PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Ensure you have access to the weekly video and can play it for the group.
• Review the weekly Big Idea for your reference. This is intended to give you context for the week. You can choose whether or not to read this in the group as a summary/refresher after watching the video.
• Read through the Group and Individual Practices ahead of time.

BIG IDEA: Approaching the Bible

• Your approach to God’s Word affects your experience with God’s Word.
• The point of studying the Bible is primarily to connect with God.
• As we read the Bible, we need to allow it to “read” us, giving us guidance and revealing where we need transformation.

Connection Time - 20 Minutes

Sermon Review - 20 Minutes
(Guides are updated weekly on the Community webpage.)

Group Application - 40 Minutes
Group practice - do this together in Group‍

• WATCH the overview video together, then engage in discussion.‍
• REVIEW the video and Discussion Highlights for this week.
• ASK: What has been the biggest help to your connecting with Jesus through scripture?
• ASK: What has been the biggest hindrance to your connecting with Jesus through scripture?
• PRAY for Jesus to reveal himself in scripture and for your hearts to be open to his voice, then take some time to allow everyone to read Colossians 3:1-17. Come back together afterward and discuss what stood out to you as you read.
• REVIEW the memory verse and other resources for the month.

Individual practice - to do on your own throughout the week

• Watch this video from Pastor Allen on how to prepare your heart to grow with God.‍
• This video can also be found by going to: https://www.definition.church/item/preparing-for-growth‍
• Create a Bible study plan. Ensure you have defined at least the place, time, and book or passage you will begin working through.

Pray - 10 Minutes

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Ensure you have access to the weekly video and can play it for the group.
• Review the weekly Big Idea for your reference. This is intended to give you context for the week. You can choose whether or not to read this in the group as a summary/refresher after watching the video.
• Read through the Group and Individual Practices ahead of time.

BIG IDEA: Studying the Bible

• Studying the Bible helps us understand and pay attention to the way God speaks to us today.
• The point of studying scripture is to connect with Jesus.
• When we study the Bible together, we are able to better understand how God is working.

Connection Time - 15 Minutes

Sermon Review - 15 Minutes
(Guides are updated weekly on the Community webpage.)

Group Application - 50 Minutes
Group practice - do this together in Group‍

• DISCUSS last week’s individual practice. What point of Pastor Allen’s video was most helpful to you? What is your current plan for studying the Bible?
• ‍WATCH the overview video together.‍
• REVIEW the video and Discussion Highlights for this week.‍
• READ Romans 6:5-11 together in the English Standard Version, the New Living Translation, and The Message. Then, practice “SOAP” together: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.‍
• ASK: What has helped you learn how to apply the Bible to your life more effectively?‍
• ASK: Are there any topics or stories in the Bible that you would like to learn more about? Discuss as a group how you can each begin to do so.‍
• REVIEW the memory verse and other resources for the month.

Individual practice - to do on your own throughout the week

Choose a verse to memorize this week. If you’re unsure of what verse to pick, you can choose one of the following:

• Romans 10:9 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
• John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
• Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

It may be helpful to read it aloud, write it out, keep it on an index card somewhere easily visible, and focus on key words.

Pray - 10 Minutes

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Ensure you have access to the weekly video and can play it for the group.
• Review the weekly Big Idea for your reference. This is intended to give you context for the week. You can choose whether or not to read this in the group as a summary/refresher after watching the video.
• Read through the Group and Individual Practices ahead of time.

BIG IDEA: Meditating on the Bible

• Your thoughts are the birthplace of your words and actions.
• Engaging with the Bible consistently allows it to take root in our hearts and bring about change.
• We connect with scripture regularly so that we are always open to God’s voice.

Connection Time - 15 Minutes

Sermon Review - 15 Minutes
(Guides are updated weekly on the Community webpage.)

Group Application - 50 Minutes
Group practice - do this together in Group‍

• DISCUSS the previous week's individual practice. What verse did you work on memorizing?
• WATCH the overview video together.‍
• REVIEW the video and Discussion Highlights for this week.
• READ the entire book of Philippians out loud together, taking turns reading (e.g. one paragraph or one chapter each).
• ASK: How did reading through an extended portion of the Bible all at once feel? Did it affect you differently than your normal scripture reading?
• ASK: What are some methods you have tried to keep scripture in your mind throughout your day?
• REVIEW the memory verse and other resources for the month.

Individual practice - to do on your own throughout the week

Watch this Bible Project video on how the Bible was written for meditation: Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature.

Lectio Divina (“Divine Reading”) is a way of listening to God while you read the Bible. It is an ancient Christian tradition that makes reading through scripture more conversational with God. Try this practice:

• Begin with prayer: Jesus, I come with no agenda but to hear your voice. Speak to me. Teach me. I am listening.
• Read Psalm 119:33-40 very slowly. Pay attention to images, phrases, or words that stand out to you, and let that be your focus.
• Read the passage again. Consider how the particular images, phrases, or words that you previously noticed might relate to your life today.
• Pause to pray. Invite God into the different things he has revealed to you and caused you to think about in the first two readings. Be honest with him about any conviction, confusion, inspiration, or encouragement you have found in this passage.
• Finally, read the passage a fourth time while reflecting on what this passage reveals about God’s character. Remember as you read that this is his word to you and his hope for you. Rest in this assurance.

Pray - 10 Minutes

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Decide in advance what you will do this week for the Group Practice. This can be anything that builds community and relationships. If your group missed a week, you can also use this week to make up for previous content.

Connection Time - 20 Minutes

Sermon Review - 20 Minutes
(Guides are updated weekly on the Community webpage.)

Group Time - 40 Minutes

• REVIEW the previous week’s individual practice. What did you get out of your lectio divina reading of Psalm 119?
• In addition to the usual connection time and sermon review, use this week’s meeting to foster community and deepen relationships.
• REVIEW the memory verse and other resources for the month.

Pray - 10 Minutes