CYBC FAQ’s
What is Christ Youth Bible Club (CYBC)? CYBC is a place where school aged-youth can come before or after school to study the Bible, build friendships and learn to live out God’s word. CYBC offers weekly Bible study, small group discussion and prayer, service projects and special fellowship activities.
What is your mission? CYBC’s mission is to glorify God while equipping youth with a foundational knowledge of the Word of God, developing leadership skills, and building Christian relationships within the community that will enable students to live out their values among their peer groups and lead others by example.
How and when did CYBC begin? In 2008 a group of moms began meeting together to pray and share ideas about leading Bible Clubs in their own elementary schools. At the time, each woman was researching and writing her own lessons. As God led, the women combined their efforts, gifts, and talents and began working together as a unified team. In the fall of 2008 a common curriculum was introduced at six different elementary schools. It was clear that God had bigger plans in mind than what this group of women had ever anticipated. What began as an exchange of ideas quickly became a not for profit organization, initially under the name Center Grove Bible Club, establishing a board of directors including a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer to oversee the organization. Yet the vision of these women was too small, as they gave the club a very local name, never dreaming that God might take it beyond their own community. In 2010 an attempt was made to launch a new identity under the name Bible Club, enabling the ministry model to exist in other communities. However because Bible Club is such a general term, it did not adequately distinguish this club from others. Through God's leading and a growing commitment to boldly proclaim the deity of Christ, in 2011 the name was officially changed to CYBC, Christ Youth Bible Club. The new name clearly identifies who the club seeks to glorify and by what means. To give a local identity each club tags CYBC with its own community name.
What do you believe? CYBC is a Christian organization, not tied to any one denomination. On our website, and in our Leader’s Guide, you can find our detailed Statement of Faith. But, in a nutshell, we believe in: God the Father, creator of heaven and earth; Jesus Christ is God’s only Son, our Lord; Jesus was born of the virgin Mary; Jesus was crucified, He died, and was buried; Jesus rose on the third day, Jesus ascended into heaven, where he sits at God’s right hand; Jesus will judge both the living and the dead; in the Holy Spirit as the third part of the Trinity; all believers share a common fellowship, in Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit; In the forgiveness of sins through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the body of believers and eternal life. Our faith is based on our belief that the Bible is God’s inspired, inerrant Word.
How can you hold clubs in the school? CYBC does not meet during school hours. It is not a school club, and has no school sponsors. Rather it is a club utilizing the school’s facilities for meetings, much like the Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts. If your school does not allow any non-school sponsored clubs to meet in the building then you might consider a central location like a community center or library. However, if other non-school sponsored clubs are meeting at the school you should be afforded that same opportunity. Become acquainted with your First Amendment Rights, protected by the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Equal Access Law.
How do I start CYBC at my school? Begin with prayer, ideally praying with another parent about starting a club in your area. Contact our organization at cybibleclub.com. We will walk you through each step, providing training and resources to help you get your club up and running. CYBC has a curriculum package that includes a Leader’s Guide that provides step by step instructions on how to organize your club, form partnerships with area churches, recruit volunteer help and work cooperatively with the school administration. There is also a 9 minute informational DVD to show your team, a brochure template to publicize your club’s meetings and a logo that can be printed on T-shirts to help generate excitement and unity.
Why the need for training?
The purpose of CYBC is to ensure that the mission and Statement of Faith of Christ Youth Bible Club are followed within all of the clubs. The organization also follows God’s leading in helping other Christian parents, churches, and community leaders start CYBC in their community. The training equips you to carry out the Club’s mission and model effectively, while giving you prayer support and encouragement along the way.
What is distinctive about CYBC? CYBC leaders and volunteers find that that this ministry model has the potential to unify communities and make a positive difference in the lives of many. We have seen hundreds of families, and many community business and churches working together to teach Christian values that kids not only learn, but live out right where they live. We’d like to see other communities benefiting from this approach to ministry, working alongside the Church to build a community of faith.
How is the club structured? The club is structured to encourage relationships and spiritual growth through small group Bible study and prayer. At the elementary level, club runs for 45 miuntes with a small-large-small group format. At the intermediate level club runs for 30 minutes with a small group lesson. A club leader oversees the club, coordinates with the school, recruits volunteers, organizes activities, teaches the large group lesson and leads the small group “shepherding team”. The shepherds are responsible for overseeing small groups of children, leading small group discussion of the lesson, teaching the life- application of the lesson, teaching children how to use their Bibles, pray with the students and encourage them to live out what they are learning at CYBC through various service opportunities.
Explain the church partnership? CYBC is a ministry model that thrives when partnerships are formed with the local church and community. When churches partner with Bible Club it helps the church fulfill its mission of reaching out into the community. Bible Club benefits when the church promotes the club to its members, encourages adults to volunteer and parents to be involved. Church partners can also provide Bibles to be used during club meetings, copying, or other support.
Explain the community outreach/partnership component. CYBC is an opportunity for the students to live out what they are learning through service projects that benefit the local community. These projects could be as familiar as a food or clothing drive, but we encourage clubs to find projects that are very specific to their community. Likewise, Christian business owners might want to provide goods or services that benefit the club. One example would be partnering with a local Christian-owned restaurant/franchise to supply refreshments for your fall kick off, prayer event, or other special club meeting. Christian business owners often look for opportunities to use their business as a ministry and partnering with CYBC is a great way for them to do that.