The “BBT 1-2-3 TM”
Sample Curriculum
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
A sample of the BBT curriculum begins on the following page.
BBT Overview
BBT provides Biblical leadership development and curriculum to small-group Bible study leaders,
helping them grow in their relationship with Christ and equipping them to pour into the lives of others.
BBT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which exists help people develop their Christian
“Faith for Work-Leadership for Life!”
The ministry focus of BBT is developing leaders through small-group Bible studies. BBT groups meet at work, near
work (e.g., restaurants, coffee shops, etc.), or at a local church. BBT provides leaders with curriculum that is focused
on practical work situations to help participants directly apply Biblical principles to what they do every day …
To find out more, visit www.B-B-T.org.
BBT Curriculum: “The BBT 1-2-3TM”
BBT curriculum is rooted in Scripture and applicable the day you study it. The BBT 1-2-3TM curriculum structure (1Agenda, 2-Group Leader Guide, and 3-Recap) enables the group to have a consistent Biblical basis for discussion
during the meetings and connectivity in between.
This sample is taken from “The Thriving BBT” study, designed as a place to start for BBT groups. The goal of this
curriculum is to help participants understand the mission and vision of BBT and the stewardship needed to keep it
going … and help you realize that becoming a Thriving BBT means becoming “more than a Bible study!”
© BBT, 2013. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
AGENDA
Meeting Preparation
To prepare for your next meeting:
A. Pray for your understanding of God’s Word, and for your BBT group and Group Leader(s).
B. Introduction: This is the first agenda, in a series of three BBT studies, about what it means to become a
Thriving BBT group – becoming “more than a Bible study” – and how that will grow you in your personal walk
with the Lord. This series will develop an understanding within your group of BBT’s Mission and Vision, and
will help you understand the Stewardship required to sustain BBT. The goal of this series is to help you see the
BBT big picture – a global movement for the Lord with the goal of developing the leaders of 1,000 BBT groups
by the year 2020! You are already part of BBT – you are part of something more than a Bible study!
This agenda focuses on BBT’s Mission: Helping you apply Biblical principles at work – what we succinctly call
“Faith for Work”). BBT accomplishes this Mission through the BBT Promises (Bible, Application, Community,
and Leadership), which are explained below and are the focus of the following discussion questions. Please refer
to the attached Thriving BBT document for examples of why BBT is more than a Bible study!
BBT Promises:
1. Bible: The Holy Bible will be the primary resource for each BBT discussion.
2. Application: Each BBT lesson is focused on practical work topics, helping people directly apply
Biblical principles to their work.
3. Community: Each BBT group offers a welcome, safe, and confidential community for fellowship,
encouragement, and accountability.
4. Leadership: BBT supports growth in leadership within and beyond the group, through a shared
leadership approach.
C. Read the scriptures below and answer the associated discussion questions, including the application question.
Meeting Agenda
A. Opening Prayer
B. Reading References and Discussion Questions:
1. Bible: Read Matthew 4:1-4: God’s Word is God’s full disclosure of His thoughts. What does Jesus claim
about God’s Word in this Passage?
2. Bible: Read Psalm 119:97-104: Why should you be eager to read God’s Word throughout the week?
3. Application: Read Luke 14:25-33: Being committed to Christian discipleship takes hard work, effort, and
intentionality.
a. What do you think is the first requirement for the Christian disciple?
b. What does Luke say about the ‘costs’ involved with following Jesus?
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
AGENDA
4. Community: Read Genesis 12:1-3: In this passage, God gives Abraham his “marching orders.”
a. What did God call Abraham specifically to do?
b. What can this BBT do to serve some of the surrounding communities and make God’s name known?
5. Leadership: Read 1 Samuel 9:1-2; 16:6-13: Contrast these two leaders/kings, Saul and David. From all
appearances, Saul looked like a great leader and not David. However, what is God most concerned with?
C. Application Question:
Read Hebrews 13:20-21: As you reflect on this benediction and final blessing, please take a moment to review the
BBT Promises from The Thriving BBT document below. If you commit to doing the activities under The Thriving
BBT column to bolster your “Faith for Work” … how will it equip you to thrive in your spiritual walk?
