Leadership | Knowable Word

The Best and Worst Part of T4G

April 11, 2014 By Peter Krol

I’m on my way home from Together for the Gospel (T4G), a biennial conference for pastors and church leaders. This was my first time attending, and I find myself refreshed and re-energized for the next season of ministry.

T4G is big. It’s held in a big arena (KFC Yum! Center, home of the University of Louisville basketball team). It draws a big crowd (over 7,000 this year). It sends every attendee home with a big stack of books (I have 44). There’s a big screen, big singing, and big lines for the restrooms.

The biggest thing about it, however, is the lineup of speakers. Perhaps you’ve heard of some of these men:

Mark Dever
Thabiti Anyabwile
Al Mohler
Kevin DeYoung
David Platt
Matt Chandler
Ligon Duncan
John MacArthur
John Piper

These men have big ministries and big personalities. I imagine most attendees are drawn to T4G for the opportunity to sit under such colossal preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Therein lies what I found to be both the best and worst thing about T4G: our time in the word of God.

Some of the speakers delivered the word with such clarity and power that I’ll feel the effects for years to come.

David Platt spoke of Moses’ intercession for the people of God in Exodus 32 and 33. Moses knows the perfections, purposes, and promises of God are unchanging, but the plans of God are unfolding. Therefore, he pleads for God’s mercy on sinners. He pleads for God’s presence and power among his people. He pleads for God’s glory in the earth. Now, every time I read Exodus 32-33, these points will stick with me.
Ligon Duncan spoke of Numbers 5:1-4 and God’s purpose for expelling from the camp people with skin diseases, discharges, and contact with dead bodies. But Luke shows Jesus touching lepers, bleeders, and the dead. He does what the Old Testament code could not do: He makes them clean. How does he make the unclean clean? By going outside the camp himself to suffer their reproach (Heb 13:10-13). Thanks to Dr. Duncan, I’ll never read Leviticus and Numbers the same way again.
John MacArthur spoke of the mass defection of Jesus’ disciples in John 6, and he drew out piercing implications for our ministries in our churches. He showed me how to read and understand this long and difficult chapter.
John Piper explained why Romans 9 comes after Romans 8, and how the incredible promises of Romans 8 would mean nothing without the truths of Romans 9. So many Jews in Paul’s day didn’t believe Christ. Did this mean God was being unfaithful to his promises to them? And if so, how could we ever be certain of his promises to us (no condemnation, no separation from his love)? Piper gave me a broad context in which to read Romans 8-11, and that context will help me to study these chapters in greater detail on my own.

These were the highlights for me.

What was the common thread? These best parts of T4G all came when speakers gave me confidence that I could do what they were doing. They showed me how to see what they were seeing in the Scripture. I learned how to read and study and apply and teach these texts. I won’t need to listen to the recordings of these talks over and over to be filled with the truth. These men launched me into deeper study of God’s word, increased hope in Christ, and more fervent desire for the salvation of unbelievers.

What was the worst part of T4G?

It came at those times when I found myself sitting there thinking:

“I could never do what this guy is doing.”
“This speaker is way smarter than anyone else in the room, especially me.”
“Wow, praise God for raising him up to have such influence for Christ, but no-one else listening to him will ever be able to replicate his teaching when they leave this conference.”

Now there is much sin in my heart, and sometimes my inability to get moving simply results from my own dullness.

But I wonder, too, if there’s a downside to the “bigness” of such a lineup. While some teachers are more skilled at “showing their work”—thus inspiring their hearers to continue what they have begun—others do a better job of wowing and impressing. And what can I say? I usually love to be wowed and impressed.

T4G had its fair share of wowing and impressing. But the wowing and impressing will be forgotten as soon as I get home and have to help with the backlog of dishes and yard work and play time with my kids. I’ll also have to get right to work on a pile of projects at work.

The moments of real training, however, will bear fruit long into the future.

Is Your Bible Study Group-Centered or Christ-Centered?

April 4, 2014 By Peter Krol

The main goal of group Bible studies is to help people know God through his Son Jesus Christ. And the chief advantage of the group format is interaction.

Sometimes that chief advantage can steal the limelight, and the main goal unintentionally becomes the understudy. Or for the non-theatrical types: that chief advantage can steal the ball, and the main goal gets benched.

In other words, we can get so excited by the positive interaction between group members that we subtly slide our focus from knowing God to knowing each other. And since knowing each other is a great thing, we might not notice the shift.

Marco Belluci (2005), Creative Commons

Here are some questions to help you evaluate where your group’s gaze lies.

Do group members spend more time sharing about their problems or testifying to God’s grace in their lives?
Does your Bible study always land on the same applications, or is there a sense of forward movement and change?
Do people depend on the leader to do all the thinking, or do they actively engage in the study?
Is there general agreement and affirmation on most things, or do people feel free to challenge and disagree with one another?
If the leader had to stop leading the group, would the group have another leader trained and ready to take over?
How long has it been since new people joined the group?
Would someone new have a hard time fitting in?
If any unbelievers unexpectedly showed up, is there a chance they might meet God among you (1 Cor 14:24-25)?
Does your group see Jesus in every passage?
If your group discussed a book other than the Bible, would the discussion be any different?

