January 24 - Middle School
What we’re learning this week:
As we continue our series about reading the Bible, students will learn the meaning of three important words to remember as they approach Bible reading: Context, Spirit, and Action. When we understand the background of a passage, open ourselves up to God speaking to us through Bible, and allow God to use it to change us from the inside out, we will see that the Bible is not just another book, but is God’s Word.
Bottom Line: God, help me. God, show me. God, lead me.
Scripture: Philippians 4:13 / John 14:26 / James 1:22-25
Small Group Discussion
Go over the key verse for the series (Same one from “the story of God” series!), discuss 1-3 of the small group questions, make a plan with your group to read the book of John this month and close in prayer – Consider having students pair up and pray for each other as they read the Bible this week.
Key Verse: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
Which of the three words from tonight were most interesting to you? (Context / Spirit / Action) Why?
Each word from tonight had a short prayer attached to it: Do you remember the prayers? (Context: God, help me // Spirit: God, show me. // Action: God, lead me.)
Which one can you commit to slowing down and praying before you read your bible next?
How is reading the book of John going? Where are you at and what do you notice?
Leaders: Here is a deeper dive question for each of the three parts of the teaching: feel free to choose one based on how discussion is going!
Context: Do you have a favorite verse? Do you know the background to that verse? If so: share it! If not: commit to learning the background of the verse this week!
Spirit: In addition to praying, what simple things can you do to remind yourself that the Holy Spirit is present as you read the Bible?
Action: Which of the two do you think is a bigger problem with people who don’t do what the Bible says: Knowledge (they don’t know) or obedience (they don’t want to) ?
Extra Info
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Don’t forget about the Lifeline Leader Toolkit. To learn more about this, check out this information page.
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If you’d ever like to reference the Lifeline handbook, we have a digital version of that available here on our website.
