Group Discussion Guide a
DISCOVERY Extra
BiBle Reading PuBlication
How to Use the
Extra Discussion Guide
The DiscoveryExtra Discussion Guide is a companion to Scripture Union’s Discovery daily Bible reading guide, published quarterly. The Discussion Guide features a set of questions based on a topic arising from the previous week’s readings. It enables a small group or Sunday School class to share personal insights from their readings in God’s Word that week and then discuss the topic, using the suggested questions. Each week’s DiscoveryExtra discussion page will look like this:
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To get the most from your discussion time, just follow these 5 simple steps: w Prepare to read and discuss God's Word. That may include worship and/or prayer. w Share insights each has gained from the past week's readings. w Read the passage chosen for your group’s discussion this week. w Discuss the passage, using the discussion questions as a guide. w Pray about what you’ve learned from God’s Word. You may use the Prayer Journal on the inside back cover of the Discovery daily Bible Reading Guide for personal prayer reminders.
JUNE 26 – JULY 2
Why Make Vows At All? READ: 1 SAMUEL 1:1-20 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “God knows what’s best for us and I don’t think we need to bribe or try to influence God with vows so I never make them” Do you agree with this statement? Explain. 2. Do you feel vows are ever necessary in praying to God? If so, when? If not, why not? 3. Have you ever made a vow to God when asking for something in prayer? If so, share. 4. Hannah vowed to give her son to the Lord if God answered her prayer. Was that vow too drastic? What kind of vows do you feel are most appropriate? 5. How often do you think vows should be used in prayer? Are they only a “last resort” in a desperate situation like Hannah’s or should they be a regular part of prayer? Explain. 6. Do you think that vows in prayer are common or uncommon among Christians today? Explain your answer. If uncommon, should they be more so? Why?
Did God Really Speak To You? READ: 1 SAMUEL 3:1—4:1a My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “I know it was God speaking to me. It was just as clear as if I heard a voice.” What questions or comments would you pose to a person who said this? 2. In what ways do you believe God speaks to a person today? Can you give actual examples? 3. Have you ever felt that God spoke to you clearly and directly about something? If so, explain. 4. With all the “voices” urging us in many directions, how can a Christian recognize the voice of God? How do you do it? 5. What role does (or should) your church fellowship and the Bible play in helping you recognize God’s voice?
JULY 3 – JULY 9
6. Have you known someone who was sure God had spoken to them and you were just as sure it was not true? If so, explain the situation.
JULY 10 – JULY 16
Be Careful What You Ask For! READ: 1 SAMUEL 8:1-22 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “ I assume I can ask God for just about anything I want because God will only give me what’s best for me. Isn’t that right?” Do you agree? explain. 2. What was wrong with the people’s request of Samuel? How can a person know that they are asking for something that is not good or right? 3. Have you ever asked for something special from the Lord? Was your request granted? Explain. 4. When you ask for something from God, do you usually expect to receive it? Why or why not? 5. Why would God grant a person’s request even if the result (as in Israel’s case) is not his will for them or the best for them? 6. If you could ask God for something now--for you, your family, or church-- what would you ask for? Do you expect God would grant it? Explain why.
What’s Most Important to God? READ: 1 SAMUEL 15:1-31 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “ I don’t think it’s so important how we do God’s work as long as we achieve the right end result. That’s what’s most important to God, isn’t it? Do you agree? Explain. 2. What was Saul’s big mistake here? Do you think God was too harsh with him? Explain. 3. What temptations do you or believers you know face to “do it differently” than what God has commanded? 4. Saul’s excuse for his disobedience was that he and his men would use the booty to worship God. What excuses have you heard Christians use for disobeying? Have you ever seen or been involved in a situation where someone offered an “honorable” excuse for disobeying God? If so, explain the situation.
6. If a new believer asked you what was the best way to live a life that pleased God what would you say?
JULY 17 – JULY 23
5. Saul lost his kingdom as a result of his disobedience. What consequences have you seen for those who tried to serve God their own way, not his?
JULY 24 – JULY 30
Dealing with Jealousy READ: 1 SAMUEL 18:1-16 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. ”I’m supposed to be the leader of this class but one of the members knows more about the Bible than I do and people listen to him more than to me. I think he should leave.” Do you agree? Explain. 2. What was the reason for Saul’s anger and jealousy of David? Do you think it was at all justified? Explain your answer. 3. Have you (or has someone you know) ever been jealous of another Christian? If so, explain what caused it and how you handled it. 4. What reaction or emotion do you think should and could replace jealousy when you begin to feel it? How and why? 5. How would you respond to someone whom you knew was jealous of you for some reason? Would you respond differently to a believer than to a non-believer? Explain. 6. Saul’s jealousy led to dire consequences (he tried to kill David, 11). Have you seen jealousy result in serious consequences? How would you have advised those involved?
Are “White Lies” Ever Right? READ: 1 SAMUEL 21:1-15 AND GENESIS 20:1-18 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “I didn’t want to be unkind and hurt his feelings so I didn’t quite tell the truth. It was one of those ‘little white lies’ we all have to tell now and then.” How would you respond? 2. David lied and misled Achish into thinking he was insane. Do you think he did the right thing? Why or why not? What might he have done instead? 3. Some of the “heroes” of God’s people have told outright lies to preserve their safety. What do you see as the dangers or pitfalls of this behavior by believers? 4. Have you seen believers you know intentionally misleading others? What justification did they give? How did you feel about it?
6. Are there any realistic, foreseeable circumstances under which you would tell an outright lie? If so, what guidelines would you follow? If not, why not?
JULY 31 – AUGUST 6
5. Do you believe in “white lies”? If so, what makes them different than any other deliberate lie? Do you think God accepts them? Explain.
