The Discover Bible School

An effective interpersonal Bible study tool

Kurt Johnson is the Bible School Director for The Voice of Prophecy, Simi Valley, California.

My parents asked me to begin studying the Bible with them and our neighbors, at their house," said 15-year- _old Andrea before 1,000 camp meeting attendees. "I told them 'No.' However, God thought differently. He had a plan for my life and finally I said, 'Yes.' God impressed me to make that choice. If I had not made that one choice for Jesus, I would not be standing here today."

Two weeks before her testimony, on September 14, 2002, Andrea and six others were baptized in Newbury Park, California. All had been participants in a small-group meeting hosted by their neighbors, Augie and Eleanor Ariza. The group watched the Discover Videos and studied the Discover Bible Guides.

A new outreach is born

Andrea and her family and friends are examples of many who have become involved in the "new look" Discover Bible School Ministry that has swept across North America over the past six years.

NET '95, the first satellite evangelistic meeting in the Adventist Church, had been concluded for several months. With thought and prayer, the leaders weighed their options, hoping to improve the '95 plan. A planning meeting for NET '96 was scheduled.

In the meantime, Dan Guild from The Voice of Prophecy and Robert Spangler were praying, talking, and strategizing. Mark Finley and Don Gray, on an overseas trip, were doing the same. When they all got together, Dan presented the Discover Bible School concept. According to Dan, smiles of amazement crossed the faces of others; all had come with similar thoughts! In this setting, the Discover Bible School for North America was bom.

What began in 1996 as a local church-based correspondence Bible school, with some visitation involved, has evolved into a multifaceted, nationwide Bible study out reach ministry. Today almost 2,400 churches have registered for the course since the first Discover Bible School was organized in North America.

Features of the Discover Bible School

Personal touch is the first goal of the school. Church members are encouraged to deliver Bible lessons personally to those requesting them. There are also small groups, one-to-one studies, video/DVD presentations, correspondence, and the Internet.

A Discover Bible School manual, instructional videos, mail services, a resource catalog, training/consulting, a quarterly newsletter, and a constant flow of new soul-winning products are part of the services.

Especially popular are the new Answer Sheets (Discover Discussion Sheets) used with the Discover Guides. The student looks up seven to ten Bible texts and writes in the answers to the questions posed in the lessons. The questions are paged to a NKJV Bible. The discussion and decision questions make for an easy-to-use soul-winning tool.

In addition to using The Voice of Prophecy Bible Guides, Bible study videos, and other soul-winning materials, the Discover Bible Schools are encouraged to combine the VOP lessons with study guides from other ministries. This team-ministry approach serves as an umbrella over the local churches and their Bible study outreach ministry. Thus, a Discover Bible School is more than just the handing out of the Discover Bible Guides. The bottom line is to meet the needs of people while leading them to Jesus.

Varied approaches, inspiring results

I have entitled one of my favorite Correspondence School stories "Dumpster Evangelism." Fred Corder, from Wytheville,Virginia, was visiting his daughter. As Fred left her apartment complex, he took her garbage to the dumpster, where he saw a number of mass mailed enrollment cards. Fred picked up one of the discarded cards, filled it out, and mailed it to the local Discover Bible School. He completed the lessons, started attending church, and was baptized.

The Internet phase of the Discover Bible School is gaining popularity. Anyone with computer Internet access can give Bible studies to students anywhere! There is even a CD Enrollment Disk similar to a printed enrollment card or Lesson #1. Mass mail or hand out the CD, and recipients can complete Lesson #1 from the CD and connect to the Internet to sign up for the rest of the study guides. In addition, one can advertise and obtain their own students, grade lessons, as well as communicate with the students regularly.

Karen Glassford has been operating an Internet Discover School from home. "I have had the awesome privilege of being an Internet Bible School instructor for nearly four years," she says. "I have students from eight years old to those in their eighties.

Don't wait for a more convenient time to begin your own school. I can't overemphasize the joy and wonder that will come into your life."

The testimonies of her students keep Karen inspired. One student writes, "I never understood how God could torture someone in hell for all eternity. I am so relieved and happy now. . . . Thank you for helping me see God as someone I can't wait to spend eternity with."

Another writes, "I used to go to an Adventist church 30 years ago. I found your Web site and began Bible studies. It just dawned on me when I got to the lesson on the Sabbath that this was an Adventist Web site! I think the Lord is telling me what His will is through these lessons. I will be visiting an Adventist church soon."

Combining the Bible School with evangelistic meetings

A successful feature is combining the Discover Bible School with evangelistic meetings. The local church uses the Bible School ministry as preparation before an evangelistic series, operates the Bible School during meetings, and involves the Discover School in follow-up and discipleship of new members.

Here's how it works. Bible study enrollment cards are mass mailed and handed out by the members. Those who have completed the course, or are currently studying, are invited to attend the evangelistic meetings.

During the meeting a banner identifying the Discover Bible School and a table for the lessons is placed in the foyer. The evangelist asks the attendees to pick up a study guide each night at the table. Students return their completed answer sheets and pick up the next study guide. A graduation is held at the end of the series, with follow-up provided.

Weekly small-group Bible study in homes is very important. Friendships, discussion, and in-depth study with graduates, those newly baptized, and their network of family and friends are excellent discipling processes.

The Berean Adventist Church

An example of this kind of evangelism process at work is the Berean Adventist Church in downtown Los Angeles. The Berean Church hosted a multi-church reaping meeting with the VOP during September 2002.

Pastor Kendall Guy says, "The Discover Bible School is one of the most effective ways of working with people. The lessons generate an excitement for studying the Bible. People from all walks of life can identify with the lessons. During an evangelistic meeting the Discover Bible School is just the thing needed to keep people focused in learning the truth of the Scripture."

The Berean Church started with 150,000 Bible Study Enrollment Cards mailed prior to the evangelistic meeting. This mailing resulted in 2,333 requests for Bible studies. There were also 900 door-to-door responses requesting studies. About 170 who came to the meetings took the lessons. Sixty-two completed them, along with 12 who completed the Focus on Prophecy Guides as well.

Here are responses from some of the Berean Bible School students.

"I am grateful for the Discover Bible Guides. The guides helped me understand God's Word and experience a deeper friendship with Jesus."

"These lessons have made me want to be baptized. I loved reading them, and learned a lot."

"The study guides have meant a lot to me. I had to stop at one point and give God thanks for sending His Son to die for my sins."

NET 2003

If your church is participating in NET 2003, the first step is to become involved with a Discover Bible School.

The NET 2003 meeting will be up-linked from Columbia, South Carolina, April 26-May 24. In addition, use the Discover School as part of your local church evangelism process. The Discover School can be the core of your church's evangelistic outreach, follow-up, and assimilation.

If you haven't updated your Discover Bible School or started one in your church, why not begin now? With commitment, dedication, and hard work all immersed in prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit your church Bible study ministry can take on new life.

Through the Discover Bible School, there is something for every local church member to do. If someone can write a note, lick a stamp, use a computer, knock on a door, share a smile, and be part of a small group let them decide their level of involvement then there is a place for them.

For a free Bible School Information Packet: call 1-877-955-2525 (toll free) or 805-955-7659; fax 805-522-1760; or email [email protected]


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Kurt Johnson is the Bible School Director for The Voice of Prophecy, Simi Valley, California.

February 2003

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