Post by disciple on Apr 27, 2011 17:04:27 GMT -5
Session 1—chapters 1-3 discussion & application
Discussion:
c. 1
1. How does Bryant define the term “gap”?
2. What illustrations does he give of this gap? What illustrations have you seen of it?
3. Why does Bryant maintain hope in the face of the gap?
c. 2
4. What is the greatest gap of all, and how does Bryant see it often expressed?
5. Why does Bryant believe it exists? Can you think of other reasons?
6. What evidence do you see of “pea-sized Christianity” in yourself or in Christians around you?
c. 3
7. In the face of the gap of opportunity, what response does Bryant call for from the church at large?
Application:
1. Look around you for 3 other illustrations of the gap. Also, look for 3 illustrations of the gap in other nations. Record this to share next time.
2. Identify and pray about 1 box of pea-sized Christianity in your life. Write down 1 specific step you might take in the next 8 weeks to break out of that box. Bring your idea to share.
3. Read chapters 4-6 for next time.
Session 2—chapters 4-6 discussion & application
Discussion:
c. 4
1. What is Bill’s real need, and what solutions does Bryant provide?
2. How does Bryant define Christ’s global cause? Would you modify his definition?
3. How does Bryant answer Bill’s 4 main objections? Are his answers adequate, in your opinion?
c. 5
4. How can Christ’s global cause create renewed health in
•Prayer?
•Bible study?
•Godliness?
•Small groups?
•Larger groups?
•Outreach?
c. 6
5. In 1 sentence, how would YOU define a world Christian?
6. How would you answer some of the questions Bryant outlines to help you evaluate your progress in world Christian discipleship?
Application:
1. Select 1 of the areas of Christian discipleship in chapter 5 and work at giving it more of a world dimension (relating it more to Christ’s global cause). Observe what happens and record the results to share next time.
2. Read chapters 7-9 for next time.
Session 3—chapters 7-9 discussion & application
Discussion:
c. 7
1. What are some examples Bryant gives from the present? What other examples can you give?
2. How do you respond to either Graham’s or Bryant’s personal journeys into world Christian discipleship? Do you see any similar trends in your own life?
c. 8
3. How does Bryant define a “Great Awakening?”
4. Based on the analysis of Dr. Orr and of Paul in Ephesians 1, how does Bryant expect to see a Great Awakening develop in our generation?
5. Why does he believe that such an awakening might surface first in the student world?
c. 9
6. Does the parable of the theater describe anything of your own experience with Christ? How?
7. Does your group feel it is ready for the 2nd section of “In the Gap,” a journey into world Christian discipleship? Why or why not?
Application:
1. Be on the lookout for 1 good example of a world Christian to describe briefly next time. How did he/she become a world Christian, and how is their world Christian commitment being expressed daily?
2. Read chapters 10 & 11 for next time. Survey the “reflection questions” at the end of each point and choose 2 or 3 you would like to have the group discuss next time.
Sessions 4 & 5—chapters 10 & 11, 12 & 13 Discussion & Application
Discussion from these sessions should be based on the “reflection questions” at the end of each point. Allow all members of the group to discuss their answers to the reflection questions that seemed most important or interesting to them.
Application (chapters 10 & 11):
1. In your daily devotions, look for other Biblical support of any of the points made in chapter 10. Be prepared to share what you discover next time.
2. Look for 3 other illustrations of the kinds of possibilities outlined in chapter 11. Come prepared to share them.
3. Read chapters 12 & 13 for next time. Survey the “reflection questions” at the end of each point and choose 2 or 3 you would like to have the group discuss next time.
Application (chapters 12 & 13):
1. Look for 3 other illustrations of the many worlds in America. Come prepared to share them.
2. Look for 3 other illustrations of the Hidden People to share next time.
3. Complete the sentence: “My world-sized part is ___________”, and be prepared to share it with the group.
4. Read chapter 15 for next time.
(Leader Notes: Bring samples of the kind of resources and tools discussed in chapter 15. Also, chapter 14 is typically discussed last, after gaining an overview of what a world Christian does [c. 15-17].)
Session 6—chapter 15 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. In what ways are you presently studying the cause? How are you letting your vision grow right now?
2. What are some aspects of a world vision that you would like to study? Why do you pick those areas?
3. Discuss the ways Bryant suggests for building a world vision. Have you brought samples of resources and tools for each approach? Share what you have.
4. How would you begin to build your vision if you set this as an important goal for the next 6 months? How might you do this together as a team? Discuss a plan of action.
