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Date: January 31, 2021
Knowing God
The Point: Our hearts are satisfied as we encounter God through His Word.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
On December 23rd, two hikers in British Columbia got lost in the woods at night. The hikers had started out hiking on snowy Mt. Seymour. They hiked following the tracks left behind by skiers. But this route took them “way too far” and soon they were stuck in steep, snowy woods with darkness falling. But their story has a good ending. That same night the North Shore Rescue Team was out in a helicopter, conducting training for flying with night-vision equipment. While conducting their training, they spotted the two hikers stranded in the steep terrain. The rescue team lowered radios and supplies to the lost hikers. The next morning a rescue team on the ground rappelled down to where the hikers were stranded and brought them to safety in harnesses.
Say: For the two hikers on Mt. Seymour, following ski tracks led them astray and left them stranded in danger. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have bad directions or instructions really led you astray?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #3.
The website BibleGateway.com compiled a list of the most-searched-for Bible verses in 2020. (The website allows users to search for Bible verses in a variety of ways, including searching for certain key words or topics.) During 2020, website users searched for verses related to topics like politics, racism, justice, pandemics, and the end times more than 10 times the number of searches done in 2019. “People are trying to find answers in situations that are difficult to see the answers. They do tend to turn to the Bible for whatever answers they can find,” said Jonathan Petersen, content manager for Bible Gateway. One thing that did not change is that the two most-read verses on Bible Gateway – John 3:16 and Jeremiah 29:11 – remain the same year after year. The two most popular search terms remain “love” and “peace.” But in 2020, the search term “hope” moved up to the number 3 position on the list. “You could say people are looking for hope more this year than they have in the previous couple years,” Petersen said.
Say: Many people would describe 2020 as an extremely challenging year. The Bible Gateway website provides evidence of these challenges in the ways people turn to and search the scriptures to find help. Then call attention to Question #3 (How has knowing God through His Word helped you face challenges in life?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— 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.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- Who always gives you outstanding advice?
- What is your preferred method of getting directions to a location, and why?
- Where do you typically turn for instructions or guidance when you are in a pinch?
Psalm 119:17-18
- How has the Bible helped you get to know God?
- For what areas of your life are you needing to hear from God?
- What are some benefits of studying God’s Word?
Psalm 119:19-22
- What has helped you grow in your desire to know God’s Word?
- What are some obstacles that hinder you from experiencing God through His Word?
- How does God’s Word encourage us when we face opposition?
Psalm 119:23-24
- Who do you know who really leans into God’s Word and utilizes it in their lives?
- What is required if we are to intentionally internalize God’s Word?
- When has God’s Word given you wise counsel?
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:
The Jackson Pollock Approach to Reading the Bible
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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