As you know one of the typical questions people ask when first being introduced is, “What do you do?”  Answering that we have a non-profit discipleship ministry can either be an interesting conversation starter or a quick door closer.  Generally, people want more explanation so we clarify that we do small group Bible studies and individual meetings. The frequent follow-up question people ask is, “What curriculum do you use?”

This question mystifies me.  Not that it is a difficult question, but it represents to me the expectation of believers.  It seems to surprise some people to hear that Wes teaches the Bible.  That is it.  Just the Bible!  He spends an enormous amount of time studying and he will read other commentaries in preparation.. But in our Bible studies we actually study… the Bible.  Not someone else’s study of the Bible. Since when did believers expect to rely so heavily on other programs?  We trust the Holy Spirit to speak and work in believers to bring enlightenment and revelation into their hearts and minds in order to understand Scripture.

Not that learning from great men and women of faith from past and present times are a bad thing.  It can certainly be edifying to read and understand their insights. And yet unmistakably, it isn’t a replacement for the Holy Spirit living within you.  Who better to lead  and teach you all truth that the One sent here for that purpose?

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 14:16

 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;
John 16:13a

This same approach applies to meeting with individuals who seek counsel and support.  Every person is different.  The vast array of heartaches, sin strongholds, fears, etc. cause us to seek the One who know their hearts and knows the path to bring them healing and encouragement.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Our dependance isn’t in a Christian self-help book with a one-size-fits-all solution of working harder to control your life.  Our dependance is in the One who pours God’s love within our hearts.  He will guide us in how to connect us with another’s heart and together seek the solution to all problems, Jesus Christ.

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
1 Cor 2:10-13

So our curriculum and program are quite simple and yet indescribably complex.  We rely upon the Spirit as we study Scripture which points to the Son of God.