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What is the best way to equip the saints?

If there was no previously set format at your local church, what style would most help you to be equipped for ministry? One person at the front preaching, group discussions, group Bible studies?

What suits you best?

Each part doing their part as empowered by the Holy Spirit.

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to equip the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of the Messiah ... Matthew 16:18 & & John 2:19-22
Ephesians 4:12-13

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How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

Theo -- i prefer all 3 you cite as each adds to the understanding -- i see your 2nd item as a small group "home church" network & the 3rd as Bible study

will also add that the whole Counsel of God must be preached so death to topical preaching as the mainstay -- teachers need to go verse by verse thru the Bible

In order to 'equip' the believers in the church -- the pastor needs to know Where the people Are in their knowledge of God's Word and in their daily lives. Teaching doctrine from the pulpit -- Sunday school class discussion -- a small group setting for 'how to share the Gospel with other people.' Practical application with accompanying pastor or church visitation leader in actually visiting with others.

To equip the saints it is important to recognize the diversity of the spiritual gifts. I believe that with this diversity we can have a diversity of ministries. It is important to teach on the spiritual gifts so that people can begin to serve. In addition, biblical teaching and preaching are needed to feed the flock of God so that they will grow and mature in Christ.

There needs to be an emphasis on the Bible as the word of God, divinely inspired by God and this will equip the saint with what he needs from God to be complete in Him.

2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." NASB

Gary M -- you're right.

Theo

over my life I have observed that 2 of those you have mentioned are really important in our growth as Christians

the first is study of the Bible in a small group, which includes those who know and love their Bible as the means of knowing and loving God.
The second, and also most important, is that we should gather together publicly as the Body of Christ - to worship, to meet and welcome new members of the Body, to be taught by someone who is trained and gifted by the Holy Spirit, and to co-ordinate our efforts to serve our local community.

We see this pictured in the gospels .... where Jesus taught large gatherings, then taught disciples privately, and then took apart a smaller number for more intensive teaching.

What I have noticed is a sad lack of growth in those who only come to church on Sunday, and think that is the extent of their obligation.

in Christ

Dinah

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Maybe it's because of What they are being taught on Sunday morning -- maybe due to work schedules and there is pressure from public schools and college / universities to accept evolutionary thought rather than Really accept God's Word as Fact and morally 'up-to-date'. Creationists are being scoffed at -- more than likely refused acceptance in the scientific world. It's rough 'out there'.

I remember my time in a secular university which taught evolution. Now one professor did it almost apologetically and emphasized this was just one way of looking at things. However, my anthropology professor taught evolution like it was a religion. He took one whole class period arguing and refuting Christian science. In another class, he presented two films the one film was black and white and was about "Christians" who danced about, and handled snakes. The next film was about a homosexual lifestyle, it was in color, up to date, and everyone seemed totally normal. I thought what an attack on Christianity on two fronts one direct the other indirect. I had a Bible college degree but it was difficult dealing with these and other attacks on Christianity. Fortunately I was (and still am) married to a godly woman who helped and encouraged me.

I remember when I taught high school and in the teacher lounge I mentioned the theory of evolution and the biology teacher about bit my head off saying it was not a theory but a fact accepted by all fields of science.

It is difficult but we must stand by the truth. This is one reason why I support and study apologetics. Besides the things previously mentioned, I believe anyone in ministry should be familiar with apologetics.

maybe i'm naive but am sceptical of apologetics -- we are to have an answer of why we believe -- odds are slim this'll involve a debate on evolution vs. creationism -- these debates are merely diversionary tactics used by those who don't want to confront the fact they're a sinner & HELPLESS to remove its stain on their soul

this doesn't mean we shouldn't become familiar with the talking pts of this & other controversial issues -- i would merely advise 1 to hold it at a much lesser priority -- of course, it depends on your environment as those in education would need a firmer footing

Paco -- IF this world were based on Biblical authority and evolution didn't Have any 'standing' in the educational world -- you'd have a good point. Sharing the Gospel unto Salvation Should be a top priority -- but , unfortunately, evolution Is a big topic in All public education -- as Gary M. stated --Christianity is under attack continually. If a person Doesn't believe in God and has the concept that living life consists of making mistakes and learning to deal with the consequences --doing the best we can -- then it's kinda Hard to share the Sin concept and be taken seriously.
And the homosexuality 'debate' is just as serious. Sure we believe that the Bible teaches it as being an abomination to God. But there Is the 'thought' out there that Some people are Born 'gay' -- so God is being kind of Mean by 'making us that way and punishing us for Acting on it'. Sharing common-sense biology sort of helps. But Biblical morality is being considered as Archaic / really old-fashioned. But God created People with the freedom of choice -- every person Chooses how we Respond to Any attraction we find ourselves dealing with. It's against the law to Force another person to have an intimate physical relationship with you. Any other situation is a Choice being made. Strong physical attraction ? -- it's a Choice being made to respond or turn away.
All this to say that it's not simply a matter of sharing the matter of sinfullness and the need for personal repentence. Unless the person Has come to the point of realizing their own sinfulness and their need for Christ's salvation From it. Other-wise -- finding out Where the other person is coming from is Very important. Being familiar with issues in Society -- because That's where we Live -- In Society.
Don't mean to be 'preaching at' you - just sharing with.

i think that's irrelevant but hey -- Jesus & the Apostles didn't focus on the scientific theories of the day & there were many -- Paul preached "Christ Crucified"

to me it's simply a matter of priority -- if you work as an educator then there's possibly a greater need to be aware of the debate -- but a person isn't going to come any quicker to Christ debating evolution -- if you convince them Creationism or ID is correct, how does that equate with their need for a Savior?

so what? -- our role is to be witnesses, not be taken seriously -- the Apostles were mocked but they simply moved on & let Judgment fall on the mockers -- yes, being laughed at can be difficult to handle but it's not like we're being thrown to the lions -- let's toughen up, encourage each other, & allow that most will not give us the time of day -- we're Promised persecution after all

agreed

not exactly -- here's where we possibly disagree -- we're strangers in this land & our stay is temporary (1 Pet. 1:1) -- we are to know God & emulate Him 1st -- society changes whereas God does not -- of course, Paul did tweak his approach to his audience (1 Cor. 9:19-22) so i have no problem with that & maybe that's what you meant

Unfortunate juxtaposition. Hopefully, no one will be confused.

If I'm not wrong, Anthropology is a branch of the humanities, and not a branch of the sciences. This may go part of the way to explaining why an Anthropology professor would teach evolution as if it were religion.

In my college, the third semester of an overview of Western Civilization was devoted to three thinkers from the 19th century: they were Darwin, Marx, and Freud.
At the time, I was not a Christian, so it didn't affect me all that much. (I guess Freud spillsover into the 20th century). But looking back on it after many years, I think the curriculum designers intended to fill a gap left when the teaching of religious thought was dropped out.

And I think Darwin, Marx, and Freud are a pretty good representative sample of a religion that might be called materialist humanism. We face challenges from this front, and they are very different from the challenge posed by science itself. All three of these men called themselves scientists. Of them, Darwin has the most solid claim. But Darwinism as a religion is very different from Darwinism as a scientific theory.

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Not all those who wander are lost.

The fact that people turn up the heat when they hear the phrase "Darwin's theory" should tell you something. I regularly use the term "Relativity theory" and nobody calls me on the carpet for it. They don't feel they need to respond defensively.

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Not all those who wander are lost.