Wk 9 // June 21 & 22
Wk 9 // LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
June 21 & 22, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.
INTRODUCTION
God’s Word is where we find His will for every day of our lives. The Bible is a blend of God’s story, commands, and instructions to His followers. All of Scripture is intended to communicate God’s desires, will, and plan for the world. Because of this, reading, knowing, studying, and applying God’s Word is central to discovering God’s will for your life.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17.
To say that Scripture is God-breathed is to claim its absolute uniqueness. The Bible has God as its author, and as He inspired men to record His activity, He revealed His will for the way we should live our lives. Have a question, concern, need, or desire? Check it against God’s Word. The Bible reveals what God continues to desire from His people. Those Holy Scriptures clearly teach us when we are lacking knowledge, rebuke and correct us when necessary, train us to become more like Christ in our day-to-day lives, and prepare us for every good work.
It is much easier to let others do the hard work for us. Rather than searching the Bible on our own, we look to others for their take on our situation. If we aren’t careful, we will be more committed to others than the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 PETER 1:21.
The Word of God is like no other source in our world. It is authored by God through the inspiration of men by His Spirit, to communicate His message for all generations. These men spoke for God as His Spirit worked in their lives. Because of this, the Bible is our first source for discovering God’s will in our lives. God’s Word tells us what God’s moral will is, and it also gives us beautiful glimpses of His character.
What should you look for as you try to discover God’s will through His Word? Look first for the direct commands in Scripture. Take a look at this short list of things God notes as His will: 1. It is God’s will that I avoid sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8); 2. It is God’s will that I rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16); 3. It is God’s will that I pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17); 4. It is God’s will that I give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18); 5. It is God’s will that I submit to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13-15).
Life’s biggest choices usually revolve around the “Big Three” — who to marry, where to work, and where to live. God’s Word will not tell us the name of the person we should date, nor the location we should live and work, nor how many kids we should have. However, the Bible does instruct us on what a godly relationship looks like, who we should be at work, and the quality of the homes we are to build. God’s Word builds us into people of character and hope as we discover His specific will for our lives.
APPLICATION
PRAYER
Praise God for the infallibility of His Word! Thank Him for the gift of the Bible to us. Pray that you would trust in the truth of God’s Word. Ask Him to help you meditate on His precepts, so that you might grow into the person He has made you to be. As a faithful believer who aligns himself/herself with the principles of God’s Word, you may rest confidently in the specific decisions you have to make for your life.
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ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
3:16-17. Inspired means “breathed out by God.” Because Scripture comes from God Himself, it is profitable in many ways, ultimately leading us to righteousness, maturity, and service. All Scripture refers to the OT, but by implication to the writings of the NT as well (1Tim 5:18; 2 Pe 3:15-16).
2 PETER 1:21
1:19-21. Peter argued that the prophetic Scriptures affirmed the apostolic witness. In essence, he was saying, “If you don’t believe me, go to the Scriptures.” The metaphor of the prophetic Scriptures as a lamp shining in a dismal place means that they act as a torch that shines in this dark world, exposing the dirt and defilement of sin and making it possible to get rid of it. Believers live by Scripture’s torchlight until the day dawns and the morning star rises, which seems to refer to Christ’s return. In your hearts may refer to the glowing hope that occurs in believers’ hearts when they see clear signs of the Lord’s return. Peter further explained that Scripture is trustworthy because it has a divine origin; men moved by the Holy Spirit wrote the prophetic statements of the OT.
June 21 & 22, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.
- What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
INTRODUCTION
- Where do you go when seeking direction for your life? Whose advice or counsel do you seek?
God’s Word is where we find His will for every day of our lives. The Bible is a blend of God’s story, commands, and instructions to His followers. All of Scripture is intended to communicate God’s desires, will, and plan for the world. Because of this, reading, knowing, studying, and applying God’s Word is central to discovering God’s will for your life.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17.
- What does God’s Word have to do with His will?
- What are the three reasons this passage outlines that we should look to Scripture as our first and primary source for discovering God’s will?
- What does it mean that all Scripture is inspired by God? What do you think is the difference between rebuking and correcting?
- Why is the inspiration of Scripture important?
