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Bible Study

The Bible and Simple Church

The Bible holds a central place in the life of a Christian. My journey in simple church has included important lessons about how we teach, learn, and apply the Bible to our lives and communities. Traditionally, many people receive most of their Bible instruction through Sunday preaching and teaching. Bible study is also often emphasized, usually in a teacher-and-class environment or through a facilitated workbook. All these things can be good and important, but simple church calls us to think differently about how we learn and how we help others learn the Bible. Two things are essential: personal ownership and learning to follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us into truth and understanding. A healthy, simple church does not center its meetings on the teaching gift of one person. Instead, it creates space for… Read More »The Bible and Simple Church

Invitation to Rest (by Karla Duerson)

It started like the sunrise–warm, gentle, faithful, quiet and full of beauty. You know how God works: He strings along a message like a strand of pearls–unmistakable and full of grace and glory. I think it began with rereading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry in which John Mark Cromer encourages the reader to slow to the pace of Jesus. He poses a question, “What has happened to the personal quiet time?” He wonders if the QT was abandoned as a legalistic relic of the late 1990s. “Let’s bring it back.” He concludes. I felt a nudge in my heart like the brightening horizon. I confided in my sister that I needed to bring back the quiet time. I knew it would be a helpful way to start the day. I heard God’s invitation. I was… Read More »Invitation to Rest (by Karla Duerson)

Becoming A Church

Becoming a Church I often get to have conversations with people about the nature of a local church.  Some wonder, “Is my Bible study or small group a local church?  Why or why not?  Could we become a church?”  Even if not asked explicitly, these questions may tumble around in hearts and minds as we collectively wrestle with what it means to be the Body of Christ. – I have mentioned Zumé Project before and how many Christians find it to be a helpful tool in seeing the formation of disciple-making simple churches.  In the appendix of the Zumé Guidebook, there is an idea presented for a group exercise that I would like to highlight.  Perhaps, together with those in your life group, Bible study, or simple/house church, this exercise could be a great way to seek… Read More »Becoming A Church

Watch The Star of Bethlehem Online

Friends, Several years ago a friend involved in a simple church hosted a viewing of The Star of Bethlehem movie.  Since watching it, I find myself thinking about it and bringing it up in conversation most every Christmas.  I wanted to let everyone know that this movie is now available on YouTube and I’m linking below a version that can be watch in HD (You may need to adjust the settings to watch it in HD.  You can do that by clicking the gear). Perhaps you will not agree with everything suggested in this video/Bible study, but it is a fascinating theory and something that is well worth taking an hour to consider this Christmas.  The film seeks to examine, through computer models that track the stars and their movements and a close examination of Biblical texts,… Read More »Watch The Star of Bethlehem Online

Discipleship Tool: Life Transformation Groups

How do I make a disciple? Make no mistake: there is no formula or ten-step process for making disciples. However, when Jesus told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations,” I believe they understood what He meant. After all, they had been discipled by Jesus and had observed firsthand the way He made them His disciples. When it comes to making disciples, we can look to how Jesus discipled the apostles and how they replicated His methods as they discipled others. I addressed seven key principles here, but the first overarching principle I see in disciple-making is this: we seek to help others learn to depend on Jesus—not us—above all. Neil Cole helped me see a tangible context for applying Jesus’ way of discipleship today. Life Transformation Groups (LTGs) are simple, reproducible,… Read More »Discipleship Tool: Life Transformation Groups