Pastor Dennis Fitzpatrick, First Lutheran Church, Blytheville, Arkansas, emphasizes, “Let’s start to learn the Bible! Let’s find out what Scripture is really saying to us! Let’s talk about Jesus!
“For over 25 years, I have been successfully focusing on that goal with the help of the Crossways International materials, and when I came to Arkansas about three years ago I knew I wanted to do the same for people here in my own congregation as well as in the community. I wanted as many as possible to know about Salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ.
“What is a pastor/leader’s first step in forming a Bible study to which people (from your own congregation, from other denominations in the area, those with no church affiliation) will feel comfortable attending?
“First of all, people need to get to know you as a dependable and caring person . . . someone who will lend a listening ear, rather than be critical of what he/she already believes or thinks about religion . . . someone with whom he/she will be able to build a trust relationship, rather than fearful of possibly being put-down for things said.
“Very importantly, you have to put yourself out in the community so people get to know you! (You can’t just put up a sign at the local grocery store advertising a Bible class at your church and expect too many results.) For example, as ways to help people get to better know me, I have joined the Chamber of Commerce and also the Ministerial Alliance. I am invited to preach at Lenten services in other churches. I join others in putting a sermon in the local newspaper once a month. I am out and about in the community meeting and talking with people of all ages. Through all of these types of endeavors, people begin to better know and trust me as a person and as a messenger of God’s Word . . . and they feel more comfortable joining my Bible class.
“Oh yes, I have had to tread lightly! Lots of patience is needed on my part! But the success has been extremely worth it . . . with all thanks to the Lord.
“See Through the Scriptures® was especially effective as our first community Bible study because it is a wonderful entry-level biblical overview course (lighter and not too in-depth) that simply and clearly connects the Bible to Jesus. Classes were held on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Most of the 35 attending were middle age working class, both men and women were present, child-care was provided, and coffee/snacks available. The Divine Drama® was perfect then as a follow-up and more in-depth Bible course, which we held for five months – followed by a special recognition pot luck dinner and presentation of TDD diplomas and Servant King lapel pins to all graduates.
“People loved these courses because their eyes were opened, they said, to seeing how everything in the Bible is connected to Jesus. They had never before learned or known that.
“AND, at the conclusion of the STS study two men wanted to be baptized and five people joined the adult confirmation class.
“AND, our own church members have started inviting friends to come worship with us at First Lutheran to hear us talk about Jesus and His narrative story as told in the Bible throughout both the Old and New Testaments!”
