mybsf.org

AP/Class Staff Bulletin

September 2021

Need to Know
Tips
Archive

Accessibility Involves Collaboration

Accessibility to BSF involves collaboration within your area. AP are conduits of collaboration.  Share with your AP the Meeting Options your class is implementing to enhance the accessibility of BSF in your community! 

Your class may not meet the individual needs of every member, but other classes in your area might offer exactly what is needed.  To increase accessibility to BSF, share the needs of people or members that you are unable to meet currently.

Collaboration will ensure that every person seeking in-depth Bible Study will find a BSF option that works for them.

Remember our other BSF offerings including WordGo and BSF Online, which are also great options!

Happening Soon

  • OT/D-OT Orientation Dates: November 8-9, 2021
    • Application Deadline: Applications must be approved by October 15, 2021
  • Next TL Orientation: December 5-8, 2021
    • Application Deadline: Applications must be approved by November 5, 2021

Prayer Requests

Praise God for:

  • His faithfulness to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole earth.

Pray for:

  • God’s insight and wisdom for every HQ staff member, Leader, and Class Member to seek ways to make BSF more accessible in every context around the world.
Click to Read More Prayer Requests
  • BSF groups to continue to build an atmosphere of belonging for all who attend the Matthew study.
  • flourishing of faith, liveliness of worship, and freshness in our walk with the Lord.
  • the Asia-Pacific Region to be restored daily in the strength of the Lord from exhaustion and burnout from Covid-19 lockdown.
  • focus on people and prayer throughout the Matthew study.
  • God to abundantly bless BSF host churches.

Need to Know

To stay updated, please read all headings relevant to your class.

BSF 2.0 Prayers and Progress

BSF’s IT, Training, and Field Development teams are working hard toward the transition from class.bsf to the launch of BSF 2.0, which will occur at the end of 2021. This upgrade will streamline the BSF members’ and leaders’ digital experience for accessing materials and management of data to mybsf.org

Please identify for each discussion group a tech assistant to assist members with the transition to the new website. It will be important to ensure that all members receive lessons before access to class.bsf and mybsf.org is paused for two weeks.  (The pause is necessary to move all resources and class data and is currently scheduled to occur from November 22 to December 7.)

Look for more details in the October Bulletin. In the meantime, would you join us as we continue to pray:

  • that systems would be adequately tested, in place, and ready for final testing and approval in November.
  • for clarity in training and communications to help leaders and members as we transition to the new and improved site.
  • that Class Staffs would assist GLs to identify one tech assistant per group to help Group Members during this transition to get their materials ahead of the pause and after the launch to use the new website.

Meeting Options Considerations

During the Genesis study, BSF introduced Meeting Options for in-person classes to make BSF more accessible and to better meet the needs of leaders and class members.

  1. One option that caused some confusion is the Online Leaders Meeting for an in-person class. The most frequent question has been, “Can leaders meet online every week for an in-person BSF class?” The answer is YES, and for many classes this is a great option!
  2. When considering Meeting Options – prayerfully consider the impact on the Children’s Program (CP). Be careful not to compromise CPs when implementing adult meeting options. We are still learning! Share what you are learning with your AP and AP share with your RD.
  3. There are numerous combinations of in-person and online meeting options to consider going forward. Refer to the Meeting Options resource in your Matthew Resources on your Downloads. If you have questions on the best options for your class, contact your AP to help your Class Staff work through the pros and cons of each option.

June 2022 Events

We are planning June 2022 events to include:

  • SP Redesign Launch training for SP CSs is scheduled for 6/20-22.
  • AP Conference for AP and OAP is scheduled for 6/21-6/23. All AP will have some joint sessions with the CSs as part of the AP Conference.  All AP should also plan to stay for Institute.
  • Institute for TLs, OTs, and D-OTs is scheduled for 6/23-25.

Save the dates and look for more information in the coming months!

School Program Blog Coming Soon!

A new School Program Blog is in development to regularly communicate changes that are underway in the School Program. The first blog will be released in late September and delivered by e-mail to all School Program Leadership. Prior to the release, Regional Directors will deliver the blog to AP for distribution to Class Staffs.

ASL Prayer Group

Do you have a loved one, co-worker, or friend who would benefit from an American Sign Language (ASL) Discussion Group using BSF materials? Join us in prayer! At this time, women are invited to join the BSF ASL Prayer Group. Membership in BSF or experience with ASL or Deaf/Hard of Hearing are not required. The group meets monthly on Sunday at 6:00 pm Central Time for a 1-hour Zoom prayer session. Both spoken and signed languages are offered. Please contact Amanda Elgert at hahkstar@yahoo.com to join the ASL Prayer Group as we pray for passionate commitment to Christ, His Word, and His Church through the Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities of the world!

