Group Study Guide Week 2
“A Lamp Unto My Feet”
Pete Stearns | September 18, 2022
We created this study guide to spark thought, discussion, and prayer among community groups and study groups. We hope that your time together is enriched.
Group Discussion
1. This week, we talked about how we often use the Bible as a map that leads us to answers in three different scenarios. Which of these three scenarios resonate most for you?
We open our Biblical Map to answer our questions:
-as we chart our life
-as we confront a crossroads
-as we experience a crisis
2. In his book Jesus is the Question, pastor Martin B. Copenhaver writes:
“In the Gospels Jesus asks many more questions than he answers. To be precise, Jesus asks 307 questions. He is asked 183 of which he only answers 3. Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings. In fact, for every question he answers directly he asks—literally—a hundred.”
What sticks out to you about this quote, and how might it impact the way you think about or read scripture?
3. Read this guiding passage (Psalm 119:105-112) aloud:
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 decrees
to the very end.
What in this psalm connects with you? What doesn’t? How does the psalmist’s perspective differ from your own?
4. This week, Pastor Pete talked about the Bible as a lamp that leads us to wisdom rather than answers. We considered three different ways that scripture shines “light” on our path.
As a lamp, the Bible cultivates wisdom that:
-reassures our footing (God’s constant love for us)
-restores our vision. (God’s leading for today)
-reveals the dangers that lie before us (God’s refining of our life)
Which these three is most exciting to you? Which is most challenging?
Practice: Reading Scripture Prayerfully
We are commonly taught to read with the purpose of gaining information. But, as we learned this week, instead of handing out answers, the Bible often cultivates wisdom by engaging us in questions.
One practice that can help us shift the focus of our Bible-reading from information to transformation is called “Lectio Divina.” This practice slows us down, helping us prayerfully encounter and surrender to God through attending to scripture.
We challenge you to try this way of reading the Bible as a group.
Allow yourselves to slow down, opening your heart and mind for God to meet you in your reading.
Choose a brief passage to read. Gospel stories work well, so consider using Matthew 3:13-17, the baptism of Jesus.
Then follow this basic pattern:
• Silence: Before beginning, prayerfully place yourself in God’s presence.
• Listen: As one person in your group reads the passage slowly out loud, listen for words or phrases that catch your attention. Allow at least a couple minutes of silence as you reflect on the passage prayerfully.
(You may choose to share your word or phrase out loud with your group, or to stay silent with eyes closed in prayer.)
• Locate: After some time, the same person will read the passage again, slowly. This time, using your imagination, place yourself in the story. What do you see, hear, or experience?
(Again, you may share out loud or remain in silent prayer.)
• Invitation: As the passage is read a third time, is there an invitation or a challenge God is calling you to respond to?
(Share out loud or remain in silent prayer.)
• Rest: During a final reading, simply rest in the words and love of God.
(One group member closes this time together in prayer.)
Amen.
