with his picture exercise, a group of people can remember more, and more accurately, than an individual.  As groups recall things together, group memory becomes the memory of each individual in the group.

Groups learn faster than individuals. Groups require less repetition of facts and principles before they can recall them collectively.  As we’ve said before, the group recollection process causes group memory to become individual memory.  Consequently, the learning process is greatly accelerated in groups when you allow the group process to happen.

Groups replicate faster than individuals. Because groups remember more and learn faster, individuals within group rapidly reach a point at which they can pass on what they know to others.  Since that individual was discipled within the group process, they naturally use the same process to disciple new groups: within their own silo or in a neighboring silo.

Groups replicate more often than individuals. Since members of a properly led group get to a point of replication very quickly, they can replicate more often.  They know how to plant what they know into groups within their silo, or in neighboring silos, so individual group members replicate themselves within other groups.  This allows group members to replicate with more people than if they focused on individuals.

Groups are a protection against bad leadership and heresy. When the authority of Scripture and the Holy Spirit is part of group DNA and group process, groups can protect themselves against bad leadership.   Groups that measure what leaders say against Scripture can easily stop the actions of leaders who try to implement extra-Biblical, or even un-Biblical, policies and procedures.  Consequently, the effects of bad leadership are reduced, bad leaders are removed, and heresy is avoided.

Groups self-correct. This is the reason well-discipled groups protect against bad leadership and heresy.  Group members understand the Scripture they read and correct each other when someone introduces an interpretation or application of Scripture that isn’t apparent in the passage.

Groups keep individuals accountable. If you plant the Gospel in established silos and groups, group members see each other enough to hold each other accountable.  If a group member disobeys Scripture, the group can become aware of their disobedience rather quickly.  Properly discipled groups address this disobedience and help in the repentance and restoration of their disobedient member.

Discipling Groups

When you engage existing groups within silos, you reduce many cultural barriers that slow down (or stop) group process.  Families have existing authority structures.  Well-established affinity groups already have leaders and followers.  That being said, groups need still need to be discipled.  In other words, they need to be taught how to study the Bible together, how to discover what God says through His Word, how to change their lives to obey God’s Word, and how to share Bible passages with friends and family.  Groups don’t do these things naturally; they have to be discipled into them so that they become as natural as breathing.

Use Existing Groupings. I’ve already discussed, at length, the benefits of engaging existing groupings within their silos rather than starting groups that are a composite of people from different silos.  You can read that post here.

Establish DNA Early. Groups establish the habits and DNA for meetings very quickly – by the third or fourth meeting.  Groups are very resistant to change once they’ve established their pattern for meeting.  Consequently, group DNA must be established during your first meeting with the group.

Establish DNA Though Action. You cannot tell people what DNA they need to have.  You have to get them to do things, or think about things in a way, that leads them to build habits.  These habits become DNA.  If you establish DNA well – through action, not instruction – then groups will replicate that DNA naturally within their silos and in overlapping silos.  We will talk about this more in the Group Process section.

Establish DNA Through Repetition. Group DNA is the product of what you do, and do often.  You cannot do something once or twice and expect it to become DNA.

Let’s see what this looks like.

What DNA do you need for groups that multiply?

In December of 2009, David Watson and I traveled to Honduras.  A missionary attended a few of our trainings and worked hard to implement them in Honduras.  But after a year of trying, this missionary was about to declare that Gospel Planting Movement methodologies wouldn’t work in Honduras.  After a week with his team – almost all Hondurans – we realized that the missionary adapted the Discovery Bible Study meeting.  Consequently, groups they started left out several elements of the study – important DNA elements for multiplication – and were not replicating.

Several members of the missionary’s team did not want to make the necessary changes.  He lost all but six members of his team.  We also told the missionary that his team members needed to work in pairs, instead of going to villages individually.  Instead of 14 individuals traveling to 14 places, this missionary now had three teams of two.  They could only work in three areas at a time.  The missionary thought we were crazy, but he and his remaining team members were thoroughly committed to the process.