AUGUST 7 – AUGUST 13
Getting Prepared for Jesus READ: MARK 1:1-13 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “It’s not so important what I look like or the methods I use in sharing my faith. What matters is the message of Jesus.” Do you agree? Explain. 2. What would you say are effective ways to “prepare the way” for Jesus today? Have you used any or seen any used? 3. What do you think is necessary for a person to be prepared to meet and accept Jesus? Explain your answer. 4. What obstacles might John have put in his way, especially with his odd appearance and conduct? What obstacles do you see Christians put in the way of preparing others to meet Jesus? 5. The Holy Spirit and a heavenly voice attested to who Jesus is (11). What or who most effectively or convincingly attests to Jesus today? 6. If you have had personal experience preparing someone (or being prepared by another) to meet Jesus, share that.
Sinners Need Friends, Too! READ: MARK 2:1-17 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “I don’t see how Christians can befriend and spend time with folks who blatantly sin. It’s dangerous. It ruins our testimony. God wouldn’t be pleased.” How would you reply? 2. Why do you think the Pharisees were so upset? Where did they go wrong? 3. What risk did Jesus take in eating with Levi and his friends? Have you taken or known someone who took that risk and saw God use them? Explain. 4. First, Jesus forgave the sins of the man who was crippled. Have you seen instances where sin and guilt have crippled a person’s body as well as their spirit? If so, share.
6. How does a person like you befriend non-believers while avoiding the pitfalls that go with it? What motives should one have in initiating these relationships? What do you think was Jesus’ motivation?
AUGUST 14 – AUGUST 20
5. Do you have close friendships with non-believers? If so, what benefits and risks are there? If you don’t, share why.
AUGUST 21 – AUGUST 27
Treating Sunday Right! READ: MARK 2:23—3:6 AND LEVITICUS 23:3 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. ”The Sabbath was an Old Testament institution. We Christians aren’t bound by it any more.” Do you agree? Explain. 2. What do you think Jesus was trying to teach about the Sabbath in these two instances? 3. Are Christians obligated to keep the Sabbath today? Do you? If so, explain why and how. If not, explain why not. 4. What does or should “keeping the Sabbath” mean today? What principles do you think should help a Christian decide if and how to observe the Sabbath? 5. Sunday or the Sabbath is often nothing special for most people. What do you think are the negative results? What are the benefits of the Sabbath? 6. What do you think Christians such as you can and should do to promote some form of Sabbath keeping and the benefits of it?
Amazing and Frightening! READ: MARK 5:1-20 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. ”From what I’ve heard about Jesus, he seems both very powerful and unpredictable. Frankly, I’m a little frightened by him.” How would you reply to this person? 2. Why do you think the people asked Jesus to leave? Anger? Fear? Something else? 3. Do you think Jesus frightens or angers people in any way today? If so, how or why? What examples have you seen? 4. Have you ever reacted to Jesus with fear or hesitation? If so, explain.
6. Have you seen or known of any amazing for frightening things Jesus has done in your lifetime? If so, share.
AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3
5. These people were also amazed at Jesus (20). Does anything still amaze non-believers about Jesus today?
SEPTEMBER 4 – SEPTEMBER 10
Do Miracles Happen Today? READ: MARK 6:30-56 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “There’s no such thing as miracles. Everything has a logical, scientific explanation—even the so-called miracles in the Bible.” ”How would you respond to this statement? 2. How would you define a miracle? Would your definition be accepted by most non-believers? 3. What do you think was Jesus’ purpose in performing these miracles? Was it more than just to feed people or rescue his disciples from drowning? Explain. 4. Do you believe miracles still happen today (or are they only for Bible times)? If so, can you give an example of one you have seen? If not, explain why not. 5. Why do you think some people refuse to believe in miracles even when there is no other explanation? Are they afraid of something? Explain your answer. 6. If Jesus still performs miracles, what would be his purpose today? Is it different from those he performed in his earthly ministry? Explain.
Beware of “Good” Traditions! READ: MARK 7:1-13 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “I’ve heard that ‘we’ve always done it that way’ are the six deadliest words for a church’. But what’s so bad about sticking with what works?” How would you reply? 2. What was the real problem with the traditions these religious leaders were supporting and practicing? Why was Jesus so upset with them? 3. What are some of the ways that even apparently good traditions can be dangerous to one’s faith? Explain why that is so.
5. How might a seemingly “good” tradition of a church “nullify” the Word of God? Have you seen it happen? 6. Share a tradition of your church that you find especially helpful to you as you live out your faith. Explain why you say that. Are there any you would change? If so, explain why.
SEPTEMBER 11 – SEPTEMBER 17
4. Traditions can be either helpful or a hindrance to our faith. Can you give examples of both kinds from your own experience?
SEPTEMBER 18 – SEPTEMBER 24
Re-thinking Church Leadership READ: 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-13 My Insights: What did you learn from God’s Word this past week?
1. “We don’t have of leadership types in our congregation so we have to elect just about anyone who is willing.” What would you say to that person? 2. What do you think of these standards Paul sets out to Timothy? Are they too high? Impractical to follow today? Explain your answer. 3. These standards for church leadership are higher than for many other groups. Why do you think that is? Why is it important? Have you seen the difference they make? Explain. 4. What do you see as the danger to churches whose leaders don’t adhere to these standards? Can you give examples? 5. Do you think most churches you know of choose leaders using these standards? Why or why not? 6. How does your church choose its leaders? What implications, if any, does this passage have for your church and its leadership?
Notes
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Discovery is the quarterly Bible Reading Guide that takes you through representative portions of every Bible book in four years, reading 10-20 verses per day. It includes life-related explanations of each passage, prayers, applications and more. To get your copy, contact your church or Scripture Union: 1-800-621-LAMP (5267), www.ScriptureUnion.org. Thanks!