First of all, thank you all for being willing to teach the word and be involved in bible studies! The Bible Study core of CLC is growing! This is a massively important component to reaching the region God has called us to reach. The church is in the process of presenting a unified bible study front to be as effective as possible in reaching the lost. Below are the home bible study guidelines we have compiled so far from what we feel in the Holy Ghost and from the wisdom of others who are further along than we are in this area.

 

Our goal is to facilitate as many home bible studies as we can. The more people teaching, the more new babies we can have! We have sought for wisdom and want to be as effective as possible, while at the same time avoiding the very common pitfalls that satan uses to kill bible studies, or turn them into group classes that teach something different then what comes from the pulpit.

 

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1. FAMILY DYNAMICS 

First, we want to establish a simple guideline for every Home Bible Study: no more than two CLC family units should be represented (single or married). In other words, there should be no more than two unique CLC family names involved in any one Home Bible Study.

 

For example: the Smiths and the Jones.

 

One family unit (or single person) serves as the host/leader, providing the home or location and leading the study. The other serves as the facilitator, providing a helping hand through fellowship, prayer, snacks, support, and connection.

 

Likewise, each Home Bible Study should focus on teaching no more than two new family units at a time. Once a study grows beyond TWO NEW FAMILY UNITS, it’s time to divide and multiply! 🥳

 

This accomplishes several important things. It creates opportunities for more teachers and leaders to become involved, keeps the atmosphere personal, and allows two CLC families to make a focused and meaningful impact on a maximum of two new families.

 

It also helps us avoid an important pitfall. Limiting each study to two CLC family units prevents Home Bible Studies from gradually becoming unaccountable discipleship classes or small groups. This is a very common snare, and churches that are much further along than we are in Home Bible Study ministry have given us strong warnings about it.

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The goal is not to build a crowd around a Bible Study—it is to reach families, develop leaders, and multiply.

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So, if you are currently involved in a Home Bible Study with more than two CLC family units represented, it’s time to divide and conquer! 🥳

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2. BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM

Second, the church will provide curriculum that will enable the growth of the students while bringing them into unity with the CLC body as a whole. The three we have now are Exploring Gods Word (EGW), Search for Truth(SFT), and CLU101! Using these only will help us track the progress of each student, and help the teachers to avoid personal revelation pitfalls…the warning in this area from churches beyond us has been quite strong…Pastor Ryan Crossley, Pastor Dusty Young, Pastor Cornwell, etc…Also, we are thankful that the CLU bible study Curriculum is almost complete. In the meantime EGW or SFT is fine.

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3. WEEKLY REPORTS

Third, all bible study teachers will submit weekly reports to the church so we can track the progress of the students. This is vital for proper stewardship of the souls God has put in our hands. This will enable leadership to address questions, concerns and challenges teachers face. Also, this allows leadership to have a hand on the pulse of each new convert in the making.

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4. HOME BIBLE STUDY & GROWTH NIGHT CLU

Fourth, it doesn’t matter if new people haven’t gone through CLU or not, they can be discipled in a home bible study. Connecting to new people at church FOR THIS PURPOSE is so vital. Home bible studies are a great help especially if their schedule keeps them from Tuesday nights. However, to be in ministry in the church, CLU is required. Teachers will strategically emphasize CLU throughout the home bible study process. The goal is always to get them more connected to the body. This would of course mean that no home bible studies should be taught on Tuesday evening growth nights.

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5. GROUND ZERO BIBLE STUDIES

Fifth, the group bible studies at ground zero locations fall into a different category with regard to number of CLC family units. However, a unified curriculum with weekly reports are still essential for unity and tracking progress.

 

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We will be sending out more info shortly. If you have immediate questions, please contact Bro Joe Salimida our A.C.T.S. coordinator. Also, Tuesday, September 1st we will begin a bible study teachers class at CLU. Thank you for all you do! Let’s reach our region in Jesus Name!

 

For Revival and with Love,

 

Pastor