This is the short and condensed version of something I’ve been working on for sometime. This iteration was prompted from one of the guys from the Wed group asking me to help him set up a similar group for high school students who will be discipled by him, his wife and a few others. I’m aware of the rough edges, but still want your feedback. Seriously, I need feedback for things like this. This helps us all.
This is a framework designed using the 4Cs methodology that is used for the Wednesday night men’s Bible study that I head up. This is merely a skeleton, however, the basic concepts if held to will almost always produce mature believers in the faith, while developing a hunger for Biblical truth in knowlede, understanding, wisdom, and communication-oriented application.
The 4Cs consist of: Content, Context, Cross References, and Creed. The point of each C is to develop personally the abilities to read and understand Scripture, develop communally the basic abilities to use Biblical resources, conduct conversations with mentors and mentees that cause a personal shedding of sin and exhortation to holiness in living, and create disciples of Christ who are empowed by the Holy Spirit to create disciples of Christ.
Content – the basic building blocks of relationship. In this session, mentors and mentee build a consistent rhythm of conversation based simply around getting to know one another. The Bible study in this section simply looks to get both parties used to reading the Bible on a regular basis, while learning how to talk to one another about what was read – simply listening to the text as it is written and asking “how am I living or not living like what I am reading.” Recommended book: Titus. Recommended time span: 1-2 months (if meeting once per week).
Context – accelerating the building of the relationship to beyond surface level conversations. Here the mentor begins to ask questions such as “how are you living out what you’ve read in Titus” and equating that living to holiness over personal preference. Here also, the mentor and mentee begin looking at Scripture less as just what is said, but starting to pay attention to the details around what is said (environment, reactions from others, etc.). It is important here that beyond simply reading the Scripture that the mentee is asking critical thinking questions such as “what would you have done if it were you Jesus healed here” or “what would your reaction be as a person listening to this parable?” Getting the mentee to think not just about how they are living, but also the consequence to their actions. Recommended book: Mark. Recommended time span: 3-4 months (first month is spent just reading the book, 2 months spent reading one chapter per week, adding a chapter each week to the week before).
Cross References – building out the relationship and conversation to speaking more about the daily struggles and how you are walking in Christ in the mist of these. Bible study focuses on reading the text and learning how to use Biblical resources to better understand the context and meaning of passages. Here, the mentor has to have a firm grasp of Biblical study tools, and then know how to consolidate their use into something accessible to understand for the mentee. It helps also to have an both the mentor and mentee sharing the notes created during this sesson. Recommended book(s): Isaiah, Torah, 1 and 2 Corinthians. Recommended time span: 2-3 months.
Creed – building out a personal faith statement that is biblically sound, empowering and requiring the believer to live continually dedicating oneself wholy to serving God. It is here that the mentor begins to dial down the active teaching and dials up directing the creation of a basic statement of faith in the mold of the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds. Biblical study centers on church history after the time of the apostles until the modern day. It is important here to not get stuck on theological issues, but to continue the process of learning how and showing how to use resources to dig more into a topic of interest. The mentee should be encouraged at this point to begin teaching others (if they are not already), and then being instructed on how to use this framework to create a small group to which they would lead. Recommended book(s): City of God, Eusebius, History of the Christian Church, etc. Recommended time span: 1-2 months.
Simply speaking, the goal is simply to create an avenue where people want to be discipled, and people who can disciple are learning the basics of teaching, leading, and community involvement. Its also very important that small groups of this function are done alongside the local church. In some cases, there maybe areas or topics touched on where the accountability of the local church is advised to preside over. I do say to be gentile though, there are some who will not care for the appearance of traditional church leadership and the goal of every relationship is to put the person in a position where they make a decision to follow Christ, and not where we are forcing them.
Those looking to lead a group under this format should have a solid understanding of the content, context, and structure of the Bible. They should be well versed in basic group-leading, counseling, and mentoring techniques. I would recommend that those looking to lead a group set up regular meetings with their local church leadership noting progress, issues, and opportunities for cross-pollination with functions and activities within the local church.
In terms of materials, various Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and online resouces should be used where appropriate. For subjects that are beyond the scope or range of the teachers, rely on the leadership of the local church accountability towards pointing teachers and mentees alike towards solid schooling and resources. Do not be opposed to purchasing smaller items for those hungry, but don’t put yourself in a position where you are overextending your personal resources.
