Growth Groups in Smaller Congregations
One area of Bible study that has expanded in recent years is small group Bible studies, sometimes called Growth Groups. Although this approach may not work in every situation, it may be quite helpful in some. To see what this type of program looks like, we will have pastors from congregations of different sizes tell how they conduct Growth Groups at their churches. This month, Pastor Aaron Boehm gives us a look at his congregations’ Growth Groups programs and samples of the lessons they use.



Pastor Aaron Boehm serves as pastor at Shepherd of the Hills, La Mesa, Calif., and The Way, Rancho San Diego, Calif., and as second vice president of the Arizona-California District of the WELS.
They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.  Acts 5:42
Adult Education: Additum
Helping Students Memorize

There are elements we want adult Bible study participants to know by heart: Bible verses and chapters, biblical and doctrinal terminology, key dates, Bible settings, Bible characters, and more. This article will help you assist Bible study participants with memorizing those things that are helpful to their spiritual lives.

Teaching Toolbox
Training Small Group Leaders

The most important training that we can give small group Bible study leaders to carry out their role is to equip them with the Word of God. This means helping them to properly apply law and gospel and to be grounded in Bible truth. The article below gives some helpful tips to train small group Bible study leaders.

Curriculum Connection
Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks

As the hymnal of Old Testament Israel and a critical part of New Testament worship services, the book of Psalms is a treasure for believers across history. Many have favorite verses that they return to when facing trouble, sorrow, or joy. In the Bible study Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks , Pastor Stephen Melso focuses on nine popular psalms. This Bible study will help students discover the meaning of each psalm in the context of all Scripture and in the context of their own present-day lives.


Sample of Teacher's Guide

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Teaching Tip
Questions With Multiple Right Answers

If you don’t have a suitable answer to a learner’s question, don’t try to stumble through an inaccurate response. Simply say, “I don’t know—let me get back to you.” Then, after class, you can take the time you need to determine the proper answer and return with it for the next study. Trying to fake that you know an answer when you truly do not causes your credibility to crumble, and you can end up making a big mess of things. Being honest about not knowing shows that you are human, and coming back with a solid answer shows that you care.

Modified from an article at Teaching for Learning at McGill University
  Teach the Word  is a collaboration of Northwestern Publishing House,
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and WELS Discipleship.