Date: October 30, 2022
Study God’s Word
The Point: Regular study of God’s Word keeps us firmly grounded.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
On May 28, Steven Goodhart graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. What makes Goodhart unusual is that he is 80 years old and was the oldest student graduating from the university in the spring ceremony. This is Goodhart’s third degree. He has already received two degrees from Penn State — a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1964 and a master of engineering science in 1970. Goodhart spent most of his career working at the Philadelphia Naval Yard before retiring and deciding to return to college. Goodhart’s professors at the University of Delaware praised his dedication and eagerness to learn. “I wanted to go back and study the humanities and learn the things I had no exposure to as an engineering student,” said Goodhart. “I also was very interested in criminal justice and wanted to discover more about this field.”
Say: Life-long learner Steven Goodhart shows us that age is no barrier to learning new things. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you really enjoyed learning something?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #2.
Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the American Time Use Survey. This study measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities. The statistics released this past June reflect data collected for 2021. Here’s how Americans spent their leisure time:
- On an aerage day, the majority of Americans over the age of 15 engaged in some kind of leisure and sport activity (watching tv, socializing, exercising). Men spent 5.6 hours a day on leisure and sport activity. Women spent 4.9 hours a day.
- Watching television is the most popular leisure and sport activity. On an average day, Americans spend 2.9 hours watching television.
- On an average day, Americans age 75 and older read for 41 minutes. People ages 15 to 44 averaged reading 10 minutes a day or less.
- On an average day, Americans spend 34 minutes playing games and using a computer for leisure.
- On an average day, Americans spend 34 minutes socializing and communicating (such as visiting with friends or attending a social event).
- On an average day, Americans spend over an hour participating in sports, exercise, or recreation. For men, it is 1.7 hours a day. For women it is 1.2 hours.
Say: The statistics show that many Americans find time for a variety of leisure and sport activities each day. These activities might be productive and healthy ways to spend our time. But we all have a limited number of hours in the day. Since we can’t “do it all,” we have to makes some choices about how we spend our time. For example, we choose whether or not to make time each day for studying God’s Word. Then call attention to Question #2 (What might get in the way of regularly studying God’s Word?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm
Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. 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.
Study the Bible [Option from the Young Adult Leader Guide, p. 113]
After discussing question #5, use one of these video clips of tightrope walking to encourage a discussion about the dangers inherent in this situation as opposed to standing firmly on the ground, and to guide the group to consider ways they can be more grounded in God’s Word.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What are some adjectives that would describe your study habits in school?
- Other than the Bible, what are some books you’ve read more than once?
2 Timothy 2:14-15
- How can we be sure we correctly handle the Word of God?
- What are some tools you use to make sure you correctly handle the Word of God?
- What are some obstacles to regular study of God’s Word?
2 Timothy 2:16-19
- What are examples of irreverent and empty speech we should avoid?
- How can knowing God’s Word help us more easily recognize deception?
- What do you think our culture gets wrong about God’s Word?
2 Timothy 2:22-26
- How has Scripture encouraged you to greater obedience?
- Why is it important for us to share what the Scripture teaches us?
- How has your life changed because of regularly studying God’s Word?
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:
It’s OK to Fact-Check Your Leaders
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – Don’t Water It Down
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
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I love listening to the podcasts but it keeps stopping and going back to the beginning and starting over. I do not know if it is the podcasts or something else. I keep listening but I t takes a lot longer than 20 minutes. Lol.
Do you experience this with just one of our podcasts or several? You might try using a different app or program for listening to the podcasts.