Words & Ways

Latest Episodes:

E41 - The Burning Bush | Old Testament Nov 16, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Moses and the burning bush in the book of Exodus.

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: Selections from Exodus 3

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Trees (like the burning bush) are featured in many Biblical stories. What other Biblical stories do you know that feature trees, wood, vines, etc? Why do you think trees are a common element in God’s word?

Talk about the importance and power of names. Why do you think on one hand Moses believed God’s voice, presence, and power, but on the other hand doubted and pushed back on God’s instructions?

When in your own life have you had a similar experience of belief-disbelief?

How have you personally experienced and encountered God?

What hard things has God challenged you to do in your own life? How has he helped guide and lead you?

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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E40 - The Basket Baby | Old Testament Nov 08, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Moses as a baby in the book of Exodus.

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: Selections from Exodus 1 and 2

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What do you think about the midwives’ actions in Exodus 1:15-21?

Why do you think God allowed the Israelites to experience such dangerous and difficult situations while in Egypt?

How do you see God’s presence in this story of Moses’ birth and early years?

How do you look for truth in Biblical stories that don’t directly mention God or Jesus?

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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E39 - The Reunited Brothers | Old Testament Oct 25, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Joseph in Egypt in the book of Genesis.

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: Selections from Genesis 39-50

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Joseph’s life had several dramatic turns from very good to very bad and back again. How do you seek God and stay faithful to Jesus when your own life takes dramatic turns?

Has someone every lied about you? How did you deal with that?

Think of the most difficult season or time of your life, when it maybe even felt like God had forgotten you. How did you respond?

Why do you think families are so often a source of drama and difficulty?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does that impact how you will seek and follow 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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E38 - The Favored Son | Old Testament Oct 18, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Joseph and his brothers in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 37

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

If this story is familiar to you, how have you heard it told before?

The brothers’ treatment of Joseph was hate-filled and sinful — yet God used it for his purposes. That doesn’t make their actions OK, but it does show God’s redemptive power. How has God worked through difficult situations in your own life? How have you seen God work through difficult situations in someone else’s life?

What are ways you battle against sinful thoughts so they don’t progress to sinful actions?

What are some ways that people try to justify their sinful actions?

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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E37 - The Strange Dream | Old Testament Oct 11, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jacob and his dream in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 28:10-16

Side Passages: John 1:35-51

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Imagine first learning about the one true God, Yahweh, before there were any written Scriptures, before there were any formal gatherings or teachings about him, in a time and place that believed in multiple gods. What do you think that would have been like?

Think of a time when your understanding of God has grown and you’ve been surprised (like Jacob was when he realized God was with him, away from his father’s home). What happened? What did you learn about God? (It could be something you heard from a teacher, learned from a book, or discovered while reading the Bible.)

What do you think Jesus meant when he called himself the stairway between heaven and earth?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “heaven”? Where did those ideas come from?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does that impact how you will seek and follow 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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E36 - The Promised Son | Old Testament Oct 04, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Abraham, Isaac, and God's promise in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 22:1-14 Side Passages: Hebrews 11:17-19

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your initial reaction to this story about Abraham and Isaac? Why?

What are your first impressions of God in this story? Why?

What are some possible reasons Abraham’s faith might have needs tested or refining?

How has your own faith been tested? And how have you been transformed through that process?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does that impact how you will seek and follow 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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E35 - The Covenant Promise | Old Testament Sep 27, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Abraham and God's promise in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Side Passages: Romans 4

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Some stories in the Old Testament (like this one) seem very strange because they happened in a very ancient world that had different traditions, practices, and cultures. How can you beware of not forcing ancient stories into the current world and culture?

What parts of this story feel strangest to you? How do you deal with that while still trusting the God who never changes?

Have you ever told God your deepest doubts and concerns? How did you do that? How did you sense him responding to you?

Why do you think God himself passed between the split carcasses when, according to ancient treaty tradition, Abram should have been the one to do that?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does that impact how you will seek and follow 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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E34 - The Chosen Family | Old Testament Sep 20, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Abram and his family in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 12:1-8

Side Passages: Hebrews 11:1-10

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Have you ever sensed God telling you to do something without knowing all the details and the larger picture? How did you respond? What happened?

Throughout Genesis 12-25, God forms Abram’s heart and character through different experiences and events. His long travels in Genesis 12:1-8, from Ur over to Haran and then down toward the Negev, probably formed him in many ways (along with the many subsequent events in his life). How have your life circumstances and events formed you into the person you are today? How do you see God working in that?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does impact how you will seek and follow 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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E33 - The Cleansing Flood | Old Testament Sep 13, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Noah and the flood in the book of Genesis.

