Discipleology Podcast Lifeway Christian Resources

Date: November 13, 2022

Obey God’s Word

The Point: We display the truth and value of God’s Word as we live it out.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question #1.

This summer, Education Week published advice for new teachers who were about to start the school year. They asked veteran teachers to give new teachers a piece of advice in five words or less. Here is some of the advice those veteran teachers shared:



* “Always have a backup plan!!!”

* “Be prepared, firm, and consistent.”

* “Don’t compare yourself to others.”

* “You. Can’t. Do. It. All.”

* “Find the fun in it.”

* “Learn to ask for help.”

* “Custodians are your best friend.”



Say: The advice given to new teachers might be applied in many situations. Across the years, you’ve probably heard plenty of advice, some good and not-so-good. Then call attention to Question #1 (What’s a piece of good advice people often ignore?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-best-advice-for-new-teachers-in-5-words-or-less-2022-edition/2022/08

Study the Bible

Use the following information to introduce Question #3.

When Hurricane Ian hit Florida on September 28, Southern Baptists went to work. As of October 13, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief had prepared almost 500,000 meals for people impacted by the storm. Eleven local Florida Baptist churches in the areas affected by the storm opened up their buildings to house volunteers who have come from across the country to work in the recovery efforts. These Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are providing tear out, clean up, and mold remediation on flooded homes. They are removing debris, using chainsaws to remove downed trees, and installing temporary roofing. “People won’t necessarily remember your name, but they will remember that someone cared enough even in the midst of a disaster,” said Valerie Cook, one of the volunteer workers.

Say: These volunteers helping people impacted by the hurricane have moved beyond being just hearers of God’s Word. They are doers too. Then call attention to Question #3 (What helps us move beyond just being hearers of God’s Word?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.sendrelief.org/story/sbdr-volunteers-near-50000-meals-prepared-provide-relief-for-hundreds-of-homeowners

Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina. 

Additional Questions

Icebreaker         



* What’s one trivial thing you know you “should” do that you never (or only rarely) do?     

* What piece of good advice do you often fail to follow?   

* What was your parents’ favorite phrase or gesture when you didn’t do what they said?



James 1:19-21



* How does being slow to speak help in crises?

* What does being slow to speak look like?

* Which is these actions seems to be most absent in our culture?



James 1:22-25



* What are some mirrors that have helped you live an obedient life?

* What helps us to move beyond being hearers only of God’s Word?          

Date: November 6, 2022

Meditate on God’s Word

The Point: Saturating our minds with Scripture keeps us focused on the things of God.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question #1.

Pittsburgh radio station WYEP (91.3 FM) recently polled its listeners, asking them their all-time favorite song. For the WYEP listeners, here are the top 10 favorites:



* The Band, “The Weight”

* John Lennon, “Imagine”

* Bob Dylan, “Tangled Up in Blue”

* Van Morrison, “Into the Mystic”

* Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”

* The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”

* The Beatles, “A Day in the Life”

* Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On”

* Bruce Springsteen, “Thunder Road”

* Queen and David Bowie, “Under Pressure”



Say: Maybe you have a favorite song on that top 10 list (or maybe you don’t). Then call attention to Question #1 (What song or jingle often gets stuck in your head?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2022/09/21/wyep-countdown-to-fall-favorite-songs-the-band-beatles-dylan/stories/202209210108

Get Into the Study [Option from Adult Leader Guide, p. 113]

In advance, play some popular commercial jingles your group members are likely to be familiar with. Then ask Question #1.

Study the Bible

Use the following information to introduce Question #2.

A few months ago, Crosswalk.com, an online Christian living magazine, published a list of the most popular Bible verses. This list is based on online search rankings – so they are the verses people are searching for online. The article accompanying the list noted that, “Several themes connect these popular Bible verses: Connecting with God, living with purpose, and finding strength.” Here are the top 10 most popular verses:



* John 3:16

* Jeremiah 29:11

* 1 Peter 5:7

* Romans 8:28

* Joshua 1:9

* Philippians 4:13

* 2 Corinthians 12:9

* Psalm 23:1

* Genesis 1:1

* Romans 6:23



Say: Perhaps you have a favorite verse (or verses) that you recall again and again as a source of encouragement and hope. Then call attention to Question #2 (When has a Bible verse stuck with you during a season of life?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/top-10-most-popular-bible-verses.html

Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina. 



Additional Questions

Icebreaker



* Which commercial jingle gets stuck in your head?            

* What is something you still remember that you memorized in school?    

* What song often gets stuck in your head?            



Psalm 1:1-3        



* What causes you to delight in God’s Word?         

Date: October 30, 2022

Study God’s Word

The Point: Regular study of God’s Word keeps us firmly grounded.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question #1.

On May 28, Steven Goodhart graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. What makes Goodhart unusual is that he is 80 years old and was the oldest student graduating from the university in the spring ceremony. This is Goodhart’s third degree. He has already received two degrees from Penn State — a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1964 and a master of engineering science in 1970. Goodhart spent most of his career working at the Philadelphia Naval Yard before retiring and deciding to return to college. Goodhart’s professors at the University of Delaware praised his dedication and eagerness to learn. “I wanted to go back and study the humanities and learn the things I had no exposure to as an engineering student,” said Goodhart. “I also was very interested in criminal justice and wanted to discover more about this field.”   

Say: Life-long learner Steven Goodhart shows us that age is no barrier to learning new things. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you really enjoyed learning something?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2022/06/07/80-year-old-graduates-university-of-delaware-oldest-member-class-2022-steven-goodhart/7502685001/

Study the Bible

Use the following information to introduce Question #2.

Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the American Time Use Survey. This study measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities. The statistics released this past June reflect data collected for 2021. Here’s how Americans spent their leisure time:



* On an aerage day, the majority of Americans over the age of 15 engaged in some kind of leisure and sport activity (watching tv, socializing, exercising). Men spent 5.6 hours a day on leisure and sport activity. Women spent 4.9 hours a day.

* Watching television is the most popular leisure and sport activity. On an average day, Americans spend 2.9 hours watching television.

* On an average day, Americans age 75 and older read for 41 minutes. People ages 15 to 44 averaged reading 10 minutes a day or less.

* On an average day, Americans spend 34 minutes playing games and using a computer for leisure.

* On an average day, Americans spend 34 minutes socializing and communicating (such as visiting with friends or attending a social event).

* On an average day, Americans spend over an hour participating in sports, exercise, or recreation. For men, it is 1.7 hours a day. For women it is 1.2 hours.



Say: The statistics show that many Americans find time for a variety of leisure and sport activities each day. These activities might be productive and healthy ways to spend our time. But we all have a limited number of hours in the day. Since we can’t “do it all,” we have to makes some choices about how we spend our time. For example, we choose whether or not to make time each day for studying God’s Word. Then call attention to Question #2 (What might get in the way of regularly studying God’s Word?) and invite volunteers to respond.

Information for this post was gleaned from: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm

Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras.

Andrew & Chris wrap up their conversation with Evan Owens from Reboot Recovery this week. The conversation continues in Mental Health with personal stories of anxiety & depression.







Find out more from Evan at https://rebootrecovery.com/

We sit down with Evan Owens of Reboot Recovery this week to discuss Mental Health. The discussion is so rich that we split the conversation into two weeks of episodes. This is part 1. https://rebootrecovery.com/

Andrew, Mary, and Chris are joined this week with Eddie Mosley to discuss why discipleship within your own neighborhood is vital. Eddie shares unconventional ways to get to know and spend time with your neighbors.