Case Study: A Country Club Bible Study

Narrative

Pastor John had been faithfully leading the men’s group at Redeemer Church for several years. The attendance was steady—fifteen to twenty men gathered for breakfast once a month, sharing testimonies, listening to short devotionals, and occasionally serving together. It was good, but John sensed it wasn’t enough. He often prayed, â€œLord, these men are faithful, but what if You want more from us? How do we reach the men who will never walk into a church basement for pancakes and prayer?”

One Saturday morning, after the men had eaten their fill and were settling back with coffee, Pastor John shared what God had been pressing on his heart. His voice was gentle but earnest:

“Brothers, I want you to pray about this: What if God is calling one of you to start another Bible study? There are men in this community who will never come here on a Saturday morning. But they might come if you met them where they already are—on a work break, at the gym, at the park, or even at the Country Club. Will you pray and ask God if He’s calling you to step out?”

The men nodded politely, but one of them—David, a retired businessman and long-time church member—felt something stir deep inside. For years he had been faithful to attend the group, encourage younger men, and serve on church committees. But he had never considered leading a study himself.

All week, John’s challenge echoed in his heart. He prayed often, sometimes out loud, sometimes under his breath: â€œLord, is this something I could do? I don’t have all the answers. I’m not a pastor. But if You want me to help lead, show me where.”

A few days later, while playing pickleball at the local Country Club, David overheard two men talking on the sidelines. One sighed and said, â€œMy week was brutal. Honestly, I don’t have anyone to talk to about real life stuff.” The other nodded, silent but weary.

That was the moment it clicked for David. â€œThis is it. Men are already here. They’re open. They’re looking for something deeper.”

The following Sunday, David approached Pastor John after service. His words spilled out quickly:

“Pastor, I’ve been praying about what you said. What if I started a Bible study right here at the Country Club—in the activity room? I think guys would come because it’s where they already hang out. But I’ve never led one before. How do I even start?”

Pastor John smiled warmly. This was exactly what he had hoped for—not more programs he had to run, but multiplication through faithful men stepping up. He put a reassuring hand on David’s shoulder.

“David, that’s exactly what I prayed would happen. You don’t have to be an expert. God uses faithful availability more than polished expertise. Let’s make a simple plan: I’ll help you with Scripture resources, you recruit a few men personally, and we’ll pray over the first meeting together. Keep it simple—read a passage, ask what stands out, and then pray together. You’ll be amazed at how God shows up when His Word is opened.”

Two months later, the Country Club activity room looked different on Thursday evenings. Instead of idle chatter and empty tables, eight men gathered each week with open Bibles and coffee mugs. Some were believers from Redeemer; others were seekers invited by friends at the Club who had never set foot in a church. They started with the Gospel of Mark, underlining verses that caught their attention. At first the conversations were tentative, but week by week they deepened. Men who had once only talked about golf scores and business deals began to share about faith, family struggles, and hopes for the future.

By the end of the second month, two of the men had started attending Sunday worship with their families. David was astonished. â€œPastor, I just invited them to study the Bible. God did the rest.”

Pastor John rejoiced, but he didn’t step in to take over. Instead, he encouraged David to continue, and to begin praying about raising up another leader from within the group. Redeemer Church’s men’s ministry was no longer limited to a single Saturday morning breakfast—it had become a multiplying movement.

The spark had spread.

Biblical Reflection

“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
Paul’s charge to Timothy presents a vision of multiplying discipleship. The faith is not meant to stop with one generation of leaders. Instead, it is to be passed down deliberately, from Paul to Timothy, from Timothy to “faithful men,” and then onward to “others also.” Pastor John echoed this very pattern when he invited men in his group to pray about leading new studies. By stepping out, David became one of those “faithful men.” His obedience was not about replacing the pastor but about extending the mission.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16)
Here Paul emphasizes that the Word is not only for preachers but for the whole community. Men’s Bible studies embody this principle when they gather not around human opinion but around Scripture itself. The Word “dwelling richly” is what sustains and shapes conversations into wisdom, correction, and encouragement. In the Country Club setting, this became tangible as ordinary men underlined verses in Mark and shared what stood out. The authority was not in David’s expertise but in the Word dwelling among them.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
The Great Commission reminds us that discipleship always moves outward. Bible studies are not meant to be cul-de-sacs of knowledge but launching pads of mission. By meeting in the Country Club’s activity room, David’s group aligned with Jesus’ command to go. Instead of waiting for men to come to church, they went to where men already gathered. The result was not only personal growth but evangelistic fruit—two families began attending worship because of relationships formed around the study.

