THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
Each summer, many of our faithful weekly volunteers take a break. Now is a great time for small groups to jump in and choose 3-4 weeks over the summer to serve in Discovery Village or Hospitality. We need your help! Sign up for one of our ministries at adabible.info under SERVE.
GROUP VALUES
This month we look at the group value of Spiritual Practices. We have a section in our Growing Spiritually Learning Module on Spiritual Disciplines. Look through this module and consider one of the suggested practices to discuss and implement as a group. Find the module at learning.adabible.org.
GROW AS A LEADER
(Re)watch our Small Group Leader Huddle Recap video. Watch when you want to learn more about serving, relational investments and group growth. Find it at adabible.org/HuddleRecap.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
This is the fifth week of our series called THE BIBLE. This week’s conversation is about four questions we can answer on why we trust the Bible.
“Would you rather” have a Memorial Day party or spend the weekend gardening?
Have someone read Luke 1:1-4 (the same verse from last week) and allow for a quiet minute for the group to just sit with the words. After some silence, discuss what word or words impacted you during this time?
QUESTION 1: ISN’T IT JUST A MATTER OF INTELLECT?
Have someone read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. God was establishing a relationship with the people of Israel through everyday activities. What are the various daily activities Israel was challenged to do with the Scriptures?
We are still invited into a meaningful relationship with God and Scripture today. What words would you use to describe your own relationship with the Bible? How does it feel to think about God’s words as a friend?
In what new ways could we interact with Scripture to deepen our friendship?
QUESTION 2: HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE TEXTS WE GOT?
Guest Pastor John Dickson reminded us there are a large number of texts to compare for accuracy. One of the criteria for determining which text to include in the Bible is if it was written by an apostle or learned directly from an apostle. How does this help us trust Scripture on an intellectual level?
QUESTION 3: HOW CLOSE IN TIME WERE THE BIBLE TEXTS WRITTEN?
The New Testament was written by its various authors reasonably close to when the events actually happened. What does Luke 1:1-4 tell us about why this matters?
QUESTION 4: HOW DO WE KNOW THE BIBLE ISN’T A TEXT OF POWER POLITICS?
Some people may challenge the Bible, saying it was written for or texts were chosen for political power or gain. Why might someone think this was a likely motivation?
One of the New Testament themes is service and humility over strength and power, written by average individuals. Jesus modeled this lowly manner when he washed the disciples’ feet and challenged them to do the same. In what ways did Jesus’s life turn the idea of power on its head?
Our trust ultimately rests in God and knowing that God has given us the texts we need. Thinking back to the question about our relationship with Scripture, how does deepening our friendship with the Bible help us trust that this solid and yet soft Scripture is indeed what we need?
WRAP UP
Today we talked about trusting the Bible based on intellect, text selection, time frame and not because it was written for political gain. Which area impacted you the most, and how can you take a step to grow in that area this week?