!

longstoryshort

God’s story. Our story. Your story. !

The Journey 2015 Advent Series Devotional Guide

!

The whole story of the Bible in six weeks. !

Study and Discussion Questions For Weeks 2-6

What stands out to you in this passage?

What is happening in this passage? Who are the characters that are mentioned? What are these characters doing? Where is the action happening?

What problem or issue or conflict does this passage raise or highlight? How does this passage resolve or address the problem or issue or conflict

Keep in mind the big story line of the Bible. How do the passages you are reading help you to better understand the big story of the Bible?

What encourages you or inspires you in this passage? Why?

What challenges you, or frustrates you, or confuses you, or offends you in this passage? Why?

What does this passage tell you about the character, mission or purpose of God the Father or of Jesus or of the Holy Spirit?

What does it tell you about our human nature or our human predicament?

Where or how does this passage “hit home” for you? Why?

What will you do with this passage? How will you begin to apply it in the next week?

25 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01605 www.thejourneyma.org

longstoryshort

God’s story. Our story. Your story. !

The Journey 2015 Advent Series Devotional Guide

!

The whole story of the Bible in six weeks. !

Study and Discussion Questions For Weeks 2-6

What stands out to you in this passage?

What is happening in this passage? Who are the characters that are mentioned? What are these characters doing? Where is the action happening?

What problem or issue or conflict does this passage raise or highlight? How does this passage resolve or address the problem or issue or conflict

Keep in mind the big story line of the Bible. How do the passages you are reading help you to better understand the big story of the Bible?

What encourages you or inspires you in this passage? Why?

What challenges you, or frustrates you, or confuses you, or offends you in this passage? Why?

What does this passage tell you about the character, mission or purpose of God the Father or of Jesus or of the Holy Spirit?

What does it tell you about our human nature or our human predicament?

Where or how does this passage “hit home” for you? Why?

What will you do with this passage? How will you begin to apply it in the next week?

25 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01605 www.thejourneyma.org

!!

longstoryshort The whole story of the Bible in six weeks.

!In the six weeks leading up to Christmas we, as a whole Journey Community, will be tracing the big story line, the plot, of the Bible. We will be presenting the Bible as a six-act play that moves from Creation to New Creation. Each Sunday, beginning on November 15, we will focus on a different “act” in the Bible play. During the week leading up to the Sunday sermon, we will offer you Scripture passages to read and think about that will help you prepare better understand and apply our Sunday sermons. And in our Life Groups we will help one another further understand the big story line of Scripture and where each of us is in that story line.

For those of us not yet in some kind of Life Group this would be an excellent time to join a group. Contact Lou, lou@thejourneyma.org

The Bible as a Six-Act Play Read the related passages & discussion questions leading up to each week. Act 1: Creation – God Creates (Genesis 1-2)

Act 2: Chaos – God Seeks (Genesis 3-11)

Act 3: Covenant – God Promises (Gen 12:1-9; Exodus 1-6; 19-20)

Act 4: Christ - God Rescues (Mark 1-3; 14-16)

Act 5: Church – God Sends (Acts 1-9; Ephesians 1-2)

Act 6: Consummation – God Restores (Revelation 1-5; 21-22)

Suggestions for Your Bible Reading After the first week, you are being asked to read 6 or more chapters each week. We suggest that if you can, read all the passages early in the week in one sitting and just jot down what struck you? On average, this will take you 20-30 minutes. Then throughout the rest of the week read one or two chapters each day and reflect on them using the questions below.

Study and Discussion Questions For Week 1 Genesis 1-2 are critical chapters for understanding the rest of the Bible. So we will focus on them a little more than the rest of our Scripture readings.

• What would you say is the central theme or the big idea of the Creation Story of Genesis, chapter 1? What (or who) is Genesis 1 all about? How does this central theme set the stage for the rest of the biblical story? �

• As you read Genesis 1, what repeated patterns do you see? What is the significance of the elements of those patterns? �

• What is the climax of the story in Genesis 1? How does this affect your reading of the earlier parts of the chapter? �

• What do you think it means for human beings to be created in the “image” and “likeness” of God? What does this say about the relationship between human beings and God? What are some of the ways in which human beings may be “like” and not like God?

• What command does God give to the first man and the first woman? How is their role in relation to the rest of creation like God’s role over the whole of creation?

• What do you think may be the significance of the creation of human beings as “male and female” to the idea that human beings are created in the image of God? �

• What is the significance of Adam’s “naming” the animals? What is significant about the absence of a suitable companion for Adam in the animal world? Why does God create Eve? What is the significance of her being formed from Adam’s own body? �

• How would you sum up the central teaching of the Creation Story of the Bible in terms of the following:

• Who God is � • What human beings are � • What the physical universe is � • What the relationships among these three are.

longstoryshort The whole story of the Bible in six weeks.

