For Everything There Is A...Story: Bible Study for Individuals and Small Groups

By Loren Spotts

For Everything There Is a...Story, a theme-based, multilevel study for individuals or small groups. It uses Bible stories to deepen our understanding of the Bible, our faith, and our lives while providing a jigsaw puzzle approach to the history and timeline of the Bible. The study can be done by individuals, but a small group of three to five persons will help enhance the study by allowing different points of view to be discussed.

This study does not tell you what to believe. It helps you find the answers. Many stories in the Bible contain lessons that can be applied to situations today. You only need to find them. This study provides multiple-choice questions that have no wrong answers. All the options could be true, depending on your perspective. It is possible there are other answers that also apply.

The study helps group members to understand each other by sharing your story, your spiritual beginnings, and where you are with God. Sharing is important to understand where someone is coming from. Many form lasting bonds and enduring friendships as an effect of this study.

You only need a Holy Bible, a desire to learn, time to devote to the assigned readings, the questions that are provided, and the group meetings. One must also keep an open mind to the responses from others. You do not have to agree. Just understand each person has different backgrounds and experiences that give them a different perspective.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639618378

Book preview

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For Everything There Is A...Story

Bible Study for Individuals and Small Groups

Loren Spotts

ISBN 978-1-63961-836-1 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63961-837-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Loren Spotts

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Several sources and years of study were used and influenced this Bible study. Labeling this as an original work would not be entirely true. When it comes to the Bible, the numerous studies, and commentaries, everything has been written before. Every question has been asked, every answer discussed. Probably, any understandable and workable format has been used during the long history of the Bible and its study. This study attempts to be slightly different. With hope, this will add a little excitement to studying the Bible. This study also provides a basis for learning about other people and forming lasting friendships.

Introduction

For Everything There Is a… Story is a theme-based, multilevel study. It does not tell you what to believe. It merely helps you find the answers. The solutions to many of today's problems can be found by becoming accustomed to using the Bible. It uses Bible stories to deepen understanding of the Bible, our faith, our lives, etc. It also provides a jigsaw puzzle approach to the history and timeline of the Holy Bible. This study provides multiple choice questions. There are no wrong answers. All could be correct, depending on perspective (there may be others). Originally developed as a self-guided study, it became apparent that a small group (three to five people) could enhance the study by allowing discussion of different points of view. This requires the group to be open-minded, nonjudgmental, and receptive to other opinions. If studying as an individual, you should consider all the options given before selecting the response that best fits your understanding.

Study Guide

Finding Ourselves

Session 1

Self-Image

Session 2

True Values

Session 3

Strengths

Session 4

Desires

Session 5

Past

Session 6

Heritage

Handling Hang-Ups

Session 1

Self-Esteem

Session 2

Stubbornness

Session 3

Giving Up

Session 4

Rejection

Session 5

Fear of Failure

Session 6

Knowing His Will

Basic Training

Session 1

Sin

Session 2

Redemption

Session 3

Law

Session 4

Grace

Session 5

Atonement

Session 6

Lordship

Crisis Management

Session 1

Moral Failure

Session 2

Family Death

Session 3

Unmet Needs

Session 4

Obstacles

Session 5

Perseverance

Session 6

Outnumbered

Important Issues

Session 1

Finances Matter

Session 2

Success vs. Service

Session 3

Social Concerns

Session 4

Corruption/Abuse

Session 5

Tough Decisions

Session 6

Spiritual Renewal

Ties That Bind

Session 1

Roots

Session 2

Leaving Home

Session 3

Dedicated

Session 4

You Called?

Session 5

Broken Homes

Session 6

Forgiveness

Reshaping Lifestyle

Session 1

Heart Attitudes

Session 2

Clear Conscience

Session 3

Single-Minded

Session 4

Strict Discipline

Session 5

Right Priorities

Session 6

Strong Foundation

Visions

Session 1

Purpose

Session 2

Possibilities

Session 3

Secular World

Session 4

Our World

Session 5

Major Roles

Session 6

Supporting Roles

Mindful Things

Session 1

Evil Things

Session 2

Revealed Things

Session 3

Risky Things

Session 4

Miraculous Things

Session 5

Secret Things

Session 6

Greater Things

History

Old Testament

New Testament

Leader's Guide

First Meeting

Suggested Outline for First Meeting

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Several sources and years of study were used and influenced this Bible study. Labeling this as an original work would not be entirely true. When it comes to the Bible, the numerous studies, and commentaries, everything has been written before. Every question has been asked, every answer discussed. Probably, any understandable and workable format has been used during the long history of the Bible and its study. This study attempts to be slightly different. With hope, this will add a little excitement to studying the Bible. This study also provides a basis for learning about other people and forming lasting friendships.

