NEW: Best Practices for Leading an Online Bible Study
NEW: Online Group Plan for Session 4
Date: May 17, 2020
Serve
The Point: Seize the opportunity to serve.
Get Into the Study
Share these April 12 and April 24 related news items to introduce Question #1.
As of April 27, some businesses began to reopen if they could demonstrate ability to social distance. Part of this process was and is wearing face masks. But these measures to protect public health present difficulties to people with hearing loss or deafness who rely on lip-reading to communicate. Typical masks not only block speech-reading but also muffle the words.
Enter high school student Eric Kim who had no prior experience in sewing but decided to make clear masks. Because of time he had spent with deaf and hard of hearing children he wondered how they could communicate with friends, store personnel, or medical teams who wore masks. Eric learned about college senior Ashley Lawrence who had been making masks with a see-through panel. She learned about see-through masks from manufacturers such as ClearMask whose masks were in short supply. She decided to contribute to the supply.
Dr. Zachary Feathersone, Pediatrics and Family medicine says, “By wearing a standard surgical mask, we’re immediately placing a communication barrier between ourselves and our patients, especially those who rely heavily on visual communication, including deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The masks block visual cues—including facial expressions, lip-reading, and emotions—all of which are critical … to fully communicate and participate in the course of care.” A clear mask reduces miscommunication and confusion, while adhering to safety and infection control protocol.
Then direct attention to Question #1 (When have you received stellar service?) and invite the group to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from these links:
https://www.prevention.com/health/a32111130/college-student-face-masks-deaf-hard-of-hearing/
https://www.theclearmask.com/about
Get Into the Study [Additional Option for Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a funny video clip of someone receiving great service at a restaurant, store, airline, etc. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #2.
Chuck Gartman has worked with youth and taught others how to do so, served on church staff teams for several churches, taught in several roles at a university, helped develop university programs, and more. Chuck broke many molds including this one: “I went to First Baptist Church in Lubbock as a 55-year-old youth minister, if you can believe that.” Chuck highlighted the value of education as ministry: “I always have thought explaining theology and ministry was an important part of equipping people for ministry in the local church… In my view, education is a chief component of discipleship…I am involved in ministry and biblical education at my university. However, I feel no matter where I may teach—and I have taught at a state junior college—my faith influences how I treat students, fellow faculty and administrators.”
Chuck cited a college professor who insisted Chuck learn to think for himself and evaluate his belief system. Chuck identified this as a great gift. Chuck’s favorite person in the Bible other than Jesus is Thomas. Chuck says, “His life and responses, I believe, have been grossly misinterpreted. Rather than a doubter, I believe Thomas was a thinker, a realist and a risk-taker. I want to have all three of those characteristics in my own life.”
Say: You may be in your first day of serving people as a Christian, your first year, your first decade, or your ninth decade. What do you know now about service that you have learned by serving? Discuss Question 2. Then ask, “How might we make everyday investments in others until it becomes a habit, the natural way of doing life?”
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— Karen Dockrey wrote these Leader Extras. Karen is a managing editor, teacher, and author of 30 books. Karen is an active member of a local church near Huntsville, Alabama.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- What have you found to be keys to building healthy relationships?
- When have you seen a demonstration of selfless service recently? Explain.
- What obstacles often keep us from serving others?
Galatians 5:13-14
- What actions and attitudes enable us to carry one another’s burdens?
- How would you describe the freedom we’re given in Christ?
- According to these verses, what impact should our freedom in Christ have on our relationships?
Galatians 6:1-5
- Which instruction in these verses do you find most challenging? Why?
- According to these verses, what responsibility do Christians have toward one another?
- What is Paul’s warning about sin in these verses?
Galatians 6:9-10
- How would you summarize the instruction given in these verses in your own words?
- How can you help a member of your church this week with a particular burden?
- When have you seen these verses lived out?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Member Extra
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – Hospitality
- Mature Living – What’s Inconvenience to a Dead Person?
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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