Scripture is the answer to the problem of confusion.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What role does Scripture play in your life right now? How often do you go to it and how do you approach reading it?
- Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. Here, Paul is instructing Timothy, his protege, on how to remain faithful to what Paul has taught him and resist the dangerous false teachers that are seeking to lead the church astray.
- Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
- Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about following Jesus?
- Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
- Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- How have you experienced the power of Scripture in the ways listed in 2 Timothy 3:14-17?
- In what ways should regularly reading and meditating on Scripture help us know Jesus more?
- In what ways should reading and meditating on Scripture help us become more like Jesus?
- In what ways should reading and meditating on Scripture help us become counter-cultural and bring change to culture?
- How can you begin incorporating this ancient practice in your life and how can your community come alongside you in this?
KEY SCRIPTURE
2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 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.
PRAYER
Lectio Divina Prayer Guide through Psalm 19:7-11:
Description: Lectio Divina means “Divine Reading” in Latin and it’s an ancient practice of slowing down and not just reading scripture, but engaging it, listening to it and responding to it. It involves reading not just for information, but transformation.
- There are four movements: 1) Read (Lectio) 2) Reflect (Meditatio) 3) Respond (Oratio) 4) Rest (Contemplatio). One person will guide the group through these four movements.
- After each reading there will be a time of guided silence to reflect.
- Lectio: First reading
- Direction: Hearing the word. Let it fall on your hearts as I read. What word or phrase stands out to you? What is God drawing your attention to?
- Read Psalm 23, slowly.
- Silence (about 1 min)
- Direction: Take a moment to sit with your word or phrase, then share it with the group. Just the word or phrase. Don’t try to understand it just yet.
- Meditatio: Second reading
- Direction: Ponder the scripture. Engage your imagination. Imagine yourself in the passage. What emotions or memories are stirring up? Where does it touch your life today?
- Read Psalm 23 again, slowly.
- Silence (about 1 min)
- Direction: Share the connections between the words and your life right now. I hear…I see… I feel… What is going on in my life that I need to hear this today?
- Oratio: Third Reading
- Direction: Respond in prayer. This is when you talk to God about what He’s revealing to you.
- Read Psalm 23 again, slowly.
- Silence (about 1 min)
- Direction: Take thoughts, feelings, fears, convictions, thanksgivings, and questions and offer them before the Lord. Simply tell God what you’re feeling like you would a good friend sitting next to you.
- Contemplatio: Fourth Reading.
- Direction: Silence. This is your time to sit with God and everything He has shown you. In this next reading, imagine yourself living out what God has shown you. Incarnating this word today.
- Read Psalm 23 again. slowly
- Direction: Be silent in the presence of God. Let His word settle down in your heart. Just BE with Him now. Commit to living out this Word today.
PRACTICE
How are you going to practice silence and solitude this week in the way that God revealed to you? Here are a few guidelines:
Choose a place with the least distractions and noise– this means putting any electronic devices away!
Choose a time and a rhythm- is it first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, right before bed? Remember to start small. Even 5 minutes can be enough to start with. Consider using the prayer prompt above to guide you. Or meditate on a short psalm or scripture passage.
Don’t quit- Remember, this is not meant to be easy. Anything valuable in our lives takes discipline to maintain. Do not be surprised or discouraged by the distractions that enter your mind. When you become aware of them, simply draw your attention back to the presence of God and lay your anxious thoughts down.
Reflect- How did you encounter God in this time? How did you encounter yourself? Did you encounter any lies from the enemy? Consider writing these things down.
Share with a friend- We need others to help us on this journey. Who can you ask to check in on how it’s going?
Recommended Resources: https://www.practicingtheway.org/
Download the Lectio 365 prayer app to help guide you
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK FOR PRESCHOOL – LUKE 6:31
This week we learned how to still be nice to people even when they are mean to us.
THE BIBLE: “Do to others as you want them to do to you.” Luke 6:31
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s true Bible story, there’s a man named Isaac who has something taken away from him. The people yelled, “That’s mine!” but it wasn’t theirs. But Isaac wasn’t mean back. He treated them the way Jesus would want him to treat them.
THE BIG IDEA: I can be nice when people are mean to me.
THIS WEEK FOR ELEMENTARY – 1 Corinthians 12
THE BIBLE: “Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others.You should use it faithfully.” 1 Peter 4:10b
THE MESSAGE:
Today we learned that the Holy Spirit gives every Christian a spiritual gift. Even though you might not know yet what your spiritual gift is, if you
love and follow Jesus, then you definitely have one! Every Christian has one!
THE BIG IDEA: The Holy Spirit gives us a spiritual gift, so we can help others grow close to God.
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
Do any of you think you know what your spiritual gift is?
How do you think your gift might be able to help other people in the church?