Application:
1. Begin to build your vision in 1 new way. Observe and record what you learn, and come next time prepared to share.
2. Read chapter 16 for next time. Bring samples of resources and tools for some of the approaches suggested there.
Session 7—chapter 16 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. In what ways are you presently reaching out in love? How are you helping to reach the unreached at the widest end of the gap right now?
2. How do you react to the 6 areas Bryant recommends for direct outreach in love? Could you see yourself involved in each of these areas? How? Could you see your group involved in each area? How? What modifications to Bryant’s ideas do you suggest?
3. Have you brought samples of resources & tools for each approach? Share what you have.
4. How would you begin to reach out if you set this as an important goal for the next 6 months? How might you do this together as a team? Discuss a plan of action.
Application:
1. Try to reach out in prayer, as well as in 1 other area. Observe and record what you accomplish in the coming week, and come next time prepared to share.
2. Read chapter 17 for next time. Bring samples of resources and tools for some of the approaches suggested there.
Session 8—chapter 17 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. In what ways do you presently help other Christians catch a world vision? In what ways are you seeking more world Christians to stand in the gap right now?
2. How do you react to the 3 roles Bryant suggests you should play as you give a world vision to others? Could you see yourself involved in each of these areas? How? Could you see your group involved in each area? How? What modifications to Bryant’s ideas do you suggest?
3. Which of the approaches for giving a world vision would you like to try, and why? Have you brought samples of resources or tools for each approach? Share what you have.
4. How would you begin to share your vision if you set this as an important goal for the next 6 months? How might you do this together as a team? Discuss a plan of action.
Application:
1. Try to give a world vision to 3 other Christians using 1 or more of the suggested approaches. Observe and record their reactions, and come next time prepared to share.
2. Read chapter 14 for next time.
Session 9—chapter 14 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. There are 3 questions that Bryant puts at the heart of a world Christian decision. Are these 3 questions comprehensive enough for such a decision?
2. What does it mean to you to choose to be a world Christian? What does it mean to you to choose to join with other world Christians? What does it mean to you to plan to obey your vision?
3. How many in your group are ready to take “step 2”? Have each one explain their response to this opportunity.
4. How could the “World Christian decision card” or the “Personal Strategy Guide” (App. II) help you follow through on all you’ve explored in these small group studies?
5. Let each person privately complete this sentence: “In response to these 9 weeks of study on world Christian discipleship, my next step will be to ______________”
6. Over the last 9 weeks, how has your understanding of Christ Himself been changed? How did I see Him before, and how do I see Him differently now?
Discussion:
c. 1
1. How does Bryant define the term “gap”?
2. What illustrations does he give of this gap? What illustrations have you seen of it?
3. Why does Bryant maintain hope in the face of the gap?
c. 2
4. What is the greatest gap of all, and how does Bryant see it often expressed?
5. Why does Bryant believe it exists? Can you think of other reasons?
6. What evidence do you see of “pea-sized Christianity” in yourself or in Christians around you?
c. 3
7. In the face of the gap of opportunity, what response does Bryant call for from the church at large?
Application:
1. Look around you for 3 other illustrations of the gap. Also, look for 3 illustrations of the gap in other nations. Record this to share next time.
2. Identify and pray about 1 box of pea-sized Christianity in your life. Write down 1 specific step you might take in the next 8 weeks to break out of that box. Bring your idea to share.
3. Read chapters 4-6 for next time.
Session 2—chapters 4-6 discussion & application
Discussion:
c. 4
1. What is Bill’s real need, and what solutions does Bryant provide?
2. How does Bryant define Christ’s global cause? Would you modify his definition?
3. How does Bryant answer Bill’s 4 main objections? Are his answers adequate, in your opinion?
c. 5
4. How can Christ’s global cause create renewed health in
•Prayer?
•Bible study?
•Godliness?
•Small groups?
•Larger groups?
•Outreach?
c. 6
5. In 1 sentence, how would YOU define a world Christian?
6. How would you answer some of the questions Bryant outlines to help you evaluate your progress in world Christian discipleship?
Application:
1. Select 1 of the areas of Christian discipleship in chapter 5 and work at giving it more of a world dimension (relating it more to Christ’s global cause). Observe what happens and record the results to share next time.
2. Read chapters 7-9 for next time.
Session 3—chapters 7-9 discussion & application
Discussion:
c. 7
1. What are some examples Bryant gives from the present? What other examples can you give?
2. How do you respond to either Graham’s or Bryant’s personal journeys into world Christian discipleship? Do you see any similar trends in your own life?
c. 8
3. How does Bryant define a “Great Awakening?”
4. Based on the analysis of Dr. Orr and of Paul in Ephesians 1, how does Bryant expect to see a Great Awakening develop in our generation?
