Discovery Bible Study

Microchurch Essentials is a seven-week curriculum meant to orient (and reorient) a microchurch community to our mission as the scattered church and sent people of God. Each week, we will utilize the prayer liturgy with a few additional elements to guide the conversation. The additional elements will introduce the main idea and practice of enacting the Gospel daily.

+ Talk
Let us share in the joys and sorrows of one another's life.

What has been the highlight of your week?
What has been the low of your week?

+ Reflection
Let's consider what we discussed last week.

How did the practice of intercessory prayer go this week? 

+ Call To Worship ⓘ
Let us together prepare our hearts in worship.

We are called into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be God’s servants in the service of all,
to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,
to join Christ in his passion and victory.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”
All who love are born of God and know God.

Let us worship God!

+ Silence & Confession ⓘ
For a moment, let us sit in silence reflecting on our actions this past week and together, we will confess and be reminded that we are the forgiven community.

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Most merciful God,

We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart; We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.

Amen.

+ Psalm ⓘ
Let us pray with the Psalmist.

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decree
to the very end.

–Psalm 119:105-112 (NIV)

+ The Apostles’ Creed ⓘ
Let us affirm our faith with the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

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I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the global Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

+ Introduction
An Introduction to the discovery bible study method.

The Christian faith is built on the belief that God is saving the world through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. That story of God’s work in human history is detailed in a library of works we call the Bible. 

Jesus himself, a teacher of the Bible, viewed these writings as authoritative. Therefore, any serious attempt to follow Jesus demands that we take the Bible seriously and let it play a central role in our lives and communities– but that is not always easy.

The Bible is a library of strange, ancient, and foreign writings about our God. It is a collection of writings by over 60 authors spanning thousands of years and composed in several genres. Too often, our assumptions can prevent us from discovering all it offers. 

As disciples, we try to lay aside our preconceptions and approach the bible with curiosity and a desire to obey its instruction. When we do this we will discover that “God is not in our stories, but that our stories are in God’s” (Eugene Peterson). 

Each week, as we gather around the biblical text, we practice the Discovery Bible Study method. This is a simple method of interpreting the scriptures with three questions: 

  1. What does this reveal about God or His Kingdom? 

  2. What does this reveal about human nature or yourself? 

  3. How can you live out this passage, or who should you share this story with?

The first question leads us to think critically about God's character and how He revealed himself in history. The second question holds a mirror up to us and asks where we see ourselves, both collectively and individually, in the story. The third question invites us to respond, to do something, or to tell someone. 

As we do this, the Spirit guides our intellects and conversations into new discoveries. Whether you’ve followed Jesus for decades, just started, or are still unsure about Jesus, this bible study method is a simple invitation to read the Bible and see where it leads. 

So, let’s give it a try. First, we will read the scriptures, and then we will ask the Discovery Bible Study questions. 

+ Scripture Reading
When we practice the Liturgy, we anchor ourselves to something ancient. The first Christians committed themselves to a set of prayer practices. Acts 13 is a simple example of the liturgy's central role in the Early Church. 

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

– Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV)

The Message Paraphrase

+ Discussion
Let us take a moment to talk through what we have heard reflecting on what it is saying to us. 

  1. What does this reveal about God or His Kingdom?

  2. What does this reveal about human nature or yourself?

  3. How can you live out this passage, or who should you share this story with?

+ Practice
Let us consider how to practice the Way of Jesus in our everyday life.

This method of Bible Study can be used not just in microchurch but any time we engage with the scripture. Take 10-30 minutes this week to practice it independently with a friend, spouse, coworker, or family.

+ Lord's Prayer ⓘ
Let us put this into practice and life up the names brought before this community.

As our Savior taught us, so we pray;

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Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Amen.

+ Confession of the Mystery ⓘ
Let us confess the Mystery of our Faith.

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Christ has died.
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.

+ Commissioning ⓘ
May we go from this place prepared to reveal the Kingdom of Jesus, together.

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Living God, draw us deeper into your love;
Jesus our Lord, send us to care and serve;
Holy Spirit, make us heralds of good news.

Stir us, strengthen us,
teach and inspire us to live your love
with generosity and joy, imagination and courage;
for the sake of your world and in the name of Jesus,

Amen.

+ Announcements
We invite you to join us at the following events.