Unit 3 - Group Discussion Guide

Unit 3 - Group Discussion Guide

Hope Community Church

DISCIPLE FOUNDATIONS

Growing by God’s Word

Icebreaker

  • What book (other than the Bible) has influenced you the most?  Why did it have such an impact on you?

  • If you could visit any time in history, when would you want to visit and why?


The Bible is the “inspired” book of God.  When theologians describe the Bible as inspired, they literally mean “God-breathed.” God wrote through human authors, using their experience and personalities to record His word for us.  Since God is the source, we can be confident it says exactly what he wants it to say.

  • What has been your experience reading the Bible?

  • What is one thing you wish you could do better when approaching God’s word?

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

  • What four things is the Bible “useful” for in the life of a Christ-follower? Share with the group how you have you experienced one or more of these.


Read Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

  • Why does transformation need to start with renewing our minds?  Why is the Bible so critical in this process?

  • How does transforming our minds help us to better understand what God’s will is?

Renewing our minds is not about absorbing new information - it is about integrating what we learn from God’s word into our belief system and living obediently to it.

  • Are there parts of the Bible you struggle to believe when you read God’s word? 

  • What has helped you most to grow in believing and obeying God? 


Read 2 Timothy 2:15

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

  • Share with the group:  Did you come up with a  “plan” from the individual study this week to spend more time in God’s word?  What is it? 

  • Or if you were already  having a daily time in God's Word and prayer, briefly share what you do.

If you didn't come up with a plan, consider starting with The Next 30 Days resource.

Take time in group to share any next steps you chose from your individual study.  Partner up to review how it’s going.

 

 

Next Steps - Choose one of the two areas below and then either a “walk,” “jog,” or “run” step.  The walk steps are beginning steps, the jog steps intermediate, and the run steps more advanced.  Note:  if you are still working on “walk,” “jog,” or “run” steps from previous units, don’t feel pressured to do any of these!  Or choose a “walk”  step below for now.  Pace yourself!

1. Meditating on God’s Word….

WALK

Meditate on a verse of Scripture on a daily basis. You may want to take some notes on what you have learned about God.

JOG

Set aside time to study God’s Word on a daily basis. Pray and ask God for insight into his Word and how it can apply to your daily life.  Consider using The Next 30 Days  at resources.gethope.net to get started.

RUN

Memorize Scripture. Choose some scriptures from your daily reading to memorize. Make it a priority to hide God’s Word in your heart

2. Allow God’s Word to guide my thoughts and actions…

WALK

Read one chapter of the Bible a day.  Start with John’s gospel or with the 5 Psalms in the “how to” section above..

JOG

Read the Bible straight through like a story or novel. Watch thebibleproject.com video for each book before you start it.

RUN

Make a regular habit of studying the Bible in depth. You may want to get some tools to help you or take a class at church.

Parent Action Steps - Choose one or more of  the Action Steps below based on the ages of your children.

PRESCHOOL

  1. Create a routine of reading a Bible story* each day to your preschooler. There’s no rule about when to do this (During breakfast, while they are playing in the bath tub, at bedtime, etc.). Do what works best for your family!

  2. *Preschool Bible Recommendation:

  3. The Beginner’s Bible

  4. The Jesus Storybook Bible

ELEMENTARY

  1. Help your child make reading their Bible* or devotional a part of their every day routine (While eating breakfast, before they go to bed, etc.)

  2. Ask them about 1-2 things they learned from their reading each day.

  3. Give them permission to ask you what you are learning/reading about God.

*Elementary Bible Recommendations:

The Jesus Storybook Bible

The Action Bible

STUDENTS

  1. Challenge your student to choose five Bible* verses that are meaningful to them (You can help them with this).

  2. Using post-it notes, index cards, or Word Art from Pinterest have them write, draw, or print the verses.

  3. Then encourage them to hang them in places they need to see them on a daily basis (Bathroom mirror, locker, closet, kitchen table, car, etc.).

  4. As you are studying God’s Word, text a verse to your student that speaks to you.

*Student Bible Recommendations:

NLT Study or Life Application Bibles

 


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