Free downloadable making sense of the bible leader guide

This page Leader Guide helps leaders facilitate small-group discussion about The Leader Guide contains six session plan outlines, complete with Moving through each chapter In How Not to Read the Bible, pastor and bestselling author Dan Kimball tackles one of the most pressing apologetic challenges of the twenty-first-century church--how do we read and interpret the Bible?

Kimball introduces several critical principles to utilize when you open a Bible or read a verse. Then, he looks at five of the most common challenges that arise when people read the Bible today, including: the relationship between science and the Bible, the violence we find in the Bible, the treatment of women in the Bible, the odd and strange commands we find in the Bible, and the Bible's controversial claim that there is only one way to know God.

Kimball highlights several of the most common passages people find objectionable and shows readers how to correctly interpret them. This is an ideal book for those exploring Christianity or new to the faith, as well as Christians who are wrestling with questions about these difficult issues and the challenges of interpreting the Bible. Filled with stories and examples, as well as visual illustrations and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How Not to Read the Bible will motivate readers who are confused or discouraged by questions they have about the Bible and guides them--step-by-step--to a clear understanding of what the Bible is saying in context.

The book can also be taught as a six-week sermon series or used in small groups for study and discussion. What if the Ten Commandments were not just a set of ancient rules, but a guide to experiencing the good life today?

Jesus saw these commandments not as onerous burdens, but as guideposts to help us experience a good and beautiful life. In this book of Scripture and inspiration, bestselling author Adam Hamilton brings modern eyes to the most important set of ethics in history.

In a culture marked by workaholism, materialism, and social media-driven envy, God has given us a time-tested path that leads to gratitude, confidence, and peace.

A landmark work from one of our most trusted biblical thinkers, Words of Life is an inspiring, thought-provoking read for anyone seeking to live a meaningful and joyful life. Everyone agrees that America is polarized, with ever-hardening positions held by people less and less willing to listen to one another.

No one agrees on what to do about it. Hamilton rejects the easy assumptions and sloppy analysis of black and white thinking, seeking instead the truth that resides on all sides of the issues, and offering a faithful and compassionate way forward. He writes, "I don't expect you to agree with everything I've written. I expect that in the future even I won't agree with everything I've written here. The point is not to get you to agree with me, but to encourage you to think about what you believe.

In the end I will be inviting those of you who find this book resonates with what you feel is true, to join the movement to pursue a middle way between the left and the right - to make your voices heard - and to model for our nation and for the church, how we can listen, learn, see truth as multi-sided, and love those with whom we disagree.

Includes leader's guide as well as bonus video. Click below to view a preview of each video session. Making Sense of the Bible. Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton. Making Sense of Scripture by David J. Making Sense of the Bible by Wayne A. Making Sense of the Bible by David Whitehead.

Making Sense of the Bible by Marshall D. Making Sense of Your World by W. Gary Phillips,William E. Brown,John Stonestreet. Bible Matters by Tim Chester. Bible Babel by Kristin Swenson. Note that earlier 40 Jot down these Tell the group that first they will look at the three differences on the sheet under the appropriate heading.

Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Form three Based on what the small groups have charted, invite the small groups and assign one of the three Synoptic Gos- large group to make observations about the differences. Ask them to read the material in Discuss: Chapter 11 related to their assigned Gospel.

On a large sheet of paper, ask them to record churches. What is it? Would you agree? As the video segment: Jesus was not only the messen- a large group, look at the three sheets and discuss: ger but the message. Note that Hamilton says the primary Matthew, Mark, and Luke? What four seem credible to you? Does this theory diminish things does Hamilton want us to note in this passage? Good News? Gospels as Scripture. Ask the group to refer to the information Synoptics.

Ask participants to scan Chapter Point about the second, third, and fourth centuries, and name 42 I was struck by … Look together at the four criteria Hamilton cites for I still have some confusion or questions about … inclusion of books in the canon. Invite volunteers to I want to think further about … define and summarize briefly the four criteria. If par- suggested criterion, inspiration? Also encourage them church ultimately settled on inclusion does not to reflect on the following questions as they read Scrip- read like a mystery novel filled with conspiracies ture during their time of devotion in the coming week: and intrigue.

What was the writer trying to say to the people? What does this say considering whether the Bible is the inspired Word to you about how God spoke and continues to of God, how God speaks through the Bible, and the speak through Scripture? Encourage participants to read book Chapters 14— Open responding to the following open-ended prompts: our hearts that we might continue to be transformed by your living word.

In the name of Jesus, the message. Biblical Foundation Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with 3. Questions about the him until daybreak. Authors write Scriptures. God breathes on them. Scripture—in what ways we can say it was inspired by 3. The words come to life. Across the top, list the following: Opening Prayer Who went to the tomb?

How many angels? Who Holy God, we long to hear your Word for us today. We rolled away the stone? What happened after the yearn to have a better understanding of the Bible. By your Resurrection? Explain that in this video segment, Adam Hamilton reiterates what he feels to be some misunderstandings of the Bible and how it functions.

Invite the group to Getting Started listen when Hamilton describes the way the Bible works as both the Word of God and the words of the people. Opening Activity After viewing the segment, discuss: As group members arrive, welcome them. How have you experienced the Word of God who did not bring one. Gather together. What is necessary for us to do? Hamilton invites us to consider how God inspired the human beings who recorded Scripture. Invite participants to describe the Holy Spirit and that the writings spoke not similar experiences they may have had in which they only to the people of that time but also pointed were inspired by Scripture or in which Scripture illu- ahead in some way to the time of Christ.

How do mined them. Ask: you respond? What inspiration of the New Testament writings differ, are some examples he cites? If you agree, what and if so, in what ways?

If you disagree, what Debate Verbal, Plenary Inspiration are some reasons you would cite? Arbitrarily form two groups to debate the affirmative and negative of the proposition below.

Note that some As Hamilton suggests, ask the group to consider some participants may need to debate positions different from of the forty-one passages in the Bible where the phrase the positions they hold. Choose one or two persons to debate. Those participants not debating can serve as the audience. For those debating a position different from their own, Ask the group to read each passage and try to dis- how did it feel? What did they learn?

Discuss: Invite a volunteer to read aloud John , Do the verses you read back this up? Who rolled away the stone? What does he What happened after the Resuurection?

Discuss: mean, and how do you respond to his statement? Where do they differ?