Discovery Not Dictation

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Why are the micro-groups we talk about in GDI so effective for accelerating authentic spiritual growth? For twenty-five years as a pastor, I depended on dictation. I studied hard all week, and then stood on the platform on Sunday to excitedly share what I had learned from God's Word. I provided note-taking outlines in the worship program to assist sincere learner's. 

After more than two decades of this, we took a congregational survey to determine how much of fundamental orthodox doctrine the congregants really understood. I was shocked! Not only was there still great confusion, but things they did seem to understand couldn't be intelligibly articulated or shared with someone else. I remember the Sunday I stood before the congregation and told them; if you have to make the choice to come to hear me preach, or go to your discipleship quad...go to your quad. I knew they would learn much more from the ninety minutes of preparation and ninety minutes of interaction with their quad, than I would be able to teach you in a month of Sundays. Why? In a disciple-making micro group: 

  • Each person is encouraged to dig into scripture and discover truths.
  • Each comes to share their discoveries with the group.
  • The Holy Spirit is the teacher.
  • The Bible is the text.
No one carries the responsibility of teaching everyone else. Each person is trusted to contribute to the sessions. Paul said in Ephesians 3:16, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.” Multiple sharing enriches everyone. Truth is readily discovered and defined in community. 

Benefits:
  • Discovered truth is more easily remembered truth. 
  • Truth defined in community is more accurate truth. 
  • Truth shared builds relational bonds. 
  • God's truths shared builds lasting relationships. 
  • Tight group relationship increases individual strength. 
  • Individual articulation of God's truth cements it in the heart. 
  • Collective accountability insures application and change. 
Discovery, better than dictation, accelerates authentic transformation.

Comments

Greg Ogden said…
This is the same as my experience. What does it take to sit in the congregation to listen to a sermon. It is a very passive experience. One person has done the work and the rest of sit, take in what we can, and lose most of it before we get to our cars. Cynical? A bit. Preaching can powerfully move people's will under the power of the Holy Spirit. If the expression, "you get out what you put in" is applied to preaching, then I guess it is the preacher who is getting the most. But that is not what we want. We want people engaged to dig out and apply Scripture to their lives and come together to share their insights. Then we all benefit.
September 25, 2021 at 11:59 AM
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