Strategic Plan - Biblical Instruction
| Article Index |
|---|
| Strategic Plan |
| Biblical Instruction |
| Spiritual Disciplines |
| Life’s Struggles |
| All the Nations |
| Five Priorities |
| Conclusion |
| All Pages |
Discipling Through Biblical Instruction
From the conception of Fellowship Bible Church (October of 1991) the Sunday morning worship service has found its instructional underpinning in the Scriptures. The Bible has been, and remains, foundational to all we do. Our church family is encouraged to bring their Bible to church, and there is anticipation that the Word of God will be opened, explained and applied during the time of instruction. The Sunday morning worship service remains a significant time in which this occurs, but it is not the only time.
In many ways the instruction that takes place from God’s Word in the Sunday morning worship service brings to the forefront one’s need for our introductory, advanced and specialized training. At the conclusion of our worship service we would hope that one would have: (1) A growing confidence that biblical instruction provides us with God’s answers and (2) A growing realization that there is a personal need for even more biblical instruction.
We are intentional in our commitment to disciple to maturity those believers entrusted to us, and equip them for the work of the ministry. At FBC Discipling to Maturity involves 3 different dimensions of training: (1) Introductory, (2) advanced, and (3) Specialized.
- Introductory Training - We introduce the believer to the truth that the Bible is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3, 2 Tim. 3:16). The curriculum has a three-fold emphasis (Bible exposition, Bible doctrine, Bible living), and is on a six-year schedule. This takes place during the Sunday Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) classes (9:30-10:45)
- Advanced Training - We desire for the believer to advance both in the depth and breadth of their knowledge and understanding of biblical truth (2 Tim. 2:15). This takes place during the Wednesday Evening classes (7:00-8:15)
- Specialized Training - We offer equipping seminars for specialized training so that the believer may more effectively use their gifts in the ministry of the local church. (Eph. 4:12). This takes place on various weekends and evenings throughout the year.
Introductory Training
Introductory training takes place Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:45 in various locations throughout the church campus.
The apostle Paul reminded Timothy that he ought to give attention to reading, exhortation, and to doctrine. (1 Tim 4:13). We find in this three-fold emphasis a well-balanced proposal for how we should instruct the flock. The three words found in this passage speak to three different focus points in the Word of God.
Reading describes the reading of the Scripture (Ex. 24:7; Josh. 6:35; Acts 15:21). Yet in the Gospel record when the Scripture is read it is often followed with an explanation of the text (see Luke 4:16-ff). We see this first emphasis as one of expositional teaching from the Word. This is most effectively done in the study and explanation of a particular book of the Bible (both the Old and New Testaments). We do that regularly here, but not exclusively.
Exhortation refers to applying the right Scripture to a real life situation (1 Thes. 5:14). The Greek word has the idea of coming along side in order that we might call out encouragement. The focus here is that we would use a specific Scripture for a specific need. We don’t select these topics randomly, but we prayerfully consider what topics would be most needed. Then we dig into the Scripture to find the appropriate biblical passage.
Doctrine is the general word for teaching used in the Scripture. But the word used in this context may refer to a “systematic treatment of the truths of the Christian faith.” In an era when the content of what one believes doesn’t seem to matter to most people—we believe that doctrine is of extreme importance to the body of Christ (Eph. 4:14). Therefore while the Bible should remain the foundation of all we do, the focus point on the Scripture might change. For instance sometimes our study will lead us to emphasize a book in the Bible. Other times we might emphasize a particular subject like marriage and the family, or evangelism. Or perhaps we might focus on a particular doctrinal theme such as the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, or the doctrine of the end times.
It is this three-fold emphasis that becomes the basis for our teaching time in our Adult Bible Fellowships (Sunday mornings- 9:30-10:45). This balanced approach allows us to cover some significant biblical territory over time. For instance over a six year window of time we will spend 84 hours in the Old Testament, 72 hours in the New Testament, 72 hours on Bible Doctrine, and 72 hours on Bible living topics.
| Mar. 2008 – Aug. 2009 | Introductory Books and Topics Covered |
| Bible Books: | Deuteronomy, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Life of Christ |
| Bible Doctrine: | Doctrine of Truth, Doctrine of Holy Spirit, Doctrine of God |
| Bible Living: | Evangelism, Marriage and the Family 101, Christian Disciplines |
| Sept. 2009—Feb. 2011 | |
| Bible Books: | Genesis 1-11, Minor Prophets, Revelation |
| Bible Doctrine: | Doctrine of Christ, Doctrine of Church, Doctrine of Salvation |
| Bible Living: | Finances, Worship, Marriage and the Family 102 |
| Mar. 2011—Jan. 2012 | |
| Bible Books: | United Kingdom, Divided Kingdom, Acts, Romans |
| Bible Doctrine: | Doctrine of Sin, Church History, Doctrine of Mankind |
| Bible Living: | Life-Dominating Sins, Church Membership, Marriage and Family (103) |
| Feb. 2013—Mar. 2014 | |
| Bible Books: | Isaiah, New Testament Epistles |
| Bible Doctrine: | Doctrine of Future Things, Doctrine of Angels and Demons |
| Bible Living: | Heart Issues, True Church Fellowship |
Advanced Training
Advanced Training takes place on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:15 in various locations throughout the church campus.
The purpose of these classes is that the believer might advance both in depth and breadth in their knowledge, understanding, and application of biblical truth. This helps to balance the teaching offered in Adult Bible Fellowships (which provides an introductory foundation in the Bible) by pinpointing gaps in biblical instruction where one may study more deeply.
While these classes follow the Bible Teaching, Bible Doctrine, and Bible Living format they are more advanced than our introductory classes. In order that the instructor may have more time to cover the material they are scheduled in 13, 26, and 39-week formats, and they will cover the biblical material in greater depth and detail. Classes run from the fall through the spring. The summer months will be used for specific training of ministry personnel.
Specialized Training
Specialized Training takes place through seminars on various weekends and evenings throughout the year.Discipleship Training
- Counseling and Discipleship Training: Takes place on 3 weekends during the spring of the year.. This will include both a fundamentals course and an advanced course. Sponsored by National Association of Nouthetic Counselors.
Leadership Training
- Leadership 101 – Basic introduction to the biblical concept of Elders. Attention will be given to the calling, qualifications, and ministry involvement of one serving as a leader in the church. Two identical classes will be offered for scheduling purposes. Only one class needs to be attended (October 25th 26th, 2008).
- Leadership 102 – This comprises the doctrinal training for an Elder candidate. It necessitates one’s interaction with the teaching series What we Believe (as taught by various Elders at FBC). Available online at the church website or on CD.
- Leadership 103 – This is the practical portion of the training, and involves the oversight of a potential Elder’s ministry, by an existing Elder. It necessitates a mentoring relationship - built around one’s ministry involvement. Upon completion of 101, 102, 103, and upon the recommendation by the Elder Council (that they see the call of God on the candidate’s life to serve in this way - Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7), the Elder candidate will be presented to the congregation for a vote of affirmation.