When you grow up group guide week 4

WHEN YOU GROW UP | Connection Group Discussion Guide | Week 4 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. — Proverbs 30:5

Connect (5 to 10 minutes) Come together to build relationships through fellowship and sharing about this week’s worship.

• Take a few minutes to share your thoughts about worship this week.

– What aspects of worship did or did not connect with you?

– What story or illustration made an impact on you?

• Icebreaker: Share about a story that your family always likes to retell at holidays. Why do you think this story is important to your family?

Context (30 to 40 minutes) Dig deeper into the video and scriptures for this week through questions and discussion.

Watch the video for this session on your Connection Group DVD or online.

• What is your favorite way to read scripture and why (on your phone, computer, printed Bible, etc.)?

– What is your favorite setting for reading scripture, and why (coffee shop, vacation, while eating breakfast, etc.)?

• Share about someone in your life who has been a storyteller.

– What kinds of stories did they share?

– Why were these stories impactful for you?

– How have these stories shaped who you are and what you do?

• Do you agree with the idea that there is a difference between knowing the Bible and learning or living the Bible?

– Why or why not?

– Describe what you think the difference is between these two ideas.

• How do you respond to the idea of reading scripture in the same way we listen to stories, instead of reading it like a birth certificate?

– Is this how you read scripture now? Why or why not?

– How do you respond to the phrase “meet God at the dining room table”?

• What story in scripture has been most impactful in your relationship with God? – Why is this story so influential in your life?

Read Proverbs 30:5 • Share about a time in your life when scripture has been a refuge for you.

– What passages have given you comfort in difficult times of your life?

– How did you find those passages (friends or family, daily devotionals, sermons)?

• When do you find reading scripture to be more of a challenge for you?

– Which scriptures are more difficult for you to read or understand?

– How do you wrestle with these scripture passages or try to learn more about them?

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 • Describe how scripture impacts your life and faith on a daily basis.

– If you don’t read scripture regularly, why is that?

– If you do read scripture regularly, share what it means to you and why.

• Who in your life has taught you about scripture in a way that has impacted you (Sunday school teachers, pastors, authors, friends)?

– Why have they been so meaningful to you?

– How has what you learned changed how you read scripture now?

• Share about a time in your life when scripture has offered you correction.

– What did you do in response to reading this passage?

– Was receiving this instruction difficult for you? Why or why not?

– How did your relationship with God change because of this experience?

Call (10 minutes) We believe that God not only shows us who God is but invites us to participate in God’s ministry by answering unique calls in our own lives. Join together in discovering how we can actively respond to scripture and God’s presence.

• How, through this discussion, have you been inspired to learn your Bible in a new way?

– What would help you to meet with God as you read scripture instead of reading scripture alone?

Closing (5 minutes) God calls us into community by sharing our joys and concerns together in prayer and supporting one another in our walks with Christ. As we share testimony and stories of our lives, let us listen to where God is working within our community and how we can build each other up in Christian love.

• Share joys and concerns with one another.

• Close in prayer, either by inviting a group member to pray or by using the prayer provided below.

Closing Prayer Loving God, we are so thankful you have given us the collection of stories that make up our Christian scriptures. We know you speak to us through these passages to show us love, to give us correction, and to empower us to do your will. Inspire us to learn our Bible in new ways and to sit with you at the kitchen table as we learn. Amen.