PRACTICE INTRODUCTION
We are all being formed by something. It’s inevitable as Human beings who have permeable souls we absorb the presence of the people and things that surround us. For millennia God’s people have come to the Holy Scriptures for their spiritual formation and also as a counter formation to the multitude of ways they are being formed by the society that they have found themselves inhabiting.
As a teacher, Jesus taught the the Holy Scriptures to His students. For Jesus the scriptures were and are authoritative, revealing of Himself, and eternal. If we are going to be people who practice the way of Jesus, the Holy Scripture must play a central role in our formation and in the formation of our community at Missio Dei Church.
This term we’ll read the Gospel of John, one chapter per day, 5 days per week. Each month will read it with a particular study focus. These focuses will invite us to engage with the scriptures intellectually, emotionally, and with our bodies. Below you’ll find the reading plan, as well as the particular emphasis for each month. We are inviting you to read one chapter of John’s Gospel each day and work through the provided study framework. So, over the next three months you will have read and studied the Gospel of John using three different study methods.
During the gatherings of your Community Group select a passage from the weeks readings and study it together according to the appropriate study method of that particular month. You’ll find an Example Group Liturgy button in each section for your convenience. Additionally, below you’ll find a Recommended Resources page that has additional resources you could consider for your Community Group gatherings for this next term if you would like.
Feel free to reach out with any questions using the “ask a question” button at the bottom of this page.
SCRIPTURE READING PLAN
Each month of this term we’ll return to the Gospel of John. We’ll read and study from three different perspectives using a different method of study for each month. While some of the methods may share some similarities they each have a different primary emphasis. The repetition will help us retain more of the teachings within the Gospel of John while the methods will help us gain some more skills for our ongoing study of the Holy Scriptures. I’ve linked each chapter for your convenience.
Gospel of John
February · Inductive study
observation
How might John’s worldview influence the meaning of this passage?
To whom were they writing and what did they intend to communicate to that audience?
What words or ideas are repeated within this chapter? What words or ideas are repeated within the Gospel of John as a whole?
interpretation
Are there any words or ideas that you understand one way as a 21st century reader that may have been thought of differently by original readers? How so?
Does this passage make any allusion to some other passages in the Scriptures? How does this clarify what may be meant in this passage? (Use your references found in the margin of most Bibles)
How does the context of this passage (verses before and after) shape its meaning? How does this shape what this passage may mean?
application
If you were to summarize this passage in a few sentences, how would you do that?
What is this passage inviting you to think, feel, do?
REST
Breathe, perhaps express some affirmation of God’s love for you and presence with you. Know that He sees you, He knows you, He loves you and He is with you.
SCRIPTURE READING PLAN
Each month of this term we’ll return to the Gospel of John. We’ll read and study from three different perspectives using a different method of study for each month. While some of the methods may share some similarity they each have a different primary emphasis. The repetition will help us retain more of the teachings within the Gospel of John while the methods will help us gain some more skills for our ongoing study of the Holy Scriptures.
Gospel of John
February 5th - February 12th
February 13th - February 19th
February 20th - February 26th
February 27th - March 5th
WEEKLY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Below are some general questions about the process of Inductive Bible Study that you could use during any of your community group gatherings if you would find them helpful. Also feel free to think of any questions that you think would connect with your group regarding studying of scripture.
What does your study of Scripture look like right now? How did you select that as your method for study?
What difficulties do you experience as you study the Scripture? (fear, shame, confusion, boredom etc.) Why do you think that is?
What are some of the similarities between Inductive Bible Study and the way you study Scripture? What are the some of the differences?
As you participate in Inductive Bible Study, what are some strengths you are discovering? What are some weaknesses?
What is one thing you are learning about God as you practice Inductive Bible Study? What is one thing you are learning about yourself as you practice Inductive Bible Study?
Do you think you’ll include the Inductive Bible study method in the regular rhythms of your study of Scripture beyond this groups practice? Why or why not?
There is no pressure to use any or all of them, these are meant to serve as guides and resources for your use.
March · DNA STUDY
Discover
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through His word. Then, read through the selected chapter of Scripture (feel free to read it more than once). In light of the passage, answer these questions, perhaps in a journal.
What does this text teach you about the character and nature of God?
What does that text teach you about what Jesus has accomplished in the Gospel?
What does this text teach you about myself in light of who God is and what He has done?
Nurture
Repent of sin and believe the Gospel. Remember that each sin we commit is a failure in some way to believe the Gospel. With the help of the Holy Spirit return to Jesus with renewed faith as you answer these questions.
How would your life be different if you genuinely believe the truths of this passage?
In light of the passage, where are you experiencing conviction of the Holy Spirit?