Synthesis

Pastor John’s challenge reflects the Pauline model of entrusting leadership to faithful men. David’s obedience shows how discipleship multiplies when ordinary men step out in faith. When the Word of Christ dwells richly in men’s lives, they naturally begin to teach and admonish one another, and when they go outward into new spaces, the Great Commission advances.

In short, men’s Bible studies are not just about learning together but about continuing the apostolic chain, cultivating a community where Scripture dwells, and carrying Christ’s mission outward into the world.

Ministry Sciences Observation

This case study highlights three principles from Ministry Sciences:

  1. Invitation and Vision: Pastor John cast a vision not by pressuring men but by inviting them to pray. Vision framed in prayer mobilizes men beyond duty—it stirs ownership.
  2. Contextualization: David discerned that the Country Club was a natural environment where men already gathered. Ministry thrives when we meet people in their spaces rather than waiting for them to come into ours.
  3. Empowerment over Expertise: John reassured David that he didn’t need advanced training—only faithfulness, relationships, and Scripture. This empowerment shifted David from consumer to disciple-maker.

7 Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think Pastor John framed his challenge as a prayer request rather than an assignment?
  2. What fears might David have had about starting a Bible study at the Country Club?
  3. Why was the activity room at the Club a strategic choice for a men’s Bible study?
  4. How does 2 Timothy 2:2 apply to Pastor John’s decision to release leadership to David?
  5. What role did Pastor John play after David stepped forward? How did he support without controlling?
  6. How might you identify and encourage “faithful men” in your own ministry to step into leadership?
  7. Where in your community could you start a Bible study outside of the church walls?

Pastor John’s Assist-Without-Override Playbook

0) Shared posture (before any steps)

  • Principle: â€œI’m your coach; you’re the owner.”
  • Boundaries: John won’t lead meetings, recruit for David, or make venue decisions. He will pray, resource, and coach.

1) Pray & Discern (Week 0)

  • John and David schedule a 20-minute prayer call to ask for the Lord’s direction, men to invite, and favor with the Country Club.
  • John asks two centering questions:
    • “Who are 3–5 men you sense God wants in the first circle?”
    • “What outcome (1 sentence) do you hope for after 8 weeks?”

Deliverable: David writes a one-sentence aim:

“Gather 6–10 men at the Country Club to read Mark together, talk honestly, and pray, so we grow in Christ and invite others.”

2) Clarify Roles & Cadence (Week 0)

  • David’s role: Owner/facilitator; handles venue, dates, invites, and leading.
  • John’s role: Coach; provides starter plan, sample questions, and bi-weekly 30-minute check-ins.
  • Cadence: Coaching calls every other Monday for 8–10 weeks.

Deliverable: A one-page “roles & rhythm” memo David agrees to.

3) Secure the Venue (Week 1)

  • David approaches the Country Club manager to request the activity room (weekly or bi-weekly, 75–90 minutes).
  • John provides a 2-paragraph venue script David can use:
    • “It’s a free, open Bible discussion for members/friends; no fees or fundraising; we’ll leave the room cleaner than we found it.”

Deliverable: Confirmed room, day, and time for an 8-week pilot.

4) Choose a Simple, Reproducible Format (Week 1)

John offers, David decides:

75–90 minute flow

  1. Welcome & quick wins (10)
  2. Read the passage aloud + silent re-read/underline (30)
  3. “What stood out?” round + “What might God be saying to you?” (20)
  4. Triad prayer (10–15)
  5. One-sentence takeaway + 72-hour step (2–3)

Starter book: Gospel of Mark (action-oriented, great for mixed groups).

Ground rules (print): Confidentiality; no fixing unless asked; no arguing; no wrong answers; you can “pass.”

5) Build the First Circle by Personal Invite (Week 1–2)

  • John helps David craft a two-minute invite and a text/email (David sends it):
    • Live: â€œA few of us are starting a low-pressure Bible group at the Club—read a short section from Mark, share what stands out, and pray. No prep; 75 minutes. Want in for the 8-week pilot?”
    • Text/email: date/time, room, parking note, “no prep, no pressure,” RSVP link.

Target: 8–12 men invited to land 6–10 at launch.

6) Script the First Four Weeks (Week 2)

John gives David a 4-week micro-plan (David owns delivery):

Week 1 – Mark 1

  • Prompt: “Underline one phrase that grabbed you—why?”
  • Application: “One small way you’ll ‘follow’ Jesus this week.”

Week 2 – Mark 2

  • Prompt: “Where do you see Jesus confronting barriers?”
  • Application: “One barrier you’ll ask God to move.”

