Negev Highlands, Israel 

Intensive Story Set Exercise

In one movement in the Muslim world, disciples take people through whole Bible story sets in one immersive day, reminiscent of the newly risen Jesus undercover-schooling two of his disciples who were leaving town dejected in Luke 24:13–35. It works.

In this exercise, a group of any size can choose a story set, find a block of six or so hours to meet and discover it together, and then plot a course for the next four weeks or more to act on what they learned and share it.

Here are some examples:

  • A primer for newcomers to the Bible or its faith: Choose either the 'Story-Formed Life' set, or the first two consecutive sequences in Waha's 'Foundations' sequences: 'From Creation to the Birth of Jesus' and 'Jesus' Life and Teachings.' Worth the extra length if your members need the background!
  • The story set for my Love's Way exercise, in which you develop love-shaping habits for life transformation.
  • Other story sets might qualify, but get my permission first to see whether they lend themselves to this intensive format, since the usual one pairs knowledge and faithfulness more evenly.

Complete a report (back it up!) with each of these parts:

  1. Highlights of your intensive learning day that inform the actions that follow.
  2. The specific actions and sharing you committed to for the following weeks.
  3. After those weeks are over, the results or fruit of those actions. What in your life interfered or threatened to interfere? How did you respond to counter or overcome that threat?
  4. What changed: your habits, affections, theology, relationships, etc.?
  5. What your future steps will be, and with whom you will be sharing for accountability, to bless them, and to multiply this intensive experience with others you know—just as the new believers in that Muslim context are doing.

Then submit the whole thing. Some students only submit the preparation part, but that's just for setting the stage for the part where things happen and things change, so just the first part won't count as a submitted assignment.