Any follower of Jesus is surely aware that the Bible contains controversial material. It is impossible to avoid. It is not the intent of this study to engage in controversy or to support either side. It is simply a study of what is written.

Introduction

For Everything There Is a… Story is a theme-based, multilevel study. It does not tell you what to believe. It merely helps you find the answers. The solutions to many of today's problems can be found by becoming accustomed to using the Bible. It uses Bible stories to deepen understanding of the Bible, our faith, our lives, etc. It also provides a jigsaw puzzle approach to the history and timeline of the Holy Bible. This study provides multiple choice questions. There are no wrong answers. All could be correct, depending on perspective (there may be others). Originally developed as a self-guided study, it became apparent that a small group (three to five people) could enhance the study by allowing discussion of different points of view. This requires the group to be open-minded, nonjudgmental, and receptive to other opinions. If studying as an individual, you should consider all the options given before selecting the response that best fits your understanding.

Any person can lead a group. You only need a place to meet. All that is needed is for one to lead the discussion is to keep things on track. Information and tips for leaders are provided. The group members can take turns leading the group, if desired. The group leader should read the historical background information and open the discussion. Historical background information is provided for the books of the Bible used in this study. This helps provide a jigsaw puzzle approach to the history and timeline of the Bible. Most people are at least familiar with the Bible stories. This makes it easier for a group to relate to the stories. The study gives people an easy way to discuss a Bible story. It provides multiple-choice answers. There are no correct or incorrect answers. All of the options could be correct, depending on perspective, and there may be others. This makes sharing more interesting. The study provides two ways of sharing and learning:

Read and share the story in scripture and gospel.

Share how the story compares with your own story.

Questions in the Discussion section deal mainly with understanding the story. Those in the Sharing section allow sharing your individual stories as they relate to the selected reading. The Epistle and Psalm discussion questions concern your personal commitment and understanding. There are nine different study units or Themes. Each theme has six sessions. Each session contains readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, along with a Psalm and an Epistle. The units do not need to be studied in any particular order. Part of the beauty of the study is that it allows the group to decide what and how much to study. The course has study options for the group to choose. These options include the following:

Stories from the Old Testament (Scripture)

Stories from the life of Christ in the New Testament (the Gospels)

Study of Epistles and Psalms

The study helps the group members understand each other. This is accomplished by sharing your story, your spiritual beginnings, and where you are with God. Sharing is important because you will never come to understand and help each other if you do not know where they're coming from. This course provides a structured program and theme units for groups to study.

If time restraints are a factor, a group can choose either the Old Testament story or New Testament story along with the Epistle and Psalm for study. Depending on the discussion, a session can be done in approximately one hour. Groups can choose to study any or all of the units. (Remember they do not need to be studied in any particular order.) Members of the group must do homework. The reading assignments and the discussion questions should be done before the next meeting. This allows more time for reading and contemplation. In addition, by reading the Bible passages and study questions in advance, there is more time for discussion at the group meeting.

The first meeting should be used to get acquainted, share individual spiritual stories, and build community in the group. Look over the course study guide, and then allow the group to choose which unit and options are most desirable. To complete all nine units, meeting once a week, would require fifty-four weeks. Since each unit has only six sessions, group members only need to commit for six weeks at a time.

Study Guide

Units do not have to be studied in any particular order.

Finding Ourselves

Session 1

Self-Image

Old Testament

Read Genesis 1:1–2:3.

Discuss.

What is your first impression of God here?

God enjoys his work.

God has quite an imagination.

God loves order.

God can make something from nothing.

What really happened when God created light?

God created time.

God reminded us of His presence.

God prepared the earth for life.

God needed to see what He was doing.

Which fish do you think God was most proud of?

whale

minnow

tropical fish

Loch Ness monster

other

What makes man different from the other creatures?

no difference

ability to stand upright

he oversees the animals

he was made in God's image

What do the six days of creation say to you?

things progress from least to greatest

the diversity of God's creativity

the realm of God's domain

describes man's domain

How would you describe God's work?

the work of a great artist

a massive construction project

a scientific experiment

a zoological collection

What was God's charge to the man and the woman?

use resources wisely

enjoy what He created

continue the process He began

be good stewards

Why do you think God rested on the seventh day?

He was tired.

His mouth was dry from speaking.

His work was complete.

He was satisfied.

It was His day off.

Share

If you compared your workweek to God's, how would you describe it?

meaningless and empty

very good

full of life and motivating

completed

When you complete a project, how do you feel?

content

anxious

critical

pleased

When you complete your next project, what do you plan to do?

rest

start another