Save the Dates: Upcoming Global AP Trainings

Two Global AP Trainings are planned for the Matthew study year.

  • November 11, 2021
  • March 10, 2022

Each training session will be offered twice – 7:00 am Central Time and 7:00 pm Central Time. The training sessions are designed to help AP and OAP understand the School Program Redesign and your role in supporting both the Program and the SP leaders.

Look for an e-mail from Julie Goodpasture by mid-October with information on how to sign up for the November 11 training.

Filling Class Staff Roles Correction

Correction: In the August Bulletin under Filling Class Staff Roles this statement appeared:

“AP and OAP interview AOTs but decide how to proceed with other staff positions.”

Correction:

AP collaborate with D-OTs to determine who God is calling to serve as D-AOTs. AP are not required to interview potential D-AOTs, rather D-OTs conduct interviews with the approval of AP.

You are up-to-date and doing great work!

Matthew Study Remuneration of Host Churches

Remember that Host Church (HC) Remuneration occurs only when regathering occurs.

If regathering in a HC for any BSF meetings for the Matthew study, the opportunity to give in class should be offered. Once your class regathers in-person at your HC (even if only once in month) the CA should tick the appropriate box on the Monthly Financial Report to remunerate your HC.

Refer to your Matthew Study Financial Reporting in the Matthew Resources on your Downloads for more information.

Save the Date: Upcoming Global CS/Asst. CS Trainings

Global CS/Asst. CS Trainings will occur once per trimester during the Matthew study year. The first training date is:

  • November 18, 2021

This session will be offered twice – 7:00 am Central Time and 7:00 pm Central Time (UTC – 6). Training sessions are designed to help CSs and Asst. CSs understand the School Program Redesign.

An e-mail will be sent mid-October with information on how to sign up for the November 18 training. Stay tuned for future training dates.

Preschool Picture Sets

Day Women’s classes with Preschool Programs receive BSF Picture Sets to provide a meaningful experience and expand the understanding of God’s Word for our youngest BSF class members. PS CSs may order additional or replacement Picture Sets (as needed) by accessing the request link located in the PS CS Matthew Starter Guide. Simply click on Images, maps, and other visuals for Matthew in the Table of Contents to locate the link or scan the code to enter your information to order and submit. Please allow 2-3 weeks to receive your shipment.

You are up-to-date and doing great work!

Online Resources

Work is underway on the BSF Online Helps and Resources page to provide everything you need to lead. If you don’t see what you need, click the BSF Online Additional Resources Link.

Need to know how to do something in the website? Click “Need Help” at the bottom of the page to search the technical support articles for important steps to follow.

BSF Online Lectures

BSF Online provides an audio lecture as part of our four-fold approach to studying the Bible.  This year there are 30 men’s and 30 women’s lectures provided in English. Our Chinese and Spanish lectures are a combination of men’s and women’s lectures. Want to know who the lecturer is? Members and leaders can find the Matthew Study Global Lecturer Bios on their Helps and Resources page.

User Management – Use With Caution

User Management is a tool that online leaders have to change roles and replace leaders. While this is a powerful tool, used incorrectly it can cause issues. Please consult the technical support articles by clicking “Need Help” for the proper use of the User Management tool.

June 2022 Events

We are planning June 2022 events to include:

  • SP Redesign Launch training for SP CSs is scheduled for 6/20-22.
  • AP Conference for AP and OAP is scheduled for 6/21-6/23. All AP will have some joint sessions with the CSs as part of the AP Conference.  All AP should also plan to stay for Institute.
  • Institute for TLs, OTs, and D-OTs is scheduled for 6/23-25.

Save the dates and look for more information in the coming months!

ASL Prayer Group

Do you have a loved one, co-worker, or friend who would benefit from an American Sign Language (ASL) Discussion Group using BSF materials? Join us in prayer! At this time, women are invited to join the BSF ASL Prayer Group. Membership in BSF or experience with ASL or Deaf/Hard of Hearing are not required. The group meets monthly on Sunday at 6:00 pm Central Time for a 1-hour Zoom prayer session. Both spoken and signed languages are offered. Please contact Amanda Elgert at hahkstar@yahoo.com to join the ASL Prayer Group as we pray for passionate commitment to Christ, His Word, and His Church through the Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities of the world!