Week 3 – Mark 4 (Parable of the Sower)

  • Prompt: “Which soil looks like your week?”
  • Application: “One habit to deepen your ‘good soil’.”

Week 4 – Mark 5 (Healing stories)

  • Prompt: “What desperation feels familiar?”
  • Application: “One specific ask you’ll bring to Jesus in prayer.”

(Weeks 5–8: continue Mark; David selects sections he loves.)

7) Prepare David (not the meeting) (Week 2)

  • John’s coaching questions: â€œWhat’s your first question? Your time guardrails? How will you draw out the quieter guys?”
  • Two tools John hands David:
    • 5 rescue questions (if discussion stalls):
      1. “What surprised you?” 2) “What confused you?”
      2. “Where do you see yourself in this story?”
      3. “What would change if we took this seriously?”
      4. “What would you try in the next 72 hours?”
    • Dominant-voice redirect: â€œThanks, Sam—let’s hear from 2–3 others.”

8) Launch Night (Week 3)

  • John prays with David by phone before, but doesn’t attend (signals David’s ownership at the Club).
  • David starts on time, posts ground rules, follows the flow, ends on time, and texts John a 3-bullet debrief.

9) Debrief & Adjust (Week 3–4)

  • Coaching call: What worked? What dragged? Who might co-facilitate a section next week?
  • Small tweaks: Room setup, time prompts (“2 more shares then we’ll pray”), clearer ask for 72-hour steps.

10) Normalize Invitation & Service (Weeks 4–8)

  • At Week 4, David asks: “Who’s one friend you can invite next week?”
  • Plan one simple service touch (e.g., notes to Club staff; a meal train for a member in need). John affirms but lets David organize.

11) Protect Ownership & Pace (Ongoing)

  • John does not recruit for David, run his WhatsApp thread, or deliver devotionals at the Club.
  • John does keep the coaching cadence, pray, and resource (question bank, Mark overview, prayer prompts).

12) Introduce Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) Training (Week 2–3)

How John helps—without taking over:

Affirmation: â€œDavid, you’re already leading. CLI can sharpen what you’re doing.”

On-ramp: John sends David the CLI link and recommends creating a free student account.

(If David wants credentialing later, John mentions CLI pathways he can pursue at his own pace.)

13) Measure What Matters (Weeks 5–8)

  • David tracks: attendance, prayer requests answered, “wins” (texts from men), new invites, and one simple service outcome.
  • John’s coaching lens: celebrate obedience (applied steps), not just attendance.

14) Multiply Wisely (Weeks 8–12)

  • David identifies a co-facilitator from the group (someone steady, teachable).
  • John meets that man once, shares the same “coach-don’t-control” posture, and steps back—now coaching David plus one.

15) Communicate Upward, Celebrate Outward (Quarterly)

  • A 1-paragraph update for church leadership: men engaged, answered prayers, new households reached.
  • Short testimony in a Sunday service (David or one participant). John introduces; David tells the story.

Quick Checklists & Templates

A) David’s Launch Checklist

  •  Room reserved (8 weeks, same slot)
  •  One-page aim + ground rules printed
  •  Text/email invite sent to 10–12 men
  •  Passage selected (Mark 1 this week)
  •  Timer, pens, Bibles available
  •  3 rescue questions ready
  •  Triad prayer plan set
  •  End on time + snap a photo of whiteboard takeaways

B) Sample Text Invite David Sends

“A few of us are starting a low-pressure Bible group at the Country Club activity room, Thursdays 7:00–8:15 PM. We’ll read a short section from Mark, share what stands out, and pray. No prep, no pressure. Want to try the 8-week pilot? —David”

C) Ground Rules (print and post)

  1. Confidentiality. 2) No fixing unless asked. 3) No arguing. 4) No wrong answers. 5) You can pass. 6) Start/End on time.

Why This Works (and John Doesn’t Take Over)

  • Ownership signal: John doesn’t attend the Club study (at least not early), so men associate leadership with David, not the church office.
  • Coaching cadence (not control): Regular 30-minute calls keep support high and control low.
  • Micro-wins: A simple format lets David see quick fruit, building confidence.
  • Embedded training (CLI): Learning flows into leading (one insight → one practice), keeping growth practical.

Stretch Goals (after the pilot)

  • Add a 10-minute monthly “skills mini” (how to pray aloud, how to share your story in 3 minutes).
  • Pilot a second time slot for shift-workers.
  • Commission the first co-facilitator to lead one meeting start-to-finish while David observes.

Last modified: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 12:42 PM