In the year after that trip, they started 300 Discovery Bible Study groups.  Many were third generation groups – a group that started a group that started a group (third generation).

There is a minimum DNA required for groups to replicate past the first generation.  Let’s take a look at each element.

Prayer. Just as prayer is an essential element of movements, prayer is also a critical element of groups.  From the first meeting, we embed prayer in the group process.  Remember, we never ask lost people to bow their heads and pray.   We don’t explain what prayer is.  We don’t have a lecture about this being an important part of group DNA.  Instead, we introduce a simple question, “What are you thankful for today?”  Each person in the group shares.  Later, after they choose to follow Christ, we say, “You remember how we open each meeting with the question, “What are you thankful for?”  Now, as followers of Christ, we talk with God the same way.  Let’s tell Him what we are thankful for?”

Intercession. All intercession is prayer, but not all prayer is intercession.  That is why we separated intercession and prayer as parts of the DNA of groups that replicate.  Intercession involves sharing personal concerns and stresses as well as the concerns and stresses of others.  A simple question, “What things have stressed you out this week?” introduces this DNA element to groups of lost people.  Again, each person shares.  After the group becomes a baptized group of believers we say, “In the same way that you shared things that stressed you out with each other, now you can share those same things with God.  Let’s do that now.”

Ministry. David Watson defines ministry as, “God using His people to answer the prayers of the lost and of the saved.”  As any group – lost or saved – shares needs, there is going to be a group desire to make a difference.  All the group needs is a little nudge.  Ask the question, “As we shared things that stressed us out, is there any way we could help each other during the coming week?”  Follow it up with, “Do you know anyone in your community that needs our help?”  Embed this DNA from the beginning and you won’t have to worry about motivating the group to transform their community when they become Christian.

Evangelism/Replication.  Did you know that lost people can evangelize?  Well, they can if you keep it simple enough.  Evangelism, at its core, is sharing the Gospel with someone else.  When working with lost people, they don’t know the whole Gospel.  That is totally ok.  We just want them to share the story they just heard with someone who wasn’t in the group.  We get them to think this way with a simple question, “Who do you know that needs to hear this story this week?”

If that person is interested, rather than bringing them into the existing group, we have the first lost person start a group with them, their friends, and their family.   So the first lost person experiences the study in their original group and then replicates the same study in the group they started with their friend.

We have had groups that started four other groups before the first group ever became a group of baptized believers.  Within a few weeks after the first group was baptized, the other groups came to a place where they chose to follow Christ and were baptized as well.

I know this sounds crazy.  Stick with me and some of the questions I know you have right now will be answered in a bit.

Obedience. Like I said before, obedience is a critical element of Gospel Planting Movements.  Obedience has to be present even at the small group level, even with groups of lost people.  Now, we don’t look at groups of lost people, shake our finger, and say, “You must obey this passage.” Instead, we ask, “If you believed passage is from God, what would you have to change in your life?”  Remember, they don’t believe in God yet, so “If” is totally acceptable.

When they choose to follow Christ, you adjust the question, very slightly, “Since you believe this is from God, what are you going to change in your life?”  Because they’ve asked this question all along, new believers don’t struggle with the idea that they need to obey God’s Word; that God’s Word requires something of them; that God’s Word requires them to change.

Accountability. Building accountability into the group DNA starts in the second meeting.  Look at the group and ask, “You guys said that you were going to help (fill in the blank) this week.  How did it go?”  Also ask, “Several of you identified things that needed to change in your life.  Did you make those changes?  How did it go?”  If they didn’t do anything, encourage them to give it a try this time and be ready to share what happened the next time you get together.  Emphasize that it is important for the group to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.

Initially, this will surprise everyone.  They won’t expect it.  The second meeting, however, several will be ready.  After the third meeting, everyone will know what is coming and will be prepared.

Obviously, this practice continues after everyone is baptized.

