Assignment 2: Biblical Images and Metaphors for Small Groups

Assignment 2: Biblical Images and Metaphors for Small Groups Introduction: Gareth Weldon Icenogle emphasizes biblical images and metaphors for the church and also applies them to small groups—the Body of Christ, the New Family of God, a Royal Priesthood, and “Stone-Buildin" rel="nofollow">ing” (Icenogle 1994)—in" rel="nofollow">in an effort to describe their nature and function. In this assignment, we will seek to discover which metaphors and images align most closely to our current congregational, or perhaps min" rel="nofollow">inistry, settin" rel="nofollow">ing. Then we will consider how the same metaphors and images might apply to small groups as we launch them in" rel="nofollow">into bein" rel="nofollow">ing. (A “small group” could mean board or staff, etc. If it is awkward to apply the biblical images and metaphors to your min" rel="nofollow">inistry settin" rel="nofollow">ing, please adapt this assignment to your congregation’s existin" rel="nofollow">ing small-group min" rel="nofollow">inistry—or the model for small-group min" rel="nofollow">inistry you created in" rel="nofollow">in Week 5.) Tasks: Offer a full description of each of the four biblical images and metaphors—the Body of Christ, the New Family of God, a Royal Priesthood, and Stone-Buildin" rel="nofollow">ing (Icenogle 1994). Identify the image that aligns most closely with your current min" rel="nofollow">inistry settin" rel="nofollow">ing and explain" rel="nofollow">in why it aligns most closely. Treat the topic of the “church” first, before addressin" rel="nofollow">ing small groups. Then address the value in" rel="nofollow">in helpin" rel="nofollow">ing groups conduct biblical studies of the metaphors and images that describe their nature and function. Lastly, write an outlin" rel="nofollow">ine for an Inductive Bible Study lesson, usin" rel="nofollow">ing two of the four images or metaphors, creatin" rel="nofollow">ing at least six questions for each image or metaphor. Compile your responses in" rel="nofollow">in 750–1,000 words.