The Summit Church
Discussion Guide: Week 2
Use this space to take your general notes during the message.
Describe your experience with the Bible as you were growing up. Did you have an experience with it? If so, was it casual or reverent?
The Bible is messy. It's composed of ancient documents written over a span of 1600 years, by 40 authors, and is 2000 years old. Why is it so important to be careful with its contents?
Pastor Jonathan explained the importance of considering the "3 C's" when interacting with the Bible. Discuss each of them:
Context: What is going on? What is the setting/background? Is it descriptive (what's happened) or prescriptive (what we must do)?
Culture: Why is it important to consider society, customs, government, economy, etc. when reading the Bible?
Covenants: The Old Testament (old covenant God had with His people) is an important backstory. The New Testament (new covenant of Jesus) replaced the old covenant. Why is this important to keep in mind when reading the Bible?
Discuss: *It's not just about what the Bible says, but what the Bible means by what it says. Consider, for example, the following scriptures.
2 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Romans 16:16 NIV
Discuss: *The Bible is a story, not a system. Systems serve to set lines and formulas. But, God's story is filled with truth and principles, delving into the messiness of life.
Discuss: *The focus of the Bible is on the Savior, not sin. The Old Testament points toward Jesus, and the New Testament points back to Him. The Bible is not meant to be used as ammunition or a weapon. If we approach the Bible to answer the question "Is this a sin?", then we are missing the point.
Discuss: *The Bible contains words from God, but Jesus IS the Word of God. (Connect with the following passage.)
John 1:1-4 NIV
Some tips for reading the Bible:
-Use Jesus as the filter. (How does this passage ultimately point me to Him?)
-Start with the Gospels, the direct stories of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
-The You Version Bible App and a study Bible are helpful resources.
-And, don't be afraid to ask questions! Group is a wonderful place to do just that.