* * * T H E P R E A C H E R ' S S T U D Y * * *
U P D A T E & E Z I N E
"Helping Busy Preachers Become Better Preachers"
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http://preacherstudy.com
Third Tuesday of October, 1999
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Published on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
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(Please feel free to forward this ezine in its entirety to friends and
associates)
In This Issue:
[1] Greetings!
[2] Featured Article: "How To Begin And Benefit From A Sermon Study Group"
(Part 2 of 2)
[3] Important Preacher's Study Website Updates
[4] Coming Attractions
[5] Contact Info
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[1] ***Greetings!***
Welcome to this second edition of The Preacher's Study Update & Ezine. A
special welcome to newcomers.
In this issue you will find the second and final part of the recent
article, "How To Begin And Benefit From A Sermon Study Group". If you
missed the first half, you'll find it on The Preacher's Study Website at:
http://preacherstudy.com/ezine1.htm
Also, I will note the most recent updates in both the free and premium
sections of the website.
Thanks to all of you who have subscribed to the website since the
changeover. The response has been very encouraging.
God bless.
Dave Redick
[2] ***Featured Article: "How To Begin And Benefit From A Sermon Study
Group" (Part 2 of 2)by Dave Redick
Part 1 may be viewed at:
http://preacherstudy.com/ezine1.htm
<<<<<<<<<<CONTINUED FROM PART 1>>>>>>>>>>
METHODS AND GROUP KILLERS
*Methods*
Conducting a study group isn't at all difficult. The process is so
intuitive that you could probably make it happen with little help. Yet
there are some things that experience suggests can be helpful. Here are
some suggestions:
--Gather Your Team
Availability and proximity are major factors in finding group members. You
need to find those who consider it a worthwhile enough endeavor to
schedule and protect the time and who live closely enough together to make
weekly meetings practical. I'm willing to drive up to 50 miles to
participate in such a group and have done so on several occasions.
Hopefully your situation will prove to be more convenient than that. I
have talked to several about attempting such a group online but so far
that is only been a dream. (If you know of anyone who has accomplished
this, I would certainly like to hear about it.)
--Set the Dates and Places
Getting four or five preachers together weekly on the same day for 6-8
weeks is no small task. If you have never worked in such a group, begin by
scheduling a pilot meeting to discuss methods and schedules. We have met
in a restaurant when we could find one conveniently located to all
members. If you use a restaurant, be sure you speak to the management and
let them know your plans and then make doubly sure you tip the waitress
generously! Treat her right and she'll be glad to see you coming each
week. If you eat, plan on one-and-a-half to two hours. Otherwise an hour
to an hour-and-a-half should be sufficient. We have also met in our
respective church buildings, which adds a "get better acquainted" aspect
to the mix.
--Decide on the Preaching Portions
You may want to select a Bible book to cover (or selected chapters of a
book). As mentioned above, our first series was done from the first six
chapters of Daniel - one chapter each week. In our current study we are
using Scripture divisions suggested by Max Lucado's study guide for I and
II Timothy and Titus. Your imagination is the only limit here, along with
the perceived needs of your congregation. The important thing is that you
all study the same passage each week and that this be agreed upon ahead of
time so you can prepare.
--Two Ways to Go
In our first group we made special assignments. Everyone studied the text
and contributed his resulting notes. Then each participant had a special
emphasis based upon his perceived skills - one person majored in exegesis,
one in outlines, and one in illustrations and supportive material. If I
had outlines, for instance, I first studied the text carefully, then spent
the rest of my preparation time wrestling with various ways to structure
the passage and sermon. In the process of this I might also record and
save illustrations that were suggested along with insights, but I majored
in outlines. The same special focus was expected when I majored in
illustrations.
In the present group I'm in, there are no special assignments. Each person
studies, outlines, illustrates, supports, and then shares all of his
material with the other members. This material is photocopied ahead of
time - one set of notes for each group member - then stapled and passed
out at the beginning of the meeting. Each member takes a turn (10 minutes
or less)presenting the highlights of his research verbally to the rest of
the group. He makes his full presentation first, then group members may
quiz him or comment.
**Group Killers**
Poor attendance is an obvious group killer. While emergencies do arise,
when a group member doesn't participate, the rest of the group suffers.
Commitment to a pre-arranged time and series of weeks in the beginning is
essential. If circumstances cause a missed meeting, every effort needs to
be made to contribute prepared material even though a member is absent.
An unchecked, dominant personality can also kill group enthusiasm. The
benefit of the group is found in mutual sharing. If one person dominates
so as to hinder this exchange, maximum benefit will be missed.
Slim contributions can also be a difficulty. If one doesn't do his
homework and never brings more than a half page of handwritten notes to
the meetings, it will drag the group down. A study group can get along in
spite of such a deficiency but this person probably won't be asked to join
next time. Each member should do his part.
Dragging meetings out can also put a damper on effectiveness. Start on
time, stay with planned time allocations, and end on time. Better to leave
with a hunger for more than a feeling that you've gabbed away an
afternoon.
It is important to stress here that each contributor does write his own
sermon. The benefits come not from laziness in preparation but in much
more extensive research development than is possible alone.
The best way to learn how to do all this is to get busy and do it. May God
bless all of your efforts to preach the word accurately and effectively.
(c) The Preacher's Study, 1999. All Rights Reserved. Reprint by permission
only.(However, you may forward his entire Ezine to friends freely.)
[3] ***Recent Website Updates***
The Premium section of the website received two new sermons since the last
issue of this ezine.
The first is called "Act Like Men!" It's based on 1 Corinthians 16:13.
Here is an excerpt: "There is a confusion of gender roles. Many people
don't know what it means to be male and female. They don't know what they
are. We have confused women clamoring to get on the battlefield and
cross-dressing men clamoring to get into their pantyhose." This message
was preached at a men's breakfast gathering.
The second sermon is called "How to Praise God in Any Circumstance". It is
based on 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Again, an excerpt: "Former persecutor Saul
found God's grace and became Paul, the Apostle. From then on his praise
couldn't be stopped. Hungry, naked, imprisoned, beaten, it didn't seem to
matter. Better perhaps than any man alive in his day, he could praise God
in any circumstance."
The free section didn't receive any new material this time due to the
demands of the website changeover on the editor. Watch it for updates next
time.
Also, the Discussion Lessons Section has been restored to the Premium
section. Remember that the lessons in this section require Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
[4] ***Coming Attractions***
Topic for the next issue: "WHAT'S IN A NAME?: The Art of Creatively Naming
Your Sermons"
See you then, Lord willing.
[6] ***Contact Info***
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The Preacher's Study Website & Ezine
http://preacherstudy.com
"Dedicated to Making You a Better Preacher"
Owner: Dave Redick
Email: editor@preacherstudy.com
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