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: From Genesis 6:1-9:17

Side Passages: Hebrews 11:7

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How have you heard this story told and explained before? Does that sync up with the story as you now understand it?

Why do you think people sometimes view God’s justice from a negative point of view?

How do you make sense of God’s complete justice and gracious mercy working together?

The Bible consistently says that no human (except Jesus, who is also God) is totally blameless or perfect, even Noah. Why do you think God chose to save him and his family?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does impact how you will seek and follow him?

⁠Check out this video from BibleProject about the big message of Genesis 1-11⁠.

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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E32 - The First Sin | Old Testament Sep 06, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of the fall of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 3

Side Passages: Genesis 2:15-17, Romans 5:12-21

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What are possible dangers of humans deciding right and wrong for themselves?

How did the serpent twist God’s words to try and confuse and trap the humans?

How have you heard or experienced people twisting God’s words in the same way — slightly, so they sound almost right but are actually totally wrong?

How did the first humans respond when confronted with their wrongdoing?

In what ways did God show mercy in the story of humanity’s first sin? What does that reveal to you about God?

In what ways did God show justice in the story of humanity’s first sin? What does that reveal to you about God?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does that impact how you will seek and follow him?

Check out this video from BibleProject about the big message of Genesis 1-11.

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

REFERENCES

For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E31 - The Very Good Creation | Old Testament Aug 23, 2024

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of creation in the book of Genesis.

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: Genesis 1:1-2:4

Side Passages: Job 38-39, Psalm 8, 104, 148

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Think about the two “movements” of creation: first the different spaces and then the specific inhabitants. What do you think about the way the story is told?

Why do you think God said all the individual parts of creation were good and that the complete and finished creation was very good?

Read some of the other creation poems in the Bible (from Job and Psalms, listed above). What do you notice and think about those?

What have you thought about the Biblical creation story in the past? Do you have any new thoughts or ideas now?

What do you learn about God from this story? How does that impact the way you understand and experience him?

Check out this video from BibleProject about the story of creation.

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

REFERENCES For this season of Word & Ways, we’ve learned from many additional written resources, including the following:

The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible (John H. Walton and Kim W. Walton, Crossway, 2010)

The Drama of Scripture (Craig G. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, Baker Academic, 2004, 2014)

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Sandra Richter, IVP Academic, 2008)

How to Read Genesis (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2005)

How to Read Exodus (Tremper Longman, IVP Academic, 2009)

The Lost World of … (series of books by John H. Walton, Tremper Longman, et. al, IVP Academic)

Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (C. John Collins, Zondervan, 2018)

E30 - Jesus and the Shepherds Dec 15, 2023

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

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 2:1-20

Side Passage: Matthew 2:1-6

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What parts of the Christmas story do you most connect with? What parts are the most unexpected? Why?

Why do you think God chose shepherds as the first people to hear about Jesus’ birth and see Jesus in person?

How do you envision angels? Why do you think angel messengers almost always started with, “Don’t be afraid?”

What can you learn from the shepherds response to the angel, their actions, and their words?

Many details are left out of the story about Jesus’ birth, for example what the shepherds did with their sheep when they went to see Jesus. What other details are missing? Which ones are you most curious about?

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

E29 - Jesus and the Angel Dec 08, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary with news of Jesus.

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 1:26-45

Side Passages: Luke 1:5-25

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How does God speak to you?

How do you imagine angels’ appearance? Why? Whenever angels appear in the Bible, they say, “Don’t be afraid!” What do you think is fearful about their appearance and presence?

Why do you think Zechariah doubted the angel’s message?

Why do you think the angel didn’t visit Elizabeth?

Why do you think Mary’s response to the angel was viewed as simple confusion rather than disbelief?

The Bible never tells us why Mary was favored and chosen by God to be Jesus’ mother. Why do you think she was favored and chosen?

What do you think Elizabeth and Mary did and talked about during the three months they spent together?

When have you disbelieved something God told you (through the Bible or a wise teacher or his Spirit) even though it’s something he’s already done in your life or someone else’s?

When you have believed but been confused about something God told you (through the Bible or a wise teacher or his Spirit)?

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

E28 - Jesus and the Storm Dec 04, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus calming the storm.

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 4:35-41

Side Passages: Luke 8:22-25

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What’s you own storm story?

Why do you think Jesus was so tired?

How do you think Jesus was able to stay asleep during such a fierce storm?

When have you said to Jesus, “Don’t you care that….?”

How has he responded? Is it what you expected?

Why do you think Jesus stopped the storm instead of helping the disciples bail out water?

Why do you think the disciples were so afraid of Jesus’ powerful actions?

The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In what ways is “fear of the Lord” a good and wise thing?

