
This week we begin our journey rediscovering together the reliable authority of the Bible as God’s Word. We begin with the story of creation, and the power of God’s word and Spirit to restore life from chaos.
Welcome
As you gather in your group this week, start by welcoming any new people. A fun ice breaker question is to share a time in life when you felt especially creative.
Worship
Psalm 33 is one of many places that retells the story of God’s creation in a song of praise. Read it together as a group out loud, either taking turns with verses or reading responsively.
Share with each other – is there a place in your life right now that is cause for “shouts of joy” (v. 1) – or a place where you are waiting for God’s faithful love to act on your behalf (v.22)? Take time to pray for those things together.
Word
Our vision this fall is that all of our groups regather around God’s word in the Bible. Here is a prayer as you turn your attention to God’s word this week.
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
As someone reads Genesis 1:1-2:3 out loud, pay attention to all the times that God speaks or commands or blesses – what is the result? (Include the specific verse and phrase from the Bible in your answer.)
Pastor Laurie spoke about the way that God’s word and spirit work together to: bring light in darkness – order from chaos – a purpose in life and the capacity to flourish – blessing for work and blessing for rest. As people created in God’s image we long for these things. In your life right now, which of these is a place that you long to experience creative renewal?
Turn attention now to John 1:1-14. As it is read outloud, listen for the ways that the gospel writer describes Jesus. What do you hear? (Remember to reference the verse and phrase you are looking at when you share.)
In John 1:11 we hear about how ‘his own did not welcome him’. Pastor Laurie suggested that Jesus still comes to us in the humble disguise of God’s word in the Bible. In what ways do you personally find it a struggle to welcome Jesus in the words of the Bible? In what ways have you experienced the full “grace and truth” of God through the Bible?
Witness
We are encouraged to choose a daily Bible reading plan that we can use to take the next step of receiving God’s Word and Spirit in the Bible by faith. Here are some of the resources that Pastor Laurie mentioned on Sunday. Is there one that you may try this week, either personally or as a group? (All of these have an app that can be used.)
Lectio365 – a daily reading and reflection with morning and evening devotions
Pray as You Go – a Roman Catholic daily reading and reflection guide that includes music and follows the lectionary.
Read Scripture – designed to guide you with daily readings from beginning to end of the Bible. This app uses many of the resources from The Bible Project, which also offers reading plans in the YouBible App (available through the WSPC app)
WordGo – an app from Bible Study fellowship that allows anyone to start their own indepth Bible study. We have several people at West Side who participate in in-person Bible Study Fellowship groups. Email Pastor Chris and he will connect you up!
The Bible Recap – offers tools to help you read, understand and love the Bible.
Christianity Explored – An Online video course that starts from the Bible to share the good news of Jesus. This is a great resource for exploring and sharing faith.
WSPC Daily Readings
For those who like daily readings that follow the sermon themes, here are some for week one of Reliable.
Monday, Oct. 9: Psalm 1 and Genesis 1
Tuesday, Oct. 10: Psalm 33 and Proverbs 8
Wednesday, Oct. 11: Psalm 19 and Job 38
Thursday, Oct. 12: Psalm 8 and John 1
Friday, Oct. 13: Psalm 139 and Colossians 1:15-20
Saturday, Oct. 14: Psalm 104 and Revelation 21
Sunday, Oct. 15: Genesis 21:1-7 and John 8:39-59