Worship. You can’t ask lost people to worship a God they don’t believe in.  You shouldn’t force them to lie by singing songs they don’t believe.  But, that being said, planting the seeds of worship into the group DNA is possible.

When they talk about things they are thankful for, it will become worship.

When they talk about the changes they made in their lives as they respond to Scripture, it will become worship.

When they celebrate the difference they made in their community, it will become worship.

Worship songs are not the heart of worship any more than a flower is the same as its seed.  Worship is the product of a relationship with God.  Singing praise songs is one expression of the joy our relationship with God brings.

Yes, eventually they will sing praises.  The DNA for worship, however, is embedded long before they start to sing.

Scripture.  Scripture is central to the meeting.  The group reads Scripture, discusses Scripture, practices recalling Scripture with each other, and is encouraged to obey Scripture.  Scripture does not take second chair to any teacher.  Scripture is the teacher.

We’ll discuss this more in the next Group DNA element.

Discovery.  When working with lost people, we have to avoid falling into the role of explaining Scripture.  If we do, we become the authority rather than allowing Scripture to be the authority.  If we are the authority, replication is limited by our leadership capacity and the time we have to teach every group.  Consequently, shifting from Scripture being the authority to the teacher being the authority, will keep groups from replicating like they should.

This is a hard shift to make.  We love teaching.  It makes us feel good.  We know the answers and want to share that knowledge with others.

But, if we want to disciple people who look to Scripture and the Holy Spirit for answers to their questions, we can’t be the answer-person.  We have to help them discover what God says to them in His Word.

To reinforce this idea, we call the outsiders who start groups, facilitators.  They facilitate discovery rather than teach.   Their job is to ask questions that get lost people to examine Scripture.  After they read a passage, they ask, “What does this passage say about God?” and, “What does this passage tell us about humanity (or mankind)?” and, “If you believed this was from God, what would you have to change about the way you live?”

The discovery process is essential to replication.  If groups do not learn to go to Scripture and rely on the Holy Spirit to answer their questions, they will not grow like they should and they will not replicate much, if at all.

Group-Correction. A vast majority of our group leaders and church leaders have no institutional Biblical training.   When people hear this, they ask, “What about heresy?  How do you keep your groups from going crazy?”  This is a great question.  As leaders, we should ask this question.

First of all, all groups have the tendency to be heretical in the beginning.  They don’t know everything about God’s Word.  They are in a process of discovering God which moves them from disobedience to obedience, but it is impossible for them to know everything from the beginning.  As the group reads more together, as they discover more about how God wants them to relate to them, they become less heretical.  That is part of discipleship.

If we see them going too far away from Scripture, we’ll immediately introduce a new passage and lead them through a Discovery Bible Study on that passage.  (Notice that I didn’t say ‘teach’ or ‘correct.’  The Holy Spirit will use Scripture to correct their behavior.  They just need to be directed to the right passage.)  After they go through the additional study, they recognize what they need to do.  More importantly, they actually do it.

Secondly, we need to realize that heresy usually begins with a highly charismatic (I’m referring to charisma, not the denomination!) leader, with some education, who teaches the group what the Bible says and what they must do to obey it.  In this case, groups accept what the leader says and never examine it in the context of Scripture.

We teach groups to read the passage and examine how each group member responds to the passage.  Groups are taught to ask a simple question, “Where do you see that in this passage?”  When someone makes a weird obedience statement, the group asks this question.  When someone adds in a detail when they retell the passage, the group asks this question.  This question forces all group members to focus on the passage at hand and explain their insights and obedience.

The facilitator models group-correction.  They also model focusing on the passage at hand.

Priesthood of the Believer. New Believers and Not-Yet Believers need to realize there are no intermediaries standing between them and Christ.  We have to embed DNA that removes the barriers and perceived intermediaries.  That is why Scripture must be central.  That is why outsiders facilitate rather than teach.  That is why the group is taught to self-correct based on what Scripture says.

