"He Sent Them Out: The Power of Bible Talks"
Kyle Bartholomew
Many people have asked in recent years, “Who came up with Bible Talks?” Is it a Portland thing? Maybe it's an L.A. thing? Is this a method of man or a method of God? These are all good questions and similar to any other questions one might have, the answers are found in the scriptures.
The exact phrases: Bible Talk, Soul Talk, or Bible discussion Group will not be found in the scriptures. However, the Bible is littered with the principle of a group discussion. We find the biblical precedent for Bible Talks or discussion groups as early as Jesus' ministry. In Mark 3:14, the bible states,
"he appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons." As Jesus called the twelve, his goal was simple; he needed to multiply the work force. Even Jesus--the best preacher of all time--was limited to the number of people he would be able to reach. His hope was to instill his work ethic, courage, compassion, and conviction into twelve men who would then be able to advance the Message by helping more people to become disciples. Amen! His method of training was simple; "that they might be with him". Jesus always taught by example! They needed to observe the master in order to be effective soul winners and the method of observation was in a Bible Talk setting.
Some might ask, "Where should we have our Bible Talk?" The answer is that a Bible Talk or small group discussion can be held in a variety of settings. Jesus met with his disciples in the open air (Mark 3:7-12), a home (Mark 3:20), by a lake (Mark 4:1), and in the synagogue (Luke 4:15). The Apostle Paul took a group of young men and started a Bible Talk in the Hall of Tyrannus (a University). It is not where it is held that is important, but only that God's word is shared in a powerful manner.
Most scholars have speculated that it was a six month period between the choosing of the twelve and their first assignment. In Luke 9:1-2 "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." They had watched Jesus in a small group setting for six whole months and now they were ready to preach the word! Marks account tells us that he sent them out "two by two" (Mark 6:7). Being wise as Jesus was, he understood that all disciples needed a partner to encourage and challenge them in their walk with God. Jesus now had six groups of two apostles, who would preach the word. In (Luke 9:10), we are reminded that even the trained leaders need accountability as Jesus asked each group upon their return, "What they had done?" Not a bad question indeed! It does not specifically state the Apostles reply, but one could speculate they had a successful journey after reading the next chapter of Luke 10:1, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." With twelve additional trained preachers, it is safe to believe, their impact was great! There were now seventy-two more disciples that would be sent out because of the Apostles fruitful labor for the Lord. Each group of two apostles now had twelve new members at their Bible Talk each. Jesus ministry had now grown from one Bible Talk to six Bible Talks. What an exciting beginning to the ministry of Jesus!
It is interesting to note that this method did not die with Jesus. In Acts 19:9-10, we understand that the Apostle Paul also used this method "He took some of the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord." Not only did Paul use this method, but he was very effective at it. Some have asked the question in recent times, "Do Bible Talks really work?" Is seems as though they worked for Jesus, his apostles, and now Paul. The Bible records in this passage that the whole province of Asia (modern day Turkey) was evangelized in just two years by Paul and his companions. Wow! It is incredible to consider that before there were airplanes, cars, phones, or the internet; the Message of Jesus Christ got out to such a large number of people and all because someone decided to have a Bible Talk!
Aloha,
Lead Evangelist
Kyle Bartholomew