When life is difficult and it doesn’t feel like Jesus is answering or showing up fast enough or in the way you’d hoped, what do you do? How can you learn to be more patient and trusting in those situations?

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

E27 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman Nov 30, 2023

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

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 4:3-14

Side Passages: John 4:15-42 (the rest of the story)

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How do you respond to travel detours? Why?

What kind of “detours” does life sometimes throw at you — things that make you change your route and restructure your plans?

Think of groups who have a long history of distrust and animosity (like the Jews and Samaritans in Jesus’ day). How do people try and dismantle those histories? What things are most effective?

Why do you think Jesus started this conversation with a question?

How do questions (in general) work as good conversation starters?

Biblical stories give us a snapshot of things that happened. It’s very possible that the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was much longer than what’s written down. What other things do you think they maybe talked about?

Why do you think the woman left her water jar behind when she went to tell her village about what happened? (verses 27-30)

What do you think Jesus did and said to the people during the two days he stayed with them?

Is there a person you’ve been avoiding that God is nudging you to acknowledge and talk to? How will you do that?

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

E26 - Jesus and the Pharisee Nov 22, 2023

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

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 3:1-12

Side Passages: John 7:42-52, John 19:38-42

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why might some people care more about following rules than following Jesus?

Why do you think Jesus often used imagery and metaphors when he taught? Why do you think he talked about being “born again” with Nicodemus?

What causes some people to misunderstand or not believe Jesus’ words and teaching?

Jesus said that just believing in him isn’t enough. After all, even demons believe in him. And some people will say “Lord, Lord” to him at the end of their life and he’ll reply, “I never knew you.” So what do you think Jesus meant when he said to Nicodemus, “Anyone who believes in me will never die but will have eternal life”?

How are belief, trust, and obedience connected?

Do you know someone, or have you, moved from disbelief to pre-belief to belief like Nicodemus did in his three different scenes?

Are there some things you believe but don’t follow or do? (For example, you might believe that certain foods aren’t healthy but eat them anyway, or you might believe that going to bed at a decent hour is good but stay up late anyway.)

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

E25 - Jesus and the Light Nov 03, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E15 - Jesus Challenges a Man Jul 07, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus and the rich young ruler.

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 18:18-27

Side Passages: Matthew 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, Luke 19:6-10

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why do you think the man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life? Do you think there was another question behind his question?

What kind of answer do you think the man was expecting or hoping for?

Why do you think the gospel writers don’t tell us about the man’s wealth until the end of the story?

It seems the man had obeyed (or at least claimed to obey) all the major commandments about how to love and honor others. It also seems that he failed to obey the commandments about loving God first, honoring God fully, and having no idols. How do you think the commandments about loving God and the commandment about loving others relate to each other?

What possible “idols” do you have (things you wrongly cherish, worship, cling to, rely on)?

How has Jesus challenged you to release those things?

If you’re still idolizing those things, what will it take for you to release them?

Why do you think the man was sad? Why do you think he walked away from Jesus (as noted in Matthew 19 and Mark 10) rather than obeying him?

Have you ever tried to lessen the cost of following Jesus for either yourself or someone else? How did you do that? Why did you do that? What are your thoughts about that now?

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

E14 - Jesus at Martha's House Jun 30, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus at Mary and Martha's house.

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 10:38-42

Side Passages: Luke 10:25-37

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How have you heard the story of Mary and Martha explained in the past? What has been your main takeaway?

Why do you think Luke included this encounter in his gospel (the only place this story is found)? What do you think he was trying to show or illustrate?

What is your most natural way of connecting with Jesus? Are you a listening-reflecting person? A serving-doing person? A learning-understanding person? What does that look like for you?

What are some of the most natural ways that your family and/or friends connect with Jesus? How do your similarities and differences impact your relationships with each other and your understanding of God?

What are some ways you can honor the Jesus-connection differences in others? What are some ways you can grow and expand your own ways of connecting with Jesus?

Is there a way this story could have ended differently for Martha? How and why?

Is there a way this story could have ended differently for Mary? How and why?

When and why have you tried to tell Jesus what to do and what to make other people do? How can you avoid that kind of praying and instead trust God with challenging situations?

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

E13 - Jesus Writes in the Dust Jun 23, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.

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 8:2-11

Side Passages: Genesis 2:4-7

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

The woman in this story was both guilty of what she was accused (she had committed adultery) and was treated wrongly (she’d most likely been set up, she wasn’t treated with respect, the man she’d been with hadn’t been accused or dragged into the Temple, etc). Talk about how sinful actions (both our own and other’s) often lead to further difficulty and trouble that we didn’t plan or anticipate.