BBT Mission: Helping you apply Biblical principles at work. (Faith for Work)
BBT
SURVIVING
BBT
GROWING
BBT
THRIVING
BBT
Reading the Bible
in BBT
During the BBT
meeting, reviewing the
agenda and discussing
the application of the
principles.
Reading the Bible 3
times outside of BBT
Preparing by reviewing
the agenda in advance
of BBT. Discussing the
application of the
principles during the
meeting. Reviewing
your application during
the next BBT meeting.
COMMUNITY
Prayer,
encouragement, and
accountability in BBT
LEADERSHIP
1 leader
Prayer,
encouragement, and
accountability between
BBT meetings
2 co-leaders
Reading the Bible more
than 3 times per week
Preparing in advance of
BBT. Discussing the
application of the
principles. Reviewing
during the next
meeting. Holding each
other accountable for
application throughout
the week.
Serving others together
by volunteering as a
group at a shelter,
service projects, etc.
3 co-leaders
PROMISES
BIBLE
APPLICATION
D. Prayer Requests & Closing Prayer
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
“More Than A Bible Study”
BBT Mission: Helping you apply Biblical principles at work. (Faith for Work)
BBT
SURVIVING
BBT
GROWING
BBT
THRIVING
BBT
Reading the Bible
in BBT.
During the BBT
meeting, reviewing the
agenda and discussing
the application of the
principles.
Reading the Bible
3 times outside of BBT.
Preparing by reviewing
the agenda in advance
of BBT. Discussing the
application of the
principles during the
meeting. Reviewing
your application during
the next BBT meeting.
COMMUNITY
Prayer,
encouragement, and
accountability in BBT.
LEADERSHIP
1 leader
Prayer,
encouragement, and
accountability between
BBT meetings.
2 co-leaders
Reading the Bible more
than 3 times per week.
Preparing in advance of
BBT. Discussing the
application of the
principles. Reviewing
during the next
meeting. Holding each
other accountable for
application throughout
the week.
Serving others together
by volunteering as a
group at a shelter,
service projects, etc.
3 co-leaders
PROMISES
BIBLE
APPLICATION
BBT Vision: To see people grow in their relationship with Christ, and expand God’s
kingdom through their leadership. (Leadership for Life)
BBT LEADERSHIP
FLYWHEEL
PRINCIPLES
LEARNING
LIVING
LEADING
LEGACY
SURVIVING
BBT
GROWING
BBT
THRIVING
BBT
4 or less consistent
participants
1 new participant every
3 to 4 months
1 leader
5 to 8 consistent
participants
1 new participant every
2 to 3 months
2 co-leaders
9 to 12 consistent
participants
1 new participant every
1 to 2 months
3 co-leaders
1 new BBT generated
within 2 years
1 new BBT generated
per year
More than 1 new BBT
generated per year
BBT Stewardship: Group leaders & participants are BBT’s financial stewards. (Donate)
BBT
STEWARDSHIP
LEADERS
PARTICIPANTS
TOTAL MONTHLY
SURVIVING
BBT
GROWING
BBT
THRIVING
BBT
1 x $30
2 x $30 = $60
3 x $30 = $90
1 x $15
3 x $15 = $45
4 x $15 = $60
$45
$105
$150
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
GROUP LEADER GUIDE
Agenda Question #1: Bible: Read Matthew 4:1-4: God’s Word is God’s full disclosure of His thoughts.
What does Jesus claim about God’s Word in this Passage? Some have titled the fuller passage, Matthew 4:111, as the ‘temptation of Jesus.’ It is better to think of this narrative as the testing of Jesus as the Son of God, and
as the true Israelite. Unlike the Israelites who failed their tests in the wilderness prior to their conquest of the
Promised Land, Jesus, the true Israelite faces the same tests in the wilderness and triumphs. The ‘then’ in vs. 1
connects this passage to Jesus’ baptism and God’s public endorsement of His Son in Matthew 3:13-17.
Interestingly, God leads Jesus into the desert (or wilderness) to be tested by Jesus’ real and powerful rival, Satan.
We are not told whether Jesus’ fast was a total abstinence from food or “merely the privation of living on what
little could be found in the wilderness.”1 Yet, we know that Jesus’ surroundings did indeed cause Him to hunger
and that He was not exempt from real human physical needs. Enter the agent of Jesus’ testing: the devil. “But
you are the Son of God, you don’t have to be hungry, just command these stones to become bread to satisfy your
hunger,” says the devil. Jesus, because He is the Son of God, could have miraculously turned stones into bread.
