You must create a strategic plan of study and discipleship for your church that promotes spiritual growth and biblical literacy.
By Lynn Pryor
Ask any preschooler what he’d like for dinner, and you’ll probably get an answer like, “Ice cream!” Leave the decision with this toddler, and he’ll want ice cream for every meal. Or chicken nuggets. Many parents have lived with a picky eater who won’t eat anything except mac and cheese. After a hectic and harried day, we might give in and pull out the microwavable mac and cheese, but we know kids need more than that.
Believers need a balanced diet too. I’m not talking about replacing the Sunday morning doughnuts with something more substantial (although that’s not a bad idea). I’m referring to their spiritual diet. As pastors and church leaders, we are responsible for the spiritual growth and discipleship of those we serve, and that means ensuring they’re getting a steady and balanced approach to God’s Word.
“We are responsible for the spiritual growth and discipleship of those we serve, and that means ensuring they’re getting a steady and balanced approach to God’s Word.” — @lynnpryor Share on XA recent study from Lifeway Research found churchgoers may not be meeting our biblical literacy expections (particularly when it comes to the Old Testament). When asked about their favorite story from the Old Testament, around 4 in 5 U.S. Protestant churchgoers share one from the first section of the Bible. More than 1 in 10 (11%), however, offer a New Testament story or book, 7% say none and 3% don’t know.
Scope and sequence
I’ve sat in Bible study groups (and cringed) when the leader asked the group, “What do you want to study next?” Like preschoolers craving their favorite snack, people tend toward their favorite Bible books or topics. Ever had that group that just wanted to study Revelation and talk about eschatology? Or address “hot” topics? Or only study the New Testament books because “we’re no longer under the Old Testament”? We can be like the harried parent and give in to what they want. After all, at least they’re studying something, and that’s better than nothing.
But there’s a far more responsible approach that facilitates spiritual growth and improves biblical literacy. Shepherding and discipling means giving the church family what they need, not just what they want. And what they need is the whole counsel of God’s Word. I love the Gospel of John and the book of Romans, but God gave me more than these two books to study. He gave us 64 other books—and He gave them for a reason.
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” — Romans 15:4, CSB
You must create a strategic plan of study and discipleship for the groups at your church that promotes biblical literacy. Educators call this a scope and sequence. In the context of Bible study, the scope must be God’s Word—all of God’s Word. But the sequence can vary. Let me offer you three approaches churches take to the sequence of studies, a study plan that encompasses the whole of God’s Word.
1. Chronological and Christ-centered
The Gospel Project is an ongoing Bible study that goes chronologically through the Bible in three years. What makes this approach especially noteworthy is that it helps us see Jesus in the whole of Scripture. The gospel is not limited to one of the Gospel writers or even the New Testament. The gospel story permeates every book, and The Gospel Project helps groups see the whole of Scripture as a seamless story.
“The gospel is not limited to one of the Gospel writers or even the New Testament. The gospel story permeates every book.” — @lynnpryor Share on X2. Book by book
For those seeking a longer walk through the books of the Bible, Explore the Bible takes a group through all 66 books over a nine-year period. This is not a chronological approach like The Gospel Project; instead, each quarter of studies alternates between Old Testament and New Testament books. This also allows groups to alternate between the different genres found in Scripture. For example, instead of spending 12 months back-to-back in the Pentateuch or 20 months back-to-back in the four Gospels, groups can alternate books and experience the richness of styles incorporated into Scripture.
3. Discipleship-driven
We lead our church family in Bible study for the purpose of discipleship, and Bible Studies for Life begins with the emphasis on discipleship. Through research with thousands of church leaders, Lifeway Research identified eight markers of a growing, mature disciple. Each six-week study in Bible Studies for Life looks at passages that challenge the group to grow stronger with one of these discipleship markers. Over a year’s time, all eight of the markers are addressed. Each year, Bible Studies for Life focuses on these eight markers by studying different Bible books, doctrines, and individuals.
Which is right?
I am a fan of all three of these approaches. Each offers a different scope and sequence, yet all three have a strong emphasis on studying the Bible and growing disciples. What’s best for you and your church? Consider what dovetails nicely with your church’s overall mission and discipleship strategy.
As a side note, I’ve discovered many churches whose pastor preaches through books of the Bible gravitate toward a scope and sequence like Bible Studies for Life. At the same time, churches whose pasters do sermon series around a topic or doctrine lean toward following a study plan such as The Gospel Project or Explore the Bible. Of course, these three are not the only Bible study curriculums available. Whatever you choose, make sure it is both biblical and balanced.
“Choose the curriculum that best serves your church’s strategy and mission and stick with it.” — @lynnpryor Share on XThere’s one more element that will make a difference, one that will give your church family the balanced biblical diet it needs: Stick with it. Choose the curriculum that best serves your church’s strategy and mission and stick with it. Over time, as groups engage in the same scope and sequence, they will experience balance, encounter the whole of Scripture, and be challenged to walk ever more closely with Jesus.
Now about those doughnuts …
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