5. Why does he believe that such an awakening might surface first in the student world?
c. 9
6. Does the parable of the theater describe anything of your own experience with Christ? How?
7. Does your group feel it is ready for the 2nd section of “In the Gap,” a journey into world Christian discipleship? Why or why not?
Application:
1. Be on the lookout for 1 good example of a world Christian to describe briefly next time. How did he/she become a world Christian, and how is their world Christian commitment being expressed daily?
2. Read chapters 10 & 11 for next time. Survey the “reflection questions” at the end of each point and choose 2 or 3 you would like to have the group discuss next time.
Sessions 4 & 5—chapters 10 & 11, 12 & 13 Discussion & Application
Discussion from these sessions should be based on the “reflection questions” at the end of each point. Allow all members of the group to discuss their answers to the reflection questions that seemed most important or interesting to them.
Application (chapters 10 & 11):
1. In your daily devotions, look for other Biblical support of any of the points made in chapter 10. Be prepared to share what you discover next time.
2. Look for 3 other illustrations of the kinds of possibilities outlined in chapter 11. Come prepared to share them.
3. Read chapters 12 & 13 for next time. Survey the “reflection questions” at the end of each point and choose 2 or 3 you would like to have the group discuss next time.
Application (chapters 12 & 13):
1. Look for 3 other illustrations of the many worlds in America. Come prepared to share them.
2. Look for 3 other illustrations of the Hidden People to share next time.
3. Complete the sentence: “My world-sized part is ___________”, and be prepared to share it with the group.
4. Read chapter 15 for next time.
(Leader Notes: Bring samples of the kind of resources and tools discussed in chapter 15. Also, chapter 14 is typically discussed last, after gaining an overview of what a world Christian does [c. 15-17].)
Session 6—chapter 15 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. In what ways are you presently studying the cause? How are you letting your vision grow right now?
2. What are some aspects of a world vision that you would like to study? Why do you pick those areas?
3. Discuss the ways Bryant suggests for building a world vision. Have you brought samples of resources and tools for each approach? Share what you have.
4. How would you begin to build your vision if you set this as an important goal for the next 6 months? How might you do this together as a team? Discuss a plan of action.
Application:
1. Begin to build your vision in 1 new way. Observe and record what you learn, and come next time prepared to share.
2. Read chapter 16 for next time. Bring samples of resources and tools for some of the approaches suggested there.
Session 7—chapter 16 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. In what ways are you presently reaching out in love? How are you helping to reach the unreached at the widest end of the gap right now?
2. How do you react to the 6 areas Bryant recommends for direct outreach in love? Could you see yourself involved in each of these areas? How? Could you see your group involved in each area? How? What modifications to Bryant’s ideas do you suggest?
3. Have you brought samples of resources & tools for each approach? Share what you have.
4. How would you begin to reach out if you set this as an important goal for the next 6 months? How might you do this together as a team? Discuss a plan of action.
Application:
1. Try to reach out in prayer, as well as in 1 other area. Observe and record what you accomplish in the coming week, and come next time prepared to share.
2. Read chapter 17 for next time. Bring samples of resources and tools for some of the approaches suggested there.
Session 8—chapter 17 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. In what ways do you presently help other Christians catch a world vision? In what ways are you seeking more world Christians to stand in the gap right now?
2. How do you react to the 3 roles Bryant suggests you should play as you give a world vision to others? Could you see yourself involved in each of these areas? How? Could you see your group involved in each area? How? What modifications to Bryant’s ideas do you suggest?
3. Which of the approaches for giving a world vision would you like to try, and why? Have you brought samples of resources or tools for each approach? Share what you have.
4. How would you begin to share your vision if you set this as an important goal for the next 6 months? How might you do this together as a team? Discuss a plan of action.
Application:
1. Try to give a world vision to 3 other Christians using 1 or more of the suggested approaches. Observe and record their reactions, and come next time prepared to share.
2. Read chapter 14 for next time.
Session 9—chapter 14 discussion & application
Discussion:
1. There are 3 questions that Bryant puts at the heart of a world Christian decision. Are these 3 questions comprehensive enough for such a decision?
2. What does it mean to you to choose to be a world Christian? What does it mean to you to choose to join with other world Christians? What does it mean to you to plan to obey your vision?
3. How many in your group are ready to take “step 2”? Have each one explain their response to this opportunity.
4. How could the “World Christian decision card” or the “Personal Strategy Guide” (App. II) help you follow through on all you’ve explored in these small group studies?
5. Let each person privately complete this sentence: “In response to these 9 weeks of study on world Christian discipleship, my next step will be to ______________”
6. Over the last 9 weeks, how has your understanding of Christ Himself been changed? How did I see Him before, and how do I see Him differently now?