Yes, leaders will emerge.  They have to emerge.  It is natural.  But leadership is identified by functions that define a role.  Leaders are not a different class of spiritual or a special status.  If anything, leaders are held to a higher level of accountability, but their accountability doesn’t give them special status.

If the DNA for the Priesthood of Believers is not present, you will never have a church.  The discipleship process must establish this DNA.

What does a meeting look like?

That is a ton of explanation for something that is really quite simple, but very deliberate.  The question is, “What does it all look like when you fit it into a meeting?”  Here is a simple outline with the DNA elements in parenthesis:

Ask: What are you thankful for this week?  (Prayer/Worship)

Ask:  What has stressed you out this week?  What do you need for things to be better?  (Intercession)

Ask:  What are the needs of the people in your community? (Ministry)

Ask:  How can we help each other with the needs we expressed? (Ministry)

Ask:  What did we talk about last week? (Accountability)

Ask:  Did you change anything in your life as a result of last week’s story? (Accountability/Obedience)

Ask:  Did you get a chance to share the story with [the person they identified]? (Accountability/Worship)

Ask:  We identified several needs last week and planned to meet those needs.  How did it go? (Accountability/Worship)

Say:  Let’s see what the Bible teaches us this week. Read this week’s passage. (Scripture)

Ask for someone to retell the passage in their own words.  Like they were telling a friend who wasn’t there. (Accountability/Evangelism)

Ask the Group: Do you agree with their retelling?  Is there something they added or left out that they shouldn’t have?  As long as the group doesn’t miss a key component of the passage, continue.  If they miss something, read the passage again.  If someone states something that isn’t in the passage, ask, “Where did you find [what they said] in this passage?”  Reread the passage, if necessary. (Priesthood of Believers/Group Correction)

Ask:  What does this passage teach us about God? (Discovery/Scripture/Priesthood of Believers)

Ask:  What does this passage teach us about humanity? (Discovery/Scripture/Priesthood of Believers)

Ask:  If we believe this passage is from God, how must we change? (Discovery/Scripture/Obedience/Priesthood of Believers)

Ask:  Who are you going to share this passage with before we meet again? (Evangelism/Replication)

Ask:  When do you want to meet again? This is a practical question.  You will never get someone to commit to a 26 week study.  But, you can give them the option to meet again next week.  If they are really seeking and if the meeting is filling a need, they will tell you they want to meet again.

You can find the list of Scripture Passages we use to disciple lost people into a relationship with Christ here. (LINK)

Using Groups to Disciple

We use the pattern above to disciple and train our leaders – in groups.  We select passages from the Bible that address behaviors our leaders need to have (or need to avoid) or things they need to do (or not do) as leaders.  When we train leaders, we’ll ask them to complete a Three Column Study on the passage – either as a group or as homework before they meet.

Outline of the Three Column Study

Turn a piece of paper on its side, or landscape.  Then divide the paper into three columns.  Label the first ‘Scripture.’ Label the second ‘My Words’ and the third ‘I Will.’

Scripture

The length of the passage you chose affects how much time the study takes.  Longer passages take longer to study.  This isn’t a bad thing, but you need to keep it in mind.  Generally, try to keep your passages between 10 and 15 verses.

In the ‘Scripture’ column, write the passage: word-for-word.  This takes time but you control how much time by choosing smaller chunks of Scripture.  Break larger passages into several sections, spread out over several days.  What is most important, however, is this – when you copy a passage word-for-word you actually read it through several (about five to seven) times.  It is a form a forced meditation for those of us who can’t sit and think about a passage without losing focus.  This process also keeps us from skimming familiar passages.  When you write it out you have to think about every word.

My Own Words

When you finish copying the passage, use the second column to write the passage in your own words.  Write it out like you’re telling a friend about it over a cup of coffee.  Don’t move on until you can write the passage in your own words.  You see, you don’t really understand it if you can tell it to someone else in your own words.  And you can’t obey Scripture unless you understand it.  It’s that simple.  Sometimes, you might have to stop on a passage for a couple of days and talk it out with the Holy Spirit before you can finish putting it into your own words.  When you start this process, you will probably find there are several familiar passages that you can’t write in your own words.  Sometimes we ‘know’ more than we truly understand.