Save the Dates: Upcoming Global AP Trainings

Two Global AP Trainings are planned for the Matthew study year.

  • November 11, 2021
  • March 10, 2022

Each training session will be offered twice – 7:00 am Central Time and 7:00 pm Central Time. The training sessions are designed to help AP and OAP understand the School Program Redesign and your role in supporting both the Program and the SP leaders.

Look for an e-mail from Julie Goodpasture by mid-October with information on how to sign-up for the November 11 training.

You are up-to-date and doing great work!

Tips

Ask your leaders and members to check email folders (Spam, Junk, etc.) and settings since each email service differs in how mass emails are handled.

Inspiration

Reaching the Next Generation: Global Book Club Takeaways

Many participated in the Book Clubs and great things were learned about Gen Z through the discussions around all three books: Sticky Faith, Faith for Exiles, and Gen Z vol 1. Here are some of the exciting takeaways from participants:

Sticky Faith

♥ Community helps us grow. (Jennifer P)  ♥  Be intentional. (Jess T)  ♥  Love unconditionally and be there, they are watching all we do. (Brandee K)   ♥  Be nonjudgmental. (Ce C)  ♥  Live life out loud! Let the Gen Zs see your walk. (Barbara H)  ♥  Be present. Listen. (Todd W)  ♥  Don’t be afraid of relationships with our students. (Pamela V)  ♥  Speak of God’s faithfulness to you. (Terry)  ♥  Our children’s identity is not in ‘what they do’; ‘what they control’; ‘what others say about me,’ but what Jesus says about them. (Matthew F)  ♥  Build lifelong friendships, ask good questions, listen well, and be available when they want to talk! (Keri M)  ♥  The importance of safe spaces for discussion and questioning without judgment and mentorship between generations. (Susan B)

Faith for Exiles

Be a mentor to a Gen Z. (Becky)  ♥  The importance of safe, loving intergenerational relationships. (Rebecca P)  ♥  Reciprocal mentoring opens a free flow of wisdom from one generation to the next … and back again! (Tami W)  ♥  It begins with reflecting on your own personal biases and then seeing the gift of the Gen Zs … they will teach us as much as we will teach them. (Lisa J)  ♥  My main takeaway is to re-engage with this next generation. My opportunity has not passed me by! (Barbie P)  ♥  Experience Jesus with them – allowing them to see Jesus through my life. (Ethel G)  ♥  Meaningful relationships and listening are key. (Amy M)  ♥  Talk less. Listen more. (Phyllis B)  ♥  The importance of listening and asking good questions. (Annette A)  ♥  Be available to listen to questions and let them express doubts! (Stacy H)  ♥  Be an active listener, willing to share experiences, and be a conduit to discover truth. (Susan H)  ♥  Be a safe place and be a listener. (Margaret G)  ♥  Approach Gen Z with curiosity, not “I have the answers.” (Carol B)  ♥  Trust God to equip me to speak truth. Help them learn how to discern on their own and seek wisdom. (Andrea S)

Gen Z vol 1

Develop relationships with our students – ask questions, have them dig deep into their faith. (Peggy B)  ♥  Create safe space where they can be themselves. (Denise S)  ♥  Making the kids feel safe to discuss and ask difficult questions from us. (Jana)  ♥  We need to take the time to listen to Gen Z to build relationships so they feel comfortable talking about the difficult topics. (Debbie H)  ♥  Relationships are so important and the way to open the heart is through curiosity and through asking good questions. (Maria U)  ♥  Stay intentional in connection; it is a long road. (Wendy W)

If you missed the Book Clubs, it’s never too late to read these books and begin your own conversations about Reaching Gen Z!

 

First Anniversary of BSF Online’s Revamped Website

Celebrate the one-year anniversary of BSF Online reopening to the public with a new website! Over the past year, the Lord has grown BSF Online to more than 17,000 group members, 1,500 groups in 100 online classes supported by 16 Online Area Personnel.  Men and women in BSF Online are from 120 different countries, and their groups share in 16 different languages. They encourage each other in joys and sorrows and support each other through big life changes by going to the Word of God together for the answers. Here is a testimony from an Online Group Member from Syria:

“I am a daughter of the Lord for 38 years, but this year, through BSF lessons, my thoughts deepened about God and about His goodness, wisdom, and control over all things to work for my good.”

Thank you for your prayers and support of BSF Online as one of BSF’s options to study God’s Word.

 

Archive