Understanding and Profiting from Small Group Pulpit Curriculum

It is a joy for me to have the opportunity to write the small group curriculum questions. I get a chance to pour over the Pastor Jeffs sermons. I get a chance to reflect and meditate on Biblical truths. I get the blessing of wrestling over just how to word and phrase questions that I intent to stimulate personal study, reflection and group discussion! I sit in my study and imagine hundreds of people weekly going over Jeffs sermons and pondering my questions. Ah! This is what I spent those long years in seminary for! Life couldnt get better. But what have I learned over the last few months? Just like a college student cramming for an exam, many of you may struggle with the temptation to put off studying the sermon curriculum until possibly as late as the car ride to small group! Just like a student who earns a low grade because of procrastination, my fear is that many of you are missing the full value of the small group ministry. Any resulting frustration is doubly defeating and unnecessary! What follows here is brief explanation of some key concepts that I hope will change your relationship to small group study and your interaction with the curriculum. Ultimately I want to see you blessed by the study of Gods Word, resulting in a mature understanding of His Word and a life of commitment to living out the profound truths of Scriptures. James 1:25 tells us that the effectual doer of Gods Word will be blessed. I want us to be a people blessed by God through the effectual doing of His Word. I think what follows may be help toward that end.

Blessings, Pastor Scott

So youve been told that you need to study the pulpit curriculum but havent had it explained to you why we use it. Youve been told to prepare for a discussion time in the small group meeting but dont understand how your participation is of any real significance. Its tough to buy into and idea that isnt fully explained and thats what Im going to make a start in the following points.

Why do I believe in the pulpit curriculum? Because interacted with rightly it will stimulate in your life the disciplines of Scripture reading, personal study and meditation, make you an encourager of others and help with the establishment of Biblical priorities. All from one little study? You bet!

Scripture Reading:

If you were to read once a day the verse in the

curriculum I guarantee youd almost nearly have the passage memorized by the time your group meets. So let me encourage you to do that, get a note card or yellow sticky or whatever it takes to remind yourself to read the passage one time a day. Principle: we are to cultivate a daily intake of the word. It is supposed to transform our mind (Romans 12:2) but cant do that if you dont expose yourself to its influence. Setting the bar at one passage 5 times a week is an attempt to help you get started in the discipline of daily bible reading and reflection.

But the Helper, the Holy SpiritHe will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Rom. 12:2

Study Questions: Its not enough that we train ourselves to simply read
the Scripture. The study questions are designed to take what you have learned through the sermon and to make you reflect upon the meaning of a passage and its implications for you. Thats why these questions often have personal tone to them or ask you to consider yourself in an intimate way before the measure of Scripture.

Principle: James 1:25 says it is the person who can effectively apply the Word who experiences the blessing for the Word. From hearing, to thinking, to doing, no person can truly understand the Scripture they know without doing it. Understanding comes through doing. I dont know about you but I want to be in a fellowship of God blessed, effective doers of Gods Word!

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25

Your Answers: If a person doesnt speak whatever is that person cannot be

known. This is what makes people lovingly perplexing and mysterious. Your answers are your opportunity to speak what you believe to be true and convinced of. Consider for a moment that you need to participate in this way because an answer you have to a question may be used by God to complete the understanding of another person in your group. You have an obligation to study and prepare answers that

no one else can fulfill. I like to say that (tongue in cheek), if you dont prepare you very well may be robbing a brother or sister the opportunity to understand the Bible better. Dont be guilty of this crime! Principle: John 14:26 teaches that the Holy Spirit has a personal ministry to each of us. This ministry is described in part as a teaching ministry He will teach you all things and a ministry of reminding us, and bring to your remembrance all that I [Jesus that is] have said to you. Because each individual is unique an represents unique life situations, the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit as a unique expression in each persons life. Therefore because all of our circumstances are different we all have something of Spirit inspired understanding that we can learn from each other! Your answers are not trivial, they are vitally important to the value of small groups.

Your Time: One of the most common reasons anyone has for anything not getting done is, I dont
have enough time. Did God make a mistake when He gave us 24 hours? Doesnt He know we all at least need 36 hours in a day? If we had 36 hours in a day would we still be saying I dont have enough time! Using the pulpit curriculum takes time. Everything takes time, especially those things which are truly worth our effort and energy. So what this boils down to is a values assessment. The curriculum is not the end all or be all of everything but Id like to think that it should place really high on your priority list.

Principle: We all have to make priorities and can say with a straight face looking into the eye of any person that if Bible study and reading is not a priority in your life, your priorities need to be readjusted, no matter how many good things fill your priority list. You have the time if you want it. Turn off the T.V., close the laptop, unplug from the internet, wake up 15 minutes early, stay up 15 minutes late, study with your spouse after dinner, after the kids got to bed.you have to fight for it but can make the time to engage in the curriculum if its truly something you want.

The Bottom Line: The curriculum is non inspired, human originated thinking on a
sermon delivered by a faithful, humble and finite servant of the Lord. Its simply that and nothing more. But we as pastoral staff believe in the incredible value of providing you a tool that will a) b) c) d) Sharpen your understanding of the Bible Instill disciplines of daily bible reading and personal study Give you an opportunity to teach and be taught by other believers Stimulate fellowship and help with establishing biblical priorities.

Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34

Im not embarrassed or ashamed to say you need to make the choice to pick up the Curriculum and study for the benefit of your soul. Im also happy to say your feedback is always welcome especially from those of you who are

faithfully preparing to be a blessing to the other people in your small group. Remember, ultimately the curriculum isnt about you, its about understanding Jesus better and serving your brothers and sisters more deeply. If you just simply lack the prerequisite skills to study the bible, dont know where to being, are lost and confused, please make your voice known. Harvest Bible Chapel is a place dedicated to helping equip you to do all that the Lord has called us to. There is no shame in asking for help! Your life with Christ started with a cry for Help! and that attitude should never leave you all the days of your life. We as a staff and leadership are here for you. The gift is on the table but youll need to reach out to embrace it.

Moral Character is assessed not by what a man knows, but by what he loves. -St. Augustine