ENCOUNTER: Prepare to Teach

Small Group Discussion What can group leaders do to make lessons even better?

Two Major Things Life change comes from meeting God First encounter: meet and follow God in Bible study and lesson preparation First encounter: meet and follow God in Bible study and lesson preparation Second encounter: lead the class to meet God in Bible study and live for Him Second encounter: lead the class to meet God in Bible study and live for Him

Hosea 6:6, ESV For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Jeremiah 33:3, ESV Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Matthew 4:19, ESV Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

3 Critical Actions PreparationPresentationContinuation

Critical Action One: Three Steps of Preparation

Encounter God Personally The first encounter is the time the teacher has set aside to meet God in Bible study. It’s the teacher’s experience with God of personal change. This encounter is more important than the lesson. STEP ONE

Encounter God Personally For the teacher, time with God is the lesson. The first encounter is the time God uses to prepare a teacher to guide others through the landscape of His Word and the truth contained therein that learners need to hear and obey. STEP ONE

Four Experiences of an Encounter 1.Bible study—listening to Him 2.Prayer—response/talking to Him 3.Commitment—agreeing with/committing to follow Him 4.Obedience—walking with Him (see Appendix 4) STEP ONE

Bible Study—Listen to Him When we open God’s Word, He speaks. Focus on two questions: 1.What did God say in this verse/ passage (context)? 2.What is He saying to me? STEP ONE

Prayer—Respond/Talk to God When God speaks, He expects a response. Answer this question: What is my response to what God has said in Bible study? What is my response to what God has said in Bible study? STEP ONE

Commitment—Agree & Commit Consider response and commit to follow. Answer these two questions: What does He want me to do? What does He want me to do? Am I willing to do what He wants me to do? Am I willing to do what He wants me to do? STEP ONE

Obedience—Walk with God Obedience is living out the truth. It is keeping our commitment as a result of the encounter. Accountability encourages us to ask: What did I do as a result of what God said? (journaling helps) What did I do as a result of what God said? (journaling helps) STEP ONE

Prepare to Lead Them to Encounter Prepare as if Jesus will be there. He will! Invest in preparation daily. Review Appendix 1: First Encounter Preparation Outline STEP TWO

Rest Well & Arrive Early Invest 167 previous hours well Invest 167 previous hours well Rest well to give your best Rest well to give your best Arrive early Arrive early Prayerwalk Prayerwalk Prepare the classroom Prepare the classroom Greet members and guests Greet members and guests STEP THREE

Review PREPARATION. What three adjustments can you make this year to Give God and His people your best effort?

Critical Action Two: Three Moments of Presentation

Presentation: Critical Moments Early moments (20 min.) Middle moments (25 min.) Closing moments (15 min.) (see Appendix 2)

Capture Interest (2-5 min.) Get their minds in the room and on God and His Word Get their minds in the room and on God and His Word Focus attention on the topic/truth of the day Focus attention on the topic/truth of the day Ask a key question, tell a story, read a headline, show a movie clip, etc. Ask a key question, tell a story, read a headline, show a movie clip, etc. Early Moments

Review (2-3 min.) Review the point/truth from the previous lesson Review the point/truth from the previous lesson Ask how they did at living out that truth Ask how they did at living out that truth Ask for testimonies of obedience Ask for testimonies of obedience Early Moments

Preview (2-3 min.) Give a quick overview of where the lesson is heading Give a quick overview of where the lesson is heading Talk about the value/importance of what will be studied Talk about the value/importance of what will be studied Early Moments

Read the Scripture (2-3 min.) Use the Bible and lead them to do the same Use the Bible and lead them to do the same Get them involved Get them involved Read the entire passage to set verses to be examined into context Read the entire passage to set verses to be examined into context Early Moments

Use the Bible Hold the Bible to teach from it (rather than the teacher’s book—write notes) Hold the Bible to teach from it (rather than the teacher’s book—write notes) Lead them to use their Bibles (rather than the learner’s book) Lead them to use their Bibles (rather than the learner’s book) Communicates you prepared and that God and the Bible are central Communicates you prepared and that God and the Bible are central Middle Moments

Set Scripture in Context Help the group understand the historical setting: author, audience, events, location, customs, terms, etc. Help the group understand the historical setting: author, audience, events, location, customs, terms, etc. What was the point being made to the original audience? What was the point being made to the original audience? Don’t overspend your time on context Don’t overspend your time on context Middle Moments

