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Demystify Pg 1 Week Three – Engage BOTTOM LINE
Hearing God’s direction positions us to experience His protection.
GOAL OF THE GROUP
To discuss our understanding of the Bible and create meaningful conversation that stretches our faith and draws us closer to the heart of God.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:11
THINK ABOUT “Scripture is like a pair of spectacles which dispels the darkness and gives us a clear view of God.” ~ John Calvin “The Bible, God’s inerrant Word, is forever true whether or not anyone reads or believes it; but it becomes of value to you when you get hold of it for yourself. Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you.”
~ Robert A. Cook
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (Note: this study guide is adapted from the Demystify Engagement Plan found of the Kensington App.) READY YOUR HEART - Prepare yourself. Before you begin today, start with this prayer: “God, please allow your Word to speak to me today in a way that moves by heart to action. Please be my moral compass and direct my path. Please show me how I can hide your Word in my heart. My eyes are open to your ways and I desire to follow you.” 1. Part of what makes the Bible so important in our lives is the fact that it deals with so many areas of our lives. Does this encourage you to engage with God’s Word? 2. This past week, we said “we can’t trust ourselves as the moral center for our own lives”. We mess up when we’re on our own! Do you agree or disagree with this? Why? 3. Our greatest sources of regret could be absent from our lives if we simply allowed the truths of the Bible to guide our lives. Often, our regrets are connected to our decision making. Can you think of a decision you wish you could “do-over”? 4. This past week, we said that many people tend to focus on praying for God to ACT. We often want Him to intervene and turn circumstances around. But if we’re focused on getting God to ACT, we miss when God wants to SPEAK. Can you relate to this? How? ENGAGE - Dive into the text. Read Psalm 119:105 NIV: “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light to my path.” Read Psalm 119:11 NIV: “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” 5. David, the writer of the book of Psalm, talks about listening to God and making it the foundation for obeying God. Isn’t this beautiful imagery? David’s response is to say “listen to God and let his Word illuminate the path for you to walk.” What comes to mind when you reflect on Psalm 119:105? 6. Can you imagine your life if you had a light for the dark, uncertain moments in your life? What would your life look like?
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Demystify Pg 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 7. In Psalm 119:11, David is literally saying that God’s Words have become a part of Him. It’s not just intellectual or knowledge; the words have infiltrated his heart. Can you think of a stronger connection between words and actions? How will these actions keep David from sinning? 8. God did not design us to experience the types of regret we face in life. How can the Bible provide protection from sinning against God and the regret that comes with it? 9. We often refer to the Bible as God’s Word, but we could also call it God’s perspective and interpretation on how we are to live and interact with Him. How does your viewpoint change when you read the Bible with this understanding? APPLY - Take a step. 10. Consider this: If your life decisions became clearer, you could have fewer regrets. What kinds of relational or financial regrets could you avoid? 11. Hearing God’s direction positions us to experience His protection. But this is only possible by engaging with God’s Word. Have you ever moved away from engaging with the Bible and then experienced regret in return? What could stop this from happening again? 12. You may want to follow what God has for your life, but the Bible doesn’t come alive when you sit down to read it. Does this sound like you? Use this tool – R.E.A.D. – an acronym, to help you better engage with God’s Word. R = Ready Your Heart E = Engage The Text A = Ask Questions D = Decide To Act
Start with prayer – ask God to speak to you and help you to listen Journal and write in your Bible – underline, circle, highlight, write notes, date it Who wrote it? Why was it written? How do I apply it? Ask yourself “what is my take-away today?” and have a clear next step
Two great resources for you to engage with the context of what you’re reading are: BlueLetterBible.org and BibleProject. org DECIDE - Change your heart. To wrap up your time, pray this prayer or a version of this prayer: “God, I don’t want to live my life in the dark without you. I want to engage in your Word. Your Word is like the fuel that powers a fire. Please light a fire in my heart that burns for you. Please etch your ways on my heart. Help me move forward in your protection as I follow your direction.”
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