Bruce Staley

Our Discovery group recently concluded it's deliberations on the the Old Testament book of Jonah. It's an amazing story resulting in a whole city, the city of Nineveh, seeking God's forgiveness. In a recent post, Disruptive Grace, I wrote, "The disruptive grace of God has not been and is not confined to biblical times. The Spirit of God continues to bring disruptive grace today. People's lives are dramatically changed, individual people, communities and nations around the world are radically and fundamentally changed." And while Jonah is another biblical example of God's disruptive grace a read of Steve Addison's, Movements that Changed the World , will quickly give you a historical view of the movements of the grace of God up to the present day. During these movements individuals, communities and nations are influenced by the Spirit of God and remarkable change results. God said to Jonah, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Ninev...

Tim Shaw became the face of Demtel International and popularised the saying, "But wait, there's more...," for the Australian TV viewing audience. In recent posts I have described my experience with Discovery Bible Study groups and have encouraged others to start a discovery group. But wait there's more! Discovery Bible Study is one tool, or strategic action, in a whole disciple-making or church planting movement.The disciple-maker is open to meeting God-prepared people, people who are seeking and hungry for the gospel or people who have already received  Christ as their Saviour and want to learn how to share the gospel. Discovery Bible Study, with it's obedience-based  methodology, becomes the instrument for reproducing disciples, who reproduce other disciples. "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14:21 NIV Again a quick se...

Pop-up food venues have become popular. Food trucks and stalls are popping up, and down, all year round. Food vendors congregate, set up tables and chairs, and in no time people arrive to whet their appetite and enjoy conversation with like-minded others. Sharing food is so often conducive to meaningful conversations. Food addresses our physical hunger and eating with others can satisfy our social needs. Important as these experiences are to our wellbeing Discovery Bible Study groups go beyond that to address our deeper spiritual needs. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  ” Matthew 4:4 NIV People, who are searching and spiritually hungry, come together to feed on the Word of God in a Discovery group. They encourage one another and seek answers to the question, "Having read this passage how then shall I live?" They are open to the Spirit of God and are prepared to step out in obedience when t...

"You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love." Jonah 4:2 Following the Chosen series of studies our discovery group has moved onto the theme of Discovering God's Compassion for a Lost World based on the four chapters of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. We have continued to use the three step Discovery Bible Study method, Look Back, Look Up and Look Forward. This method allows the Spirit of God elbow room and I have observed His influence upon each of our weekly sessions. Across the course of the last eighteen months the discovery group has been a wonderful tool for encouraging discipleship - following Jesus. There has been a growing appreciation of the Scriptures, and a growing appreciation of the importance of being obedient to the Spirit of God revealed through the Scriptures. As such I have observed the willingness to share leadership and invite others to join the group, and a deepening desire to extend the opportunity, in the f...

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you." 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4 Thus began our second series of Discovery  Bible Studies where we were inspired by the Apostle Paul's two letters, First and Second Thessalonians. We learned the pattern of Discovery during the previous series, More to Life, Prepare, Connect, Feedback, Bible Reading, Discovery Questions and Prayer. While the pattern was the same I sensed that God through his Spirit was taking us on a journey of discovery as we wrestled with each of the chapters in Paul's two letters. Since finishing the Chosen series the journey of Discovery has continued to unfold. More to come!

The More to Life series mentioned in my post, http://brucestaley.com/2016/01/19/more-to-life/ , has begun! Last week by way of introduction it was Discovery Bible Study Reloaded and we examined Matthew 7: 24-29, the parable of The Wise and Foolish Builders. Lots of laughter when someone  recalled a children's song of long ago and got the group to join in. https://youtu.be/Eu5bBDRpzPM This week was the first study, Life, in the series. John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." No singing this time but lots of excitement. Names were quickly entered on our Pray4five cards. And more excitement for me when my young friend, Praveen, from India, agreed to lead the group next week. Podcasts of the weekly sermons are available at www.churchone2one.org Not only reloaded but reinvented into a Discovery Discipleship Movement. We shall what see what God has in store.

