I’m on the constant look-out for new ways to influence the churched and unchurched to adopt a more serious interest in seeking after God through discovering more of His truth. Most people live over-busy lives and are forced to jettison anything they feel is not necessary for their lives, including Bible examinations. So, my challenge is: How can I interest people to take a closer look at the Scriptures?

Some months ago I was invited to facilitate a Bible study group at the Newman church – eight people were in attendance. As I am a passionate disciple-maker of disciple-makers, I facilitated the group-time quite differently to what they were used to… it wasn’t going to be a conventional ‘study’ time – I refused to spoon-feed them! I saw that every person was a seasoned ‘church goer’ but the problem I sensed was they saw themselves as ‘student-followers’ of the Word who needed to be led and taught. By the time the session had concluded I had said ‘yes’ to facilitating two separate Bible discovery groups at the Manse.

Facilitating small groups is my gifting and passion – for a free copy of ‘Small Groups… More than just a program!’ please leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your email address.

After welcoming those in attendance at our first new-look session, I announced that the group would not be operating as a conventional ‘study’ group but as a team of ‘Investigators’. My desire was for every person to see themselves as a vital contributor to the team, not a consumer. I informed them that this new approach was going to be more than a name change but the adoption of a new posture for learning… a change that meant that each member would share equal responsibility to do their own Bible digging (investigating) at home. Through conventional studies we can take home what has been served to us, whether we’ve contributed something or nothing. However, through an investigative approach everyone can take home more of God’s truth that has been discovered through the personal digging efforts of every investigator on the team.

Friends, facilitation of an investigation group is quite easy as the Holy Spirit is acknowledged as the honoured Teacher-facilitator… everyone else is an investigative discoverer. A specially prepared ‘The Investigators Report’ asks three ‘open’ questions that are the same three questions used for every interactive session. This report invites each investigator to share personal discoveries of God’s truth, and life application/s, made by them… through their efforts.

(Continued in Part 2 next week.)

Best wishes
Bill Joukhadar