A church needs a solid foundation: a well-structured Bible curriculum, dedicated teachers, and a group of students eager to learn.
In a healthy life cycle, this process resembles the growth rings of a tree, marking the evidence of life and growth. Without this foundational infrastructure, church activities risk becoming purposeless and stagnant.
When a church stagnates, its spiritual quality does not grow. Without growth in spiritual quality, there is no growth in quantity either.
True and substantive church growth is rooted in the Bible. It begins with qualitative growth, which naturally leads to quantitative growth.
Calvary Chapel in Southern California has grown remarkably, and their sermons follow the Bible sequentially from beginning to end.
Chuck Smith discovered that when he preached directly from the Bible, both the quality and quantity of the church grew naturally.
He was inspired by a statement from Halley's Bible Handbook:
“The most important suggestion in this book is simple: every church should have a plan for the congregation to read the Bible, and the pastor’s sermons should be based on the passages read during the week.”
Why don’t more churches adopt this practice? I don’t understand. Personally, I’ve always hoped for a church like this.
Dr. Timothy Lin emphasized that the secret to church growth lies in the proper teaching of the Bible.
Your expository preaching should attract people—not because you talk about current news or tell stories, but because you rightly divide the Word of God, illuminating its meaning. When God’s Word is explained clearly, it brings light to people’s eyes, ignites their hearts, and kindles the lamp of life, allowing them to shine the light of life. This is life-driven ministry.
I view systematic Bible study as the foundational infrastructure of the church—whether through Sunday sermons, Sunday school, or fellowship groups. At the very least, the church should have one ministry dedicated to systematic Bible study. Sunday school is an excellent starting point.
If Sunday school and fellowship can work together—one focusing on biblical exegesis and the other on practical life application—the result is even better. Sunday sermons can serve as a bridge between Scripture and modern life. The sermons don’t need to cover every passage; just a small core text can have a profound, illuminating effect. Even prayer meetings can revolve around Scripture, praying for individuals, families, the church, global missions, and for God’s will to be fulfilled in our daily lives on earth as it is in heaven.
This isn’t mere repetition but a comprehensive approach to internalizing the same Scripture. Worship, Sunday school, fellowship, and prayer meetings each achieve about 25% effectiveness individually. But when they operate in harmony, they achieve 100% resonance. This is like a four-part harmony in a choir, achieving the effect of harmony. Although not everyone can achieve 100% resonance, even if some can only reach 50% or 75% effectiveness, it is still far better than standing still.
This is the secret to church growth. No gimmicks are needed—just guiding people to study the Bible genuinely. That’s enough. One method that surpasses all others.
The church doesn’t need to host too many activities, which can drain energy and divert focus. The church should focus on Sunday sermons, Sunday school, and fellowship, devoting itself to studying God’s Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in people’s hearts. This will bring true revival. Beyond this, not much else is necessary—often, other activities are merely superficial, ineffective, and a waste of effort.
Adult Sunday School Bible Curriculum Based on Warren Wiersbe's BE Series
Year 1
- Be Basic (Genesis 1–12)
- Be Obedient (Genesis 12–25)
- Be Authentic (Genesis 25–50)
- Be Delivered (Exodus)
Year 2
- Be Holy (Leviticus)
- Be Counted (Numbers)
- Be Equipped (Deuteronomy)
- Be Strong (Joshua)
Year 3
- Be Available (Judges)
- Be Successful (1 Samuel)
- Be Restored (2 Samuel/1 Chronicles)
- Be Responsible (1 Kings)
Year 4
- Be Distinct (2 Kings/2 Chronicles)
- Be Determined (Nehemiah)
- Be Committed (Ruth/Esther)
- Be Patient (Job)
Year 5
- Be Worshipful (Psalms 1–89)
- Be Exultant (Psalms 90–150)
- Be Skillful (Proverbs)
- Be Satisfied (Ecclesiastes)
Year 6
- Be Loving (Song of Solomon)
- Be Comforted (Isaiah)
- Be Decisive (Jeremiah)
- Be Hopeful (Lamentations)
Year 7
- Be Reverent (Ezekiel)
- Be Resolute (Daniel)
- Be Amazed (Minor Prophets Vol. 1)
- Be Concerned (Minor Prophets Vol. 2)
Year 8
- Be Heroic (Minor Prophets Vol. 3)
- Be Loyal (Matthew)
- Be Diligent (Mark)
- Be Compassionate (Luke Vol. 1)
Year 9
- Be Courageous (Luke Vol. 2)
- Be Alive (John 1–12)
- Be Transformed (John 13–21)
- Be Dynamic (Acts 1–12)
Year 10
- Be Daring (Acts 13–28)
- Be Right (Romans)
- Be Wise (1 Corinthians)
- Be Encouraged (2 Corinthians)
Year 11
- Be Free (Galatians)
- Be Rich (Ephesians)
- Be Joyful (Philippians)
- Be Complete (Colossians)
Year 12
- Be Ready (1, 2 Thessalonians)
- Be Faithful (1, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon)
- Be Confident (Hebrews)
- Be Mature (James)
Year 13
- Be Hopeful (1 Peter)
- Be Real (1 John)
- Be Alert (2, 3 John/2 Peter/Jude)
- Be Victorious (Revelation)
Including Be Loving (Song of Solomon) and Be Hopeful (Lamentations) from Wiersbe's other series brings the total to 52 quarters (13 years). Four cycles of this 13-year curriculum would span a lifetime, nurturing spiritual growth from youth to old age, from spring to winter.
Even new believers can benefit from a one-year Bible survey, like Henritta Mear's What the Bible all about. However, many believers lack a firm grasp of the Bible, leading to unstable faith. This Bible study plan is my burden and passion, and though I haven't fully implemented it, I continue to work toward this vision step by step.
Reading the Bible from beginning to end is one option; another possibility is alternating between the Old and New Testaments.
Divided into four groups:
Group 1:
The Pentateuch, the Gospel of Matthew, the Book of Hebrews, and the Book of James
Group 2:
The Historical Books, the Gospel of Mark, and the Epistles of Peter
Group 3:
The Psalms and Wisdom Books, the Gospel of Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul's Epistles
Group 4:
The Prophetic Books, the Gospel of John, the Johannine Epistles, the Book of Jude, and Revelation