!In the six weeks leading up to Christmas we, as a whole Journey Community, will be tracing the big story line, the plot, of the Bible. We will be presenting the Bible as a six-act play that moves from Creation to New Creation. Each Sunday, beginning on November 15, we will focus on a different “act” in the Bible play. During the week leading up to the Sunday sermon, we will offer you Scripture passages to read and think about that will help you prepare better understand and apply our Sunday sermons. And in our Life Groups we will help one another further understand the big story line of Scripture and where each of us is in that story line.

For those of us not yet in some kind of Life Group this would be an excellent time to join a group. Contact Lou, lou@thejourneyma.org

The Bible as a Six-Act Play Read the related passages & discussion questions leading up to each week. Act 1: Creation – God Creates (Genesis 1-2)

Act 2: Chaos – God Seeks (Genesis 3-11)

Act 3: Covenant – God Promises (Gen 12:1-9; Exodus 1-6; 19-20)

Act 4: Christ - God Rescues (Mark 1-3; 14-16)

Act 5: Church – God Sends (Acts 1-9; Ephesians 1-2)

Act 6: Consummation – God Restores (Revelation 1-5; 21-22)

Suggestions for Your Bible Reading After the first week, you are being asked to read 6 or more chapters each week. We suggest that if you can, read all the passages early in the week in one sitting and just jot down what struck you? On average, this will take you 20-30 minutes. Then throughout the rest of the week read one or two chapters each day and reflect on them using the questions below.

Study and Discussion Questions For Week 1 Genesis 1-2 are critical chapters for understanding the rest of the Bible. So we will focus on them a little more than the rest of our Scripture readings.

• What would you say is the central theme or the big idea of the Creation Story of Genesis, chapter 1? What (or who) is Genesis 1 all about? How does this central theme set the stage for the rest of the biblical story? �

• As you read Genesis 1, what repeated patterns do you see? What is the significance of the elements of those patterns? �

• What is the climax of the story in Genesis 1? How does this affect your reading of the earlier parts of the chapter? �

• What do you think it means for human beings to be created in the “image” and “likeness” of God? What does this say about the relationship between human beings and God? What are some of the ways in which human beings may be “like” and not like God?

• What command does God give to the first man and the first woman? How is their role in relation to the rest of creation like God’s role over the whole of creation?

• What do you think may be the significance of the creation of human beings as “male and female” to the idea that human beings are created in the image of God? �

• What is the significance of Adam’s “naming” the animals? What is significant about the absence of a suitable companion for Adam in the animal world? Why does God create Eve? What is the significance of her being formed from Adam’s own body? �

• How would you sum up the central teaching of the Creation Story of the Bible in terms of the following:

• Who God is � • What human beings are � • What the physical universe is � • What the relationships among these three are.

!!

longstoryshort The whole story of the Bible in six weeks.

!In the six weeks leading up to Christmas we, as a whole Journey Community, will be tracing the big story line, the plot, of the Bible. We will be presenting the Bible as a six-act play that moves from Creation to New Creation. Each Sunday, beginning on November 15, we will focus on a different “act” in the Bible play. During the week leading up to the Sunday sermon, we will offer you Scripture passages to read and think about that will help you prepare better understand and apply our Sunday sermons. And in our Life Groups we will help one another further understand the big story line of Scripture and where each of us is in that story line.

For those of us not yet in some kind of Life Group this would be an excellent time to join a group. Contact Lou, lou@thejourneyma.org

The Bible as a Six-Act Play Read the related passages & discussion questions leading up to each week. Act 1: Creation – God Creates (Genesis 1-2)

Act 2: Chaos – God Seeks (Genesis 3-11)

Act 3: Covenant – God Promises (Gen 12:1-9; Exodus 1-6; 19-20)

Act 4: Christ - God Rescues (Mark 1-3; 14-16)

Act 5: Church – God Sends (Acts 1-9; Ephesians 1-2)

Act 6: Consummation – God Restores (Revelation 1-5; 21-22)

Suggestions for Your Bible Reading After the first week, you are being asked to read 6 or more chapters each week. We suggest that if you can, read all the passages early in the week in one sitting and just jot down what struck you? On average, this will take you 20-30 minutes. Then throughout the rest of the week read one or two chapters each day and reflect on them using the questions below.

Study and Discussion Questions For Week 1 Genesis 1-2 are critical chapters for understanding the rest of the Bible. So we will focus on them a little more than the rest of our Scripture readings.

• What would you say is the central theme or the big idea of the Creation Story of Genesis, chapter 1? What (or who) is Genesis 1 all about? How does this central theme set the stage for the rest of the biblical story? �

• As you read Genesis 1, what repeated patterns do you see? What is the significance of the elements of those patterns? �

• What is the climax of the story in Genesis 1? How does this affect your reading of the earlier parts of the chapter? �

• What do you think it means for human beings to be created in the “image” and “likeness” of God? What does this say about the relationship between human beings and God? What are some of the ways in which human beings may be “like” and not like God?

• What command does God give to the first man and the first woman? How is their role in relation to the rest of creation like God’s role over the whole of creation?

