The Holy Bible:
God’s Word: “My True Reflection” (Week 4)
Speaker: Justin Matthews
Worship: Play “This is our God” by Phil Wickham during your worship time. Take time to give God praise for being OUR GOD. Thank Him and remind yourself that He is the one who broke down walls, rescued us, saved us from a pit and that He died and rose for us to have freedom.
Check-In: As we’ve reached the end of this series, let’s reflect on how it’s influenced our daily life. We started the series being challenged to LOVE, LEARN and LIVE God’s Word. Discuss in which way you have grown in Loving the Word, what you have learned thus far, and how you’ve been able to live out what you’ve learned.
Bible Readings: 1 Peter 1:23-25; James 1:21; Colossians 2:13-14; Psalm 119:96-97; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
We’ve reached the final week of this series. How amazing it’s been to discover how God’s Word was written and how it is still relevant in today’s time. We’ve learned that (1) The Holy Bible is something we LOVE, LEARN and LIVE. We’ve also learned what (2) God’s Word is all about, and that (3) The Holy Bible can be trusted. Now we’re concluding with The Word being a “True Reflection,” It’s likened to a mirror, in which we can see ourselves. An important truth is “Who we are in Jesus is who we are” (1 Peter 1: 23-25)
- On Sunday we heard that our identity can be found in Christ, and for us to discover this, we need to:
READ the Bible; REVIEW the Bible; REFLECT the Bible; and REVEAL the bible.
– READ: Justin shared with us how reading the Word is God speaking to us. As we read, we’re committing ourselves to listen and hear what God has to say to us. Discuss how each of you may have heard God “speak” to you through His Word. It may not have been audible, but it could’ve been an answer to something you’ve been struggling with or comforting you when you needed it. Be vulnerable as you share. (Hebrews 4:12)
– REVIEW: After reading, it’s good to spend time meditating and reviewing what we’ve read. We’ve also been encouraged to journal and memorize the Word. How has this impacted/enhanced your daily life? (Psalm 119: 96-97) - REFLECT: “Reflecting God’s Word” means; what image am I portraying? Are we looking in the “world’s mirror” and believing the lies of the enemy? Do we believe that we’re unworthy, not loved, a mistake? What does the Word of God say we are?Discuss the lies and how we can replace it with God’s truth. This is an excellent time to encourage one another.
Colossians 2:13-14 – ALSO, share any scriptures that come to mind that describes who we are in Christ. - REVEAL: When it comes to revealing God’s word, we need to be able to share this with others. Once we’ve put His Word in our hearts and minds and reflected that it’s TRUE, then we need to reveal it through our daily lives. How can we be Jesus’ mouth, hands, and feet to those in our worlds? James 1:21-25 and Matthew 5: 14-16
Check out and Prayer:
Share two things that you will hold on to as we conclude this series. And what next step can you take to REVEAL God’s word to others?
Pray this prayer at the end of your session together:
Father, thank You for giving us Your Word and telling us the truth of who we are. Show us any ways that we have taken on an identity that is not from You. Help us receive the truth of Your Word, reject the lies we’ve been told, and reflect the Light of Your Word to those around us. Let the Bible be the only mirror we look to for our reflection. Thank you for seeing us through the righteousness of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Love God:
For personal study check out these resources on the website to grow deeper. You can download the PDF.
Love People:
For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Baptism or serving. Sign up online at Church Center or the website.
*Discussion Guide Questions used with permission from Church of The Highlands, Pastor Chris Hodges, The Holy Bible Series.
