APRIL & MAY

STUDY GUIDE

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STUDY GUIDE INTRODUCTION

As a church family we are taking this 2014-15 school year to study the Bible together

from Genesis to Revelation. Our hope is that as we focus on the larger story of what

God has been up to in the world it will help us better understand the role He has for us

to play at this time in history. As you study the scriptures as a family, as a small group or

as a class, please pray for our church to clearly hear God's voice. This study guide is

meant to help you explore the big themes of the Bible. You can use it as a stand-alone

study before or after our Sunday worship times in which the sermons will be based on

the same large topic, or you can use this study guide as a supplement to the other Story

materials like the teaching DVD and The Story novel. We arranged this study in a way

to help us each be more intentional about being disciples of Jesus by asking these

three primary questions:

1) What does the text say?

2) What is God saying to me through this text?

3) What is God asking me to do different in light of this text?

Thank you for being willing to be a part of this journey we are on together as a church

family, and thank you for being open to how God wants to invite you more deeply into

His beautiful story.

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April 12 Jesus’ Birth

Luke 2:1-20

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. Discover as many unique things as you can about the birth of Jesus.

2. Put yourself in the shoes of Joseph and Mary. What might they be feeling at

this time?

3. If you were a Shepherd, would you have gone to see the baby or would you

done something else? What would you have expected to find when you went to

see the baby?

PRAY: "Lord, what new thing are You showing me in this story?"

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. Who do you think Jesus is? What do you need to know about Jesus that would

make you respond differently than you do now?

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. What is most exciting to you about God coming in human form?

PRAYER TIME:

Prayer of the "Magnificat." As you end your time consider joining Mary in her prayer

Luke 1:46-55. Especially focus on magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in "God my

Savior!!"

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April 19 Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Mark 1:16-20 and Mark 3:13-19

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. The first three chapters of Mark’s Gospel Jesus demonstrates authority over

many things. Find as many things as you can which show Jesus’ authority.

2. Why do you think the disciples followed Jesus when He called them?

3. What does Jesus calling the disciples say to us about God’s plan to use us in His

work?

PRAY: Take a moment to listen to the Lord calling you "disciple."

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. What does it mean to you to be a disciple?

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. What is one thing that you need to do to become a better disciple?

PRAYER TIME:

PRAYER OF A DISCIPLE: Take time to "be with Jesus" (Mark 3:14) in silence.

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April 26 Jesus’ Teaching

Matthew 5-6 and Matthew 4:1–11

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. Matthew 5 and 6 Jesus teaches many things. How would you summarize the

teaching he gives in this passage?

If you were a disciple hearing this teaching how would you have responded?

What does it mean to you to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?

PRAY: Take a moment to listen for God's word to you.

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

When does it mean to you to take Jesus words to heart?

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

How does the community of faith help you to become a disciple?

PRAYER TIME:

THE DISCIPLES’ PRAYER: Recite the Lord's Prayer Matt. 6:9-13 pausing after each line

to listen.

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May 3 Jesus the Son of God

Luke 9:18-27 and Matthew 17:1-13

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. The big question in the gospels is who is Jesus? Even though the church had

decided this question the gospel writers maintained the struggle. What are

some of the options in Jesus day and what are the options in our day of who

Jesus is?

2. What made it difficult for the disciples to decide who Jesus was?

3. What new information was given to the disciples at the transfiguration and what

difference would it have made to their view who he was?

4. What is Jesus’ view about this event?

PRAY: "Lord reveal to me who You are!"

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

5. The gospels reveal Jesus as both Savior and Lord what difference does it make

if we separate the work of Jesus from the person of Jesus?

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

6. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the son of God?

PRAYER TIME:

PRAYER OF HEARING: God spoke and commanded the disciples to "hear Him". Take

the most pressing need you have to Jesus and then listen to Him.

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May 10 Jesus’ Betrayal and Death

Matthew 26:47-56

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. What role does the cross play in our faith?

2. Why do you think the disciples did not understand the death of Christ?

3. Why was it necessary that Jesus die on the cross?

PRAY: Ask Jesus to reveal the cross to you.

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. Why was it necessary that Jesus had to suffer?

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. Jesus said “as the Father sent me, so I send you.” What does that mean for us

today?

PRAYER TIME:

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS: "Father forgive them for they don't know what they do".

This is Jesus praying from the agony of the cross. Take some time to pray this prayer

over those who have offended you.

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May 17 Jesus’ Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-10 and John 20:1-10

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. What are the reasons that we believe the resurrection of Jesus really

happened?

2. What difference does the resurrection mean for our faith?

3. How do you think the resurrection changed the view of Jesus for disciples?

PRAY: "Jesus show me the power of Your resurrection in my life".

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. How does your thinking need to change regarding Jesus?

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. How can we talk about the resurrection today so that it will have meaning for

others?

PRAYER TIME:

PRAYER OF THE RESURRECTION: Consider joining the women in their awe of the

angel's words, "He is not here; for He has risen...!”

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DISCIPLESHIP LEARNING CIRCLE INTRODUCTION

The Learning Circle is a discipleship tool, which means it is a way to help us better follow Jesus. The premise is simple: God is always speaking, always wanting to communicate His love and plans to us, and we want to be people who hear this voice and respond in obedience. The first half of the circle is about REPENTING, which means to have our thinking changed by God. The second half of the circle is about BELIEVING, which means to have our behavior changed by God. Use this tool in order to help lead conversations all the way around the circle so that we might be people who more clearly know the ways of Jesus and more obediently follow the ways of Jesus. You will notice that our drawing of the Learning Circle includes two places to stop in order to engage prayer. Use this time as a group to listen for the voice of God because He wants to speak to us, and speak through us to our brothers and sisters.