Session Extras

Year 2

Reading the Bible: Session 5
Digging In

Here are some great links for further study and discussion. Check out the book suggestions. We've also included additional resources for leaders.

Digging Deeper:

Lugene Schempers discusses the strengths of using a study Bible in the article “Reading the Bible with the Experts.”
Do you have a hunger for the Scripture? Read about Bob Rudesill’s journey in his meditation called “God Is Good: The Robe of Salvation . . . Isaiah 61:10a.”
Sandy Swartzentruber talks about what got her reading the Bible on a daily basis in her article “Getting Past Good Intentions.”
Bob DeMoor asserts that reading the Bible will change our lives in “Basic Retraining.”
Tony Campolo suggests that we read the Bible as a love letter written by God to us in the article “Knowing God.”
In the article “Growing Closer to God Through Reading Scripture” we are encouraged to read the Bible with our hearts (and our heads).
The Belgic Confession states that the word of God is complete for salvation and we must read it carefully. Read more in the article “Lesson from a Failed Charismatic Teaching for Discussion” by Rob Braun.
Check out “Suggestions for Engaging Scripture” from the Reformed Church in America.
Are you ready to take God’s Word into this world? Read more in the article “Dirty Qur'ans, Dusty Bibles” by Ted Olsen.
Read Peter Slofstra’s sermon “Bringing Your Bible Along.”
Ben Witherington discusses how to read the Bible in the following blog posts:

For Small Group Facilitators/Leaders:

The lesson is designed for a one-hour session. Here are suggestions for how to shorten or lengthen the session, as well as what part to emphasize.

Shorter session:

Combine Bring It Home, Option 3, with the Live It Out section. End your time together in prayer.

In For Starters, write the questions or insights down during your discussion. These questions will be used if you choose Bring It Home, Option 2.

Longer session: Begin your time together by reviewing the four previous lessons with the group.

Here are some additional ideas to help you tailor the lesson to your group.

For Starters:

This is a good time to review the four previous lessons. Discuss how this study has helped build a global understanding of Scripture.
Write the questions or insights down during your discussion. These questions will be used if you choose Bring It Home, Option 2.

Let’s Focus: Ask for four volunteers, one to read each paragraph.
Word Search:

Psalm 119:89-112. Besides being the longest book in the Bible, Psalm 119 is an alphabet acrostic, eight verses for each Hebrew letter. The psalm is a celebration of the law, listing our benefits from and responsibilities to the law of God. Consider playing or singing “Thy Word” by Amy Grant. Note how closely the song follows the words of Psalm 119:105.
Luke 4:1-13. The book of Luke begins with a brief prologue followed by the story of Jesus’ birth. Luke 3-4:13 tells about Jesus' preparation for the ministry—his baptism and temptations.

Bring It Home

Option 1:

Consider having the group draw pictures of the metaphors; supply large sheets of paper and markers.
Review the quote in the box on page 147 from Debra Rienstra. How would your view of the authority of Scripture look? What would be the center? Would you use circles?

Option 2:

Choose only one or two of the questions. You may want to start with the third bullet point.
Option 3:

Share your plans with each other. One person's idea may encourage someone else to try it.
There are many different ways to read the Bible in one year. Here are a few plans to check out:

Each week read from a different section of the Bible in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.
Read the Bible in One Year adds a Psalm every tenth day.
Make your own Bible Reading Plan. Select the version of the Bible you use and the time of year you start and choose a reading plan: from the beginning to end; chronological; historical; the New Testament followed by the Old Testament, or Old Testament and New Testament readings each day.
Lectionary readings are also available.

Pray It Through: Select two or three of the areas mentioned to help focus your prayer.
Live It Out:

Ask the group to suggest passages to memorize. Compile the list and send it to everyone in your group.
Suggest the group commit to reading the Bible in one year. Read about Susan Maycinik Nikaido’s experience in the article “Read It and Reap.”
In addition to reading the Bible, encourage your group to find good resources to help you understand it. Check out the Book Resources. Ask your pastor and church staff for recommendations.

Submit your ideas!

Do you have suggestions for this particular session? Something that was especially meaningful for you or your group? Extra reading you’d like to suggest? Help others get the most out of this session. Send your ideas to editors@FaithAliveResources.org and we’ll consider adding them here!