{"id":36645,"date":"2025-11-17T19:30:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/?page_id=36645"},"modified":"2026-08-24T20:58:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:58:58","slug":"explore-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/resources\/training\/explore-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Team"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Explore Team Member<\/h1>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t
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At St Paul\u2019s, we want to help as many people as possible explore Christianity so they can make an informed decision about following Jesus. That\u2019s why we are cultivating a community of explorers at St Paul\u2019s open to anyone who wants to explore faith in a friendly, relaxed way.<\/span><\/p>

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Thank you for being part of this team! This page contains everything Explore Team members need to know. On this page you will find:<\/span><\/p>

Team member responsibilities<\/a><\/span><\/p>

A note about Growth Groups<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Details about the weekly format<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Details about the weekly lesson content<\/a><\/span><\/p>

General tips for team members<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Resources for growing in evangelism<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Key contact details<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Team member responsibilities<\/span><\/p>

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Explore team members play a vital role in helping people explore Christianity. Here are some things to aim for:<\/span><\/div>

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Arrive on time<\/strong> \u2014 this helps create a welcoming atmosphere before things begin. Tell the team if you can’t make it or if you are running late for some reason.<\/span><\/p>

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Communicate in a timely way<\/strong> \u2014 respond to group messages if\/when needed.<\/span><\/p>

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Keep the tone safe and gracious<\/strong> \u2014 model patience, kindness, and non-defensiveness, especially with scepticism or disagreement.<\/span><\/p>

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Share personally and appropriately<\/strong> \u2014 when helpful, briefly share how you\u2019ve found Jesus good and trustworthy without dominating the discussion.<\/span><\/p>

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Pray during the week<\/strong> \u2014 pray by name for explorers, their questions, and for God to help them see Jesus clearly.<\/span><\/p>

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Support other leaders<\/strong> \u2014 help with practical tasks (setup, pack down, food, seating) and communicate any pastoral concerns.<\/span><\/p>

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Maintain confidentiality<\/strong> \u2014 treat what people share with care; pass on serious welfare\/safety concerns to the team leaders.<\/span><\/p>

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A note about Growth Groups<\/span><\/p>

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The Bible Explorers Group is like a Growth Group in many ways. One primary difference is that we don’t pray together\u2014this is because we want people who don’t believe in prayer to feel comfortable attending.<\/span><\/p>

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As an Explore Team member, you are similar to a Growth Group leader in some ways. Therefore, we don’t expect you to be part of another Growth Group during the week. However, you are welcome to join another Growth Group on another night as well if you would like.<\/span><\/p>

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To help each team member grow spiritually, at the end of each term we will meet together as a team to reflect, discuss, and pray. We want to make sure that as Christians on team together we are growing in our understanding and application of the Bible, and supporting one another.<\/span><\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Details about the weekly format<\/span><\/p>

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We meet each Tuesday night during school term. We typically sit in a big circle.<\/p>

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The normal format is:<\/span><\/p>

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7.15pm<\/strong> \u2014 Team members arrive to welcome people<\/span><\/p>

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7.30pm<\/strong> \u2014 People arrive, get food\/drink, settle in<\/span><\/p>

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7.40pm<\/strong> \u2014 Bible reading and discussion<\/span><\/p>

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8.30\u20139pm<\/strong> \u2014 Finish \/ chat<\/span><\/p>

A few weeks each term are spent running a short course, currently called Christianity Explored<\/em>. This allows for focused invitation, helps newcomers explore the basics of the gospel, and keeps the format fresh.<\/p>

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Christianity Explored runs once per term over three weeks. The room is set up seminar-style, with the following format:<\/span><\/p>

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7.00pm<\/strong> \u2014 Team members arrive<\/span><\/p>

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7.30pm<\/strong> \u2014 People arrive and settle in<\/span><\/p>

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7.40pm<\/strong> \u2014 Welcome and one discussion question<\/span><\/p>

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7.50pm<\/strong> \u2014 Talk<\/span><\/p>

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8.15pm<\/strong> \u2014 Group discussion question<\/span><\/p>

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8.25pm<\/strong> \u2014 Q&A (questions submitted live or via phone)<\/span><\/p>

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8.45pm<\/strong> \u2014 Conclusion and invitation to return next week<\/span><\/p>

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All newcomers are invited to continue exploring by joining the Bible Explorers Group and a WhatsApp chat for updates and reminders.<\/p>

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Note: the content of Christianity Explored changes each term, using different passages and angles, so it remains fresh even for repeat attendees.<\/p>

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General tips for team members<\/span><\/p>

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Be proactive in saying hi.\u00a0<\/span>If you see someone standing by themselves or looking unsure, it’s always a good idea to go and say hi<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Start conversations light. <\/strong>Y<\/span>ou might be itching to have a deep, evangelistic conversation with someone, but it’s always best to begin conversations light, especially when meeting someone for the first time. Ask them how their day has been, or what they do during the week.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Ask questions!\u00a0<\/strong>People generally like talking about themselves. Let them! Ask questions to get to know people.<\/span><\/h2>

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Don\u2019t assume people are Christians or not.\u00a0<\/strong>Remember, there are a mix of believers and non-believers in the room!<\/span><\/h2>

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Don\u2019t assume people know the basics.\u00a0<\/strong>Many won\u2019t know Bible terms, Christian ideas, or even the main story. It’s important to keep this in mind.<\/span><\/h2>