I Will

In the third column we transition from knowing God’s Word to obeying God’s Word.  Look at each part of the passage. Ask God to reveal things you need to add to your life, take away from your life, or change in your life to obey this passage.  Be specific.  The passage may say that God created the Earth, but you have to decide what that means in your life.  How does your life change because you believe God created the Earth?  What do you need to do differently?  What can you do in the next 24 hours to obey this passage?  Every time we open God’s Word, He invites us into relationship.  We call His invitation ‘grace,’ because we can’t do anything to deserve it. Obedience is how we accept His invitation.  God lives with those who obey His Word.  (John 14:23-24) When we study God’s Word we have a choice: we choose to obey Him or we choose to disobey Him.  It is really that simple.  This third column is your response to God’s invitation.

With leaders, we also ask them to apply SPECK to the passage:

S – Is there a Sin to avoid?
P – Is there a promise, a prayer, or praise in this passage?
E – Is there an example to follow (or not follow)?
C – Is there a command to obey?
K – Is there knowledge that I need to retain?

Because our leaders came to Christ with their DNA established during the Discovery Bible Study, they easily transition to following this pattern as they are discipled as leaders.  Furthermore, they naturally use this pattern to train people thereby transfer good DNA.  We call this Fractal Discipleship.  You can read more about Fractal Discipleship here.

Online Groups

I use the group process to disciple leaders – on and offline.  The offline part is pretty obvious.  The online part may not be.

Skype or Cell phone. I use Skype to train leaders all over the world.  Since the group process outlined above doesn’t require special notebooks or materials, and is question-driven, it works great on Skype.  If you are training Christians, have them study the passage ahead of time using the Three Column Method.  Then, follow the Discovery Bible Study Process as adapted for Christians.  If you are meeting with lost people, just use the Discovery Bible Study Process with the Discovering God passages.

Tokbox or ooVoo. If you prefer video, use the same process outlined above on TokBox or ooVoo.

How Would This Work on College Campuses?

I would implement the Discovery Bible Study Process and the Three Column Process with my Christian leadership right away.  I would also work start Discovering God groups among lost people (within their silos) rather than invite them to established Bible studies with Christians.  If I had a predominately commuter school, I would use technological means to meet with my teams weekly and schedule offline meetings every other week or once a month.

*****

Every once in awhile I like to create scenarios that require me to think about implementing Gospel planting strategies and applying tactics in new environments.  This is this is the 9th of a 21 part series talking about ways to use Gospel planting strategies with online and offline tactics to catalyze Gospel Planting Movements on a University Campus.

Also, these posts come from things I’ve learned from David Watson.  I’m applying them to what God has called me to do.  I encourage you to read David’s blog.

Other posts in this series:

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Soren Kierkegard Quote RE Christian Scholarship

by davidwatson on October 8, 2010

The following quote was sent to me by a friend in the UK.  Thought you would appreciate it.

Blessings!

David Watson
From London

—-

“The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any word in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. ‘My God,’ you will say, ‘if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I every get on in the world?’ Here in lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.” 

                     - Soren Kierkegard, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Søren Kierkegaard, ed. Charles E. Moore (Farmington, PA: Plough, 2002), p.201.

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Leadership Essentials – Kingdom Metrics

by davidwatson on September 9, 2010

Kingdom Metrics is measuring our work by God’s expectations as revealed in Scripture.  Kingdom Metrics is grounded in understanding how God measures what we do, resulting in our strategies and plans fulfilling God’s expectations for what we do and how we do it.  It is our responsibility to be obedient to God as revealed in His Word.  It is our responsibility as leaders to make sure our organizations and ministries are obedient to the whole counsel of Scripture, understanding that the Holy Spirit is involved in this process and that each ministry is part of a whole that we see dimly, but God sees clearly.  I recognize that each ministry can have a different focus that majors on part of Scripture.  For example, we may focus on feeding the poor, or healing, or education, or evangelism, or….  But even when we are fulfilling part of Scripture, we have to be mindful of the whole counsel of Scripture and endeavor to fit into the big picture, not just focus our piece of the picture without regard for the big picture.

