BSF Online Member Guide 062021

Online Group
Member
Guide
Welcome to
BSF
Online!
BSF Online is group Bible study that fits your life. Our four-fold approach to exploring
the Bible will help you know God better, trust Him more, and grow in your faith. As a member
of an Online Discussion Group (ODG), you can join from anywhere at a time that works best
for you.
BSF Online brings in-depth Bible study to anyone. We are intentionally an
interdenominational, multicultural, multigenerational ministry. All are welcome to join. Get ready
to meet people from all over the world. You may be joining from your home in Nairobi while
someone else is joining from work in Melbourne and someone else is joining from a parking lot
in Kansas City.
Regardless of time zone and

geography, you will develop
relationships with the members of
your group. Healthy relationships are
vital to all aspects of a BSF Online
group. You will grow together as you
pray, discuss, and fellowship with
other group members every week.
Every week you can access what you need at the BSF Online website:
• Questions for your personal study time before your Online Discussion Group
• Discussion with your Online Discussion Group; click the link on My Group page.
• Lecture podcast for encouragement and practical steps in your faith walk
• Notes in print or audio versions to gain historical, cultural, and life lessons
• Go to bsfonline.org for each layer for your own spiritual growth.
Online Group Member Guide 062021

What is an
Online
Discussion
Group?
An Online Discussion Group (ODG) is a discussion group that takes

place online through Zoom (a web-conferencing tool). Your group will meet each week
to talk about the Scripture passage and the questions you have answered.
Bible study is life-changing. Time alone with God,

reading and thinking about what He says in the Bible, is
what you need to grow in your faith. Talking about what
you learn with others helps you better understand who
God is and how to live for Him in the world. What an
opportunity you have in your ODG to learn from other
people across your country and across the globe!
An ODG is a safe place to share, encourage, and discover how to apply the Bible to daily
life. Each week you will come together with others who have ideas, backgrounds, and experiences
that are different from your own. Respect these differences and be open to all God wants to teach
you through others.
As a global discussion group member:

• Use the Bible to learn more about God together.
• Be ready to participate and to listen to others.
• Respect different perspectives and those who have the courage to share them.
• Express genuine care and concern for one another.
• Build trust by keeping what others say confidential.
• Be quick to forgive one another when offended.
• Share who you really are and where you need God’s grace.

What can
you do to
prepare?
1 Explore BSFOnline.org.
Lessons, resources, and helps are there for you. You
will be able to join your ODG right from the My Group
page.
Download Zoom to the device you’ll be using

2 to join your Online Discussion Group
(ODG).
You do not need to have a Zoom account to attend
a Zoom meeting. You will be prompted to
download software when you click the link to the
meeting.
3 Download WhatsApp for connection.

Connect in between discussion sessions with your
Online Group Leader (OGL) and the members of
your ODG.
4 Prepare Yourself.
• Pray and come ready to share and to
listen. Consider your environment when joining.
• Be ready to engage with your video and audio
through a computer, tablet or cell phone.
• Expect to deepen your relationship with God
through meaningful conversation in a community
gathering.
4
Zoom: your
online meeting
room
We want to see your face! Click here to learn how to test

BSF Online groups use video and audio your audio.
to encourage connection and Click here to learn how to test
engagement. your device video.
Click here to Experience Zoom:
Join a test meeting.
Find the chat button:
learn how to chat.
See how to encourage
each other with
Find a location with the light in front of reactions.
your face rather than behind it.
Position your camera so we can see

your face rather than the top of your
head or your neck and chin.
When it’s time for your ODG,

click the Join Meeting button
on the My Group page in the
BSF Online website.
Speak to the camera and not the screen.

WhatsApp:
Connecting
with your
group
WhatsApp
– from anywhere, anytime
• Engage with your group in
Messages and calls are now secured

between your weekly online
with end-to-end encryption. discussion using WhatsApp.
• Chat.
• Connect.
Relevant to everyone. Support. Prayer
requests. Group updates. What God • Ask questions.
showed you today. • Read announcements and
reminders from your Online
Star messages to quickly refer back to

Group Leader (OGL).
them (such as prayer requests) • Message group members for one-
on-one connection and prayer.
• Share prayer requests.
Use WhatsApp from your
computer or your device. • Keep messages focused on
https://web.whatsapp.com/
personal sharing and what unites
us in our BSF group.
Questions about WhatsApp?

See this FAQ for details:
https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/

BSF Online Member Guide 062021

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Online Group

Regardless of time zone and

Online Group Member Guide 062021

An Online Discussion Group (ODG) is a discussion group that takes

Bible study is life-changing. Time alone with God,

As a global discussion group member:

Online Group Member Guide 062021

Download Zoom to the device you’ll be using

3 Download WhatsApp for connection.

We want to see your face! Click here to learn how to test

Position your camera so we can see

When it’s time for your ODG,

Speak to the camera and not the screen.

• Engage with your group in

Messages and calls are now secured

Star messages to quickly refer back to

Questions about WhatsApp?

Online Group Member Guide 062021

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