Teaching at GBC

Making Members Ministers

Training OutlineOur MissionPrinciples of Teaching &

CommunicationPolicies for Teaching ChildrenMethodology for Small GroupsQ&A Time

Discipleship MissionEphesians 4

◦Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

◦But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.

◦From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Discipleship Mission

Ephesians 4Being equipped for every good work

Learning about and putting on Christ

In order to grow in HimIn order to edify other believers In order to build the local churchIn order to protect the doctrines of the Gospel

Teaching

Characteristics of StudentsExperienceDisciplineFocusAwareness

Teaching Principles

CommunicationExpectationApplicationRetentionNeedRevival

Communication

Transmitting & ReceivingIf either is missing, true communication did not take place

If I say something, and you take something out of it I did not intend…whose fault is it?

Communication

It is a primary task of the teacher to ensure that the “takeaways” are correct.

We do this by:Giving multiple examplesUsing multiple stylesViewing the process as a cycle

Questions, Feedback, Modifiers

Communication BreakdownObstacles to Communication

Style mismatchLevel mismatchContent mismatch

Expectation

See your students from God’s perspective

Expect God to use the time together

Be prepared, but open

ApplicationRely upon wisdom more than knowledge

Relate practical examples and methods that translate to real life

Bring the ancient into modernBring the esoteric into practicality

Understand the individual nature of the process

Guided application instead of stated

Retention

Using the time effectivelyDo not feed with a firehose!Respect the value of time

Understand the reality of attention span!

Retention

Attention Span Some people are FIFO:

Once the limit is reached, they lose the information from the beginning and retain only the most recent

Some people are Tapouts:They retain what they can, then

they are done and retain nothing else

Need

Be aware of the needs of the group

Glassy eyesSleeping/noddingGlances at watchesSide conversations

RevivalThis is not just about the classroom

Rekindling a love for the Lord and His waysHearing from God through:

His WordHis PeopleOur Testimony

This all applies toOther relationshipsOther settingsStudent/Teacher/Husband/Wife/Parent/Child/Boss/Worker

Teaching Children

Teaching Children

Characteristics of ChildrenLess:

ExperienceDisciplineFocus

More:EnthusiasmCuriosityRewarding

Sample Format and how we choose curriculumOne small section of Scripture that is memorable to all ages (Samson, David, Jonah, etc.)

Read the versesGuided explanation of the versesApplication of the verses to a typical childResponse to the versesActivity related to the verses

Guidelines Condensed and RevisitedDiscipline of a child is for parents

only

Problems that cannot be handled without some type of scolding or punishment need to be handed back to the family

Do not ever be alone with someone else’s child

GuidelinesYou are responsible to report any

signs of abuse, trauma or neglect

Reporting to an Elder, Deacon, or Ministry Lead is the proper course

You should take a break if you find yourself losing joy, patience, or both

Methodology for Small GroupsDefining the Small Group

What makes a small group?

Small Group

Elements:Are there any mandatory

elements that make something a small group?

Small Group

Elements:Is it the:

Teaching?Praying?Fellowship?Worship?Service?

Small Group

Elements:

Can it be missing any of these and still be a small group?

Biblical Examples of Small GroupsCan you think of any small group examples?

Biblical Examples of Small GroupsDisciples?Deacons?Home Groups?

In effect, everything was kind of a small group, and the groups together were considered the local church

Biblical Elements of GroupsMatthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Biblical Elements of GroupsEphesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Acts 20:20 How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Biblical Elements of GroupsPsalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Biblical Elements of GroupsActs 1:13-14 

And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Groups in Church HistoryMartin Luther

One of the central goals of the Reformation was to bring the Scriptures to the common person, the "priesthood of believers."

Small groups of lay people who met for prayer and the study of Scripture. The Bible was read with a new sense of anticipation regarding what might be possible as a consequence of acting in faith.

For Luther, faith was to be nourished and strengthened through reflection and meditation on God's Word.

Consequently, small groups were formed to help people integrate their belief and behavior, their faith and their work.

Groups in Church HistoryThe Puritans

Important to the theological education and the commitment to spiritual growth, the Puritans (both English and American) called their small groups "private meetings." They were most effective for developing an individual's spirituality. Meeting at least weekly, there were several reasons for these gatherings: In such a small group, Christians could more easily express "love

for one another" As a community of prayer, the group could exercise "earnest

prayer for the Church," of which it was a part By "timely exhortation" members could apply the Gospel to

others in a direct way The groups gave members the opportunity to engage in

"instructing and teaching one another; as occasion serves" They could be a means of God's grace "in comforting those that

be sad" or in mourning They were a forum in which members, even those "fallen with a

spirit of meekness," could learn to express their faith and the gifts of the Spirit more boldly.

GBC Groups

Need to include:DiscipleshipFellowshipPrayerServiceWorship

GBC Groups

Seek to provide weekly meetings that support the growth of individuals in the body

GBC GroupsCan be based upon:

GeographyMarshall, Hume, Orlean, Warrenton, Linden, etc.

DistinctivesWomen, Men, Senior Men, Teens,

Mom’s, etc.Interests

Outdoors, Golf, Firewood, Homeschool, Recovery, etc.

GBC Groups

All groups do not need to include everyone

But everyone should be able to be included in a group

In other words, everyone should be able to find a group either because of location, age, gender, interest or some other link

LocationWhere the group meets, and how

it is structured…Will ultimately determine who will attend it

There is no perfect group design that everyone would attend

Locations

Possibilities:

Private HomeChurchRestaurantPark

Each has pros and cons

Time/Day of meetingSpecific to audience

Business men not available during day New mothers are Adults with teens might be able to meet

at church while youth meeting is going on

Once group is established, time should be very consistent

What’s for dinner?

Full Meal or Light Refreshments◦Dependent on time of meeting◦Ease the burden on the group◦Could vary…light refreshments with

a quarterly cook-out◦Be creative and have fun!

Worship

Prayer:Some Random Warnings The Grocery List There are different views of

what needs to be prayed over Be very careful of appointing

people Praying out loud is a HUGE step

for newer believers, and meaningless to non- believers

Worship

Prayer LeadershipMix it upModel the way to pray as

often as possible

Prayer Models

ACTS

A - Adoration: praising God for who He isC - Confession: owning our sinsT - Thanksgiving: thanking God for all he has doneS - Supplication: prayers of request for ourselves and others

Prayer Models

PARTS OF PRAYER

P - PraiseA - AskR - RepentT - ThankS - Share

Prayer ModelsFIVE-FINGER PRAYER

Thumb: pray for those closest to you

Pointing finger: pray for those who guide us: teachers, doctors, counselors, mentors

Middle finger (tallest one): pray for those who lead us: government, civic, and business leaders, police and firefighters

Ring finger (weakest one): pray for those who are weak: the poor, sick, disabled, infants, homeless, the powerless, the persecuted

Pinkie (the smallest, the least): Pray for myself

Prayer Models

TAKE A TRIP WITH GOD

T - For what am I Thankful?R - What do I Regret?I - Intercession-for whom do I need to pray?P - What is my Purpose or Plan?

Prayer Models

The danger of any model is that it can become a rote exercise instead of a meaningful conversation with God from your heart

Small Group PoliciesLeader needs to control the flow

of the group for the benefit of allProblems within the group should

be brought to an ElderIf you are getting “burned out”,

take a break and let others leadIf you need curriculum, or

guidance, seek an Elder

Q&A