Ways to use Foundations for Life

The book can be used in several different ways.

1. Use it as an individual study resource

2. Use it as a disciple or mentoring tool

3. Use it as a small-group study

4. Use it as a large-group study

 

1. Use it as an individual study resource.

- Start at the beginning and work through each chapter for a specified time each day.  Try and give the material a minimum of 15 minutes.

- Answer the focus questions where they appear.   If you are unsure of the answer, go back a few pages and search for the answer in the text.  The answers are usually a word-for-word version of what you read.  It may seem over simplified at times, but the purpose of the question is to key your attention to that specific point.  Later, when you use the evaluation, you will get a chance to combine points and draw conclusions, but at this point, I’m trying to be sure you get the main points of what you are reading.  If you want to check to see if you got the answer right, the chapter question answers are in Appendix A.

- Take the opportunity to read the different Scripture references when they appear.  Some are printed for you in the text, others are references.  Use this opportunity to become more familiar with where things are in your Bible.

- Turn to Appendix D and read about Dan Hayden’s innovative but simple Scripture memory program.  It is basically a system where you write scripture out on 3×5 cards and memorize and review them each day with a focused schedule.

- When you have completed chapter 8, then turn to Appendix B and on a sheet of paper, write out the answers to the questions on the Final Evaluation.  This is not a “timed event” so you can relax and answer the questions completely.  If you need to take several days to do this to your standard, that is fine.

* Try and put yourself in a position where you are answering the questions as though posed by friends or co-workers.

* Try and avoid using the text to answer the questions – use your memory.

* Try and keep your answers short and to the point.

* Think of it this way – you are building confidence that you can answer these issues, so use the opportunity to check yourself.  When you are finished, look at the answers in Appendix C.  This will be a good guide on the topics you may want to revisit or look into more deeply.

- After you complete the evaluation, look at the reading list and begin the process of reading to continue developing your skills and abilities.

Then, take the next BIG step and go to number 2 below!

2. Use it as a disciple or mentoring tool. If you completed the steps above, then find someone you know and ask them if they want to work through a disciple process with you.  If you DIDN’T complete the steps above, find someone you respect or trust and ask them to go through the book with you.  Keep your relationship to only the two of you – this is not intended to be a small group.

If you are mentoring someone, take him or her through the book the same way you went through it as described in number 1 above.  The difference is that you might not meet every day, but don’t meet any less than once a week if you can help it.  If neither of you have done the book before, then use the guide above to work through it together. Try and meet for an hour or so, and encourage the person to read an entire chapter before you get together.  You don’t need to complete a chapter in your sessions, but agree to be as prepared as possible before your meetings.  Talk about the chapter questions to ensure you understand the main points.  After completing the chapters, each of you should take the evaluation separately, then get together and discuss your answers.

When you complete the book, agree to continue meeting occasionally to discuss the books you are reading, and the opportunities you’ve had to share your faith.

3. Use it as a small-group study.  To do this best, it is wise to have someone lead the group that has been through numbers 1 and 2 above, or ask an Elder or Deacon at your church to act as a group facilitator.  Each group member should have a book to prepare for the group sessions.  The facilitator leads discussions on each chapter and encourages group members to explore the Scripture references, discussing the implication of each reference.  To help this process, PowerPoint presentations are available for each chapter HERE.  The facilitator loads the presentation on a computer and uses it to walk the group through each chapter.  There is great value using this method because the presentations include additional information for each topic, along with practical exercise activities.  Use the exercises to stimulate group discussion and application of the topics covered.

4. Use it as a large-group study.  I have taught this material to as many as 70 students at once.  In my opinion, this is not ideal because part of the value of this program is to encourage individual participation, and it is easy to remain silent in a large group.  An ideal class number would be around 35 students.  Each student should have a book and a facilitator uses the PowerPoint presentations on a projection screen to lead the discussion.  This is very similar to the small-group technique, but here are a few suggestions to make the class environment more successful:

Assign people into study groups of between 4 and 6 people.  These groups are used to discuss practical exercise questions and any group activities the leader develops.

Select one Scripture memory goal for the class.  Either select a book or selection of chapters to memorize, or identify predetermined verses for each week.  A helpful idea would be to select verses consistent with the study being done at your church, or use verses that cover issues facing Believers like faith, anger, love or contentment.  Use the first few minutes of each class to allow the students to quiz each other on their memorized verses.

I normally teach these classes in 2-hour blocks and the PowerPoint presentations are designed to take approximately that long, including time for a break and practical exercises.  If you use the book for Sunday school hour or another hour time period, you will need to break the classes up accordingly.   If taken in hour-long classes, the book material will take approximately 16 weeks.  (I am working on presentations for 50-minute classes and will post them when I am done.)