I'm excited by the possibilities that 2016 brings. one2one Church of Christ, has adopted a year-long theme, Fully Devoted, with a first term theme of More to Life...Because there really is more to life. John 10:10 NIV "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The first term sermon series will flow into groups, across the church and the community, engaged in Discovery Bible Study exploring each of the topics during the week. I picked up a draft copy of the study booklet on Sunday. It is filled with people's stories, Bible passages, questions, resources and instructions for group leaders. There is lots of encouragement for people to engage and discover there is more to life. Can anything good come from a local church that worships in a recycled industrial building surrounded by the SES, RSPCA Animal Shelter, Mitre 10 Home Hardware and a waste disposal centre? My answer is a resounding, "Yes!" The congregation has a long history, over 150 ...

Since early 2015 we have met to have a cuppa, read the Bible aloud and respond to five questions, what do you like about this story or passage, what does the story tell us about people, what does the story tell us about God, what does the story tell us about and finally who needs to hear this story. Ace took the lead and suggested, because it was a long reading, we could each read a section of the passage of Scripture assigned for the morning, Jesus, the Bread of Life, found in John 6:25-58. The previous week we had read the story of God's provision of manna found in Exodus 16:1-12. With two green teas, three cappuccinos and one flat white ordered Ace started, and moving anticlockwise the others followed each reading a section, Arthur next, then Rob, then me, followed by Shane finishing with Mohamed. While it was Mohamed's first time in attendance he didn't hesitate, and with some help from Shane's completed his reading admirably. It was Ace, who had extended the invita...

Some time ago a young lady, Ella, who had been attending our local church was referred to me by the Coordinator of our Children's Ministry.  She was very interested in the internship program the church was introducing the following year. I was the project coordinator. We agreed on a time to discuss her interest. Ella told me her story and expressed her interest in the children's ministry. I explained how we envisaged the internship program operating and the requirements of the candidates. During the conversation, while Ella proved herself to be a very good candidate, I had this sense of uncertainty in regard to her personal relationship with God. So before we finished I asked, "Ella, can I run something by you?" After a short pause I then went on to ask, "Ella, let me ask, has anyone ever sat down with you and explained from the Bible how you can know God personally and be sure of your relationship with him?" From time to time at church I sense the need to m...

From Steve... Searching for Houses of Peace in Leicester Early in July around 70 people went out looking for “houses of peace” around our home city of Leicester. When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem he sent out 72 disciples to prepare the way. They went, taking nothing with them except the offer of prayer and the good news. They went looking for “houses of peace”. Homes that welcomed the messenger and the message (Luke 10:1-11). This is what happened in Leicester when we put Jesus’ instructions in practice. On our first night Michelle and I walked up and down a whole street in an Indian area visiting every home. Many people were out. Most people we met thanked us for asking, but didn’t want us to pray for them. It was hard work. At the last door we met Prema, a young professional woman from India. We asked her if there was anything we could pray for? Please come in she insisted. She was suffering from back pain and wanted us to pray for her. Half an hour later we left promising to vi...

From Steve.. Pray for the Leicester Mission week Last weekend we trained seventy people in our home city of Leicester. We taught them how to connect with people, share the gospel and train new disciples. On Saturday afternoon everyone went out in pairs praying for people on the streets and asking, "Are you near or far from God?" and "Would you like to be near?" I met a Nigerian couple with a Muslim background. We had a great conversation and plan to get together and talk again. So many others had similar experiences. From July 6-11 Christians from around Leicester and Britain will gather for a week of Mission. Each morning there will training. In the afternoons and evenings we will go out into the community searching for “houses of peace.” When Jesus sent out his disciples he told them to look for God-prepared people who would open their homes to the messengers and their message (Luke 10). We’ll be going out with a small gift of cookies and an offer to pray for any ...

