(upbeat music) - Hey, everyone. It is so awesome that you rallied together to discover the good that God
has in mind for all of us. Over the next eight sessions, we're gonna look at some
stories in the Bible with a couple of key questions
in mind: who is Jesus, and why would we let Him lead our lives? The way each of us
responds to these questions is foundational to our life and our faith. And while someone else can
help us know their answers, or even help us with answers that are consistent with the Bible, what no one else can do
is make them our answers. Even Jesus, when He asked His followers who they thought He was, He didn't settle for what they thought might be the right answer. He said, "But who do you say that I am?" Their answer, no matter what,
wouldn't change who Jesus is, but it would change them and the way that they
would respond to Him. And so the same is true for us. As we let Jesus show us who He is and what life with Him leading is like, we will be changed in all the best ways. So we're gonna approach
these next eight gatherings in a particular way. Each week, a short video is provided, but these videos are not going
to teach you about the Bible. Rather, they're gonna teach you a way to approach the Bible together,
and then we'll try it. Now, this may sound a
little counterintuitive. It may sound like wouldn't
it just be easier and quicker to have someone tell us
what the Bible is saying? And I get it, that kind
of teaching has its place, but as helpful as it is, here is what the very best teachers know. When a student is helped to discover, not just be told about
new ideas and insights, they're far more likely to
remember, to internalize, to respond, and to share
what they have found. This is what we are after. So here's what we're gonna do each week, discover, do, and share. First, we'll discover. We'll read a short story from the Bible. We'll retell it in our own words and ask some powerful questions that help each of us together
look for what God is saying. You don't need any expertise to do this. Everybody has something to bring, and we'll help each other along the way. As we hear and recognize
what God is saying, we together will commit
to responding in a way that feels just beyond our comfort level. It's there that Jesus
grows us and we experience the best. In fact, He said that those
who are wise put into practice what He is saying. It's the best way to really learn, and it's the only way to experience what Jesus leading is really like. Now, don't worry about how your
responses compare to others. Just do your best to trust and honor God, and support one another along the way. Finally, after we've discovered and decided what we're
gonna do, each week, we'll consider who else
in our lives needs to hear the good news that we are finding? We'll ask God for the opportunity, and then we'll make plans
to share with these people in our lives what we're
finding with Jesus. Every week, discover, do, and share, each piece so vital to real life change. We do all of these things
best together with others. You'll be amazed how much
your relationships grow over these coming weeks and deepen as you discover together. So way to go rallying together and keep showing up for one
another in your meeting time and throughout the week. And we'll say more in the coming weeks about each of these three pieces, and each week we'll get
more and more familiar as we do this together, so don't be surprised if this first round is a little clunky, not sure where to go. It will get better and better over time. I hope you're ready to give it a go. Remember, everyone here
is gonna look together as co-explorers of the story this week. Every single person has
something to offer everyone else. And even though someone
helped rally together and organize the time and
place, and along the way, someone will help you know how to move on to the next question,
they're not the teacher. Let God be the primary teacher today by keeping the Bible
story in front of you, letting questions guide you, and listening for what
we can learn from Jesus. After all, God by His Spirit
is the very best teacher, and it's by listening
closely to God in the Bible that He helps us know who Jesus
is and how He will lead us. I encourage you, take a
few notes along the way as you read the story and
listen to one another. Make notes of everything you are noticing, especially when you think God
has something to say to you. Later on, when people are
sharing what they plan to do, or who they're gonna share
what they're learning with, make some notes, so you can pray for them and support them throughout the week. Ready? It's gonna be great. It will just get better every week. I encourage you to begin
simply by asking God to lead. In just a moment, someone be bold. Begin this journey bravely
by praying for your group. It could be as simple as,
"God, we wanna hear from You. Help us discover what You are saying, help us do it and help
us share it with others. Amen." May God meet you and connect
you today to one another and to Him in your time of discovery.