What other diagnostic questions might help you to evaluate your group’s focus?

10 Good (but not Great) Reasons to Join a Bible Study

March 28, 2014 By Peter Krol

Though the chief advantage of Bible studies (in contrast to sermons, classes, and personal study) is interaction, this advantage does not necessarily give us a strong purpose. We rightly ask, “Why should we interact together about the Bible?” What is our goal? What are we after? We could do many activities in groups; why might we choose to study the Bible instead of doing something else?

And while some people might join a Bible study for evil or foolish reasons—such as “to learn how to tear down the Bible and everything it stands for” or “to find someone to hook up with”—I think such motives are pretty rare. What’s far more common is for people to join Bible studies for pretty good reasons.

Good reasons are good reasons and not bad reasons (duh); that’s why they motivate reasonable people. They become problematic, however, when they supplant the best reasons. Thus, missing the bullseye, we give our time and attention (that is, we give glory) to things other than the Lord, and we become guilty of idolatry.

Brian Barnett (2007), Creative Commons

Beware these good reasons for holding or attending Bible studies:

1. To get to know people

2. To learn about the Bible

3. To support my church or the people in the study

4. To sit under a gifted leader

5. To be a part of something great

6. To make new friends, or to deepen existing friendships

7. To be in a supportive environment

8. To build a tightly knit community

9. To develop more theological insight or biblical understanding

10. To grow as a Christian

Let me repeat: these reasons are all good. We should have Bible studies for reasons like these.

But let’s keep the best reason front and center. The good reasons are good only when they serve the best reason. What is the best reason?

To know God through his Son Jesus Christ

God spoke his Word to show himself to us. And God’s Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Though God spoke in many ways to the prophets, he has now spoken his Word in these last days by his Son, the glory of God, the imprint of God’s nature, the only purification for sin, and the supreme power in all the universe (Heb 1:1-4).

We lead Bible studies to introduce people to Jesus (Acts 17:2-3). And we attend Bible studies to find eternal life by knowing God and his Son Jesus Christ (John 17:3). God has made himself knowable, and we study his knowable word so we might know Jesus, the living Word.

Winsome community and cogent education are beautiful recruiters. But let’s make sure we give people something that will last forever and address their deepest needs.

Why have Bible studies?

March 21, 2014 By Peter Krol

Bible studies—as I use the term—are groups of people actively engaged in mutual examination of the text of Scripture. Bible studies differ from sermons, classroom lectures, and informal instruction in that they primarily consist of group discussion. Bible studies can be terrifying, because you never know what people will say. There’s always inherent potential for losing control of the discussion. And for this reason, many people fear them.

But though it’s unscripted, the discussion doesn’t have to be uncontrollable. Though open-ended, it doesn’t have to be directionless. Though interrogative, it can still be powerfully declarative.

Bible studies have something going for them that few sermons or personal quiet times can achieve: Interaction. This is the chief advantage of Bible studies.

Interact SpA (2009), Creative Commons

Because of interaction, we can identify what part of the teaching is hitting the mark. We can adjust on the spot to make better use of what’s connecting with people’s hearts. We can jettison whatever is unhelpful in the moment.

Because of interaction, we can measure how people are responding to the text. We get a good idea of what to follow up on in personal conversations.

Because of interaction, we can see the fruits of faith or unbelief. We can often gauge where people are in their walks with the Lord as we see them directly interacting with his word.

Because of interaction, we can directly address difficult topics. Some issues are considered impolite for pleasant conversation, but they may find safe harbor in an engaging Bible discussion. For example:

“What are some bad spending habits that we should repent of?”
“How can you be a more Christ-like father or mother?”
“Last week you mentioned how stressed out you were. How does today’s passage speak to your stress?”
“What does Jesus say about how to receive eternal life? How would that affect your life if it were true?”

Because of interaction, we get VIP access to the greatest show on earth: the softening of human hearts. Sometimes we’ll see people change their minds or their convictions over the course of a single discussion. At other times, it will take place over weeks or months. Sometimes we’ll simply see the change in attitude or character, and the changed person won’t even be aware of the difference yet.

Because of interaction, we can multiply our ministries. Through discussions, we can teach people how to study the Bible for themselves. We can train assistant leaders who will eventually lead their own Bible studies. We can coach people in particular skills like small talk, asking questions, listening attentively, or sharing vulnerably.

Because of interaction, people often feel respected and appreciated. This encourages higher levels of commitment and risk.

Because of interaction, we can better understand and help others to feel understood. God, who knows all things, chose to interact with Adam and not merely declare truth to him: “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9). Jesus, who knew what was in the heart of a man, chose to interact and draw out others’ thoughts: “Are you asking yourselves what I meant?” (John 16:19).

