NOTE: Following is a copy of the discussion guide that will be used in MoSt Church’s LIFE groups tomorrow (Sun., Sept. 25). This guide flows out of the sermon that I’ll preach that morning. You’ll find these LIFE group discussion guides categorized each week here on my site under the category title LIFE group guides.

Aim

To rekindle our desire for, time with, instruction by, enjoyment of, and living out of the word.

Scripture

“Then he said to me: ‘Human one … eat this scroll and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. He said to me: ‘Human one, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’ So I ate it, and in my mouth it became as sweet as honey.’” (Ezekiel 3:1-3 CEB)

“Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you.” (James 1:21 CEB)

Open

Icebreaker questions are meant to simply get us all talking. Choose one of the following to discuss as a group.

1. What makes you come to feel a part of things when you walk into a room full of strangers?

2. Share with us the experience of one of the warmest ‘welcomes’ you’ve ever received.

Dig

These questions are intended to help us grapple directly with some of the sermon’s primary Scripture texts.

1. Why is humility the essential first step to letting God’s word do its work in you?

2. Note the order: jettisoning bad behavior followed by welcoming the word. Thoughts?

3. From what all is the word able to “save” you?

Reflect

These questions facilitate our sharing what we sense God’s Spirit is doing with us through his word.

1. If your habits with his word are like the weather, what’s your current trend or forecast?

2. What portions of God’s word are easiest for you to welcome in? Most difficult? Why?

3. Which is the bigger test for you: welcoming the word inside or welcoming it to your ways?

4. Pool together the ways you’ve found most helpful in welcoming God’s word into you.

5. Complete this sentence: “I find myself actually going on to live the word I know when __________.”

6. Many have “seasons of wordlessness.” If you’ve had such, what were the causes? Cures?

7. A brand new Christian points at a Bible and asks you, “What do I do with this?” What would you tell them?

8. How would you have us specifically pray for you in regard to God’s word these days?”