If we are mindful of Kingdom Metrics, we recognize that:

  • Kingdom Metrics are about Kingdom Purposes (Doing God’s will).
  • Kingdom Metrics are about measuring our work by what God uses to measure us.
  • Kingdom Metrics are about obeying God’s Word and teaching others to obey God’s Word regardless of theological, doctrinal, denominational, church, or cultural bias. 
  • Kingdom Metrics are about putting the Great Command and the Great Commission ahead of personal, denominational, church or organizational objectives/goals.
  • Kingdom Metrics are transformational, which can only be accomplished by God working through all his people.
  • If we fail to include Kingdom Metrics in our planning, we will fail to fulfill Kingdom Purposes.

(I would be interested in what you think should be added to this list.)

Following are some filter questions I use to determine if I am involved in Kingdom work instead of organizational work.

  • Is the work founded on Scripture-only or is it doctrine-based?
  • Is the work obedience-based, insight-based, or knowledge-based?  (Obedience-based and knowledge-based are probably familiar terms.  Insight-based is about discovering all the nuances of Scripture, but may not lead to obedience if insight is the goal.  Most expositors and commentators are insight-based.)
  • Does the work relate to the whole body of Christ?
  • Does the work put the whole body of Christ ahead of our own personal or organizational interests?
  • Does the work touch and benefit others not related to our organization?
  • Does the work help others without expectation of return?
  • Does the work take the Gospel to the masses (all demographics)?
  • Does the work get to evangelism and church planting through disciple-making, and is disciple-making a primary focus?
  • Can the work move to others from the beginning point of the work?
  • Is the work founded on natural leaders?
  • Do methodologies focus on multiplying new units – Disciples, Bible Studies, Churches?
  • Do methodologies focus on expanding to new neighborhoods, cities, nations, people groups?
  • Do we plan to reach our city/nation/people group for Christ (focus on lostness), or do we want to grow our church/denomination (focus on ourselves)?
  • Does the work put a high priority on reaching the lost regardless of other activities?
  • Does the work endeavor to transform communities?

 (I would be interested in any filter questions you use and/or would suggest.)

The Kingdom Parables give us some insight to Kingdom Metrics (How God measures what we do).

  • Sower and Soils (Matthew 13:1-23): The Gospel is to be sowed on all soils, but only one of four soils will produce fruit.  Not everyone reacts the same way to the Word, but all are to be exposed to it.
  • Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43): Satan will be doing his best to undermine the work of God.  God does not ultimately deal with this until the end of the age.
  • Mustard Seed and Leaven (Matthew: 31-33): Kingdom work will produce incredible growth and development.
  • Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46): The Kingdom of God is worth everything we own, and some accidentally discover the Kingdom, and others are searching for the Kingdom.
  • Dragnet (Matthew 13: 47-50): There will be judgment for the wicked and the righteous.  The Good News and the Bad News both need to be a part of our message.  Our ministry must include both, not just be good works. We need to understand that evil will infiltrate what we do.
  • Householder (Mt 13:51-52): Those in the Kingdom of God have a treasure of both the Old and the New Testaments, with the responsibility to preserve, multiply, and teach both (duty of scribes).
  • Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35): An unforgiving heart has no place in the Kingdom of God.
  • Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 18:1-16): All who respond to the Gospel gratefully, and work diligently during the time they have as a part of the Kingdom, will receive the same reward regardless of when they responded.
  • Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32): The Kingdom of God is filled with “doers”, not “sayers”. Obedience is our love response to God’s mercy.  (See Mt 7:21-23; 28:20; Jn 14:15,21,23; 15:10,14; 1Co 7:19; 1Jn 2:3-4)
  • Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-46): The Kingdom of God will be taken from wicked religious leaders who reject God’s Prophets, reject His Son, and do not bear fruit; and it will be given to those who accept the Son and bear fruit.  (See Luke 12:48 for the responsibility of those who have been privileged to be a part of the Kingdom)
  • Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14): The Kingdom of God is for those who properly and thankfully receive the invitation of God (His grace) to join the feast.
  • Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13): The Kingdom of God is for those who are prepared for and watchful for the Lord’s coming.
  • Three Stewards (a.k.a. Parable of the Talents) (Matthew 25:14-30): The Kingdom of God is for those who are found to be productive to the limits of their capacity when the Lord returns.
  • Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:13-46): The Kingdom of God is for those who unselfishly care for the poor and needy in society.
  • Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29): The Kingdom of God is made up of God and those who labor with Him; the increase comes from God, but we have to work.

