Reading the Bible Discipleship Plan
Summary:
Reading the Bible is a cornerstone in our walk with God. In fact, it is so important that the first thing that some discipleship ministries teach is how to read the Bible! Our goal with this resource is to help you as you grow in reading the Bible. We would love for you to then walk through this with a friend.
This is not an exhaustive list of passages or resources that help us learn about prayer, these are just some highlights. Please feel free to add additional passages and resources as you go through this.
As with all of our Practical Theology Corner Resources, we want this to be applicable, practical and missional!
Starting Biblical Texts:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Psalm 119:11, 105
Hebrews 4:12
Matthew 28:19-20
James 1:19-27
Overview:
Week 1- The Bible
Main Point: The Bible is God’s Word!
Biblical Passages:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hebrews 4:12
Matthew 4:4
Romans 15:4
Starting Questions:
What is the Bible?
Is the Bible reliable?
What is the Bible called other than “the Bible”?
The Bible is made up of two parts. What are they? How are they different? How do these two parts relate to Jesus?
Activity:
Seven Minute Quiet Time
Week 2- Why should we read the Bible?
Main Point: We should read the Bible on a daily basis because the Bible guides us through life!
Biblical Passages:
Psalm 119:97-105
Proverbs 7:1-4
Proverbs 3:1-3
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Matthew 28:19-20
Starting Questions:
When should we read the Bible?
What are we to pray about? Why does that matter?
Is there anything too big for God to handle in prayer? Why does that matter?
Activity:
Proverb a Day
Week 3- Applying the Bible
Main Point: We need to be DOERS of the Word, which requires that we apply the Bible to our lives!
Biblical Passages:
James 1:19-27
Starting Questions:
What does it mean to be doers of the Word of God?
Why does it matter that we are doers of the Word of God?
James talks lots about not just doing things to do them. How can we keep reading the Bible from becoming a chore, or a task that we need to check off?
Activity:
Reading the Bible with Someone Else
Week 4- Storing God’s Word in Our Hearts
Main Point: Prayer involves praising God, confession of sins and bringing requests to God.
Biblical Passages:
Psalm 119:9-11
A passage of your choosing to read together!
Starting Questions:
What does it mean for us to treasure the Word of God?
How can we treasure the Word of God?
It’s easy for us to put other things in the place of God. Is there anything that you are prioritizing ahead of God’s Word for finding wisdom and instruction?
Activity:
Scripture Memory- First Letter Trick
Suggested Activities:
7 Minute Quiet Time
The 7 minute quiet time is designed to provide a starting place for someone who is trying to engage in God’s Word. There are 4 components to it.
First, for one minute, you should pray and ask that God opens your eyes to His Word.
Second, for 3 minutes, read the Bible. You may make it through a chapter, or a few verses. The focus of this time is to be in God’s Word.
Third, for 2 minutes, write down some things. It may be applications, or observations, but make some notes. By making notes, we are able to keep track of everything that we are learning.
Finally, for one minute, pray.
The 7 minute quiet time is not the only way to study God’s Word, but we like the practicality of it. We recommend doing this together in your discipleship time and then setting a goal of each doing this 4 days over the course of the next week!
Proverb a Day
Proverbs is a book full of wisdom. Conveniently there are 31 chapters of Proverbs and in many months there are 31 days. We suggest that you start reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. This can be a great tool for helping someone become more comfortable with what it means to read the Bible while also providing clear application.
Reading the Bible with Someone Else
Reading the Bible for our own growth is important, but all throughout scripture is the call to share what we learn with other people! One of the most effective ways to do this is to read the Bible with someone else. There are many ways to do this, but our recommendation is that you take a chapter of the Bible, such as Mark 1, and you look at a few verses together at a time. You may get through the entire chapter, but more likely you will only make it through a few verses. The great thing about this is that it is designed to be the start of a long-term evangelistic effort, not an immediate result. Stay consistent and meet up with your friend often!
As you are doing this activity in your discipleship time, take turns practicing leading and asking questions, to grow more comfortable in talking about scripture with someone. Then, take a few minutes to pray together for someone in your life that you could read the Bible with.
Scripture Memory- First Letter Trick
The first letter trick is pretty straightforward. Basically, you write out a verse, but you only write down the first letter. Then, you use the first letters to memorize the verse. As an example, Romans 6:23 becomes- “F t w o s i d, b t g o G i e l i C J o L.” While practicing, over time you will no longer need the first letters and instead you will have the verse memorized!
Suggested Supplemental Texts:
How to Study the Bible- John MacArthur
Spiritual Disciplines- Donald S. Whitney
If either of these books catch your attention, please feel free to contact the Church office and we can order copies for you and the person that you are discipling!