Facilitator Guide

Duration: 120 minutes

Focus of Session: Church-Centric Bible Translation (CCBT) relies on groups valuing the contributions of every member of the team and working together to create theologically sound resources. While there is a division of labor with different teams and individuals doing particular jobs, it is important that everyone values the contributions of other teams and recognizes the value that others provide. More importantly, they need to cherish the contributions of others and value their relationships as being equally as important as the products they produce. The goal of this activity is for everyone to implement ways to increase cooperation both within and between groups.

Method: Socratic method using open discussion and breakout groups.

Introduction

Use this time to set the tone for this session by asking questions and prompting student activity. While this session will contain a lot of information, much of it new to participants, it is important that they discover this information for themselves. Your goal as facilitator is to help them discover that God is glorified in how they take on the tasks associated with Bible translation and not simply glorified in the products they generate.

Thought Exercise

Welcome everyone to your session. Show them a picture of a bicycle or have them picture one in their mind. Ask them to list the parts of a bicycle and record the list on a whiteboard or flipchart. Concentrate on the major parts of the bicycle such as the frame, wheels, chain, handlebars, pedals, etc. Once they are done, ask them to vote on which part they think is most important and why. If they agree on a part, ask if they can discard any of the “unimportant” parts and still have a functioning bike. Lead them to draw the conclusion that all of the parts are equally necessary in order for the bicycle to function even though they all perform different tasks.

Biblical Foundation

Objective: Participants will gain a biblical foundation for organizing group effort.

Direct them to Numbers 3:5-38. Explain that this passage is part of God’s instructions to Israel on how they are to worship God. The Lord took care to cover every detail of worship to him and this passage contains the responsibilities of the Levites regarding the tabernacle or tent of worship that traveled with them in the wilderness. Ask the following questions to prompt discussion about the passage:

• How many sons did Aaron have and what are their names?
  • Three: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
• What was the responsibility of the sons of Gershon?
  • The tent, the covering, the entrance screen of the tabernacle, the hangings, and the screens for the door of the court.
• What was the responsibility of the sons of Kohath?
  • The ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the vessels and all the service connected with them.
• What was the responsibility of the sons of Merari?
  • The frames, the bars, the pillars, the bases, and all their accessories and service connected with them, also the outer court pillars, bases, pegs, and cords.
• What was the responsibility of the sons of Moses and Aaron?
  • They were to guard the entrance on the east to make sure no one entered who was not permitted.

Since everything in the Bible was written for our instruction, what are some lessons we should take from this passage? Answers could include:

• God has an appointed order for doing things and is glorified when things are done in an orderly fashion.
• God divides responsibilities among his people as it pleases him.
• Different groups have different areas of responsibility so that nothing is left undone or unaccounted for.