Week 5 AM “The Search for Meaning”
SOAP
Use SOAP as tool to facilitate dialogue around each person's reading over the past week. Aim to give
everybody an opportunity to share and ask questions etc. It may be worthwhile going over the process of
SOAP with your group encouraging its use throughout the reading plan. Aim to engage everyone in your
group with these questions based from their readings.
Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer
What chapters or verses stood out to you in your reading over the last week?
What was important to you about that scripture?
What does it mean for your life?
Pray for each other that the challenges from scripture would be applied in each other's lives.
Memory verse Matthew 7:24 - “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock”
Touch base on this week's memory verse. Read over it & practice remembering it!
The Search for Meaning
Read together Philippians 2:19-­‐30 Let's start with some questions of context • What do we know about the book of Philippians? Who is the author? Who is he writing too? • What genre or style of writing is Philippians? ie narrative? poetry? letter? • How might the genre of a letter impact how we interpret scripture? What does it say? 1. Paul intended to send two men to the church at Philippi 2. He endorsed them as role models 3. He describes what set them apart As a group what list of characteristics can we find in the passage about what these two men were like? In order to find meaning in this passage let's think about how these characteristics might translate to our lives as Christ followers. What does it mean? 1. A Christ follower is caring. Read v21 • What does it mean to show authentic concern for others? •
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How does this quality fit into your framework of faith? Where are some places we need to grow in this? 2. A Christ follower is consistent. Read v22 • What do you like about consistent, reliable people? • What does it mean to be consistent in our character? • How might we grow to become more consistent people in our faith? 3. A Christ follower is cooperative. Read v25 • Why is unity important? • How are we better when we journey our faith with others? 4. A Christ follower is considerate. Read v26 • How being considerate of others a positive quality? • Do you think this is something your naturally good at? • What does it communicate to others when we demonstrate this quality? • Why is this important as Christ followers? 5. A Christ follower is courageous! Read v30 • What does it mean to be courageous in our faith? • Why is this important? • How is this a challenge in your life? Which of these 5 characteristics is the biggest challenge for you personally? How can you work on it this week? Close in prayer for one another Encourage your group to continue with the reading plan and be back for next week!