Week 3 - DISCOVERY
WORSHIP
What can you/we praise or thank God for? (You could sing this or pray this to the Lord.)
What do you/we need to repent of? (This can be a time of silent or public confession.)
The Lord’s Supper
Read Psalm 23 (ESV) out loud together.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Have someone pray a prayer of thanksgiving that the Lord has prepared this table in the presence of our enemies.
Take bread and say, “The body of Christ, given for you.”
Take a cup and say, “The blood of Christ, shed for you.”
Review
We’re working through the four key relationships and crucial priorities of a church family. Last week we looked at:
WORSHIP - Our Relationship to Jesus
Devote yourselves to pursuing and prioritizing Jesus in everything
Today, let’s look at:
DISCOVERY - Our Relationship to the Bible
DISCOVERY
Ask God to speak to you as you read His Word.
Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
Have someone retell the passage in their own words.
What stands out to you in this passage?
What does this passage say about God (The Father, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit)?
What does this passage say about people, including ourselves?
What does this passage say about the life God invites us to live?
Digging Deeper
The Discovery Sequence
How do you see the following Discovery Sequence in Luke 6:46-49?
To hear Jesus’ Word
To obey Jesus’ Word
To experience Jesus’ Word
Why does each component of this Discovery Sequence build on each other? What happens if you skip hearing or obeying? Will you experience Jesus’ Word?
What does James say about the importance of the Discovery Sequence?
James 1:22-25 (NLT)
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
What has helped you to hear, obey and experience God’s Word?
The Way the Word Works
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NIV)
15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
What’s the origin of the Bible (Holy Scriptures)?
What’s the purpose of the Bible?
Why is the order of teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness important?
How does this graphic illustrate the way the Word works?
Discovery Bible Study
For three weeks, we have been using what is called a Discovery Bible Study. Instead of having someone teach you God’s Word, in a Discovery Bible Study you discover God’s Word by answering questions in community. Discovery promotes engagement in the process and ownership of the outcomes.
How has this format for Bible study helped you?
What are its advantages and disadvantages?
Good things happen when you ask good questions.
Here are additional response questions from a Discovery Bible Study. Answer them for today’s study.
For the sake of time, or more importantly, to encourage deeper sharing, you could divide into groups of 2 to answer the following questions.
Ask these pairs to connect midweek to see how their “I will …” statements and sharing goals are coming along and how they can continue to support and pray for each other.
If you don’t divide into pairs, record each other’s “I will …” statements and sharing goals and remind each other of them during the week through a text or an email.
What truth have you discovered from today’s Bible passage(s) and conversation?
What would stop you from believing and obeying this truth?
How will you live out this truth this coming week? Finish this statement: “I will ….”
Who else needs to hear this truth? How could you share it with them?
Pray for God’s help as you seek to follow Jesus this coming week.
In Summary
The church’s first two key relationships and crucial priorities are:
WORSHIP - Our Relationship to Jesus
Devote yourselves to pursuing and prioritizing Jesus in everything
DISCOVERY - Our Relationship to the Bible
Devote yourselves to taking in and living out God’s Word
Closing
When will we meet again?
Who will facilitate that gathering? (See FOR THE FACILITATOR for help in leading a gathering.)
Each week you are encouraged to share a meal together.
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