Words & Ways

Latest Episodes:

E25 - Jesus and the Light Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and light.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16

Side Passages: John 1:1-5, 1 John 1:5-7, Revelation 22:3-5, John 3:18-21

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Talk about actual light — what it’s like, what it does, what it’s good for, and more. How is actual light like Jesus?

Talk about actual darkness — what it’s like, how it makes people feel, and more. How is actual darkness like spiritual darkness?

When and why do people avoid spiritual light?

Why and why are people drawn to spiritual darkness?

When and why are people drawn to the light of Jesus?

Describe someone you know who displays the light of Jesus. What is about them that “shines” and illuminates the darkness, while pointing to God?

What are some ways you’ve been a light to others? How can you be the light of Jesus more faithfully and consistently?

What do you think Jesus meant when he said light and darkness cannot exist together? What does that mean for how you live as a disciple who follows him?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E24 - Jesus and the Two Builders Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the story of the wise and foolish builders.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: Matthew 7:21-27

Side Passages: Luke 6:46-49, Job 38 and 39

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Jesus used personally familiar imagery (building) to help explain eternal truths. What familiar images from your own life might be helpful for explaining eternal truths (e.g. gardening, painting, coaching, running, parenting, etc.)? In what ways?

Jesus used images that still make sense to his followers today, like building a house, light, salt, water, vines, branches, trees, roots, lost items, shepherds, and more. Which of the many images Jesus used are most meaningful to you? Why?

What spiritual habits and practices can help build a strong foundation for your life? How are you trying to build a strong foundation of faith (with Jesus’ help and guidance)?

Who is someone you know that seems to have a strong discipleship foundation? Why do you think that? What can you learn from them?

If someone’s life of discipleship is built on sand, what might that look like in daily life? What kinds of situations might cause the “house” to topple off its shallow foundation?

Why do you think Jesus included this warning and story at the very end of such an important time of teaching?

People sometimes say, “All you have to do is believe in Jesus to be saved.” In these verses, Jesus seems to say it goes deeper than that. Reread Matthew 7:21-23. How does that fit in with what you’ve heard and believed about Jesus? How does it stretch and challenge what you’ve heard and believed about Jesus?

What’s one thing you can being doing now to build a strong foundation on Jesus?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script.

For more about how our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and words should be in sync, check out our discipleship series “Head-Heart-Hands” ⁠HERE⁠. It includes conversations about some of the basic habits and practices that build a strong foundation of faith (FOUNDATION and FORMATION), as well as conversations about what it looks like to obey and live a life of deep discipleship (FRUITION).

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E23 - Jesus and the Paralyzed Man Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus healing a paralyzed man.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: Mark 2:1-12

Side Passages: Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

We don’t know the man’s backstory. Why do you think the gospel writers didn’t include more details about his life?

Do you think the man himself wanted to go and see Jesus that day, or that his friends brought him by their own choice? Why do you think that? How does that impact the rest of the story for you?

Have you ever done something out of the ordinary, daring, or risky in order to see and learn more about Jesus? What did you do and why?

The story says that Jesus saw the friends’ faith and then forgave the man. What do you think is going on here?

Anyone can say the words, “Your sins are forgiven.” But only Jesus can say it and actually do it. Why do you think he first forgave and then healed the man?

The man couldn’t walk into the house (because he was paralyzed, and because of the crowd). But after he was healed, the story says he walked out through the shocked onlookers. Talk about how this story comes full circle at the end. Do you think that’s important? Or is it just how things played out that day?

What’s something you think you really need from Jesus right now? What is something that maybe Jesus knows you actually need even more than that?

Talk about the miracle of forgiveness. How is that a miracle? How does it change life?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E22 - Jesus and the Other Runaway Son Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the end of the story of the Prodigal Son.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: Luke 15:25-32

Side Passages: Luke 15:11-24

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What feels different about the two parts of this story — the young son’s scenes and the older son’s scene?

Why do you think the older son wouldn’t go inside at first to see what was happening? Do you think he eventually went in? Why or why not?

Read the older son’s words to his father (Luke 15:29-30). What do they reveal about his true feelings?

What are some ways people might make an outward show of goodness, obedience, and faithfulness while being bitter and rebellious in their thoughts and attitudes?

In what ways were the younger and older son alike? In what ways were they different?

What do you think Jesus meant when he described people as being lost, then found? dead, then alive?

In what ways have you been like the older son in this story? How can you protect against that?

