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Why "Bible Study" Doesn't Work: The epic failure of evangelicalism's favorite discipleship method - and how YOUR CHURCH can do something about it
When did Bible Study become the broccoli of the Christian life?
Eat more broccoli! It’s good for you! Study the Bible more… attend more “Bible studies!” It’s good for you!
Shouldn’t studying the Bible be more than simply something that is good for us? Shouldn’t studying the Bible together with other followers of Jesus actually strengthen us for a healthy lifestyle of following Jesus on the journey of the Christ-life? Did we miss a turn somewhere?
Let me ask you a question. If more (or better) Bible studies is really the answer, how in the world do we have so many people who:
• Have gone to Sunday School for decades
• Have attended, helped in, and taught Vacation Bible School
• Have participated in multiple 13-week or 40-day video-based Bible study courses
• And are Biblically illiterate and don’t have any idea how to think or live Biblically?
It seems that we have a disconnect somewhere.
I’d like to offer, in this brief book, a way of rethinking Bible study. A way that refocuses studying the Bible with the intent of making disciples. A way that emphasizes not just the “what” of Bible study, but also the “how” and the “why” of studying the Bible.
Eat more broccoli! It’s good for you! Study the Bible more… attend more “Bible studies!” It’s good for you!
Shouldn’t studying the Bible be more than simply something that is good for us? Shouldn’t studying the Bible together with other followers of Jesus actually strengthen us for a healthy lifestyle of following Jesus on the journey of the Christ-life? Did we miss a turn somewhere?
Let me ask you a question. If more (or better) Bible studies is really the answer, how in the world do we have so many people who:
• Have gone to Sunday School for decades
• Have attended, helped in, and taught Vacation Bible School
• Have participated in multiple 13-week or 40-day video-based Bible study courses
• And are Biblically illiterate and don’t have any idea how to think or live Biblically?
It seems that we have a disconnect somewhere.
I’d like to offer, in this brief book, a way of rethinking Bible study. A way that refocuses studying the Bible with the intent of making disciples. A way that emphasizes not just the “what” of Bible study, but also the “how” and the “why” of studying the Bible.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2016
18 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Lewis
12 books3 followersDr. Gerry Lewis (fondly known by his friends as Dr. G), is a man of many interests -- Author, blogger, podcaster, newspaper columnist, church health consultant, leadership coach, community leader, foodie, coffee aficionado, musician, entertainer, speaker, husband, father, and grandpa.
He has been involved in church ministry for almost 40 years -- beginning at age 15 with music ministry, transitioning to 20 years in the role of senior pastor, moving into the role of Executive Director of a regional network of churches since 2008.
A passionate lifelong learner, he has found his niche as a self-described "Strengths Optimization Coach" encouraging and empowering others on their next step in the journey toward amazing. When not writing or designing processes to strengthen pastors and churches, he can be found with his best friend (the beautiful Mrs. Sweetie) searching out hidden treasures at thrift stores and pawn shops, trying out a new restaurant, or creating his latest culinary masterpiece at home.
He has been involved in church ministry for almost 40 years -- beginning at age 15 with music ministry, transitioning to 20 years in the role of senior pastor, moving into the role of Executive Director of a regional network of churches since 2008.
A passionate lifelong learner, he has found his niche as a self-described "Strengths Optimization Coach" encouraging and empowering others on their next step in the journey toward amazing. When not writing or designing processes to strengthen pastors and churches, he can be found with his best friend (the beautiful Mrs. Sweetie) searching out hidden treasures at thrift stores and pawn shops, trying out a new restaurant, or creating his latest culinary masterpiece at home.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 29, 2016
Christianity has bought into the myth that if we can get people to bite into the fruit of knowledge they will reverence God and cleave to Jesus as their Savior and Lord. As a result, for decades we have interpreted the Great Commission as teaching them to understand instead of “teaching them to obey”. The outcome has been an anemic, weak, ineffective, and shrinking call on humanity to surrender to the claims of Christ and to become His follower.
Lewis has added his voice to a small, but growing, chorus of evangelical leaders calling for a refocus on how we implement discipleship. Rather than using it as a transference of knowledge they are calling on us to see it as a life on life transformation. The key question is not “what did you learn from the Scriptures?”, but “what changed as a result of reading and studying the Scriptures?”. He says, “In groups where every person’s mission to live out the Christ-life is approached with intentionality, where relationships of mutual accountability are nurtured, and where systems and processes of support are put into place, no one is just along for the ride.”
This book is a clear, concise, and simple presentation of a discipleship process which every person and every church can implement. Lewis cautions, “Change doesn’t happen overnight. It took a while for your group —or all the groups in your church —to arrive at the present state and it will take a while to get to the place where God wants you to be.” He goes on to explain the “Power of incremental change: We often fail to meet church goals because we try to get from point A to point Z instead of from A to B and then C. Small victories have a cumulative effect and create momentum.”
Lewis has done an excellent job of highlighting our past failures, calling attention to the results, detailing a process for change, and clearly showing us a way forward. My prayer is that every church leader will purchase this book, read its contents, and implement the called for changes in their church’s discipleship process. It is not too late. If we begin now lives will be changed and the world will be transformed.
Lewis has added his voice to a small, but growing, chorus of evangelical leaders calling for a refocus on how we implement discipleship. Rather than using it as a transference of knowledge they are calling on us to see it as a life on life transformation. The key question is not “what did you learn from the Scriptures?”, but “what changed as a result of reading and studying the Scriptures?”. He says, “In groups where every person’s mission to live out the Christ-life is approached with intentionality, where relationships of mutual accountability are nurtured, and where systems and processes of support are put into place, no one is just along for the ride.”
This book is a clear, concise, and simple presentation of a discipleship process which every person and every church can implement. Lewis cautions, “Change doesn’t happen overnight. It took a while for your group —or all the groups in your church —to arrive at the present state and it will take a while to get to the place where God wants you to be.” He goes on to explain the “Power of incremental change: We often fail to meet church goals because we try to get from point A to point Z instead of from A to B and then C. Small victories have a cumulative effect and create momentum.”
Lewis has done an excellent job of highlighting our past failures, calling attention to the results, detailing a process for change, and clearly showing us a way forward. My prayer is that every church leader will purchase this book, read its contents, and implement the called for changes in their church’s discipleship process. It is not too late. If we begin now lives will be changed and the world will be transformed.
June 18, 2016
Timely and passionate resource; will be put to use immediately
Dr. Lewis has provided a timely and passionate resource that touches the issue that is near and dear to every pastor's heart: leading believers in Christ to become followers (which requires action) of Christ. In this book, he advocates a change of perspective in our approach to "Bible Study." Dr. Lewis challenges us, with wit and wisdom, to see our times together with the Bible as intentional/accountable/purpose-filled opportunities in our disciple-becoming/disciple-making adventure with Christ.
This will be a great training resource; and I see it as a very beneficial "Bible study" that I will be using with my leaders very soon.
Thank you for sharing your heart, Gerry.
Dr. Lewis has provided a timely and passionate resource that touches the issue that is near and dear to every pastor's heart: leading believers in Christ to become followers (which requires action) of Christ. In this book, he advocates a change of perspective in our approach to "Bible Study." Dr. Lewis challenges us, with wit and wisdom, to see our times together with the Bible as intentional/accountable/purpose-filled opportunities in our disciple-becoming/disciple-making adventure with Christ.
This will be a great training resource; and I see it as a very beneficial "Bible study" that I will be using with my leaders very soon.
Thank you for sharing your heart, Gerry.
July 25, 2016
Excellent thoughts on how we have been doing Bible study wrong, with very practical tips on making it more effective.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews