Our Foundations
Our Foundations
“Our Vision – Mission – Value – Guideline statements are the foundations of our Bible Study.”
Our Vision – Mission – Value – Guideline statements are the foundations of our Bible Study. These statements cast vision and describe clearly why we are, who we are, what we are, and how we engage in Bible Study and leadership. As much as they are accurate, they are also aspirational, forming the framework we continue to grow into. The group began as a heart prayer — that every life occupying the pew, and every life outside the church walls, would catch the following:
Vision
A vision of heaven with hearts bent toward Him — one that holds a high view of God and His character, enters into a personal relationship with Him, and seeks to know Him deeply as He speaks through His Word.
Our emphasis is on knowing Him in the intimacy He designed us for, not merely knowing about Him in an intellectual sense. Each leader and member must seek to experience His transformative work individually and corporately, realizing that eternity with Jesus begins at the moment of believing and placing our trust in Him and His redemptive work.
Christ’s life is then mirrored in ours before a watching world desperate for the HOPE we have and are eager to share. Our vision is to pursue godly lives and leave a godly legacy in every sphere of influence.
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” – Habakkuk 2:2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
Mission
Why Does the Bible Study Exist?
For those who come with a heart to know God.
To know Him more deeply and grow through His Word.
To know and share, as Jeremiah declared: “His Word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones… indeed, I cannot contain it.” – Jeremiah 20:9
Values
Blazing Integrity – Am I committed to honesty and a moral compass shaped by God’s Word?
Offering Respect – Do I value each life as precious, relating to others as children of God made in His image?
Pursuing Unity – Do I put Christ and His truth above my own interests, building a group that thrives spiritually?
Dependable Reliability – Am I honoring time commitments and investing fully in the Bible Study?
Steadfast Loyalty – Do I seek the good of the group, keep confidentiality, and nurture a safe space?
Battling Mediocrity – Do I allow “good enough” to keep me from what is best?
Taking the Low Place – Am I willing to serve, or do I expect to be served?
Choosing Trust – Do I believe the best or assume the worst—guided by facts rather than feelings?
Consistent Preparedness – Am I faithfully preparing lessons, for my growth and to help others grow in Him?
Guidelines – Group Discussion Etiquette
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Listen with respect. Good listening requires concentration and attention. (Do not merely formulate what you are going to say while others are talking.)
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Speak from your prepared individual study. If you have not prepared that day, listen to others who have. Prepared work is specific and time efficient. Unprepared thoughts often steal time, since they can be directionless.
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Seek first to understand, rather than to be understood.
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Each person gets a chance to share. Try not to speak again until one or two other
persons have added to the conversation.-
If an answer has been given or part of an answer, avoid repeating it again when
its your time to share-
One person talks at a time. Do not cut people off.
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Do not put another person on the spot by calling on her/him directly for the
answer to a question. The facilitator knows the flow of the lesson and the group
dynamics. Remember, not all persons are comfortable sharing in front of a large
group. -
Speak for yourself. Share your own thoughts and reflections, not as the representative of another group or person.
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If you are offended or uncomfortable, speak privately to the facilitator.
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It is OK to disagree, but personal attacks are not allowed. No name-calling or
stereotyping. -
Personal stories stay in the group, unless we all agree that we can share them.
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We share responsibility for making the discussion constructive and to help the
facilitator keep the discussion on track.
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- Always connect with each other within this Bible Study circle – to pray, encourage, build and come alongside with God’s Word, keeping within the Bible Study guiding framework.
- As you cultivate healthy godly relationships within the group, do be mindful to respect people and their space. Each one here is in a different season of life. And each one here is at a different place in their faith journey. Please REFRAIN from arranging anyone’s life by making suggestions for them if they do not solicit your advice. Some may be sensitive and some may get hurt. Yes pray for them at all times. The perogative to plan a person’s life belongs to God. Please reflect on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 as you consider it to be a serious matter to the dynamics of a healthy group.
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3:14
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
