Next week we’re going to begin a journey of walking through the entire story of the Bible over the course of 18 months.  In the end, we’ll all understand the Bible more and have a renewed connection with God.  But is it only AFTER the project is over that we’ll see the benefit?  Or is there transformation to be found along the way?  We’ll spend this Sunday walking through the plan for our journey through the Bible, and discover how God will use every Sunday to show us more of his love as we explore the Bible together.

Groups Discussion Guide

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction

Last week we started our two-week series to help us prepare for the 18-month long “story project” where we will be going through the entire Bible as a church community. Specifically, we talked about how we can be transformed by understanding that we are a part of God’s story.  

 Take a few minutes to connect as a group: How have you been in prayer about what God is going to teach you through this upcoming series? 

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Key Verse for the Week  

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

2 Timothy 3:16 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Connect   

• What was a memorable trip or vacation you’ve been on? Why does this trip stand out?  
  • What was the journey to get to that destination like? 
• How often do you reflect on the experiences that made you who you are today? Which moments stand out to you? 
  • How important do you think it is to pay attention when going through a season of growth is? What makes it important to you? 

Opening Thought  

At the beginning of any project or destination it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the whole task. We can get stuck trying to get to the final goal we want to accomplish. Reading the whole Bible can feel this way, too, if we’re not careful. As we prepare for the upcoming Bible series we’re doing as a church, we can remember that it’s not ONLY about the goal of getting through the ENTIRE Bible; Instead, the goal is to be changed as we go through this series together.  

This leads us to our big idea for this week:  

Big Idea for the Week
Each of us will be positively transformed by the JOURNEY of understanding the Bible. 

Unpack 

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions. 

Read  

Psalm 25:8-10 

James 1:22-25 

Unpack 

• Why is it important to know the story of God in the Bible? What do you think the purpose of us knowing the story of God is?  
  • How can knowing this story help you grow closer to Jesus and become more like him? 
• What is your experience with reading (or listening to others read) the Bible lately?  
  • How have you been putting what you’re reading or hearing into practice as you’ve gone through your life? 

The next section we are going to read is a longer section from a letter the Apostle Paul, the most prominent contributor to the New Testament writings in the Bible, wrote to the church in Rome. He is writing this letter to both Jewish and non-Jewish Christians to instruct and encourage them to be unified, no matter their differences, because they are both followers of Jesus. Pay attention to how Paul presents his instruction to his audience as you read.   

Read 

Romans 15:2-13 

Unpack 

• What evidence did the Apostle Paul use for his encouragement to the church in Rome? How does this strengthen his instructions to his audience? 
  • Why does Paul so strongly call his audience to unity and harmony with each other? 
  • How necessary do you think harmony between believers is today?  
    • What experiences have you had in your life that has caused you to believe that? 
• How can spending time knowing the Bible with other followers of Jesus help us to live in harmony with them?  
  • How can this help us spread the news about who Jesus is to those that do not know him and believe differently? 

Apply 

Pastor Alex explained during the message on Sunday that the goals for “The Story Project”, Journey’s upcoming 18-month series through the whole Bible has three goals: 

1. Understand God’s Big Story. 
2. Grow closer to God and become more like him. 
3. Be more connected to others that share our faith/and be more prepared to navigate conversations with people who believe differently. 

• How will you personally try and accomplish these goals in your life during this next season? 

• In the 1^st letter to Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes that followers of Jesus (“the church”) should be “united in thought and purpose” (1 Cor. 1:10).  
  • How will you be united in thought and purpose during the upcoming 18-months while Journey goes through the story of God together in the Bible? 

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

As we prepare ourselves to be transformed through this next series of reading through the Bible as a church, we should pay attention to not only the goal, but the process of getting there. The Christian life is made to be lived with others so make sure you are walking alongside people who can help you grow and spend time admiring the journey of transformation that can happen when you are open to God and his process. 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Psalm 119 

Day 2: Isaiah 41:10 

Day 3: Proverbs 4:23 

Day 4: Philippians 2:14-18 

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 1:10 

Day 6: Jude 1:24-25 

Key Verse for the Week  

2 Timothy 3:16 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”