- What would change if you didn’t believe Scripture was divinely inspired? How does knowing that God inspired the Bible impact the way you use it to guide your life?
To say that Scripture is God-breathed is to claim its absolute uniqueness. The Bible has God as its author, and as He inspired men to record His activity, He revealed His will for the way we should live our lives. Have a question, concern, need, or desire? Check it against God’s Word. The Bible reveals what God continues to desire from His people. Those Holy Scriptures clearly teach us when we are lacking knowledge, rebuke and correct us when necessary, train us to become more like Christ in our day-to-day lives, and prepare us for every good work.
- In what areas of your life does Scripture prove profitable? How? Have you noticed a change in these areas when you haven’t been actively studying or being taught God’s Word?
- How does the Bible equip us for every good work?
- Think about the last time you were looking for God’s specific will in your life. What did you do?
It is much easier to let others do the hard work for us. Rather than searching the Bible on our own, we look to others for their take on our situation. If we aren’t careful, we will be more committed to others than the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 PETER 1:21.
- Why do you think more people don’t look to the Bible for the will of God?
The Word of God is like no other source in our world. It is authored by God through the inspiration of men by His Spirit, to communicate His message for all generations. These men spoke for God as His Spirit worked in their lives. Because of this, the Bible is our first source for discovering God’s will in our lives. God’s Word tells us what God’s moral will is, and it also gives us beautiful glimpses of His character.
What should you look for as you try to discover God’s will through His Word? Look first for the direct commands in Scripture. Take a look at this short list of things God notes as His will: 1. It is God’s will that I avoid sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8); 2. It is God’s will that I rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16); 3. It is God’s will that I pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17); 4. It is God’s will that I give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18); 5. It is God’s will that I submit to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13-15).
- Which of the above commands do you struggle with the most?
- What kinds of things prevent you from finding real-life answers in the Bible?
- In what ways are you living according to God’s will? In what ways are you lacking?
Life’s biggest choices usually revolve around the “Big Three” — who to marry, where to work, and where to live. God’s Word will not tell us the name of the person we should date, nor the location we should live and work, nor how many kids we should have. However, the Bible does instruct us on what a godly relationship looks like, who we should be at work, and the quality of the homes we are to build. God’s Word builds us into people of character and hope as we discover His specific will for our lives.
- How does knowing God’s general will for your life (i.e., through reading Scripture and acknowledging His direct commands) enable you to make specific decisions about your life?
- How does your spiritual “character development” impact your everyday decisions?
APPLICATION
- What specific changes need to be made this week in regard to your treatment of Scripture? How will you ensure you are treating Scripture the way God intended?
- What are some practical ways you can begin to love the Bible?
- Will you commit to reading God’s Word consistently this week? Start by picking one passage and reading it each day for the next 7 days. Watch how God changes your heart as you read His Word!
PRAYER
Praise God for the infallibility of His Word! Thank Him for the gift of the Bible to us. Pray that you would trust in the truth of God’s Word. Ask Him to help you meditate on His precepts, so that you might grow into the person He has made you to be. As a faithful believer who aligns himself/herself with the principles of God’s Word, you may rest confidently in the specific decisions you have to make for your life.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
3:16-17. Inspired means “breathed out by God.” Because Scripture comes from God Himself, it is profitable in many ways, ultimately leading us to righteousness, maturity, and service. All Scripture refers to the OT, but by implication to the writings of the NT as well (1Tim 5:18; 2 Pe 3:15-16).
2 PETER 1:21
1:19-21. Peter argued that the prophetic Scriptures affirmed the apostolic witness. In essence, he was saying, “If you don’t believe me, go to the Scriptures.” The metaphor of the prophetic Scriptures as a lamp shining in a dismal place means that they act as a torch that shines in this dark world, exposing the dirt and defilement of sin and making it possible to get rid of it. Believers live by Scripture’s torchlight until the day dawns and the morning star rises, which seems to refer to Christ’s return. In your hearts may refer to the glowing hope that occurs in believers’ hearts when they see clear signs of the Lord’s return. Peter further explained that Scripture is trustworthy because it has a divine origin; men moved by the Holy Spirit wrote the prophetic statements of the OT.