Musing – Successful Christian Gatherings – Experiences!

 Hebraic Musing – Successful Christian Gatherings – Experiences!

While serving the Lord for the last 40 or so years, I’ve been called on to lead Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, Men’s Breakfasts &/or Lunch meetings, Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship Int’l meetings, Men’s fellowships, etc. in over five different churches/denominations and in other countries.  Here are some learnings, principles, and guidelines I’ve garnered the hard way along the way!

Purpose – Is the goal of a meeting to Teach, imparting knowledge; or are we Facilitating participation, interaction, and involvement from each of the participants?  In-other-words, is it a “sit-soak-and-sour” session; or is it live training so they are prepared to share Bible knowledge and wisdom with the person(s) in the next desk at the office?  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...” 1 Thess.5:11 NIV

Marketing (before & after) – Marketing starts with developing an identifying/memorable name, and a distribution list, phone numbers &/or email addresses for the members.  A day or two before the event, send an invite broadcast with details and a “Tantalizing Topic” as a teaser.  Immediately after the event, distribute a “Tantalizing” recap to the whole group as (1) a reminder to the participants and (2) to keep an involved interest by those who missed.  Use Emails, Texts and FaceBook Group posts on a regular basis to build group unity and identity.  BTW – Does the group have a “Tantalizing” name?

Tantalizing Topic – For example, an invite might say about John 10 – “Did God tell Peter, a Jew, to eat Bacon?”  Whatever it takes to get attention, like Peter did – “So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” Acts 3:5   Everybody likes to get something!  WIIFM – What’s In It For Me?

Prayer log shared – Always provide a ring-binder notebook and pen for all the participants to share their prayer requests, knowing that it will be republished to the group; either to those present, or the whole group depending on its content.  Sometimes we share our prayer needs in an open round, and sometimes it leads to a spontaneous prayer huddle.   “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

Room Size/Fit – My favorite setting was pre-covid Wednesday evening Men’s Study in a large Conference room with only 8 chairs around the table.  Attendance ranged from 10 – 12 men and the tight room promoted a lot of interaction, so I deliberately sat in the middle, not at the head, to encourage everyone’s participation as a facilitator rather than as a teacher.  How big the room and how many were at the “Last Supper”?

Consistent time & location – I remember a brother showed up by surprise at the restaurant for our Wednesday Noon Lunch.  Hadn’t seen him for a year, but he “knew we would be there and was just driving by.”

Leader admonition – It was drilled into us during my consulting career that “A leader is never late!  A leader is never on time!  A leader is always early.”  And if the leader is early, maybe the participants will learn to be on time!  Jesus preached “and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.” Luke 21:38

SUMMARY – Which is more important? (1) Imparting our own knowledge and views; or (2) Hearing the “others” verbalize their perspectives?  My goal for a good meeting is to have everyone participating; and the one who participates the least is given the honor of providing a “closing prayer.”   

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:25 NIV

Points to Ponder

Ever left a meeting and thought “I can’t wait till next week!”?

Might the other guy have an interesting perspective you hadn’t thought about?

What’s the best way to develop/disciple “others”?

Should “Bible Studies” be an opportunity for “others” to speak out their various perspectives?

Might these concepts apply to Sunday School classes as well?

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matt.18:20 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      October 3, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com