In what ways have you been honoring, understanding & generous in your relationships? In what ways have you not been these things in your relationships? (Consider relationship to God, Self & Others)
ACTION
Take a moment to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into action that displays faith in God’s word and then work through these questions.
What is one thing that you could walk away and do today in response to these truths?
What is one thing that you could walk away and stop doing in response to these truths
Is there someone to whom you need to confess and repent?
REST
Breathe, perhaps express some affirmation of God’s love for you and presence with you. Know that He sees you, He knows you, He loves you and He is with you.
SCRIPTURE READING PLAN
Each month of this term we’ll return to the Gospel of John. We’ll read and study from three different perspectives using a different method of study for each month. While some of the methods may share some similarity they each have a different primary emphasis. The repetition will help us retain more of the teachings within the Gospel of John while the methods will help us gain some more skills for our ongoing study of the Holy Scriptures.
Gospel of John
March 5th - March 12th
March 13th - March 19th
March 20th - March 26th
March 27th - April 2nd
WEEKLY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Below are some general questions about the process of DNA Bible Study that you could use during any of your community group gatherings if you would find them helpful. Also feel free to think of any questions that you think would connect with your group regarding studying of scripture.
What role has the study of Scripture played in your discipleship and spiritual formation?
What are some of the similarities between DNA Bible Study and Inductive Bible Study? What are some of the differences?
As you participate in DNA Bible Study, what are some strengths you are discovering? What are some weaknesses?
What do you think may help you become a more committed student of the Holy Scriptures? How might you take a step towards doing so?
What is one thing you are learning about God as you practice DNA Bible Study? What is one thing you are learning about yourself as you practice DNA Bible Study?
Do you think you’ll include the DNA study method in the regular rhythms of your study of Scripture beyond this groups practice? Why or why not?
There is no pressure to use any or all of them, these are meant to serve as guides and resources for your use.
APRIL · STUDY WITH IMAGINATION
Prepare
Slow down in preparation for your reading. Be silent in the presence of Jesus for a minimum of 2 minutes. Ask the Holy Spirit to shift you from control to receptivity, from information to formation, and from observation to obedience. In the silence release control of your reading to the Holy Spirit, and ready your soul to receive whatever it is the Spirit wants to do during your time of reading.
READ
Read the selected passage slowly. Consider reading multiple times and reading out loud. Select a portion, a parable, a story contained within the chapter that stands out to you. Reread it, pause, breathe and relax for a few minutes to let these words really sink in.
Reflect
Place yourself in the story imaginatively, perhaps as an observer who is experiencing what is taking place. Consider the following questions as you use your imagination to participate in the story.
What do you imagine you would be experiencing through you body’s 5 senses?
What would you see?
What would you smell?
What would you hear?
What would you be able to touch? (If applicable)
What would you taste? (if applicable)
What do you feel as a result of imaginatively participating? (Anger, Fear, Loneliness, Hurt, Shame, Guilt, Sadness, Gladness) Why might you be feeling these things?
What are you thinking about as a result of imaginatively participating? Why?
What might the Holy Spirit be showing you as you participate in the passage through your thoughts, emotions and how you are experiencing it with your body through your imagination?
REST
Breathe, perhaps express some affirmation of God’s love for you and presence with you. Know that He sees you, He knows you, He loves you and He is with you.
SCRIPTURE READING PLAN
Each month of this term we’ll return to the Gospel of John. We’ll read and study from three different perspectives using a different method of study for each month. While some of the methods may share some similarity they each have a different primary emphasis. The repetition will help us retain more of the teachings within the Gospel of John while the methods will help us gain some more skills for our ongoing study of the Holy Scriptures.
Gospel of John
April 2nd - April 9th
April 10th - April 16th
April 17th - April 23rd
April 24th - April 30th
WEEKLY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Below are some general questions about the process of studying with imagination that you could use during any of your community group gatherings if you would find them helpful. Also feel free to think of any questions that you think would connect with your group regarding studying of scripture.
What role did the study of Scripture play in your earliest faith/church experiences? In what ways has that helped form some healthy habits of studying Scripture? In what ways has that helped form some unhealthy habits of studying Scripture?
What are some of your challenges with imagination generally? What are some of your challenges with studying Scripture with imagination more specifically?
As you study with imagination what are some strengths you are discovering of this method? What are some weaknesses of this method?
As you study Scripture do you feel like you experience meeting with God? How so? Why or why not?
What is one thing you are learning about God as you study Scripture with imagination? What is one thing you are learning about yourself as you study Scripture with imagination?
Do you think you’ll include studying with imagination in the regular rhythms of your study of Scripture beyond this groups practice? Why or why not?
There is no pressure to use any or all of them, these are meant to serve as guides and resources for your use.