As we consider further how to lead effective Bible studies, let’s not lose sight of our chief advantage.

Question: What other benefits derive from the interactive nature of Bible discussions? I appreciate your interaction on this topic!

How to Lead A Great Bible Study

February 21, 2014 By Peter Krol

A few nights ago, our church small group met in our home, and we had one of the most engaging and encouraging Bible studies in the history of the group. Since I didn’t lead the discussion, I was able to reflect on what made the discussion so effective.

Steel Wool (2009), Creative Commons

I now offer you the fruit of my musings.

1. Know Your Point

The leader came to the study with a clear grasp of the text’s main point. He knew exactly where he wanted the group to end up.

2. Ask Good Questions

There’s a place for lecture, and there’s a place for interactive instruction. The key to fostering constructive interaction is to ask good questions. When have you experienced such leadership before? What kinds of questions encourage you to engage in the discussion? And you know what sort of questions shut down the discussion, don’t you?

3. Set a Direction

The leader led. He didn’t let the group meander through the conversation. He didn’t just wing it. He set a course, and he began moving along it.

4. Respond to the Group

Though the leader set a direction, he did not drag the group with him. He didn’t leash the discussion or get insecure when it swerved unexpectedly. He kept us moving toward the main point, but he didn’t control the group’s pathway toward that main point. I’m sure we ended up exactly where he wanted us, but we felt all along like we had gotten there ourselves.

5. Stay in the Text

Here’s the silver bullet. The text provides self-corrective measures to a group prone to tangents. A leader who keeps the people in the text doesn’t have to fear unpredictable discussion. As soon as the discussion gets off-topic, the leader can ask, “So how do you see that in the text?” and get things back online.

6. Clarify the Point

The leader took us to the text’s main point, and then he camped out there. He didn’t pursue every possible theological or interpretive quandary. He got us to the main point, and he had us restate the point numerous times. Then he took us to Christ and on into application.

7. Broaden Application

The leader had more than one application in mind. He had prepared a series of questions about our thinking, character, and behaviors. He had considered applications for both individuals and the group. He had considered how the text should impact our engagement with the world around us. In the end, he didn’t ask every question he had prepared, but he had a broad range of ideas in place so he could respond to whichever topics connected best with the group.

8. Specify Application

The leader didn’t let us get away with clichés or vague principles. He asked good follow-up questions that made us get more specific.

These are not the only eight things leaders can do; they just stood out to me after this week’s study. And my intention is not to ignore the impact of character or knowledge on one’s leadership.

But if we had more leaders who practiced these skills to the glory of God, people would be far more interested in going to Bible studies.

Bible Study Leader Tip #13: Stay in the Text

May 10, 2013 By Peter Krol

Lucius Beebe Memorial Library (2011), Creative Commons

So you’re leading a Bible study on Galatians 1. You know enough by now to make sure you use the text.

You begin with an observation question: “What sort of mood is Paul in as he writes this?”

You get the nose-dive reaction that is most desirable in a Bible study. Everyone looks down at their Bibles, searching for the answers.

A few comments touch on how extreme Paul is (he must be pretty upset to wish eternal condemnation on anyone!), and the discussion stumbles along.

One person screws up his face, deep in thought. You’re not sure if he wants to speak or not, so you politely keep moving forward, asking about repeated words, and main points.

Eventually, the thinker blurts out, “Do you think angels still speak to people? Paul’s worried about angels preaching false gospels in verse 8. Is that something for us to watch out for?”

You’re not exactly sure where to go. Before you know it, one person asks about Joseph Smith and the Mormons, another person quotes some famous preacher on the topic, and a third connects the discussion to Dante, Descartes, and John Milton. A fourth person starts recounting his own experience with an angel, while a fifth just sits there communicating with groans too deep for words.

You know it’s a rabbit trail, but you’re not sure how to bring it back. What should you do?

No matter what your situation, there is one question you can always ask to bring the discussion back on track.

“So how are you seeing that in the text?”

That’s it. You don’t have to know the answer to every question. You don’t have to be the best conversationalist in the world.

All you have to do is bring people back to the text.

Sometimes I’m surprised. What I thought was a rabbit trail might be connected to the passage. Perhaps this person sees something I don’t yet see. This question enables me to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Other times, the question lands as a gentle rebuke. It’s much more gracious than saying, “we’re not here to discuss your personal philosophy or stream of consciousness. We’re here to be changed by God’s Word.” You can be firm, while still leading with the expectation that we’re here to learn from the Bible.

I find this question particularly helpful when studying the Bible with non-Christians. It helps to focus the discussion. Sometimes I add, “You don’t have to believe it [in order to attend this discussion group], but you do have to be honest about what it’s saying. So, what does the passage say?”

Next time you lead a Bible study and the discussion meanders from topic to topic, try this question out.

Question: what have you found most helpful when it seems the discussion is getting off track?