GIG training Tampa style - Ministry Exchange (MX)

GIG Training (2004 edition)
Jason Thompson and Jeremy Stephens

We need to be able to do a GIG with our peers in the moment. That is when
students have a captured audience. There is too much working against them
to schedule a convenient 30 minute meeting. In Acts 8 Phillip did not have
a special GIG meeting…he had it right then when he engaged the Ethiopian.
We need to train students in a new way to do GIGs..in the moment.

MOTIVATION

Section 1 Prayer

Prayer needs to be woven throughout the training. Have students pray at the
following transitions:

. Before considering the “Voice of the Lost” – have students pray for one or two non – Christian friends in pairs . After considering the “Voice of the Lost” – have students pray for their hearts to be made heavier for needs and hurts of the lost. Pray also for their non- Christian friend again. . After looking at “Isaiah 40” – have students pray for boldness and passion to bring words of comfort and good tidings to the lost . At the end of training – have students pray again for their lost friends

Section 2 Voice of the Lost

(We have several other songs then the one suggested on a CD for GIG songs)

Intro the Song:
Coldplay set out to record the saddest album ever “Rush of Blood to the
Head”
Ranked the 2nd most popular band in 2003 – people are feeling what they are
communicating

Have students close their eyes and listen to the song. Write down what they
hear.
Provide lyrics after they have listened to the song. (For lyrics refer to
the end of document)

Coldplay “Politik
Points to make from song:
Lines about perspective:

. “tell me about your own politik” (tell me how you see the world, give me direction and understanding) . Open up your eyes – see me for who I am . Everyone must find a place- longing for belonging . Give heart, soul, a cause, confidence amidst confusion, wounds that heal . Bridge: “And give me love” is the whole point of the song..it’s the whole longing.

Story: Illustration about Nonbeliever

Jesus has the Words of eternal life:
I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has
eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death
to life.
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know
the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
51Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”-
jesus
Let us give nonChristians love through the words of JESUS!

After considering the “Voice of the Lost” – have students pray for their
hearts to be made heavier for needs and hurts of the lost. Pray also for
their non- Christian friend again.

Section 3 Responsibility and Role of the Witness

Isaiah 40 (for manuscripts refer to the end of document)
Have students take time to manuscript personally and in small groups Is 40
passage

Points to bring out in passage:

. Repetition of words in passage (voice, proclaim, comfort, good tidings) . Witness prepares the way with the message . Contrasts that lead to transformation “mountains to valleys etc) . People see God’s glory in transformed lives (our testimony) . Word of God stands forever – not only in the future but now as well . Picture of God in the passage and His desire to care, transform and restore the lost (shepherd)

Our hearts must change!

Convert from self-prestige, self-protecting, self-comforting nature to the love-propagating, life-giving, self-sacrificial, nature of Christ.

After looking at “Isaiah 40” – have students pray for boldness and passion
to bring words of comfort and good tidings to the lost

PRACTICALS

Define GIG – Group Investigating God

Section 4 The Invitation

Students should be able to invite another student with confidence into a
GIG. This simulation is designed to assist students to know who to invite,
how to invite and what to specifically say during the invitation.

List 3 students who you hope to do a GIG with this semester.

Invitation (Role Playing exercise)
Students will break up in pairs and ROLE PLAY inviting their friend to do a
GIG.

Practice mentioning these points during invitation: 1. Its Bible discussion 2. Time: it’s only 20min & when- let’s do it right now 3. Disarm fear: you won’t be yelled at, it’s not boring, not church. Give the students 5 minutes to both invite the other to a GIG.

Section 5 Prepping and Leading a GIG

Preparing the GIG

Give explanation of GIG – Group investigating God
Priority of a 10-20 minute GIG – something you can pull out during a
conversation with a friend.

Have students work through prepping as a GIG (for two already-made GIGs
refer to end of document)
Give them time to become familiar with passage, develop questions that are
engaging.
3 simple questions of a GIG:

1. What would it be like to be the person Jesus is interacting with in the passage? 2. How do you identify with the person in the passage? 3. How does Jesus respond to the person in the passage? How does He respond to you?

Practice leading GIGs

Many of our students need to have hands-on experience with a GIG before
they engage in one with a nonbeliever. This simulation is designed to grow
students’ confidence using the word in GIGs by practicing an actual GIG.

Tips

1. Give real life examples (be vulnerable) 2. Make the Bible study your own (be able to retell the passage, ?’s flow from your lips) 3. Listen to them.not just preach

Give students 35 minutes in pairs for both to do a live role playing
practice of a GIG
Afterwards debrief with the students on the difficulties/success they
experienced.
Ask the GIG leader what the experience was like?
Ask the person being led in a GIG what the experience was like?

