The Story Discussion Guide: Jan 2015

JANUARY

STUDY GUIDE

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STUDY GUIDE INTRODUCTION

As a church family we are taking this 2014-15 school year to study the Bible together from Genesis to Revelation. Our hope is that as we focus on the larger story of what God has been up to in the world it will help us better understand the role He has for us to play at this time in history. As you study the scriptures as a family, as a small group or as a class, please pray for our church to clearly hear God's voice. This study guide is meant to help you explore the big themes of the Bible. You can use it as a stand-alone study before or after our Sunday worship times in which the sermons will be based on the same large topic, or you can use this study guide as a supplement to the other Story materials like the teaching DVD and The Story novel. We arranged this study in a way to help us each be more intentional about being disciples of Jesus by asking these three primary questions:

1) What does the text say?

2) What is God saying to me through this text?

3) What is God asking me to do different in light of this text?

Thank you for being willing to be a part of this journey we are on together as a church family, and thank you for being open to how God wants to invite you more deeply into His beautiful story.

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January 4, 2015 The King Who Had It All Main Sermon Text: 1Kings 9:1-9 Other Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-14, Proverbs 1-7; Ecclesiastes; 1 Kings 8: 22 – 61 CONTEXT questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1.

What did Solomon ask for and what did he refrain from asking for? What can we learn about prayer from this account in Solomon’s life?

2.

What are God’s priorities for his leaders?

3.

What insights do we learn from reading Proverbs about wisdom?

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What does Ecclesiastes add to this discussion?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

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When we look at God’s priorities what areas of our life need to change?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

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Given that wisdom is very practical what are some practical things we need to know in our life that will help us to be more Godly?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What do You want me to do?”

PRAYER TIME: PRAY FOR PEACE 1Kings 8:58 Solomon’s prayer for peace is based in complete trust that God keeps His word. Take some time to pray a promise of God that He has given you, like “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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The Week of January 11, 2015 A Kingdom Torn in Two Main Sermon Text: 1 Kings 12: 1 – 11; Other Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 11:9-13; 1 Kings 12:12-33 God desires unity in nations, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, churches, and homes. He invites us to be instruments of peace and to seek harmony in our relationships. Accomplishing this involves a lifelong commitment to follow God and seek his help. We can’t do this on our own.

CONTEXT questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1.

Compare and contrast Jeroboam and Rehoboam?

2.

What actually causes the split of the two kingdoms?

3.

Rehoboam sought two sources for advice … what were they? Why do you think he chose one over the other?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

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What are the ways that idolatry can sneak into our lives?

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Are there idols in my life what can I do to cast them out?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

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What can you do to seek peace and harmony in the church?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What do You want me to do?”

PRAYER TIME: PRAY FOR THE CHURCH One of the most divisive organizations in the history of the world, sadly, has been the church. As you move about your community in the coming week, commit to pray for every church you pass. Ask for God’s blessing and guidance for these brothers and sisters.

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The Week of January 18, 2015 The Prophets Main Sermon Text: 1 Kings 17 & 18 Other Scripture Reading: Amos & Hosea CONTEXT questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. What is Ahab like as a King?

2.

Describe Jezebel?

3.

Why do you think there was this power encounter with the prophets of Baal?

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Why is Elijah so bold and why is he so afraid?

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What is God like?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

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What does the prophet Amos tell us about what most needs to change in our lives?

What is the message of Hosea? What is God like?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

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What do we need to believe about God as we live in this broken world?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What do You want me to do?”

PRAYER TIME: PRAY FOR THE OBEDIENCE 1Kings 18:36 Elijah has obeyed in a very challenging situation and the Lord honors his obedience. Ask the Lord to highlight an area in your life where He is asking for complete surrender.

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The Week of January 25, 2015 Fall of Israel Main Sermon Text: 2 Kings 17:1-14 Other Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 23:1-30 CONTEXT questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1.

What are the reasons that Israel falls?

2.

How would you describe their sin?

3.

What role does Josiah play?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4.

What are the temptations to be like other nations?

5.

What can we learn from this temptation when we apply it to ourselves?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

6. What kind of changes need to take place with our behavior when we think about following God? PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, What do You want me to do?”

PRAYER TIME: PRAY FOR A CONTRITE HEART II Kings 17:14. This is not a prayer but rather a statement of the results of not praying.

It is sad to think that we can be stubborn and not believe but it is still true. Pray for a contrite heart to see your life as God sees it and then confess whatever is standing in your way of faith.

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DISCIPLESHIP LEARNING CIRCLE INTRODUCTION The Learning Circle is a discipleship tool, which means it is a way to help us better follow Jesus. The premise is simple: God is always speaking, always wanting to communicate His love and plans to us, and we want to be people who hear this voice and respond in obedience. The first half of the circle is about REPENTING, which means to have our thinking changed by God. The second half of the circle is about BELIEVING, which means to have our behavior changed by God. Use this tool in order to help lead conversations all the way around the circle so that we might be people who more clearly know the ways of Jesus and more obediently follow the ways of Jesus. You will notice that our drawing of the Learning Circle includes two places to stop in order to engage prayer. Use this time as a group to listen for the voice of God because He wants to speak to us, and speak through us to our brothers and sisters.