However, Jesus refused because His mission on earth would be a continued state of deprivation for the sake of
His ministry of the Word of God. Jesus had a divine plan to follow; Jesus had to put ‘first things first’ (a lesson
that the Israelites failed to learn); Jesus could jeopardize His ministry if He were more concerned with His
material comfort. Each person in this BBT has a divine mission. A chief component of that divine mission is
living a life pleasing to the Lord. A life lived as prescribed by ‘every word that comes from the mouth of God’
will be pleasing to the Lord. Jesus is claiming that we can and must live by God’s words. This BBT exists to help
you to live by ‘every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ This also means of course, that you must spend
time in private study to discern what God’s word says too. So, in this way, learning what God says or learning
about the words that come from the mouth of God is both a private and public affair.
Group Leaders: Ask your participants, ‘How much time are you spending in God’s Word during the week?’
This question is not to put anyone on the spot; it is simply meant to move us to focus on ‘first things first’ –
namely, spending time in God’s Word, often and regularly, to discern how to live.
Agenda Question #2: Bible: Read Psalm 119:97-104: Why should you be eager to read and study God’s
Word throughout the week? Just like the “Torah is the medium of the Lord”2 for the Jews, the Bible is the
medium for our understanding of the Lord. This acrostic psalm celebrates and hails the Word of the Lord as His
means of “communication of moral truth.”3 The Word of the Lord is where we meet face-to-face with the God of
the Universe. In this way, God’s word is a means of grace as it allows us to know Him intimately. This stanza of
Psalm 119 expresses the psalmist’s love for the Lord’s teaching in three ways. First, his love for the Lord’s
teaching is expressed in vs. 97: the Word of the Lord is his meditation all day long, a life marked by continuous
study of His word. God’s Word is the source of true wisdom, so His Word is this psalmist’s preoccupation.
Second, the psalmist’s love for the Lord’s teaching is expressed in right and holy living (vs. 101). We will veer
off the ‘straight and narrow’ less frequently and not depart from doing His laws (vv. 101-102a) and ‘hate every
(morally) wrong path’ (vs. 104) if we are willing to be taught by the Lord (vs. 102b). And third, the psalmist
expresses his love for God’s Word by comparing the study of it to, “dining on the sweetest thing imaginable,
namely honey.” Feasting on God’s Word is more enjoyable and delectable than the most delicious food
imaginable (vs. 103). Why should you be eager to read and study God’s word several days during the week?
Answer: a) God’s Word is the true source of wisdom (a wisdom expressed in obedience to God’s precepts); b)
1
R. T. France. Matthew (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1985, p. 98.
James Luther Mays. Psalms (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching). Louisville, TN: John Knox,
1994, p. 383.
3
Leslie C. Allen. Word Biblical Commentary. Volume 21. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1983, p. 142.
2
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
GROUP LEADER GUIDE
God’s Word keeps us on track morally and emboldens us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and ‘yes’ to godliness; and c)
God’s Word is delectable!
Agenda Question #3: Application: Read Luke 14:25-33: Being committed to Christian discipleship takes
hard work, effort, and intentionality. a) What do you think is the first requirement for the Christian
disciple? And b) what does Luke 14:25-33 say about the ‘costs’ involved with following Jesus?
a) What do you think is the first requirement for the Christian disciple? Unwavering loyalty to Jesus Christ.
b) What does Luke 14:25-33 say about the ‘costs’ involved with following Jesus? We are not told where
Jesus is traveling, but as He traveled, He attracted crowds. In verses 26-27 Jesus outlines who cannot be
His disciple. First, the person who does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers
and sisters, yes, even his own life cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Here the word ‘hate’ means to
love less…so the person who does not love his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and
sisters, and yes even his own life less than Christ is not fit to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Secondly, the
person who is not willing to deny himself and resolutely journey in one direction4 and not turn to the right
or left is not fit to be Christ’s disciple. If we don’t love our jobs less, our ‘toys’ less, our careers less, we
cannot be Christ’s disciples. Being a Christ follower requires self-denial. To drive home His point, Jesus
provides two illustrations in vv. 28-30 and vv. 31-33. In the first illustration Jesus essentially is saying
that it would be foolish not to first sit down and count the cost involved in a building project. To forego
this step will invite mockery because he or she will not be able to finish the project. Similarly, in the
second illustration Jesus asks His crowd to consider a king going into battle shorthanded 10,000 soldiers.