The other parables of Jesus also give us insight into Kingdom Metrics.  Luke 15 gives us three parables on lostness – The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and the Lost Son (a.k.a. The Prodigal Son).  In these parables we see that Gods loves all his sheep, but His love is more than just collective love for His creation, it is individual love that looks for the lost and celebrates their return.  Jesus died for the lost, and His love for the lost is our example.

Kingdom Metrics is understanding that God has plans and intentions for all we do, say, think, or fail to do in response to His Word.  When we go about our personal lives or organizational lives without considering the Kingdom of God, we fail to be in step with God and our work is hit or miss in regard to obeying God.  Kingdom Metrics assure we are trying to understand what our partnership with God looks like.  We put what He wants first and then plan for our personal or organizational activities within the context of what God wants.

When we fail to start with Kingdom Metrics we risk missing what God wants us to do.  We fail to be involved in what God has planned for His creation.  We need to be asking the questions:

  • What does God expect from us?
  • Does everything we are doing or planning fall within the context of God’s plan?
  • What do we need to change in order to be more Kingdom minded?

Blessings!

David Watson
Irving, Texas

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The Odyssey – New Generations International Newsletter – September 2010

by admin on September 6, 2010

This amazing story happened just a few weeks ago in Southeast Asia – overwhelming proof that God is still in the business of performing miracles.

Two weeks ago a woman named Marice returned home after attending her small group.  Her husband became irate when he learned where she had been. He took up a machete and came at her to kill her. As the machete was heading towards her head, in defense she raised her arm. The blade went through her arm severing the bone in two, but leaving the arm still partially attached.  The women from her cell group came quickly and rushed her to the local hospital which of course couldn’t handle this situation and sent her on to the provincial hospital in a nearby city. The doctor declared that he would have to amputate what was left of the arm, but didn’t want to operate until Marice stabilized. Over the next two days 5 liters of blood was donated to replace all she’d lost and the women prayed round the clock in her hospital room.
She stabilized and on the third day the doctor had her brought into the operating room for the amputation. After a few moments, the doctor came out of the operating room looking for the women who had been watching over Marice in her hospital room. “What did you do to Marice? Did you take her to another hospital?” he asked. The women replied, “We were just in her room praying around her bed.”  He then explained that the bone was back together and there was no need for an operation, the x-rays verified his findings. She was wheeled back to her room. The entire hospital came “alive” with the news of this miracle. When I arrived the next day, every receptionist, nurse and doctor could point me to Marice’s room – they all knew what had happened. As I entered her room, I saw Marice there sitting up in bed singing to the Lord and smiling. Her arm was still dressed with bandages, but I quickly noticed all of her fingers with moving.
When we see miracles happening in the New Testament, it’s nearly always so that people will come to faith in Jesus. Our church is a buzz right now with the knowledge that God is visiting us for the purpose of many people in our city coming to know the Savior. This is not a “one off” miracle and it’s not the last. We really sense God is on the move here and it’s just the beginning.
*Names have been changed for security reasons.
Isn’t it amazing to see God on the move!  Keep praying for more!
Blessings,

Harry Brown

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