Sermon Tone Analysis
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Before we get into our unique Bible study experience I’d like to talk to you about a need we have in our church.
We have a serious need for friendship and kindness.
As a pastor I get to stand apart a little and see the various groups of friends… and I see those who are disconnected and disengaged.
There’s always a reason.
They live too far away.
They’re single.
They had a divorce and we don’t know what to do with them now.
Their kids are a different age than mine.
They’ve got kids and I don’t.
My family is too busy.
I don’t want my kids around their kids.
And the excuses go on and on.
I don’t think this current situation should continue.
Thankfully we already have a few things going on in our church that try to bridge the divide between our lives and friendship clicks.
Pathfinders is always an open invitation for any young person, body and girl, parent and child to participate in social outings and ministry.
There are a couple small groups that are meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday nights to watch the salvation in symbols and signs.
These kinds of group activities are excellent, but its not enough.
Too many people are falling through the cracks of our community and its impossible for the elders and me to keep up with all the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of our congregation.
This is where discipleship comes in.
A disciple is someone who follows closely after Jesus.
Revelation 14 describes a disciple like this:
Revelation 14:4 (ESV)
It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,
In Matthew 28 Jesus gave each of his disciples a command:
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
So, disciples of Jesus follow closely after Him, and they go out to make other disciples.
In January I’d like to see a dozen or more small groups in this church.
Not naval gazing small groups, but missionary small groups.
I’m calling them Neighborhood Bible Studies.
But there’s a barrier to studying the Bible with people.
No, it’s not time.
We always have enough time for the things we think are priorities.
If obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples is a priority, then we’ll all be able to find the time somewhere in our lives.
And if feels like they need it, I’d be happy to provide some time-management coaching so you can fit the things that are most important into your week.
The most common barrier that I hear about is the fear of leading when you don’t feel like you know the Bible well enough to teach it.
Today I’ve got a small group of volunteers who are going to help me demonstrate a Bible study method that literally anyone can lead—an experienced Bible student, a newbie Christian, even a young person.
The Discovery Bible Study method is used around the world to teach people how to study the Bible for themselves and to create communities of Christians who love and support each other as they follow Jesus together.
It’s a very basic small group that begins with a little “how are you” time and a review of the previous week’s experience.
This provides opportunities for learning about each others needs and providing help and support where needed.
The majority of the time is spent reading the passage.
We’ll read it three times together!
As we read it we’ll engage with four major ideas: what is the passage saying (the details and characters and actions) what is the passage teaching me about loving God and about loving others?
Before the small group goes home they ask some critical questions: how does this passage call for change in my life, and how can I share this with others?
Because the focus of this method uses only the Bible and focuses on reading and understanding the passage it doesn’t divide along sectarian lines.
Anyone can participate.
Invite your neighbors.
And because the study asks important application questions that come directly from the text, any call for change in the life is a call to follow Jesus.
The goal isn’t to make Adventists, it’s to make Jesus followers.
Based on Revelation 14:4, and Matthew 28:18, I think the most important thing to do is make Jesus followers.
This group provides a natural place for loving, christian friendships to form—for a true community of caring and involvement in each other’s lives.
And there’s a sense of accountability to spiritual growth as well.
Enough talking about it, let’s experience it together.
For this study you’ll all need a Bible, and a piece of paper would be good too.
As we explore the passage together, write down your own thoughts about the passage as though you were part of the group too.
Turn to the group
This could be a bit of an awkward experience, but I’d like you to mostly ignore our audience and just engage with the Bible together as though they weren’t here.
This isn’t a performance, as much as it is a demonstration of the concept.
Let’s read the passage together:
Conclusion
I’ll be asking this several times between now and the end of the year.
If you would be willing to lead or or be trained to lead or even just participate in a neighborhood bible study, please let me know so that we can start organizing our year of discipleship.
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