Again, Jesus says it would be foolish for the king to press into battle without first sitting down and
counting the costs with his advisors. Both illustrations convey this single meaning: Jesus does not want
followers rushing into Christian discipleship without considering what is involved or expected of them.
In this passage, Jesus is condemning a half-hearted allegiance and loyalty to Christian discipleship. Said
positively, Jesus wants our unwavering participation in following Him.
Unwavering participation in this BBT is an expression of denying oneself. Unwavering participation is
necessary for properly applying what we learn from God’s Word. However, application begins with
preparing well in advance of your BBT. Application includes being fully engaged in discussing
application of the principles that we glean. Or to put in Jesus’ words: application begins with self-denial
or “paying the costs.” So what does self-denial look like or what are the ‘costs to pay’ for us BBTers? 1)
self-denial or the ‘costs to pay’ looks like regular attendance (our BBT is not the same without each of
you); and 2) self-denial or the ‘costs to pay’ looks like preparing for the BBT lesson (I promise you, if
you prepare, you will get more out of it).
Agenda Question #4: Community: Read Genesis 12:1-3: In this passage, God gives Abraham his
“marching orders.” a) What did God call Abraham specifically to do? And b) what can this BBT group do
to serve some of the surrounding communities and make God’s name known?
a) What did God call Abraham specifically to do? We know that God did not choose Abraham for his
skills, his pedigree, his work ethic, or his abilities. Rather, God selected Abraham so that he might be a
blessing to the nations; those same nations scattered in Genesis 11 during the futile Tower of Babel
construction project. Specifically, in Genesis 12:1-3 (and 22:18) God calls Abraham and makes a
promise to him (and his descendants – which includes you and me) to be a blessing to all the families of
the earth (or nations). Essentially, Abraham was called to make God known through his speech and
4
This phrase, captures the idea of ‘carrying one cross and following Christ.’
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
GROUP LEADER GUIDE
mostly importantly through his actions to ‘others.’ We make God known by the way we relate to ‘others’
in the workplace, in our neighborhoods, and in our communities. The Christian faith is primarily ‘otherfocused’ or ‘outward focus.’ As Christians who have been blessed, we are to serve not only our fellow
BBTers by praying and encouraging each other when we’re together, but also holding each other
accountable in between BBT meetings. We are called not only to serve our fellow BBTers, but our coworkers and our communities too. By serving both our co-workers and our communities, we make God
known and prayerfully, our words and actions will point unbelievers to our good God. Abraham’s
marching orders, to be a blessing to “others” are our marching orders, too. Those called of God, and
those blessed of God, are summoned to bless “others” in our surrounding community.
b) What can this BBT group do to serve some of the surrounding communities and make God’s name
known? Group Leader: Invite the group begin thinking about and discussing potential community
service opportunities for your group to serve “others.” Keep in mind, however, that we cannot serve
unless we know the needs of that community. So, the first thing we must do is to educate ourselves about
a particular community before endeavoring to serve that community. In addition to your group’s ideas for
community service, BBT will be sharing community service opportunities, which are group-friendly,
from time to time with group leaders, so that you will have opportunities to serve “others” together.
Agenda Question #5: Leadership: Read 1 Samuel 9:1-2; 16:6-13: Contrast these two leaders/kings, Saul
and David. From all appearances, Saul looked like a great leader and David did not. However, what is
God most concerned with? God looks on the heart (see chart below), because a “person’s actions flow from his
(or her) heart.”5 Often leaders don’t go searching for leadership roles but rather God seeks out His leaders.
Comparison questions
Saul
David
Went looking for leadership role?
No
No
Was looking for fame or power?
No; was in search of his father’s lost property
when he bumped into Samuel
No; a member of the small and relatively
unimportant tribe of Benjamin
No
From a family of aristocrats?
Anything noteworthy by his
appearance?
Condition of heart?
