SMALL GROUP STUDIES & BOOKLETS
BCF has published multiple Bible studies and booklets that can be used for small groups in a local church, individual study, or one-on-one discipleship. All of them can be used for personal growth and in-depth discipleship. The first three are specifically formatted for small group studies with thought-provoking topics, fill-in-the-blank questions, and biblically-focused discussion points. Here is a quick look at these resources. You can follow the links for more information about each booklet and how to order.
BOOKLETS IDEAL FOR SMALL GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL DISCIPLESHIP
LIVING VICTORIOUSLY IN THE BATTLES OF LIFE
The “Living Victoriously in the Battles of Life” booklet is a simplified version of Self-Confrontation lessons 1-8 that builds a biblical foundation for dealing with the daily trials of life based on God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. The six lessons (studied over 7-weeks or at-your-own-pace) explore 1) what the Bible says about tests, temptations, and problems; 2) how we sometimes seem to be in a “downward spiral” of defeat; 3) the biblical hope we have to overcome those problems; 4) the changes we may need to make; and 5) how to grow in our walk with Christ and build a foundation so as to face and deal with any problem area of life. Click below for more detail and to order.
BUTS OF THE BIBLE: Biblical Characters And The Crossroads Of Life
The word “but” often represents a decision-point or sometimes even a “crossroads” in our lives. Paul explained to the Ephesians in Chapter 2 that “you were dead in your trespasses and sins (v. 1) “but God … made us alive together with Christ” (v. 4). The Buts of the Bible series is a small-group or personal study of both Old and New Testament characters. This study focuses on particular events or “crossroads” in their lives with a view toward practical application to our lives today. Booklet 1 focuses on nine different Old Testament characters (or groups of characters) from Genesis to Deuteronomy. Booklet 2 focuses on nine from the New Testament. The study is in workbook format with Scripture passages to read and questions to answer. These will lead you through the biblical characters’ circumstances and will challenge you to think about similar decisions or situations in your life. See link for more information (and ordering) on Booklet 1 and Booklet 2.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT PRAYER
We often relegate prayer to the times when we are most desperate. But we find in the Scriptures that the true value of prayer is not so much about God’s changing our desperate circumstances (even though He can choose to do that) but it is more about His changing us. It is often more about His conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), and not so much about us trying to conform His will to our desires. The study is broken into 17 short segments in a workbook format with Scripture passages to look up and questions to answer. Designed for both personal or small group studies, even those who have been believers for a long time will be challenged by the wealth of content in this study. It builds on the study material in Lesson 3 of the Self-Confrontation manual. Click below for more detail and to order.
Self-Confrontation Bible Study using the Student Workbook
An ideal way to take the Self-Confrontation course is to study in a small group or Sunday School class at your church. Some churches may have someone who is familiar with the class and could be the leader or teacher. The companion Student Workbook is designed to lead you through the key biblical principles lesson-by-lesson, step-by-step, as you study on your own or in a small group. A Leader’s Guide is also available. Some small groups use the Self-Confrontation videos, available from BCF on-line. The 480-page Self-Confrontation manual has a ton of material, but don’t be intimidated. The course itself probably covers 10 percent of the material, but the rest is available as a “life-application biblical resource” covering many topics more in-depth, including how to biblically deal with specific problem areas.
BOOKLETS IDEAL FOR PERSONAL STUDY AND REFERENCE
YOUR RESOURCES IN CHRIST
(BUILDING ON SELF-CONFRONTATION LESSONS 2 AND 3)
This booklet is a topical reference and study of how God provides complete and adequate guidance through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and prayer to face, deal with, and endure all personal problems of life no matter how difficult or extraordinary. It builds on the material in Lessons 2 and 3 of the Self-Confrontation manual. Click below for more detail and to order.
MAN’S WAY VS. GOD’S WAY
(BUILDING ON SELF-CONFRONTATION LESSON 4)
The Man’s Way vs. God’s Way booklet explains the difference between the natural man’s approach and God’s way of dealing with the problems of life. It contrasts four major psychological theories with the biblical teaching on how to help others through difficulties and what are often referred to as “mental” problems. This booklet is taken from Lesson 4 of the Self-Confrontation manual. Click below for more detail and to order.
GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
(BUILDING ON SELF-CONFRONTATION LESSONS 1 AND 2)
The God’s Plan for Your Life booklet presents principles dealing with how a person comes to Christ and the tremendous riches that are available to every believer in Christ. It is derived from Lessons 1 and 2 of the Self-Confrontation manual. Click below for more detail and to order.
BIBLICAL COUNSELING IS IN-DEPTH DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship / counseling as Jesus practiced and taught is much broader and deeper than the discipleship that is often practiced today. In the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus said we are to make disciples both by “baptizing them” (i.e. evangelism) and by “teaching them to observe all that I commanded ….” The Gospels show how Jesus taught them not only the basics of faith, but how to demonstrate love, serve others, and deal with the difficulties of life. This is the more comprehensive approach to discipleship that can be lacking today. Click below for more detail and to order.
Biblical Principles for
Discipleship / Counseling
The booklet includes all of the 105 principles from the Self-Confrontation manual as well as 32 principles from the Handbook for Biblical Discipleship / Counseling available in one package. The booklet includes an index that makes it easy to find specific topics or key words. This can be helpful in locating the most relevant scripture verses for your own study or when you are discipling/counseling others. The booklet is also now “perfect bound” (not comb bound like previously) which allows for easier carrying, (tucking inside a Bible etc.) It is in 5.5” by 8” format and can be more easily carried inside the back cover of your Bible or carrying case. Click below for more detail and to order.
Victory Over Failures Plan (VOFP)
The Victory Over Failures Plan is a structured tool and biblical reference to help you overcome any difficulty of life with the full expectation of complete and lasting victory (excerpted from the Student Workbook and Self-Confrontation manual). It is a systematic process for dealing with problems in your life God’s way, using a set of worksheets founded on principles directly from the Scriptures. Click below for more detail and to order.