Establish a basic training program for department or small groups leaders that includes biblical and practical training

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:14&15

What this Assignment outlines is a proposal for a bible study group for emerging and potential bible study leaders who have been picked for their capacity to lead. It is our aim to equip them with the tools necessary to lead a small group through a structured program for the first six months of the year,(February to June) after which time they can then either continue as a group for the year or reintegrate into the existing home group structure.

This can be repeated on an annual basis.

Small groups form one of the most vital links in the life of a growing and vibrant church. Small groups continue to play a key role in some of the most significant events in the church recently, namely cleansing streams and forty days of purpose.

Both of these two programs highlighted the need for better trained and equipped lay leaders. Without the purposeful identification, training and development of potential future leaders the church runs the risk of becoming a core group of very busy people with an enormous periphery of people wanting to be more involved but not knowing how. The focus of this group is then emerging leaders, those with latent leadership gifts and young, up and coming leaders, not those people who are already involved with leading.

Bill Hybels in his book Courageous Leadership acknowledges that most churches fall into the trap of urgent demands. With church services, youth activities, yam café, music team and the like all taking time, the important work of identifying and training new leaders can get set aside for urgent demands. To overcome this problem, and to avoid adding to it by giving busy people more to fill up their already full plates, the bible study leaders training could be run as part and parcel of the small groups program.

The aims of the program are to:

 Improve the involvement of laity in leading Bible study groups
 Develop the leadership potential of emerging leaders.
 Have a pool of skilled ministers for Church leaders to draw on.
 To increase the fruitfulness of members for the betterment of the body of Christ
 To give laity greater access to tools and skills necessary in preparing Bible studies.
 To encourage and foster every member ministry
 To ultimately relieve the load on senior leadership setting them free to minister more effectively
 In so doing to extend the kingdom of God

Proposed Outline


February
15 Opening Night

 Icebreaker & get to know each other
 Vision for the year
 Overview of the program
 Weekend away 18,19, 20 March
 Look at group project

February 22 Big Church / Small Church

 What is Church
 local
 Bible pictures of Church
 Where do Bible studies fit in
 The five purposes of a Church
 Every member ministry

March 1 Christian leadership

 Christ the servant
 Ephesians model
 Rule by eldership
 Deacons
 How leadership works in New Life

March 8 Dynamics of Small groups

 EGR’s
 Leading as a couple/ core group
 The life cycle of the Small group starting out; maintenance; integrating new members; closure
 Focus on fruitfulness (growth)
 Handling conflict and different personalities
 Learning Styles VAKC
 Group multiplication
 Maintaining a safe environment

March 15 Week off / Time out T&A to CCM

March 18, 19 and 20 Group Camp

 Fun, fun fun
 Personal devotions
 Journaling
 Spiritual gifts Inventory – finding your niche, Ephesians four.

March 29 Apologetics

 Giving a reason for the hope that you have
 How we got our Bible
 Different translations
 Why we can trust the Bible
 Answers to tough questions

April 5 Hermeneutics 101

 COMB
 Exegesis/Isegesis
 Circles of Understanding
 Interpreting Prophecy
 Letting Scripture interpret Scripture

April 12 Putting a Bible study Together 1

 The Passage with understanding,
 Observation; Interpretation; Application
 Finding the main idea
 Gathering resources
 Question Bombardment

April 19 Putting a study together 2

 Mind mapping
 Using Technology
 Catering for VAK’s
 Using pro-forma’s
 Using prepackaged studies
 Packaging the study; opening questions
 Getting the main idea

April 26 Social evening

Three or four weeks looking at one of the Epistles will follow this, group members taking turns to do a study. This is a vital element in the process as everything thus far solidifies through practice. It also allows for exponential learning as leaders can learn not only from others success but also their failings.

May 3 2 Timothy 1  Tim to lead study
May 10 2 Timothy 2  Group member to lead study
May 17 2 Timothy 3  Group member to lead study
May 24 2 Timothy 4  Group member to lead study

The next segment places focus on a broader range of ministry, and encourages greater involvement in the life of the Church, also it allows for future growth through feedback

May 31 Night out

June7 Praying in groups

 Intercessory and prophetic prayer video – Dutch Sheets

June 14 Listening to God
 A group study from the book of Jeremiah

June 21 Ministering in the Spirit
 Studies in Acts (particularly Acts 2)

June 28 Friendship Evangelism
 Practical project
 Begin reading Jaun Carlos Ortis “Discipleship” or Listening to God Joyce Huggett.

July 5 Discipleship 1

 What is discipling? A bible study
 Discuss book
 Second week of reading

July 12 Discipleship2
 Resources needed by every bible study leader and how to use them
 Third week of reading & book discussion

July 19 The way ahead Barbeque and feedback session