making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (Full Version)

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drussell52 -> making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/19/2008 4:19:37 PM)

Hello all. Over the past few days, it has become clearer to me what I must do to possibly start an OT study group in my location. My options are: cool my jets and volunteer to lead a study at the church we attend if time and opportunity present, or, go outside and market this to the general population. I'm scared to do the latter but so were Moses, Jonah, Jeremiah, and a host of others when embarking on something new..
In all fairness the study is Messianic centered, and possibly may
inclue doing an eccumenical passover next year, 09. For the immediate, I am going to have my son assist me in distributing some "appetizers" as it were by leaving pertinent magazines and or booklets in banks and doctor offices. I am visually impaired so this is a great way for dad and son, age 17, to do something and he gets pocket change for his time.
In a month or so, will advertize on the cable bulletinboard or penny pincher paper, and see what happens, use an e-mail address at a major ISP for a way to contact me. OK here is where you can help:
would you put a post-it in the magazines, listing name and email address to write for more info, or just let the magazines be like seed falling on the 4 soils.. I don't expect droves, but 2 or 3 participants along with myself and wife would be ideal.
I think doing this outside the confines of the church is my direction, or, cool my jets but almost need a miracle to do that! Or, get more active here helping others.. Sure want your input and thanks in advance.. Drussell



4IMPersuaded -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/19/2008 6:50:32 PM)

What you really need to do before you do anything is to pray through who you are trying to reach. Is your goal discipleship or evangelism? If it is discipleship, then you would likely want to do this within your church body-- this could be extended to them as an outreach opportunity so that they can bring their unchurched friends to a gathering that is less intimidating that the formal church service.

If this is intended as an evangelism tool, you are going to have to pray through the idea of doctor's offices and the like. Usually people need some sort of personal tie to be interested in a group of this nature (friends, co-workers, etc.).

Also, you seem a little vague on what you will be studying. I would encourage you to start with an author that you like that has published a topical study or a particular book of the OT before you begin "advertising." People will be drawn to participate more if you are impeccably prepared and you have spent a good bit of time praying over what God would have you do.

Blessings in your endeavor!



sisrev -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/19/2008 9:05:33 PM)

You might try making a flyer on the computer and include one of them inside the magazines. I think it would look more polished than just a handwritten sticky note.



drussell52 -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/21/2008 8:43:52 AM)

Kentucky and Sisrev thanks. I was a bit vague in how I posted, because the study itself will be in workbook form, 12 chapters, topic-specific, looking at the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith and within that the reader will consider keeping the Sabbath, watering down to 1 day a week for God and how we can do that today, observing any or all of the feasts mentioned in Leviticus, does studying Scripture from Gen to Rev have merit or is it just for history purposes, etc. My church told me to market this outside the church because our pastor has "other agendas" and so the aim is more discipleship than evangelism. I am trying to discover if there are other believers local to me, who share a similar mind set or interest and establish something that supports that if so. I like the flier idea inside the magazines, will discuss with my wife and see how she likes the idea; she loves me so that's a great start!! Thanks and blessings to all or any who read and/or further comment.



DaveW -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/21/2008 1:23:33 PM)

Where is "local" to you?



MrsDC -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/22/2008 12:50:30 AM)

ooo. I wish you were local to me! [;)]



drussell52 -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/22/2008 8:49:43 AM)

Hi, I am in lower Michigan, but toying with the idea of having the flier encourage coming together as a study group, or securing the workbook I wish to use from tnnonline.net titled Introduction To Things Messianic, and have some email back and forth on specific chapters. I have a couple people I email who prefer private learning over group learning, and imagine that factors in here too. So, if anyone here wants to go that route, send me a PM with your reaction to this possibility. The book is in workbook form, and has Q and A at the end of each chapter so much of your time will be spent engaging with the material itself and coming to your own conclusions. Respect is the angle here as some will probably "go for it" and others may say this is an interesting perspective, but.. Meantime, prayers appreciated..



DaveW -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/22/2008 10:41:47 AM)

Lower Michigan covers a lot of territory. Are you near Lansing or Ann Arbor? Grand Rapids?



drussell52 -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/22/2008 1:52:17 PM)

Hi, In answer to question regarding location, in lower Michigan between Lapeer, and Mount Clemens. East of Lansing and Grand Rapids and will not be anymore specific in this post or subsequent posts..



4IMPersuaded -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/23/2008 7:16:05 PM)

Hi drussell!

It sounds like a neat study. I just finished up an 11-week women's summer study. It was pretty intense, written by a well-known author. We "marketed" the study within our church, but it was not an "official" church activity. Our church has chosen to focus on four things and discipleship is something that is a responsibility placed on each individual in the congregation to follow through with individually-- if that makes any sense. I responded to statements made by many women who said they wanted a Bible study and we ended up the 11 weeks with five faithful souls. (16-20 said they wanted a study, 10 signed up, 5 completed.)

Despite the atrition, it was a tremendous experience. We tried fliers in neighborhoods of the women that were coming, but that didn't yeild any takers, but perhaps doctors' offices and the like might be something to try. Do you have any sort of interfaith community in your area? You might find some takers there.

At any rate, if you are being obedient to the calling that God has place on you and you approach it with an attitude of humility and prayer, then you are already blessed! God has already ordained those who will be in your group. He will make it happen for you-- just keep your ear to His leading.

Blessings on your group, brother.



DaveW -> RE: making plans to promote a OT study group please help? (8/25/2008 9:12:25 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: drussell52

Hi, In answer to question regarding location, in lower Michigan between Lapeer, and Mount Clemens. East of Lansing and Grand Rapids and will not be anymore specific in this post or subsequent posts..
So I know pretty well where you are. Mark Kinzer conducts classes for the Messianic Jewish Thelogical Seminary at his congregation in Ann Arbor. That should not be too far for you. Work your way over to US 23 and it is a straight shot south. You should be able to find his congregation address from UMJC.org.



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