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Encourage questions.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Thank people for being honest and don\u2019t rush to shut questions down or tidy things up too quickly.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Keep coming back to the Bible.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>When questions arise, point people back to the text whenever you can. This models a healthy habit of going first to the Bible rather than our personal opinions about a topic.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Be real, not defensive.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Sometimes it can be helpful to share your own uncertainty about an issue or a passage. Normal faith is more helpful than polished answers, which can often come off as defensive.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Aim for clarity, not covering everything.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>You don\u2019t need to explain every issue in one night. It\u2019s better that people grasp one big idea than leave feeling confused.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Convey what Christians generally believe.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>You might have a particular view on topics like predestination, or baptism, or preaching, or something else. However, we want to show people that within Christianity there is a breadth of opinions on various topics, and Christians can hold different views. Keep the main things the main things, and don’t be too rigid on secondary issues.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Be patient with where people are at.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>People process things at different speeds. Don\u2019t pressure responses or decisions. Trust God to work over time.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>

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Pray and remember God is in control.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Pray before and after, and keep reminding yourself that God changes hearts.<\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Details about the weekly lesson content<\/span><\/p>\n

Below Below are the passages and big ideas for term 3 2026:<\/span><\/p>\n

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21 July<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> Colossians 1:1\u201314<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> The gospel is bearing fruit and growing; Paul prays that Christians will know God’s will, live lives worthy of Jesus, and give thanks for the salvation God has accomplished.<\/p>\n

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28 July<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> Colossians 1:15\u201323<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> Jesus is supreme over all creation and the church; through His death God reconciles sinners to Himself.<\/p>\n

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4 August<\/b><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> Colossians 3:1\u201317<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> Those who belong to Christ have a new identity; put off the old life, put on the new, and let Christ shape every relationship.<\/p>\n

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11 August<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> John 19<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> Jesus willingly dies in our place; His death fulfils God’s plan and accomplishes our salvation.<\/p>\n

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18 August<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> John 20<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> Jesus rose from the dead; the resurrection gives certainty that He is Lord and offers life to all who believe.<\/p>\n

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25 August<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> John 21<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> The risen Jesus restores His followers, calls them to follow Him, and sends them out to serve.<\/p>\n


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1 September<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/span> 1 John 1<\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/span> John writes to impart what he heard\/saw\/touched, i.e. as a reliable witness of Jesus. Jesus brings us into fellowship with God; we therefore must walk in the light, honestly confessing our sin and trusting in him for forgiveness.<\/p>\n

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8 September (Explore Wk 1)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> John 9:1\u201341<\/span><\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> God reveals Himself through Jesus. Seeing Jesus is the difference between spiritual blindness and sight. Why should we trust what Jesus says?<\/p>\n

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15 September (Explore Wk 2)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> Luke 19:1\u201310<\/span><\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> <\/span>Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He welcomes sinners and reconciles them to God.<\/p>\n

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22 September Explore Wk 3)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Passage:<\/strong> Luke 7:36\u201350<\/span><\/p>\n

Big ideas:<\/strong> Becoming a Christian means receiving God’s forgiveness and responding with love and a changed life.<\/p>\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Resources for growing in evangelism<\/span><\/p>

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Here are some books that I would recommend to help you grow in evangelism. You might consider purchasing or borrowing any of these for yourself, to grow in your own skills in sharing faith.<\/p>

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Mere Evangelism<\/strong>, by Randy Newman.\u00a0<\/span>A thoughtful and practical guide to sharing faith through good questions and careful listening, drawing heavily on the writings and life of C.S. Lewis.<\/span><\/p>

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Evangelism<\/strong>, by Mack Stiles.\u00a0<\/span>A clear, church-centred vision for evangelism that keeps the gospel front and centre. Great for grounding evangelism in ordinary Christian life rather than special events.<\/span><\/p>

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Nothing in My Hand I Bring<\/strong>, by Ray Galea.\u00a0<\/span>A short, accessible book that explains the difference between Protestant and Roman Catholic beliefs. It explains grace and justification simply and pastorally.<\/span><\/p>

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The Reason for God<\/strong>, by Tim Keller.\u00a0<\/span>Engages common intellectual objections to Christianity with clarity and empathy. Helpful for understanding how thoughtful non-Christians often think and where the gospel speaks into those questions.<\/span><\/p>

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Can We Trust what the Gospels say about Jesus?<\/strong>, by Andrew Errington.\u00a0<\/span>A straightforward introduction to the historical reliability of the Gospels. Useful for addressing doubts about whether the Jesus we meet in the Bible is trustworthy.<\/span><\/p>

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If I Were God, I\u2019d End All the Pain<\/strong>, by John Dickson.\u00a0<\/span>Tackles the problem of suffering in a clear, compassionate way. A great resource for conversations where pain and injustice are major barriers to belief.<\/span><\/p>

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God and Science<\/strong>, by Scott Petty.\u00a0<\/span>Explores the relationship between Christian faith and modern science without being technical. Helpful for removing the assumption that faith and science are in conflict.<\/span><\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Contact Info<\/span><\/p>

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Please reach out any time if you have any questions or comments or feedback:<\/span><\/p>

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\u83f2\u5229\u666e\u00b7\u5a01\u745f\u91cc\u5947<\/strong>
pipw@stpaulsanglican.org.au<\/strong>
0430 145 585<\/strong><\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Explore Team Member At St Paul\u2019s, we want to help as many people as possible explore Christianity so they can make an informed decision about following Jesus. That\u2019s why we are cultivating a community of explorers at St Paul\u2019s open to anyone who wants to explore faith in a friendly, relaxed way. \u00a0 Thank you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":36643,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-36645","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36645"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40164,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36645\/revisions\/40164"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsanglican.org.au\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}