Articulations was designed especially for discipleship development in the House Church and for Home Fellowship Groups. The studies are based on the reality that most Christians, especially in the Western World, experience difficulty articulating many of the faith questions. We live in a time when there seems to be a universal interest in spirituality and a an equally universal disinterest in Christianity and especially the church. In times like these, disciples of Jesus Christ need to be doubly prepared, as Peter wrote, to share the reason for their hope (1 Peter 3:15). Articulations was written for that very purpose.
Every participant should have their own copy of the Blueprints Articulations Handouts and their own Bible. Participants should be encouraged to bring their own Bibles and we also recommend each one should bring a 3/4" three-ring binder to store the handouts in for future review.
There are five parts to each week's Articulations. Each section should be taken seriously and given ample time for reflection and discussion. Recommended minimum times are listed here for each section.
Articulations should begin in a large group setting.
Introduction (10 Minutes): Begin by announcing the topic of the week and having someone read the introductory paragraphs to the study. This section includes an overview of the issue at hand as well as provides insights into some of the traditional teachings on the subject. You may choose to allow some discussion or elaboration on the introduction, but divide the large group into more intimate Groups of Four (three to five participants per group) quickly in order to facilitate more intimate discussion.
What the Bible Teaches (25 Minutes): Have each Group of Four select a time keeper to keep them on track with the time. Then have them read the recommended Scripture passages and discuss the questions. Remind them that there is limited time and it is important that all of the passages be covered during the break-out time. Encourage individuals to jot down notes and thoughts on the back of the handout, in the margins, and perhaps even in their Bibles. If time is a concern, remind them of the remaining time at the ten minute and five minute mark.
What I Believe (10 Minutes): Next, have everyone take ten minutes to silently reflect on what they believe on the topic. Have them write possible responses on the back of their handout and to refine those statements into a single articulation that answers the question of the week ("What do you believe about the authority of the Bible"; "Who is God"; etc.). Impress upon them that this reflection and writing time is critical to arriving at a coherent statement of their personal faith.
Articulations (10 Minutes): Finally, have all the participants pair up with ONE other person--allowing groups of three or four will seriously hinder this process--and have them take five minutes each to share their answer to the question of the week with their partner. Encourage them to share their answer from their heart rather than from their handout. By articulating their answer without the help of the handout, they are preparing themselves for future opportunities to share their faith. Call time at five minutes so each person has an opportunity to share.
Therefore: The last section of the handout is one of the most important. When you gather back into a large group, remind the participants that Jesus told his disciples to "Go and make disciples." Therefore, ask the group to go out and share their articulation with one other person during the week. They can share with anyone they would like, but remind them the goal is to get into a habit of sharing their faith with their unreached and unchurched friends, relatives, associates, neighbors, and coworkers. One way to do this would be to introduce a conversation:
"In my House Church we're doing a series called articulations and we're supposed to share what we've studied with one other person each week. Would it be alright for me to share my 'homework' with you?"
Tell the group that during the next mealtime they will be invited to talk about the experience they had sharing. Then make sure, as the House Church leader, that you invite them to share during the mealtimes.
