Book now available on Amazon!!!

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"Five Core Principles of the Discipleship Journey" is a book composed of twenty-one lessons to shape both the believer and unbeliever toward true discipleship. Through Biblical passages, the reader will receive practical helps for spiritual growth, and experience how the Holy Spirit can work through these principles: Fervent Prayer, Compassionate Outreach, Comprehensive Biblical Learning, Intentional Mentoring and Equipping, and Authentic Relationships.

Though all our questions may not be immediately answered, the complicated can be made simple many times, and our hearts can become convinced that walking in God’s mysteries is nothing more than walking in the shadow of His presence with the boldness of our fresh faith.

Whether young or old, the One who knows all journeys knows the best path for our present and future. Come along with others on this road of discovery. You, too, will find that the Five Core Principles are all about a “Journey of Grace.”

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PURPOSE AND POSSIBLE USAGES OF I LOVE PRAYER

“I Love Prayer” Cards

Prayer is vital in continuing a vibrant relationship with God. This writing entitled “I Love Prayer” is the result of countless prayers over many years and how prayer has been beneficial to my life and the lives of others.

Copies can be purchased to share with others whether one-one-one, shared as a public reading in church or small groups, given as gifts on special days such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, or simply placed on a refrigerator in the kitchen as a daily reminder.

“I Love Prayer” cards can be purchased individually for $1.00, 20 cards for $17.00 or 50 cards for $40.00 plus $8.00 shipping and handling. Let others know the benefits and joys of experiencing “I Love Prayer."

Email: bfcn2@me.com to order.

Venmo (@JamesRHicks) or checks are acceptable for payment. 

Tendencies of Men, Women, and Mixed Groups

The following traits can be tendencies of males or females within groups.  A balance of these extremes is needed for healthy ministry with groups.  The research was done by social scientists and developmentalists Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan which is edited below.  

 

Male Groups  vs  Female Groups

Justice  vs  Compassion

Rules to shape character  vs  Principles to shape character

Legalism  vs  Values

Obligation to do something  vs  Desire to do something

Know thyself to find yourself  vs  Know others to find yourself

Exercising personal rights  vs  Caring for the rights of others

Individualism  vs  Relational

Separation  vs  Connectiveness

 

Summary

Whether men, women, or mixed groups, all are needed for small groups and discipleship ministries.  However, the caution flag waves to remind each group to always be concerned with opinions that may be too narrow, fairness that may be just for one at the expense of others, and relationships that are void of meeting other people’s needs.  Also, the caution flag of moral development reminds us to be fair and do what is just as we reach out to others with feelings of empathy, moods that are attractive, and attitudes of hope, as between a mother and child.

 

Individual men and women within groups can have personality traits that lean more toward the male or female characteristics.  Further, all groups should strive to minister in a holistic manner using a balance of male and female developmental characteristics.  

 

 

Research Background

After graduating from high school in 1945 Lawrence Kohlberg left for Europe and experienced the aftermath of war.  Later after completing his military service, he volunteered to transport Jewish refugees illegally to Palestine.  When the ship was captured, he experienced watching the death of several Jewish infants.  As Catherine Stonehouse wrote “The Power of Kohlberg” she went on to say that dealing with the injustice thrust out on holocaust survivors changed his life (Stonehouse, 1998, p 61).  

 

As an American psychologist, Lawrence Kohlberg would become known for his lifelong work in moral development.  Stonehouse shares that Kohlberg chose ninety-eight boys between ages ten to sixteen and every three years over a period of thirty years he interviewed them to determine their developmental progress.  This became the foundation for his theory on moral development (Ibid.,1998, p 61).

 

In the early 1970s, Carol Gilligan worked alongside Eric Erickson and Lawrence Kohlberg at Harvard.  Gilligan was Kohlberg’s research assistant.  She highly respected his work but recognized its foundation was based on male biases and presuppositions because it did not include the female gender.  She believed that women considered what was right in making moral decisions differently than men. Her book, “In A Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development” is a response to include the experiences of women for a broader picture to consider (Gilligan, 2003, xvii).  One of the key results in her research for women was their “activity of caring”.  This includes a responsibility to care relationally for oneself, as well as others.  Kohlberg’s moral development for men tended toward exercising rights and rules.  Gilligan concluded that such a morality of rights creates separation and individualism rather than connectiveness to the needs of others.  Also, among other results, she concluded that development for women included a parent and child approach where self and other are treated equally (Gilligan, 2003, 19, 62-63).

