Lessons One
There were a couple of lessons from the time with M7. First, if men are given an opportunity to learn, and the tools to do so, they will. In my experience I have heard the exhortation from leaders that men need to study the Bible, but there is little or no instruction as to how that is done. I am learning that if you give men a few simple tools, show them how to use them, and get out of the way, the Lord shows up and meets with them in His Word.
Lesson Two
Equipping men to observe empowers their gifts in Bible study. All of us have different spiritual gifts. All of us have different journeys to and with Christ. According to Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 we are given those gifts and experiences not for us but for the Body. We are to use those gifts and experiences to build up the Body of Christ. I have observed that when men are equipped to more effectively observe, the impact of their gifts and experiences are enhanced.
Lesson Three
Ok three lessons, in reality there are more. When men are equipped to study they move from dependency to interdependency. The guys on Thursday morning no longer look to me, exclusively, for insight into the Word. We look to each other. Each man has seen things the rest of us have not. Each has contributed observations that have helped the others in the group to better understand the text. In reality this is probably a subset of lesson two.
Think of It
What would happen in your fellowship if all were engaged in the Word at this level?
There were a couple of lessons from the time with M7. First, if men are given an opportunity to learn, and the tools to do so, they will. In my experience I have heard the exhortation from leaders that men need to study the Bible, but there is little or no instruction as to how that is done. I am learning that if you give men a few simple tools, show them how to use them, and get out of the way, the Lord shows up and meets with them in His Word.
Equipping men to observe empowers their gifts in Bible study. All of us have different spiritual gifts. All of us have different journeys to and with Christ. According to Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 we are given those gifts and experiences not for us but for the Body. We are to use those gifts and experiences to build up the Body of Christ. I have observed that when men are equipped to more effectively observe, the impact of their gifts and experiences are enhanced.
Lesson Three
Ok three lessons, in reality there are more. When men are equipped to study they move from dependency to interdependency. The guys on Thursday morning no longer look to me, exclusively, for insight into the Word. We look to each other. Each man has seen things the rest of us have not. Each has contributed observations that have helped the others in the group to better understand the text. In reality this is probably a subset of lesson two.
Think of It
What would happen in your fellowship if all were engaged in the Word at this level?
Very good lessons and examples J Michael. I believe women would benefit form this as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.