Truth & Dare | The Word (Discussion Guide)

This Guide is also available as a .pdf here.

Life Group Discussion Guide :: Sunday, February 3, 2013 (JXG) 

Sandy Lake Wesleyan :: Pastor Shawn

Truth & Dare | The Word (Week 1)

Remember, this Guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of what can be discussed, but is best used as a guide to help your Group process what God is teaching them. Read through the discussion points below and prayerfully consider what the Holy Spirit would have you work through.

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 Be sure to pray for, encourage each other, 

and share the victories God is giving your Group.

From Last Week (Live SENT, week 2):

Read Ephesians 4:11-12

:: Why do we so often assume that ‘official’ church personnel are to do rather than equip for ministry?

:: What’s the difference?

:: How can we tell if we’re in a process of being equipped for ministry or

  if we’re simply observing others do ministry?

Read John 9:1-4

:: What ‘Live SENT’ opportunities are here?

:: In what ways do we see things around us and revert to ‘living’ or focusing on discussion? 

:: Why is it so tempting to talk theology more than actively living God’s Word? 

:: What are ways that we are able to display the work of God in the lives of others as He works through us? How can we be more intentional in engaging as those doing the work of Jesus?

:: Why is Jesus’ ‘sent-ness’ key to what happens here? How is it significant that he sends us out with the same ‘sent-ness?’

Read 1 Peter 3:15

Why is Peter’s background/history/story significant in what the Holy Spirit inspired him to write here?

How do we see that this a directive, not an option? What does this mean for our ‘next steps’ with this?

How can we possibly be ‘ready...always!’? How does an awareness of our call to ‘facilitate something else’ help us prepare for readiness at all times? 

How does this move us to a place where we recognize and live out the reality that ‘hope involves expectation?’

“Living SENT is looking at the world around you with a willing expectancy and consistently choosing to be ‘Jesus with skin on.’

How can we be more aware of the ‘Live SENT’ opportunities around us? What are the opportunities we’re presented with every day to let others ‘Finish First.’ What are more unique opportunities (those that don’t come every day, but are special opportunities) we should be aware of? How do we prepare for those?

This Week:

Read Psalm 119:10-16

:: How can we tell if we have assumed the teachable posture of the psalmist?

:: What are symptoms that we do not have this level openness/teachability when it comes to the Word? What are the dangers of doing so?

:: What does it look like to position ourselves to be receptive to the Word? What part does obedience play in this?

“It ain’t those parts of the Bible I don’t understand that bother me. It’s the parts I do understand.” ~ Mark Twain

:: How can you relate to this?

:: What ‘part you do understand’ bothers you? How can you process this to understand God’s heart?

:: What does it look like to align our lives/hearts with the parts we understand and don’t like?

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12

:: How does this change the way we read and understand Scripture?

:: Why should this make us desire even more to read the Scriptures?

:: Have you ever thought of the Word as being ‘living and active?’ What does this mean? What are the ramifications for us?

Read James 1:22-27

:: What does it look like to listen to the Word...and deceive ourselves? Have you ever seen this happen in your own life? What are ways we avoid doing this?

::We sometimes forget that the Word is “the perfect law that gives freedom;” what are some of the [false] ways we can view the Word? How do these false perceptions cause difficulty for us?

:: What contingency for blessing is seen here? What do you think this blessing is (hint: it’s probably not a material blessing)?

Read Joshua 1:7-9

:: We again see a blessing contingent on following God’s Word. Why is this significant?

:: Why is this vital for Joshua/us to understand true success?

:: How is prosperity in God’s eyes different than prosperity in our own eyes?

:: What are ways we can errantly define a ‘win’ in our lives if we’re not regularly engaging with Scripture?

We were asked, “how long can you go without reading Scripture before you feel compelled to?” How did your answer reveal the level of priority God’s Word has in your life?

We were dared to pray Scripture (Psalm 119:10-16), read Scripture daily through this series, and do what it says. Lead your Group in discussion about what it looks like to accept this dare. Hold each other accountable to this and process what God is teaching you as you engage in this way.

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