Use Varied Teaching Methods Discover your learners’ preferred learning styles Discover your learners’ preferred learning styles Which methods would best communicate the scripture and truth? Which methods would best communicate the scripture and truth? Plan methods which best capture interest and increase retention Plan methods which best capture interest and increase retention Middle Moments

Involve Everyone Involvement increases attention and enjoyment Involvement increases attention and enjoyment Get them talking early, move them into smaller groups, ask questions, etc. Get them talking early, move them into smaller groups, ask questions, etc. Help them to “own” the learning experience Help them to “own” the learning experience Middle Moments

Allow the Holy Spirit to Work Allow Him to guide the preparation process, our relationships, teaching and learning, and applying the Word. Stay sensitive to the Him in your encounter with God in His Word and in guiding learners to do the same. Middle Moments

Review/Summarize (2-3 min.) These are some key questions: What was learned? What was learned? What was the point? What was the point? Why was it important? Why was it important? How is it relevant to today? How is it relevant to today? Closing Moments

Apply the Truth Help learners consider the personal relevance of the truth discovered. Help learners consider the personal relevance of the truth discovered. What response does God expect as a result of the lesson? What response does God expect as a result of the lesson? Challenge them to consider what God wants them to change or do as a result. Challenge them to consider what God wants them to change or do as a result. Closing Moments

Lead to Commit and Pray Commitment to obey Him is the next step of application. Commitment to obey Him is the next step of application. This is agreeing with God and choosing to adjust to His way. This is agreeing with God and choosing to adjust to His way. This should be communicated to God in a written, silent, or verbal prayer. This should be communicated to God in a written, silent, or verbal prayer. Closing Moments

Preview/Make Assignments What is next week’s lesson about? What is next week’s lesson about? Why is next week’s lesson important? Why is next week’s lesson important? What do they need to do to (1) follow up on this week’s lesson or (2) to prepare for next week’s? What do they need to do to (1) follow up on this week’s lesson or (2) to prepare for next week’s? Closing Moments

Close in Prayer/End on Time Thank God for His Word. Thank God for His Word. Thank Him for this lesson/truth. Thank Him for this lesson/truth. Ask for His help in living it out. Ask for His help in living it out. Close on time to give time for relationships and transitions. Close on time to give time for relationships and transitions. Closing Moments

Review PRESENTATION. What three adjustments can you make this year to Give God and His people your best effort?

Critical Action Three: Opportunities for Continuation

Trust and Follow God Your call, gifts, passion, and abilities are from Him Your call, gifts, passion, and abilities are from Him The sheep are His The sheep are His Spend time with Him, pray for guidance and help Spend time with Him, pray for guidance and help Follow where He leads Follow where He leads OPPORTUNITY ONE

Keep in Contact with Members Help them obey and/or prepare for the next encounter Help them obey and/or prepare for the next encounter Contact by visit, call, mail, & electronic Contact by visit, call, mail, & electronic Make assignments, ask questions, remind about obedience Make assignments, ask questions, remind about obedience Reinforce quiet time and spiritual disciplines Reinforce quiet time and spiritual disciplines OPPORTUNITY TWO

Encourage Discipleship Accountability Consistent groups (2-4 same gender) Consistent groups (2-4 same gender) Brief meeting by phone/in person Brief meeting by phone/in person Share prayer requests (write them) Share prayer requests (write them) Pray together (then and later) Pray together (then and later) Check on application of lesson and spiritual disciplines Check on application of lesson and spiritual disciplines Encourage one another Encourage one another OPPORTUNITY 3

Measure Discipleship Differently Consistent group attendance Consistent group attendance Consistent quiet time Consistent quiet time Caring contacts (members & prospects) Caring contacts (members & prospects) New group members New group members People in service People in service New leaders enlisted & trained New leaders enlisted & trained OPPORTUNITY FOUR

Measure Discipleship Differently Testimonies of obedience shared Testimonies of obedience shared Guests attending group, fellowships, projects, meals Guests attending group, fellowships, projects, meals Disciples making progress Disciples making progress Spiritual conversations Spiritual conversations New groups started New groups started OPPORTUNITY FOUR

Ask for Testimonies of Obedience Lead them to commit and pray Lead them to commit and pray Remind them to obey Remind them to obey Ask how they did at living out last week’s lesson/truth Ask how they did at living out last week’s lesson/truth Share your testimony Share your testimony OPPORTUNITY FIVE

Review CONTINUATION. What three adjustments can you make this year to Give God and His people your best effort?

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