This last week a man I am mentoring told me:
“Dale, I have made the most progress in my Christian walk from my times this fall with you than I have in all the years of my life as a Christ-follower!”
One method I have been incorporating in my disciple groups is to ask men to look intently at a portion of Scripture. Just because I teach a truth from Scripture I can’t assume the guys understand it the first time through. We learn best by our own purposeful observation.
Here is what I have been doing when I meet with these men. I have the friend read the Scripture out loud and then I ask them some of the following questions.
Would you rephrase it and describe what it says?
What does it mean and what are the implications of the meaning?
How can we apply this verse in our everyday experience?
We need to help people “self-discover” what the Bible says. As teachers of God’s Word we can be quick to move on to application before there is intentional observation.
I am reminded of what James said in 1:25 (NIV), “But the man that looks intently at the perfect law that gives freedom… he will be blessed in what he does.”