 

John Gibbs emphasized in “Moral Development and Reality” (2003, 10) that moral motivation should not emphasize a superior cognitive approach (justice) nor an “affective approach” (empathy) but both (Blevins and Maddix, 2010, 126).

 

 

For further reading

• Blevins, Dean G.  and Maddix, Mark A., 2010.  Discovering Discipleship:  Dynamics of Christian Education. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, p. 126 
• Gilligan, Carol. 2003.  In a Different Voice:  Psychological Theory and Women’s Development.  Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England:  Harvard University Press, xvii
• Ibid., pp. 19, 62-63
• Stonehouse, Catherine. 1998, The Power of Kohlberg in Nurture That Is Christian: Developmental Perspectives on Christian Education,. Ed. James C. Wilhoit and John M. Detonni, Grand Rapids, MI: A BridgePoint Book, A Division of Baker Books, p.61
• Ibid., p. 61

Purpose and Possible Usages of Honor God's Word

For many years people have quoted or used the Apostles and Nicene Creeds for worship services, devotions, handouts for church visitors, and even as launching points for spiritual conversations.   This simplification of the Bible Story can be used for all ages, childhood through adulthood, and can be used for all stages of spiritual growth.  This summary is not meant to replace the valuable exercise of studying and reciting the great creeds, but to add to the overall purpose and focus of the creeds:  spiritual maturity through repetition and communal affirmation. 

Honor God’s Word reminds us, not only are summaries of theological truth important, but recognizing the landmarks and the chronological order within the Bible Story are important as well.   This is an excellent resource for both young and mature Christians.  

If you are interested in purchasing copies of the Honor God’s Word bookmark (3”x8”), you can email small group institute for more information.  The bookmarks are available for $1 each or in bundles of 20 for $17 or 50 for $40 plus $8.00 shipping and handling.

Email: bfcn2@me.com to order.

Venmo (@JamesRHicks) or checks are acceptable for payment. 

Now Is The Time For Small Groups

Some time ago I began a new small group that was considered a "closed group" meaning only those invited could be part of the group.  The following is an agreed covenant that group participants were asked to support as they began:   

• Regular attendance is expected with exceptions being sickness and special personal situations.
• If someone is going to be absent, they are expected to contact the facilitator (teacher).  Because growth in community life is so important, if several people are going to be absent, that particular group session will probably be cancelled.
• Filling out the weekly book questions is expected.
• This particular group is a level four group which is more intimate and, in contrast to a level one, which is known as a "Chit-chat group".
• Group participation is expected, although no one needs to be embarrassed.  
• The length of this class will be approximately eigth months to a year unless otherwise agreed upon.
• Group members can expect to experience the fun and enriching of community bonding within a context of personal spiritual growth.

I am so excited!  You can experience the same thrill as you begin in faith with a pioneering spirit.  If you have any questions about the subject, book used as a text, methodology or other details, please contact me at this website.   

Acceptance

Teachers and Small Group leaders are good examples of those who has been accepted by others.  It is a special privilege to teach a group and be an example of someone who has been accepted by others.  It is also a great responsibility.  Just like every teacher has been accepted by their peers or someone in authority to allow them to teach, everyone in the group needs to be accepted.  It is the teacher's responsibility, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to create an atmosphere ensuring everyone’s acceptance.  Granted, some behaviors and attitudes in a group will not be tolerated, but when people are spiritually hungry and demonstrate a spirit of teachableness, they deserve to be accepted.  If there is one thing every person desires, it is to belong and to be accepted, so let’s be examples of being accepted and accepting others.  

Jesus was our greatest role model as we endeavor to accept others.  Jesus accepted the little children; He accepted the sick, the sinful, the demon possessed and ultimately you and me.  One of the harshest forms of torture is isolation, which is not being accepted.  We must always be willing to accept others and, if need be, openly defend them if they are not being accepted by individuals in the group.  People long to be accepted by both God and others. 

