The Mission of Multiplication
Imagine with me a field of dandelions in all their glory of vibrant yellow. Growing up, my dad did everything he could to keep them out of our yard. I loved them. He hated them. Why? Because dandelions are perennial weeds that spread rapidly and multiply both from seed and the roots yearly.
The moment I read the title of my friend’s blog, “If You Moved, Would Your Neighbors Miss You?” I was hooked. After reading it, I wanted to pass it on to our NBS2GO family.
Judy Douglass is an exceptional writer, inspirational speaker, and an engaging leader whose life is characterized by extraordinary love. She is a personal friend, long distance mentor, and fellow lover of neighbors.
I invite you to listen to the Lord’s promptings as you step into Judy’s story and ask yourself, “If I moved, would my neighbors miss me?”
Debbie McGoldrick
I am in awe, humbled, and incredibly grateful for having a front row seat to watch the unfolding of the clear vision God gave me ten years ago. Before the sun rose on May 5, 2010, God whispered to me, “I am awakening an unprecedented number of hearts in neighborhoods. I’ve given you the passion, twenty-two years of experience, and simple tips and tools to encourage and equip Christ followers everywhere to begin and multiply neighborhood Bible studies.”
I will never forget my utter surprise and yet calm assurance that I was not being called to “do” something for God, but I was simply being invited to listen and follow Him. At that moment my eyes were drawn to watch our backyard “awaken” to the sunrise. I was mesmerized by the wonder of God’s words quietly spoken to me and felt a fresh awareness and blessing of being His.
Unsure how to proceed yet completely confident God would guide...
Whether sitting on the floor with little ones, walking the neighborhood side by side, or eating a bite of lunch together around my kitchen table, my intention is to listen to the Spirit’s prompting to share Jesus with those women who begin attending our Neighborhood Bible Study.
I love praying for, reaching out, and getting to know each woman God draws to come. I do this by personally inviting her to my home for a cup of coffee or a simple lunch. I express my heart to get to know her and her story.
Exhausted after more than a day’s worth of international travel to Croatia for a mission trip, we hauled our family’s luggage up three flights of stairs. I lugged myself into our quaint hotel room and crawled onto the bed. Just before I fell asleep, I glanced over to the two sets of open shutters that brought in the moonlight. Too tired to close them, I drifted off to sleep.
QUILT was the first Bible study I wrote for my neighborhood Bible study group. My desire was to create a simple tool that they could use on a weekly basis to personally mine nuggets of truth and treasures from God’s Word. Instead of listening to me teach every week, we began to gather and share the discoveries and insights that our personal teacher, the Holy Spirit had revealed to us.
As I was praying and waiting on God to guide me – the word “quilt” came to mind. My immediate response was “That’s crazy!” Just then the image of a cherished family heirloom came into my mind. This keepsake was my mother’s child-sized bathrobe made from her great-grandmother’s handstitched Crazy Quilt. I repeated in my mind, Crazy Quilt….and so the study began to take shape.
30 years ago, in January of 1989, a small seed of a Bible study began in my north Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood. Little did I know that it would grow and multiply into a global movement. On May 5, 2010 God gave me the vision for NBS2GO: Neighborhood Bible Study 2GO. In 2013, nbs2go.com was launched.
What started with women inviting neighbors to study Scripture in their homes has spread to men, couples, students, co-workers, friends, and family - gathering to discover God’s life transforming truths. Bible study groups have expanded from neighborhoods to workplaces, coffee shops, dorm rooms, senior living centers, and more.
NBS2GO = Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO. This website is the simple packaging of ideas, resources, and inspiration to equip believers to launch and multiply Bible study groups.
A neighbor Bible study group brings together a wide range of seekers and Christ-followers to study, discuss, and encourage one another toward life application of God’s Word. This blending of spiritual maturity levels creates a dynamic, life-transforming community. Friendships are formed, and group members are equipped to minister to others where they do life.
NLT Scripture references on nbs2go.com and in publications, unless otherwise noted.