• What do you think may be the significance of the creation of human beings as “male and female” to the idea that human beings are created in the image of God? �

• What is the significance of Adam’s “naming” the animals? What is significant about the absence of a suitable companion for Adam in the animal world? Why does God create Eve? What is the significance of her being formed from Adam’s own body? �

• How would you sum up the central teaching of the Creation Story of the Bible in terms of the following:

• Who God is � • What human beings are � • What the physical universe is � • What the relationships among these three are.

longstoryshort The whole story of the Bible in six weeks.

!In the six weeks leading up to Christmas we, as a whole Journey Community, will be tracing the big story line, the plot, of the Bible. We will be presenting the Bible as a six-act play that moves from Creation to New Creation. Each Sunday, beginning on November 15, we will focus on a different “act” in the Bible play. During the week leading up to the Sunday sermon, we will offer you Scripture passages to read and think about that will help you prepare better understand and apply our Sunday sermons. And in our Life Groups we will help one another further understand the big story line of Scripture and where each of us is in that story line.

For those of us not yet in some kind of Life Group this would be an excellent time to join a group. Contact Lou, lou@thejourneyma.org

The Bible as a Six-Act Play Read the related passages & discussion questions leading up to each week. Act 1: Creation – God Creates (Genesis 1-2)

Act 2: Chaos – God Seeks (Genesis 3-11)

Act 3: Covenant – God Promises (Gen 12:1-9; Exodus 1-6; 19-20)

Act 4: Christ - God Rescues (Mark 1-3; 14-16)

Act 5: Church – God Sends (Acts 1-9; Ephesians 1-2)

Act 6: Consummation – God Restores (Revelation 1-5; 21-22)

Suggestions for Your Bible Reading After the first week, you are being asked to read 6 or more chapters each week. We suggest that if you can, read all the passages early in the week in one sitting and just jot down what struck you? On average, this will take you 20-30 minutes. Then throughout the rest of the week read one or two chapters each day and reflect on them using the questions below.

Study and Discussion Questions For Week 1 Genesis 1-2 are critical chapters for understanding the rest of the Bible. So we will focus on them a little more than the rest of our Scripture readings.

• What would you say is the central theme or the big idea of the Creation Story of Genesis, chapter 1? What (or who) is Genesis 1 all about? How does this central theme set the stage for the rest of the biblical story? �

• As you read Genesis 1, what repeated patterns do you see? What is the significance of the elements of those patterns? �

• What is the climax of the story in Genesis 1? How does this affect your reading of the earlier parts of the chapter? �

• What do you think it means for human beings to be created in the “image” and “likeness” of God? What does this say about the relationship between human beings and God? What are some of the ways in which human beings may be “like” and not like God?

• What command does God give to the first man and the first woman? How is their role in relation to the rest of creation like God’s role over the whole of creation?

• What do you think may be the significance of the creation of human beings as “male and female” to the idea that human beings are created in the image of God? �

• What is the significance of Adam’s “naming” the animals? What is significant about the absence of a suitable companion for Adam in the animal world? Why does God create Eve? What is the significance of her being formed from Adam’s own body? �

• How would you sum up the central teaching of the Creation Story of the Bible in terms of the following:

• Who God is � • What human beings are � • What the physical universe is � • What the relationships among these three are.

!

longstoryshort

God’s story. Our story. Your story. !

The Journey 2015 Advent Series Devotional Guide

!

The whole story of the Bible in six weeks. !

Study and Discussion Questions For Weeks 2-6

What stands out to you in this passage?

What is happening in this passage? Who are the characters that are mentioned? What are these characters doing? Where is the action happening?

What problem or issue or conflict does this passage raise or highlight? How does this passage resolve or address the problem or issue or conflict

Keep in mind the big story line of the Bible. How do the passages you are reading help you to better understand the big story of the Bible?

What encourages you or inspires you in this passage? Why?

What challenges you, or frustrates you, or confuses you, or offends you in this passage? Why?

What does this passage tell you about the character, mission or purpose of God the Father or of Jesus or of the Holy Spirit?

What does it tell you about our human nature or our human predicament?

Where or how does this passage “hit home” for you? Why?

What will you do with this passage? How will you begin to apply it in the next week?

25 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01605 www.thejourneyma.org

longstoryshort

God’s story. Our story. Your story. !

The Journey 2015 Advent Series Devotional Guide

!

The whole story of the Bible in six weeks. !

Study and Discussion Questions For Weeks 2-6

What stands out to you in this passage?

What is happening in this passage? Who are the characters that are mentioned? What are these characters doing? Where is the action happening?

What problem or issue or conflict does this passage raise or highlight? How does this passage resolve or address the problem or issue or conflict

Keep in mind the big story line of the Bible. How do the passages you are reading help you to better understand the big story of the Bible?

What encourages you or inspires you in this passage? Why?

What challenges you, or frustrates you, or confuses you, or offends you in this passage? Why?

What does this passage tell you about the character, mission or purpose of God the Father or of Jesus or of the Holy Spirit?

What does it tell you about our human nature or our human predicament?

Where or how does this passage “hit home” for you? Why?

What will you do with this passage? How will you begin to apply it in the next week?

25 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01605 www.thejourneyma.org