In our last session of spiritual discernment together, we focus on three areas of action and split into groups for each one. The areas of focus that have risen to the surface in our conversations have been: Community Connections, Youth & Children, and Music. How can our church take the next faithful steps in each of those areas?
To look at and use the worksheet to think about each focus area, click here.
Weekly Bible Study – Spiritual Discernment, part 4 (reviewing and focusing thoughts)
This week we continue working in small groups to review what we've heard and felt so far. That will help us hear/see what God has been doing for us and is leading us towards. We spend time coming up with a few key items (issues, words, activities, opportunities, challenges, interests) that are emerging from us that can lead to action.
To look at and use the group worksheet for the week, click here.
Weekly Bible Study – Spiritual Discernment, part 3
The first step of spiritual discernment is focusing on God’s presence with you and love for you. Then you ground your heart in gratitude. So what are we grateful for, in our community together as a church? We listen for key words that stand out, and we think about previous conversations we’ve had. What things were positive, and what were disappointing? We listen to our hearts tonight as we listen for the Holy Spirit.
To look at and use the group worksheet for the week, click here.
Weekly Bible Study – Spiritual Discernment, part 2
To really determine where God is calling you next requires lots of prayer, mindfulness, imagination, and openness. We also must be willing to let go of what we hold onto, if God calls us elsewhere. Some attachments we have are nurturing, some hold us back, and some can go either way, depending on our relationship with them. So does your weekly routine give you a helpful rhythm, or does your routine control you?
Scripture verses read: Hebrews 12:1; Luke 9:62; John 8:36; Galatians 5:13.
Weekly Bible Study – Spiritual Discernment, part 1
In this Bible study series, we’re thinking about how to figure out what God wants us to do. Not how to pray for God to do the things we want, but to spend time in prayer discerning where God is calling us—as individuals and as a church. Spiritual discernment has been practiced since the very beginning of Christianity. It’s usually not easy—as individuals or as a group—but it is necessary in order to grow and continue following God.
Read Acts 15:1-21 here.
(extra!) Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 26:4-5
These two verses in Proverbs were so tricky to think about, they needed an extra Bible Study Video for us to figure out what they can teach us. It really sounds like they’re saying the complete opposite thing. But are they?
At some point in life you will encounter a person who has a strange opinion, is being irrational, or is acting immature. So how should you respond? This week’s discussion gives us tips for what to do.
Read Proverbs 26:4-5 here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs conclusion
We finish our study of the Book of Proverbs today with a good wrap-up. What has it taught us about wisdom and growing in maturity? What are different aspects of being wise that we need to work on? And why is it so easy to slip back into foolishness sometimes?
Read all the verses for today here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 16:18-19 and more
We've heard the phrase, "Pride goeth before a fall," but what does it mean and where does it come from? We figure it out today as Proverbs warns us about the dangers of pride and arrogance, how they can hurt our own lives. Instead, Proverbs encourages us to grow and practice humility. That way we'll always be down to earth and won't have to worry about crashing down.
Read all the verses for today here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 22:4, 8, 16; 28:5; 31:8-9 (Justice, part 2)
There are so many verses in Proverbs about God's view of justice, that we needed another week to read them. The passages this week give some specific examples on what we can do if we want our lives to follow God's will. God's understanding of justice isn't as quick and easy as a law & order TV episode, but the benefits are immeasurable—in your life and everyone else's.
Read all the verses for today here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 8:12, 20 & 21:3, 21
Today's verses in Proverbs show us that wisdom is connected to justice. So growing in godly wisdom means practicing godly justice. Not only is it important, but actually, God doesn't want us to worship at all if we're not supporting justice work in the world--to fix what is broken, right what is wrong, and provide what is missing. (Other verses we'll read are Amos 5:21-24 and Isaiah 1:14-17.) Also, Pastor Stuart gets distracted naming all the courtroom and cop shows that have been on TV. Which ones are your favorites??
Read Proverbs 8:12, 20 & 21:3, 21 here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 23:4; 15:27; 16:8; 22:1-2; 28:25
This week we're thinking about greed—what it is and what it makes us do. So we'll read a few verses in Proverbs that put greed into perspective. It brings stress for us, trouble for our families, and harm to other people. But it's really prevalent in society, so we'll need lots of Proverbs wisdom to help us refocus.
Read all the verses for this week here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 12:16; 14:17, 29; 15:18; 29:11
Everyone gets angry sometimes. But there are ways to deal with it that are helpful, and ways that are destructive. Our verses this week help us recognize what goes on in us when we're getting angry, and how we can keep from saying something we'll regret. God wants us to be patient, calm, and in control.
Read all the verses for this week here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 13:2-3; 15:1-2
What we say has consequences—and they can be good or bad. We continue reading verses in Proverbs this week about the things we say and the effects they have. Having good helpful speech isn't just about being polite; it's actually far better for us and our lives. But that takes effort, practice, mindfulness, and patience. That's why there's so many verses about it!
Read Proverbs 13:2-3 & 15:1-2 here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 12:14-22
Our Mid-Week Bible Study videos return this week, as we jump back into reading passages from the book of Proverbs. This week’s verses are about words. What do our words say about us? What kind of speech does a wise person have, and what kind of speech does a foolish person have? These verses help us know the difference so that our words can demonstrate more helpful wisdom and less immature foolishness.
Read Proverbs 12:14-22 here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 3:13-18; 8:32-36
Our verses this week tell us how to have a blessed life: look for and develop God's wisdom (not wealth). In chapter 3 a teacher speaks, and in ch. 8, Wisdom speaks to us directly about what will help us and what will harm us in life. If you want to know what real blessing is and how to get more, these passages will help!
Read Proverbs 3:13-18; 8:32-36 here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 2:1-15
If you want to live the best life, then you need to develop wisdom. And if you want to gain more wisdom, then you have to open yourself up to God's ongoing revelation. Be ready to learn from the Lord everyday so you can make good decisions, live well, and stay on the right path.
Read Proverbs 2:1-15 here.
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 1:7 and more
We start with one short verse this week, but it actually holds an infinite amount of truth, and we compare it with other verses in Proverbs as well. Proverbs 1:7 is like the motto or theme of the whole book, and it reminds us where true wisdom comes from. It also points out the consequences of living foolishly.
Read Proverbs 1:7 here: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (NIV)
Other verses mentioned:
"the fear of the LORD" -- Prov. 10:27; 14:26-27; 16:6 and see also Prov. 9:10 & Psalm 111:10
Types of "fools" in Proverbs:
peti' -- Prov. 1:4 and 7:7 (that's the one Pastor Stuart forgot in the video)
nabal -- Prov. 17:7; 30:22
k'esil -- Prov. 10:1, 23
'eveel -- Prov 26:12; 12:15-16
Mid-Week Bible Study Video – Proverbs 1:1-6
We start a new Bible study series in the book of Proverbs this week. It is a book of wisdom, and it has many different kinds of it. In the first few verses, Proverbs says that its wisdom is for all kinds of people, and developing wisdom helps you not just think better but act better.
(Read Proverbs 1:1-6 HERE.)