No; David was a shepherd
Physically impressive; taller than most of the
people
Handsome, ruddy6
No mention; however, his later actions indicated
a heart NOT bent on obeying the Lord
Had a heart bent on obeying the
Lord (Note: David was not perfect.)
Group Leader: Please consider reading the following to your participants:
“Is God tugging on your heart strings to become a BBT leader? God is not concerned with what we want in a
leader – an impressive physique or resume, commanding appearance or good looks; rather, God is chiefly
concerned with this question: is this person’s heart obedient? God is asking, “Is this person - a man or woman
after my own heart?”7 Is God asking you to be obedient to become a co-BBT Group Leader or perhaps, a BBT
leader of a new group?”
5
English Standard Version: Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008, p. 517.
Probably referring to ‘red hair.’
7
See 1 Samuel 13:13-14; Acts 13:13-22 (esp., vs. 22).
6
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
GROUP LEADER GUIDE
Application Question: Read Hebrews 13:20-21: As you reflect on this benediction and final blessing, please
take a moment to review the BBT Promises from The Thriving BBT document below. If you commit to
doing the activities under The Thriving BBT column to bolster your “Faith for Work” … how will it equip
you thrive in your spiritual walk?
A common practice with New Testament letters was to end with a benediction/doxology. Benedictions are given
to invoke God’s blessings on God’s people. Before dissecting the benediction, let’s first look at the historical
context. The Christians being addressed in this letter were under duress. These Christians were in imminent
danger of real and brutal persecution. So, the author provides the remedy for their woes at the very beginning of
the sermon: it’s Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 1). Thus the preacher/author explains why Jesus is the answer: Jesus
is better than angels; He is better than Moses; His priesthood is better; His sacrifice is better (and permanent); the
covenant that He ratified with His blood is better. The preacher/author explains that Jesus is the Son of God. So,
this same God who is our source of peace (in times of crisis or chaos), this same God who brought Jesus Christ
back from the dead, this same God who is the “great Shepherd of the sheep,” is willing to equip us (through the
Bible) with everything good to do His will. God equips us to do good deeds (Application) and He works in us
that which is pleasing to Him (in our Communities and through our Leadership). Doing the activities under The
Thriving BBT column for Bible, Application, Community, and Leadership will most certainly help you to have a
thriving spiritual walk!
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The Thriving BBT
FAITH FOR WORK
RECAP
Use the sample email below to help you personalize your own recap of your last BBT.
Thank you for a great study. Today was truly a blessing! I hope that you were blessed, enriched, and equipped
by our time as well. During our study together, we dissected BBT’s Mission Statement, summed up as ‘Faith
for Work,’ and what it looks like in view of BBT’s Promises: Bible, Application, Community, and
Leadership.
We learned that we can actually live by God’s Word, and we talked about why we should be eager to study
God’s Word on a regular basis. The Bible is our primary medium to know God. So, frequent and regular
consumption of His word is a must for His people. We also learned that we cannot properly live out God’s
Word unless we learn how to properly apply God’s word. We noted then that Application begins with our
preparation prior to the BBT meeting and our unwavering participation during (and after) the meeting.
Also, we discovered that God called Abraham to be a blessing to his surrounding Communities. As descendants
of Abraham, we are likewise called to be a blessing to our surrounding communities. Please prayerfully think
about potential “group-friendly” community service projects for our BBT, which are focused on the restoration
of communities, or on feeding and serving those in need. Plan to share your thoughts during our next meeting,
or share them through the BBT Portal Bulletin Board for our group.
Lastly, we learned that God might be calling you to become a co-Group Leader or He may be seeking you to
launch a new BBT. Remember, God looks for leaders who don’t have it all together, but rather He desires
leaders who possess a ready and willing heart! It will take leaders like that to achieve the BBT big picture – a
global movement for the Lord with the goal of developing the leaders of 1,000 BBT groups by the year
2020. Is God tugging on your heart in this regard? Please let me know and I will be glad to answer any
questions about BBT leadership you may have, as well as, connect you to my BBT leadership coach to learn
more.
© BBT, 2014. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.
The “BBT 1-2-3 TM”
Sample Curriculum
The Thriving BBT
List of Topics
1. Faith For Work
2. Leadership For Life
3. Stewardship
© BBT, 2013. All rights reserved. www.B-B-T.org
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references and commentaries are referenced from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV®) Study Bible.