I greeted Anne when she arrived just before the start of the Sunday evening service. It was the second time I had met Anne. A few weeks earlier I had met her in the reception area to the church offices. Anne was leaving after attending a Woman2Woman craft activity. It was good to see Anne again at the evening service. I was attending because my daughter was conducting the baptism of a lass, who was a member of the youth group. After the service,  a friend, Amie, told me she would be conducting her first Discovery Bible Study Monday lunchtime in the food court in Central Square, and Anne, and another lady, would be joining in. Monday morning I sent this text, "Hello Amie, You, Anne and Marg are in my prayers for your first DBS in Central Square today. Praise God, he is always at work drawing people to himself, through our Saviour Jesus. Bruce" Monday afternoon I received this message, "Thanks Bruce. Anne came and we did knowing God  personally and she accepted Jesus as Lo...

In an earlier post, January 2014, I mentioned that I had transplanted several pups from a bromeliad that my brother had given me. But, alas, I have to report the transplants failed! I reported my failure to my brother an d he explained that the pups I had cut off were too small. Fortunately another pup appeared, so I left it attached to the original plant until it had grown larger before cutting it off and transplanting. The good news is that it has taken and is happily growing in its new pot. While the original bromeliad, given by my brother, has continued to produce pups, those I cut off too early withered and died, and the pup I left attached longer has not only survived but thrived. Again my experience with the bromeliad reminded me of the Parable of the Sower told by Jesus in Matthew 13. Jesus wants to reproduce disciples many times over across the nations. We need to be about the business of sowing the Good News of Jesus so that God can produce the harvest. However, there will be...

My name is Philip. During a recent conversation with my mentor Bruce I emphatically stated I was having a ball. If you knew a little of my history life had been anything other than a ball. What has changed? Earlier in 2014 I decided to contact a former teacher. While it took nearly twenty minutes I was determined and I persevered until I finally contact Bruce. We became re-acquainted. It proved to be the first of many phone calls and text messages since. I wanted to thank Bruce for calling me a Christian, over 40 years ago. Bruce was a teacher at the school I attended and a fellow student had encouraged me to speak to him. Bruce welcomed our conversations and counted it a privilege to explain to me how I could get close to God and become a follower of Jesus. During one conversation in a local cafe I responded and received Jesus as my personal Saviour. Then Bruce declared that I was now a Christian thus confirming the transaction that had taken place between me and God. Over the phone m...

In my last post, the Power of Discipleship, I introduced the concept of a POD, a Power of Discipleship group, a group of people that is intentional about making disciples. After some wonderful preaching, a training program and a weekend conference on evangelism, and an attempt, by myself, to engage people in disciple-making through monthly workshops in our local church I've pondered before God, the question, "What would it take for the everyday person sitting in the church pew to become actively engaged in the work of the Great Commission?" "Is there some form of grassroots catalyst, like the small rudder of a large sea-going liner, that could bring about enduring change?" I had begun applying the lessons I had learned from the recent evangelism events and my own research, and discovered God rewarding my efforts to such an extent I was having difficulty keeping up with the opportunities to explain how a person can have a personal relationship with the Living God...

A Power of Discipleship or POD is a group of people, who are committed to follow Jesus under God's authority, compelled by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission, waiting on God in prayer, going and reaching out to people God has brought across their path and making disciples. What we do? Gather a POD of 3-4 people Pray for one another Encourage one another in making disciples Pray for people, who God has placed on our hearts Reach out to people God has brought across our path and engage them in activities of common interest to build relationship and trust Learn to tell our story about how we became followers of Jesus and share it with others Learn to tell God's story and explain how a person can know God personally Disciple people, who have decided to follow Jesus, one-to-one and/or in a discovery group Regularly communicate with each other by text, email, Skype, Facebook, or any other way, even face-to-face, about our progress in making disciples ...