2a. Discovering God - Traditional

Written By Gunnar Gunnarsson

All materials used are from www.thejesusstrategy.com

Who is this for?

Older adults, Latino/Latina people, or people from other cultures that believe in one God (monotheism). This series is for people with a traditional world view who typically see an orderly universe that is broken in places.

Overview

The Discovering God series introduces readers to the God of creation and the origins of the problems in our world. God has systematically revealed Himself through the pages of Genesis and shows His plan to solve these problems. His redemption for Israel and all nations is displayed through the major figures and stories of the Old Testament. These passages move from creation to Christ, inviting readers to get to know Jesus and to begin to follow Him—the Messiah and savior of the world.

Week - Topic - Read passage - Write out Verses

  1. What the Bible Says About Itself - 2 Timothy 3:16–17 - All

  2. God Creates - Genesis 1:1–25 - Gen. 1:1,3,9,12,14,20,24

  3. God Creates Man & Woman - Genesis 1:26–27,2:7–9;15–25 - Gen. 2:7–9 & 15–24

  4. How Sin Came into the World - Genesis 3:1–24 - Gen. 3:1–7

  5. Noah & the Great Flood - Genesis 6:5–22 - Gen. 6: 9–13, 17, 22

  6. The Tower of Babel - Genesis 11:1–9 - All

  7. Abram/Abraham Father of Nations - Genesis 12:1–8 & 15:1–6 - Gen. 15:1–6

  8. Abraham’s Test of Faith & Obedience - Genesis 22:1–18 - Gen. 22: 1–2, 9–18

  9. God Spares His People - Exodus 12:1–28 - Exodus 12: 21–28

  10. Moses & The Ten Commandments - Exodus 19:5–9; 20:1–21 - Exodus 20:2–17

  11. The Sin Offering - Leviticus 4:1–2,13–21,27–31 - Leviticus 4:13–21

  12. God’s Offering for Sinners - Isaiah 53:1–12 - All

  13. Jesus is Born - Luke 1:26–38 & 2:1–20 - Luke 1:28–38

  14. Jesus is Baptized & Tested - Matthew 3:13–17,4:1–11 - Matthew 3:13–17

  15. Jesus & the Paralyzed Man - Luke 5:17–26 - All

  16. Jesus, His Betrayal, & the Covenant - Matthew 26:17–30 - Matthew 26:20–30

  17. Jesus is Betrayed & Faces Trial - John 18:1–40 & 19:1–16 - John 19:5–16

  18. Jesus is Crucified - Luke 23:32–56 - Luke 23:32–34,39–43,46–48

  19. The Resurrection - Luke 24:1–53 - Luke 24:36–48

  20. How to Enter the Kingdom of God - John 3:1–21; Mark 16:15–18 - John 3:16-21; Mark 16:15-18

How to navigate Scripture:

2. Timothy 3:16-17 - Book, Chapter, Verse (Books can be found in the index at the very front of your Bibles)

Discover God discussion

Getting started:

  • Discuss if participants would like to read the “Read Passage” and/or write answers to the discussion questions before your meeting (or wait to work on this together).

  • Show them how to make 4 columns on a piece of paper, preferably in a notebook.

  • Instruct them to label each column: 1) Scripture 2) Own Words 3) Questions 4) I Will

  • Ask each participant to write their answers as follows:

    • In column 1, write the “Write Out Verses” word for word.

    • In column 2, rewrite the same verses in your own words. (Write as much or as little as you wish.)

    • In column 3, write the answers to the Discovery Questions below.

    • In column 4, write what you will do with what you learned from this passage.

Use the following discussion format when you meet together:

I) Community Questions

  • What are you thankful for?

  • What are you struggling with, and how can we help? (Or what is causing you stress?)

  • Is there someone outside this group that we should help?

II) Review Questions

  • What did we read about last week?

  • How did you act on it, and how did that go?

  • Who did you share your experience with?

III) New Scripture (Participants can read what they have written.)

Bible Passage

  • Ask someone to read the Scripture.

  • Ask someone to retell the Bible story in their own words.

  • Ask others if anything was left out of the story.

Discovery Questions (Participants can read their answers to the following questions.)

  • What does this story teach us about God?

  • What does this story teach us about people?

  • What do you think God wants people to do as a result of reading this passage?

Application Questions

  • What action do you think God wants you to take as a result of reading this? What will you do? (Start your answer with: “I will . . .”)

  • With whom can you share about your experience with God through this passage?

  • Would you like to do this again next week?

Gunnar Gunnarsson
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