What are some new insights you’ve learned from this parable? How will those shape your life of discipleship?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E21 - Jesus and the Runaway Son Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the story of the Prodigal Son.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: Luke 15:11-24

Side Passages: Luke 15:1-10, 1 Peter 2:24

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Before telling this story, Jesus told two other stories about lost things. But in those stories the main person (like the dad in this story) looked for and chased the lost thing. Why do you think Jesus told this story differently? Why do you think the dad didn’t go looking for and chasing after his son?

What are some reasons people reject or run away from God?

Why do you think the son in this story finally decided to return home? What are some reasons that real people might decide to return to God?

What things might prevent someone from returning to God?

What do you think about the father’s response to his son? Does it seem reasonable? Fair? Why or why not?

What are some other ways the father could have responded to the son?

What was your own “returning to God” experience like?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E20 - Jesus and the Spirit Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: John 14:15-21

Side Passages: John 3: 1-8, John 15:26-16:15, Romans 8:1-17

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How have you heard people teach or talk about the Spirit?

What are some things about the Spirit that you understand?

What are some things about the Spirit that you want to learn or understand better?

Why do you think people are sometimes reluctant to learn or talk about the Holy Spirit?

What do you think of the explanation that the Spirit is Christ in you? Does that clarify things?

What’s one way you can begin to learn more about the Spirit and be more aware of his presence?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E19 - Jesus and the Branches Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus, vines, and branches.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: John 15:1-8

Side Passages: Psalm 80, Isaiah 5:1-7, Isaiah 11:1-5, Ezekiel 19:10-14

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What image of Jesus (bread of life, living water, good shepherd, light of the world, cornerstone, great physician, vine) is most attractive to you? Why?

Why do you think Jesus used imagery to help describe himself and his purpose?

How do you abide/remain in Jesus?

What are some ways Jesus is like a vine and his followers are like branches?

What comes to mind when you hear the Biblical phrase bearing fruit or being fruitful?

How and why do you think God “prunes” his children and followers?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

For more about abiding in Jesus and living a fruitful life, check out our Head-Heart-Hands discipleship series HERE.

Click ⁠HERE⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E18 - Jesus and the Wedding Wine Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus turning water into wine.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: John 2:1-11

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Have you ever been at a large event or celebration when something went wrong? What happened? How did people respond?

Only John includes this story. Why do you think he considered it important enough to remember and write down? What do you think he wanted people to notice and learn about Jesus?

What do you think Jesus’ mother expected him to do?

Why do you think Jesus didn’t just miraculously refill the actual wine jars? Why use the water jars instead? Why involve the servants?

In verse 9, the wedding host complimented the bridegroom on the excellent wine. Maybe Jesus overheard that conversation. What do you think Jesus maybe thought about that?

Is your view of Jesus changed by knowing that he attended (and probably enjoyed) a wedding celebration? If so, in what way?

Is there a time when Jesus worked in unexpected ways in your life, like he did in this story? What happened?

Is there a time when Jesus worked in behind-the-scenes ways in your life, like he did in this story? What happened?

How do you think the servants responded to Jesus’ miracle in the moment? How do you think they responded after some days and weeks passed?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click HERE for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E17 - Jesus and the Good Samaritan Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus telling the story of the Good Samaritan.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: Luke 10:30-37

Side Passages: Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-29

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why do you think Jesus answered the man’s question with a story?

Why do you think Jesus said this commandment (loving God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving neighbors as self) was the most important?

How do you think Jesus would define “love” as it’s used in this commandment and this story?

How do you think the world defines love?

Who do you know who loves and serves others like the Samaritan did in this story?

When has Jesus turned your ideas inside out? What was your response to that?

What attitudes prevent you from loving your neighbor as yourself (or humbly serving others like the Samaritan did in this story)?

Why do you think the Bible says we should love God first and then love others?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠HERE⁠ for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E16 - Jesus and Psalm 23 Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and Psalm 23.

Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more.

Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day.

SHOW NOTES

Main Passage: Psalm 23

Side Passages: John 10:11-18

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Can you relate to the metaphor of God being a shepherd? What makes sense about the image to you? What do you not fully understand?

If you were to talk about God generally, what would you say about him (like the Psalmist did in the first stanza)?

If you were to talk to God personally, what would you say to him (like the Psalmist did in the second stanza)?

In what ways is God’s presence and love more real and powerful when you’re going through a difficult time?

What’s a recent “valley of darkness” experience you’ve had? How did you respond? How did God meet you there?

Are you more comfortable talking about God or talking to God? Why? How can you become more confident in both of those?

Why do you think God allows us to go through difficult experiences and circumstances? How have you grown through those times?

How has God shown you his faithful presence day in and day out? How do you give him your faithful surrendered life day in and day out?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click HERE for the full written script.

For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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