The experience of being accepted and accepting others is a road we all must travel as His disciples.  In The Shaking of the Foundations, philosopher and theologian Paul Tillich wrote,  “Sometimes . . . a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying:  ‘You are accepted.’  You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you . . . do not try to do anything now . . . do not seek for anything . . . do not perform anything.  Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!”  He goes on to say, “If that happens . . . we experience grace."*

Only as the open arms of acceptance are extended in a class or group, can the nourishments of His graces be handed out.

May you be a vessel to distribute this grace.

*Paul Tillich, The Shaking of the Foundations, SCM Press, 1949, page 162. 

Blog Hop

Today I'm participating in a blog hop with some fellow authors and bloggers. Part of the blog hop involves me answering questions about my recent work.

1. What is the working title of your book?
a. A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF THE BIBLE STORY

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
a. As I was going through grad school, I found that a condensed study or introduction for a given subject was always helpful when learning a new subject. Later, while pastoring and teaching small groups for over thirty years, I found many people, when given a Bible, read only a small portion of the Scriptures and then stopped. They felt overwhelmed by the massive amount of material. Also, they listened to a sermon but had no idea where the smaller story fit in the over-arching story of the Bible. During those thirty plus years, various people asked if I could write a short and simple overview. Their request and need was a key stimulator for this writing.

3. What genre does your book fall under?
a. Religion & Spirituality / Christian self-help.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
a. My book does not lend itself to a movie.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
a. The Bible is just a simple story with smaller episodes linking the larger theme.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
a. Self-published at this time.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your
manuscript?
a. After thirty plus years of teaching the Bible, I wrote a rough draft. Then, I had thirty plus people, some having a considerable amount of church background and some who had little if any, to read the draft and let me know what in the Bible was so confusing to them. Then I rewrote the book, adding some portions and clarifying others that had not been simplified enough.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
a. There are numerous books that give an overview of the Bible. I don’t know of any that includes communicating to the non-churched as this one. Including the non-churched was a major consideration in writing it.

9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
a. Socrates said, “you can tell more about a person by the questions they ask than the statements they make." Listening to the questions of those I have taught over the years revealed key misunderstandings people have concerning the basic Bible story. My desire was to clear up those misunderstandings.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
a. In this book, great effort has been given to eliminate any theological jargon and denominational biases. Whether Protestant, Jew, Catholic, or no religious background at all, anyone can be comfortable with this book as being a basic thumbnail sketch of the Bible.

The Book is now available on Amazon

After many months of preparation and numerous edits, A Thumbnail Sketch of the Bible Story is now availalbe on Amazon.

Here is the link to A Thumbnail Sketch of the Bible Story on Amazon's store page.

Going Deeper with Small Groups

I recently read in Luke 5:4 where Jesus had finished teaching from a boat and then said to Simon, “Put out into deep-water, and let down the nets for a catch (NIV).” I immediately thought of the level of shallowness at which some Sunday School classes and small groups function.

There are different levels of sharing any time a Sunday School class or small group meets.  There is the shallowest level known as the “chit-chat” level. This is when we talk about sports and personal interests.  The second level is the “opinion level” where people give opinions about truths that are being studied but do not open up their personal lives.  The third level is a level of “spiritual intimacy.”  This is when people share past experiences as well as present failures and victories applying them to the subject being studied.  The first two levels are good and needed but fall far short of creating Christian bonding within a class or group.  It is probably safe to say, the majority of groups spend little, if any, time at the “spiritual intimacy” level.  

The “spiritual intimacy” level is the most fun and enjoyable for all Christian nurturing.  I remember one of the time I started two new groups at the same time. One of the two “spiritual intimacy groups” ranged from ages twenty to thirty, and began at four-thirty on Sunday evenings.   The second group ranged from ages thirty-one and above, and met from six to seven-thirty on Sunday evenings.  The hope was that both groups could function and spiritually grow at a “spiritual intimacy” level for the eight months we would meet.  Most participants considered themselves Christians.  However, a few questioned God’s existence in their own lives, but they were willing to spiritually explore.  Certainly, there were times for chit-chat and sharing knowledge, but both groups were encouraged to share their true “feelings” which would be deeper than merely sharing their “intellect”.  

