The Basic Course is a spiritual exercise in reading, reflection, journaling and dialogue, and discover and direction.  The 11 chapters in the course are all based on the theme "Called to Proclaim the Gospel." 
     The local church lay speaker needs to apply to the lay speaking committee to take the Basic Course.  A recommendation by his/her pastor and the church council (or charge conference) is required.  Upon acceptance by the committee, the applicant needs to satisfactorily complete the basic course.  The local church lay speaker may serve his/her local church in which membership is held, by witness of the spoken work, vital leadership service, and care-giving ministry. [Paragraph 271 in the Discipline] 

                    The following schedule shows the items that are covered in the Basic Course of Lay Speaking.   It would be best to divide the course into five meetings (one session per meeting) or ten meetings (one chapter per meeting).  That allows for reflection and time to complete assignments in-between chapters.  It can be done in a single one-day session, which may be the only way some people can attend. 

               NOTE: If you are not going to have a separate meeting after Chapter 1 (i.e. a one-day course) , you will need to complete an assignment before the first session.  Interview a pastor, deacon, or some other person who works full time as a professional in Christian service.  Ask about their call: was it gradual or dramatic; have they ever questioned it .. when and why; etc. 

Ch 1: Called by God 
                 1) Welcome, opening prayer, brief description of Lay Speaking ministry. 
                 2) Introduction and get-acquainted activity. 
                 3) Bible Study: People of the Bible who experienced God's call. 
                 4) God's call to people of today (relating interviews). 
                 5) Personal experiences of God's call (sharing, journaling). 

Ch 2: Called to Proclaim the Gospel 
                 6) Brief presentation: creedal/confessional 
                 7) Illustrating activity: What we believe 
                 8) Using the Discipline: Our Beliefs. 
                 9) Examining the Social Principles. 
                 10) Assignment and closing of this session. 

Session 2: Called to Lead Worship 

Ch 3: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Worship Leadership 
                 1) Welcome, meditation and prayer. 
                 2) Remembering worship services. 
                 3) The basic outline of a worship service. 
                 4) Selecting hymns. 
                 5) Examining the Christian year. 
                 6) Reflection. 

Ch 4: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Preaching 
                 7) Analyzing, preaching. 
                 8) Reflection. 
                 9) Examining the Lectionary. 
                 10) Preparing to preach. 
                 11) Assignments and closing of this session. (3 min) 

Lunch Break (if having a one day course) 

Session 3: Called to Witness and Teach 

Ch 5: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Witnessing 
                 1) Prayer. 
                 2) Preaching experiences. 
                 3) Reflection. 
                 4) Bible study. 
                 5) Components of a positive witness. 
                 6) Roleplays. 
                 7) Reflection. 

Ch 6: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Teaching 
                 8) Recalling Sunday school. 
                 9) Describing good teaching. 
                 10) Teaching versus preaching. 
                 11) Presentation: Faith and facts. 
                 12) Examination of resources. 
                 13) Reflection. 
                 14) Closing and assignment. 

Session 4: Called to Leadership and Service 

Ch 7: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Leadership 
                 1) Prayer 
                 2) Preaching experiences. 
                 3) Reflection. 
                 4) Bible study. 
                 5) Sentence stems and reflection. 

Ch 8: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Service 
                 6) Bible study. 
                 7) Identifying service in action. 
                 8) Footwashing. 
                 9) Reflection. 
                 10) Assignment and closing. 

Session 5: Called to Grow in Faith 

Ch 9: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through Growing in Personal Faith 
                 1) Reading. 
                 2) Preaching experiences. 
                 3) Reflection. 
                 4) Ways to commune with God. 
                 5) Prayer and reflection. 

Ch 10: Called to Proclaim the Gospel Through a Personal Lifestyle 
                 6) Bible study. 
                 7) Identifying role models. 
                 8) Examining lifestyles. 
                 9) Reflection. 
                 10) Covenant and commissioning. 

Ch 11: In Conclusion and Covenant