Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category
Why Every Church Should Have a Special Focus on Evangelism
We are living in an unprecedented time in America and our world today. ISIS and Boko Haram are running rampant. Unborn children are slaughtered in their mothers’ wombs. We are told a person’s gender is fluid, not something created by a holy God. Religious freedom is being challenged daily. What is the answer, and what do we do about it?
In our world of 7.28 billion people, an estimated 3 billion people are regarded as unreached and unengaged with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This means that to our knowledge, the gospel has never been known to these people. Here at home, of the 322 million Americans, it is believed that three of four do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.[1]
America and the world are acting just like they are supposed to: spiritually lost and in deep need of Jesus Christ.
God is Working
We know that regardless of the situation of our world today, God is working. We also know that God is committed to redeeming the world. It is incumbent upon us to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, beginning in our own town or city, region, state, and nation.
Many Christians and churches believe we are in great need of the next Great Spiritual Awakening in our nation and world. However, many churches do not make evangelism a priority. Or they focus so heavily on special mission trips both foreign and domestic, the local mission field of their own town or city, region, and state is neglected. Jesus challenged and commanded us to share the Gospel with everyone, not only in foreign countries, but as we go about our daily lives. Sadly, this is not a priority for many Christians.
Consider What Could Happen
What would happen if our churches spent an entire month or more focused on evangelism? Take a moment to consider what could happen not only in your church, but in your town or city, region, state, and even the world, if our churches and people spent a month focused on evangelism. Not just hearing from our pastors in the pulpit, but also in our small groups, learning to put feet to their faith.
This is not something that can be done by just the pastors in our churches. Certainly, our pastors must lead from the pulpit but also with their daily actions. Our people must be engaged in learning how to share their faith, equipped, and be challenged to do so not only on special mission trips, but as they go about their daily lives right in our own town or city, region, and state.
One way to engage in a church-wide emphasis is to build on resources already in place. Bible Studies for Life has an evangelism focus for small groups ready for us to utilize this fall. We can take these thirteen weeks of material for small groups and expand it to the entire church with the sermon outlines also available. We do not have to do it alone.
Whatever you do, do not neglect the lost and dying world we live in. Make it a priority of your church and your people to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
[1] https://blog.ronniefloyd.com/9951/southern-baptist-convention/why-we-are-where-we-are-in-america-and-the-world/
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Pastors: Fulfilling Your Church’s Mission Through Small Groups
As a pastor, you want the best for your church’s small groups. But you also want the groups to fulfill your mission as a church. How do you go about choosing a curriculum that will come alongside you?
We’ve all used different things over the years. Some we’ve liked, some not so much. We know nothing is perfect, even if it’s the latest thing. Maybe you’ve chosen something based on a catalog you got in the mail, read about online, heard about from a friend, or picked something up when you were in the Christian bookstore. None of these methods are bad or wrong. But they may leave your small groups lacking in purpose and direction.
The Evaluation Process
You can’t just pick something up and go. That might work for a time, but after that curriculum cycle is finished, you will likely be back where you started – quickly looking for something to fill the time instead of looking for the right thing for your small groups. There is a process to finding the right small group curriculum for your church, and I believe it should not be taken lightly. Curriculum has to be read, evaluated, prayed over, and many times, agreed upon. This takes time.
Pastors, ask this question to help clarify your need: What do you want your groups to do? At the very basic level, I believe small groups should be purposeful and facilitate growth in the spiritual lives of those who attend. They should encourage people to step out in their faith and step up in their spiritual lives. And most importantly, they should proclaim the Truth of the Word at every opportunity.
How can small groups help you fulfill your church’s mission? First, you must identify your mission as a church. Then, you can decide how small groups can help accomplish your mission. At Cross Church, our mission is: Reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the world for Jesus Christ. We are Great Commission church. So we want to use a curriculum that not only fulfills our mission to further the Great Commission, but helps our members grow in their own spiritual lives. If our small group members are growing spiritually, they are walking witnesses and are fulfilling the Great Commission as they go about daily life.
An Evaluation Guide
Thankfully, LifeWay provides a tool to help in the selection process. No matter what you are looking for in a small group curriculum, this decision-making guide will help you discern what type of curriculum will likely work best for your church. Maybe you’ve never evaluated curriculum in a manner quite like this before. Now is a good time to start.
Don’t be afraid to start from scratch. You may find out what you’re currently using for small groups doesn’t meet your needs like you expected it to. And you may find you are already using the best option for your church.
Our Choice
So what did we choose? Cross Church has been using Bible Studies for Life for the past three years. It has more than met our needs – it has provided a catalyst for spiritual growth in our small group members and take the Great Commission as our people go throughout the world.
Choosing curriculum can be a challenge, but if you take the necessary time to address the needs of your people while ensuring you are remaining true to your church’s mission and vision, you will not regret it.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.