PREPARE TO TEACH OR FACILITATE

“The commitment to teach a Bible class requires work,” says Bailey McBride. The editor emeritus of The Christian Chronicle says he prepares to teach a Bible text by reading it until he has nearly memorized it. He studies the text four times:

1. Read specifically to see what the passage says about God, what he has done and what he is doing.

2. A day later (preferably), read the passage to see what it teaches you to do or not to do.

With notes from these first two readings, ask God to reveal to you what the passage implies for you and your class members.

3. Read to determine any ideas you may have missed during the first two readings. Develop the ideas you have into a working form.

4. Study the passage to discover what parts of the study might need further explanation, what ideas are most significant, and how the teaching should bring change in thinking and action. This study should provide a clear outline for the lesson/ discussion.

While this preparation sounds tedious, McBride says, it will help the teacher/facilitator “move beyond first impressions and [dive] deeper into the Word.”

“Studying to teach, when done right, takes as much concentration as playing tennis.”

Raise the Sails to Lead Your Group or Class

As sailing is a partnership between man and nature, spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and God. The term for Spirit is the same for that of wind in both the Old and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit is the wind that provides the driving force of all spiritual growth.

You cannot bring about spiritual growth in your own life or the lives of those you lead, but neither are you a passive bystander. As the Holy Spirit moves, you must become engaged in that driving force. As a small group leader or teacher, you have at least four vital sail-raising responsibilities:

1. Pray for the members of your group. That’s your first and most important job.

2. Be an example to the flock. Let them see spiritual growth happening in your own life by being involved in the spiritual disciplines of worship, Bible reading, prayer, and others.

3. Involve the group every week in practices, such as meeting in authentic community, studying and applying God’s Word together, teaching and admonishing one another, praying together, serving together, and confessing your sins to each other.

4. Shepherd your members outside of group meeting times. Be prepared to mentor them in areas where they need to grow, as God leads you.

—By Michael C. Mack. Adapted from World’s Greatest Small Group