![]() ![]() Roberts said the pilot program has been helpful as BSF responds to coronavirus concerns, even though the logistics aren’t exactly the same: Instead of a dozen people connecting, some Asian classes with 500 to 600 people are now conferencing via Zoom. And for the past two years, BSF has been piloting an online program that has drawn about 10,000 people who gather in groups of 12 to 15 across the globe. ![]() In recent years, as the ministry has worked to modernize its offerings for millennials, it has launched more than 1,000 satellite groups, allowing participants from remote areas-such as prisons-to view classes online. BSF transitioned some classes in Toronto to Zoom this week after the church in which it was meeting canceled all public events.īSF wasn’t totally unprepared. Classes in Basil and Zurich, Switzerland, and in Paris have already moved to online-only gatherings. Hollie Roberts, BSF’s chief development officer, said the ministry is taking its cues from local governments, schools, and churches, as well as tracking the spread of confirmed cases, to decide next steps. A number of classes in Seattle went online this week in the wake of a rise in local cases. It’s likely that BSF’s further transition to online meetings will follow the geography of the coronavirus’s spread. BSF launched its Facebook page just two years ago and joined Instagram in 2016. BSF only began to post its study materials online a few years ago, when some group leaders made lectures and study notes available to participants through the members’ website,. The venerable ministry, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, is known for privacy and even a sense of rigidity for example, it used to have a stringent dress code for teachers, and leaders have been known to discourage attendance if participants haven’t done their homework. ![]() The classes typically include a time of corporate worship, small group discussions about the weekly Bible reading, and a lecture by the group’s leader. The move to meet online is a major-and quick-shift for a ministry that has traditionally eschewed the internet.īSF hosts thousands of groups in 70 countries for free Bible studies every week, mostly in churches. This means 35,000 participants-1 in 4 of whom are over 60 years old-are now tuning in to their Scripture discussions and lectures via Zoom, a web conferencing platform that allows users to join together remotely with audio, video, or both. The COVID-19 outbreak has thrown her plans-and those of millions of others, including her employer-into flux.Īs the overseer of BSF’s classes and group leaders across Asia, Law was part of the team that decided in recent weeks to hold meetings exclusively online in Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia. But now, BSF’s regional director for Asia has postponed her trip for at least another month. Topics include: discipleship essentials and foundations, stages of maturity and practical skills of how to make disciples, facilitating one-on-one Bible Reading and other Bible study methods, the art of listening and journeying with others.Maureen Law was supposed to fly from her part-time home in Singapore back to the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) headquarters in San Antonio last Monday. This course seeks to equip participants with knowledge and skills of helping others grow as disciples of Jesus. The sessions take place on a weekday evening from 7.30 - 9.30 pm. This course covers three major themes: Salvation, Maturity and Scripture.Įach module consists of 8-10 weekly sessions, and topics include: How to read the Bible every day, an overview of the Old and New Testaments, personal Bible study skills, salvation and the finished work of Christ, growth in the context of community, Christian stewardship, how to be a witness at home and at work, etc. This course is designed to help new believers of Christ by introducing them to the foundations of their Christian faith and giving them practical knowledge and skills needed for a journey of lifelong discipleship. There are 2 courses offered in the School of Discipleship (SOD): ![]()
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