It’s in the Journey

It’s in the Journey

May 26, 2024

Series: Our Whole Story

Alex Grahmann

Alex Grahmann

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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.

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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 1st 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.” 

info@journeyoffaith.com

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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