EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – All In: A Life of Commitment– Session 3

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Date: November 1, 2020

Committed to His Word

The Point: God’s Word gives trustworthy guidance for all of life.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question #1.

This summer the WebMd website published a list of “9 Scientific Secrets to Healthy Aging.” Their list includes things like eating whole foods (veggies, fruits, grains, nuts, dairy); walking 30 minutes every day; staying connected to other people; keeping a regular sleep schedule; and staying optimistic. Following these science-backed habits can help a person to stay healthy and live longer.

Say: “Stick to healthy habits” can be good advice for people as they age. Then call attention to Question #1 (What advice would you include if you wrote a how-to book on growing older?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/healthy-aging-secret#3 

Get Into the Study [Additional Option for Adult Leader Guide]

In advance, prepare a video clip of an elderly person giving advice about growing older. Then ask Question #1.

Study the Bible

Use the following information to supplement Question #4.

Christian workers Mary and Andrew Flint* are serving among Persian refugees, working to help their churches grow. “We labor for a people group from a country where we are not able to enter and live,” Mary said. “Most of our connections with this group are with those who have become refugees due to extreme persecution for their faith. As you would expect, this type of persecution results in many of these refugees having a difficult time trusting people, especially people from their native land.” These refugees who are believers are joining together to form churches. Sometimes they are the only Christians in these new places they settle.

“Most of the pastors of these churches are refugees themselves, simply lay people, not trained theologians. Sadly, poor theology often creeps into these churches via satellite TV or books written promoting a prosperity gospel,” Mary said.

“One of our biggest prayers over the last five years has been that these fellowships would learn to correctly handle God’s Word. In addition, we’ve prayed that these leaders would openly communicate with each other and unite as a body scattered across the country.” Despite the pandemic, the Flints are seeing their prayers answered as these refugee pastors are gathering by way of weekly Zoom meetings to talk about the best ways to communicate Scripture and minister in their congregations. The Flints are asking churches in the U.S. to pray for the Persian refugee fellowships, especially that God would call pastors and that the leaders would preach God’s Word accurately.

* Names changed for security.

Say: Christian workers like the Flints know the power of God’s Word in people’s lives and are helping to strengthen that influence among the Persian refugee believers. Then call attention to Question #4 (What specific steps can you take to increase the influence of God’s Word in your life?)

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.imb.org/2020/08/03/persian-refugee-pastors-faithful-teaching-partnership/ 

— Donna McKinney wrote this Leader Extra. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina. 

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

• When you buy a new item, what do you do with the “how-to” manual that comes with it?
• Where do you typically go when you need to learn how to do something quickly?
• Who was the most impactful teacher you ever had? Why did you choose that person?

Psalm 119:1-4

• What words would you use to describe God’s Word?
• When has obeying God’s Word led to blessing in your life?
• How does God’s Word impact your life on a daily basis?

Psalm 119:5-8

• What was the psalmist’s desire and determination in these verses?
• How can we avoid treating God’s Word like helpful hints rather than commands to be diligently kept?
• What helps you to know and obey God’s Word?

Psalm 119:9-11

• What strategies have helped you store God’s Word in your heart?
• Who do you know who treasures and makes effective use of God’s Word in their lives?
• What impact has God’s Word had in your efforts to reject sin and embrace God’s will?

For Those in Your Group

Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:

What Do You Really Need to Know?

Podcast

Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.

Magazine Article

This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.

• Mature Living – When God Speaks

Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups

• 4 Ways to Deepen Discussion

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