Section 6 Asking the Question

What do you think is the next step you need to take in following Jesus?
This is a possible place to practice sharing the gospel:
Split into groups of three and practice these illustrations of the gospel.
-Explain verses in language normal people can understand

Romans Road

Rom 3:23- all have sinned
Rom 6:23- sin is death
Rom 5:10- while enemies God saved us by his life
Rom 10:9,10- confesses and believes Jesus is Lord
Rom 8:31-39- new life without condemnation or separation from God

Bridge diagram

-Draw it out and explain it in language normal people can understand
God created us
We rebelled against him, separating ourselves
Everything we try to do to restore the relationship fails
But God loved us,
God came to in Jesus to suffer our debt through the cross and bridged the
gap
Now he calls us to trust in him as the way and life to God
Are you ready to trust Jesus?

Section 7 Accountability

Who will students ask to do a GIG with?
Who will hold them accountable to leading a GIG, praying for them and
encouraging them?

At the end of training – have students pray again for their lost friends

Cold Play
Politik
look at earth from outer space

everyone must find a place

give me time and give me space

give me real, don’t give me fake
give me strength, reserve control

give me heart and give me soul

give me time, give us a kiss

tell me your own politik
open up your eyes

open up your eyes

open up your eyes
give me one cause one is best

and in confusion, confidence

give me peace of mind and trust

don’t forget the rest of us
give me strength, reserve control

give me heart and give me soul

wounds that heal and cracks that fix

tell me your own politik
open up your eyes

open up your eyes

just open up your eyes
but give me love over, love over, love over this, ahhh

and give me love over, love over, love over this, ahhh

Isaiah 40- 1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2Speak
tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that
her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’S hand double for
all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of
the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley
shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven
ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory
of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for
the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said,
“What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the
flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath
of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8The grass withers,
the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9Get you up
to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with
strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say
to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Follow me!
Matthew 4:18-22- Calling of the disciples to Follow Jesus, by Jeremy
Stephens
Some Basic Rules: enjoy each other, be honest, be open to growing, be
curious
Introduction

. What are your dreams for your life? Imagine your life to be like? [graduate, two car garage, married with a dog]
Interpreting the Text
Read the text . What do you imagine life was like for the fishermen? [essential to economy] . What “dreams” were they giving up to follow Jesus? . What do you think they were feeling as they were leaving fishing? How would you feel? [“What now? I knew what to do when I was fishing, but now … You tell us our next step.”] (theme for rest of passage, surrender) . What do you think it took for them to decide to leave that life?
Application/Exhortation . What would it take for you to get up leave your nets (dreams, securities, family) and follow Jesus? Experiential (a feeling) – “I just have to, I can’t help myself, but do this.” – Have you ever felt the need to do something, nothing is going to stop you? What was it? [see a celebrity, go to Disney and ride space mountain] Know He was able to provide . How would your life change if you were to lay down your nets/dreams and follow Jesus? Would you like to make that commitment?
Principles and Lessons – make sure these points are touched upon during
discussion . Leaving financial security – Fishing is a good job . Leave family security – not only impacts you but impacts family’s life . Must trust Jesus . Following Jesus is putting down your “life dreams” and saying “now what? I’m yours. What’s next?”

Jesus Can Still Your Storm
Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus calms the storm, by Myron Crockett
Some Basic Rules: enjoy each other, be honest, be open to growing, be
curious
Introduction

. Have you had a time where you felt like God didn’t care? What was that like?
Interpreting the Text
Read the text together . Describe the situation in vv.35-37? . Imagine that you are a disciple. What are you feeling? . What is the nature of the disciples’ question in v.38? What do you think they were thinking when they asked the question? . Have you ever been in a situation when you needed God, but you felt as though He was sleeping? . How does Jesus respond in v.39? What does His response communicate about Him? . In v. 40, what do Jesus’ questions say about His expectations of His followers? . What fears about the nature of God and Jesus rock your boat? What fears do you harbor about having faith in God? . How do the disciples react to what Jesus has done? Compare their question in v.38 with their reaction in v. 41. (Ps 107:29-only God controls the nature, Jesus is Divine.)
Application/Exhortation . How have you reacted to God’s work in history? Do you find God’s work in history compelling enough to warrant putting your faith in Him? Why/why not? . How would you respond to Jesus’ if today he told you, “Do you still have no faith?”
Background Info – use only if it helps
Some ancient pagan stories told of powerful individuals able to subdue even
the forces of nature, but these were nearly always gods or, rarely, heroes
of the distant past. Many Jewish people believed that angels controlled the
forces of nature, such as winds and sea; yet such angels did have one to
whom they must answer. In Jewish tradition, the one who ruled the winds and
sea was God himself (Ps 107:29; cf. Jon 1:15). The disciples’ surprise at
Jesus’ power is thus easy to understand.1
[pic]
1. Keener, Craig S., IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament,
(Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press) 1997.