Before the classes began, I met with every participant and let them know the class covenant that included, among other things, faithful attendance, absolute confidentiality, and everyone would need to prepare their lessons for class times.  Also, every person was told, no one would be embarrassed or do anything they did not want to do. However, they were expected to be a participant and not just a spectator.  

As the classes continued to meet, it was easy to see personal healilngs taking place.  The times together included some deep healings in my own life.  We limit our ministries if we think the altar is the only plae to shed tears or share "spiritual intimacy" before God.  In a short time of meeting together, both groups experienced tears as well as laughter.  The response was unusual, and it was easy to see the Holy Spirit ha primed the people for His presence.  Luke supports this level of teaching when he writes, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”  We had only met for a short time, but we had already bonded more than some groups do in years.

What exactly are characteristic details of “spiritual intimacy groups” and how do you form one must wait for another discussion.  But I can tell you this, as teachers, we must be willing to be vulnerable and go deeper with our own feelings.  Also, we must be comfortable when God's Spirit moves on the hearts of our listeners and they begin to explore deepr spiritual levels in their own lives. 

Don’t be afraid to move out into the deep.  It is only in the deep our nets can become full.  

Probing Discussions and Skipping Rocks

Discussion times in small groups and Sunday School classes can be like probing for deep treasure and skipping rocks.  

During discussion times, probe for Deep Treasure.

Small group leaders and Sunday School teachers must go beyond the first discussion question with a follow-up question.  The first question can be planned, but usually the follow-up question and additional questions are determined by each given response.  In the probing process, you will be searching for true opinions rather than surface reactions. 

An example of this would be:

Question: how does our lesson speak to the community in which we live?

Answer: our community needs to set Godly standards as a priority. 

Question: how would our group be different if we better applied these Godly standards?

Answer: we would feel as though we are one team fighting against Satan, rather than individuals struggling alone.

Question: as a team player in our group, what specific actions can you take this week to fulfill God’s standards so both our group and community will be blessed?         

Answer: I need to remember I am not alone, and others are truly attempting to do the impossible for God.  

As teachers listen intently, practice patience, and depend on divine guidance, it will be amazing how easily the skill of probing can be acquired.

During discussion times, Skip Rocks.

Skipping rocks across a river or lake and getting more people involved in a discussion time are very similar.  In skipping rocks across a lake, the idea is to see how many times the rock will hit before it sinks.  In a class or small group, the idea is to see how many people you can draw into a discussion before the discussion ends.  The following ideas will not only show how to lead others into a discussion but how to change the atmosphere and pace of the discussion.   

An initial question by the teacher can be followed up by asking “can you tell us more?”  When the teacher feels like the other members of the group need to be included in the discussion, the teacher can begin skipping rocks by asking “how do the rest of you feel” or “does anyone feel differently?”

Next, skipping rocks can be a technique to change the atmosphere if one person begins to share more information than he/she should or speak up more often than he/she should.  When this occurs, the teacher may call someone else in the group by name and say, “John, how would you respond to this question?”  The teacher would continue to skip rocks if he/she asked the entire group not just to respond to the original question, but how would they respond to how John responded to the question.  

Skipping rocks can also have different speeds.  If the discussion begins to slow down, the teacher might ask an easier question to the entire group such as, “everyone, quickly give me the first word that comes to your mind when you think about heaven (or whatever the lesson is about)?” 

On the contrary, if the class discussion has been lively and you want to slow it down to go to prayer, you might say to the group, “now, think before you answer, take your time, and tell me in a short phrase, how have your feelings changed about our subject today?”

Skipping rocks is especially fun because the teacher is facilitating action along with the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  

It has been said that on January 15, 1799, George Washington said to Patrick Henry, “the views of men can only be known, or guessed at, by their words or actions.”  Small group leaders and Sunday School teachers have the incredible pleasure of being partners with God as they probe deeply one moment and joyfully skip rocks the next.