The scribes and religious leaders viewed themselves as righteous and innocent, but they all walked away after Jesus’ challenge. How were their actions and attitudes in this specific story sinful and selfish?

Talk about how Jesus showed compassion to both the woman and the accusers in this story. Does that surprise you? Does it seem fair? Why or why not?

Read Romans 8:1-2 and think about the words in light of this story.

Jesus calls us to repent of our sin (leave it behind and head a new direction) and turn to God (live within his design and will). Have you heard that teaching before? How does it match, expand, or challenge what you’ve been taught about Jesus?

In what areas of your life do you need to hear and obey Jesus’ challenge to “go and sin no more”?

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

E12 - Jesus Visits the Decapolis Jun 16, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus visiting the Decapolis and healing a 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 7:31-37

Side Passages: Mark 5:1-20

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why do you think crowds sometimes pushed people away from Jesus and other times brought them to Jesus?

Imagine yourself as the man in this story: you have no idea who Jesus is or why people have brought you to him. What might you be thinking while standing then in the large crowd? What might you be thinking when Jesus leads you away to a quiet place?

Jesus had power to heal from afar, without touch, without words. Why do you think Jesus performed the miracle for this man the way he did?

What do you think Jesus and the man talked about before returning to the crowd?

In what ways have you helped lead someone into the presence of Jesus? What happened after that?

What are some of the wonderful things Jesus has done for you?

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

E11 - Jesus Gives a Prayer Jun 09, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus giving the Lord's Prayer.

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 6:5-13

Side Passages: Luke 11:1-13

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What part did the Lord’s Prayer have in your religious or church upbringing, if any?

When and where have you heart the Lord’s Prayer recited? What purpose did it seem to play?

Do you use the model of the Lord’s Prayer (but maybe not the exact words) in your own prayer life? In what way?

What do you think about the Lord’s Prayer being both personal and communal, both cosmic and earthy? Why do you think it’s that way?

Take time to read through the Lords Prayer slowly and carefully. What do you notice about each line? What can you learn from this model prayer to use in your own prayers?

To learn more about the details of the Lord’s Prayer, check out our Bible App plans called Teach Us to Pray and Our Father.

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

E10 - Jesus Hears a Blind Man Jun 02, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus.

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 10:46-42

Side Passages: Matthew 9:27-31, Luke 18:35-43

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What do you think about Bartimaeus’s words and actions in this story?

Why do you think Bartimaeus used such specific names and titles for Jesus?

Why do you think about the crowd’s changing reactions to Bartimaeus? What do you think about Jesus’ words to Bartimaeus?

When, why, and how have you cried out to Jesus? How did you sense him responding?

How do you primarily relate to Jesus — as your friend? your Savior? the Messiah-King? other? How does that shape your relationship with him?

Is there someone you know who is crying out for Jesus? How can you help them “see” 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

E9 - Jesus Throws a Banquet May 26, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus feeding the 5000.

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 14:13-21

Side Passages: Mark 6:14-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What’s one new thing you noticed in this story?

How have you previously heard this story taught or discussed?

What is your understanding of Jesus as your King?

How does Jesus’ Kingship shape your relationship with him and your life in the world?

Talk about a situation that seemed impossible before Jesus showed up to lead, care, or provide in unexpected ways.

Where do you see Jesus “throwing a banquet” today (extravagantly loving and caring for his people as only a good King can)? Where do you want him to “throw a banquet” in your 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

E8 - Jesus Goes to Nain May 19, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus raising the widow's 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 7:11-17

Side Passages: Luke 7:1-10

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What do you think about the two different crowds in this story? What might be important about them? What do you think about them becoming one crowd at the end?

If you’ve ever attended a funeral or had someone in your family die, how did you mourn and grieve for that person? How did people try to comfort and help you? How have you tried to comfort or help someone who’s been grieving?

Have you ever felt completely alone, like this widow felt — with no one to care for you, help you, watch out for you, or be with you? What were the circumstances? How did you work through that?

Has there been a time when you weren’t looking for Jesus or didn’t expect anything from him, but he showed up anyway? Talk about what happened and how you responded.

In what ways has Jesus restored-returned-reunited relationships in your life? In what ways do you need him to continue helping with that?

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

E7 - Jesus Praises a Woman May 12, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus being anointed with perfume.

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 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9

Side Passages: John 12:1-8

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why do you think the woman acted the way she did?

What do you think about her actions?

Why do you think the disciples responded the way they did?

Why do you think Jesus said this woman’s deeds would be remembered and discussed wherever the Good News was preached?

In what ways are followers of Jesus called to sacrifice and pour out their lives for him? What is your own experience with that?

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

E6 - Jesus in the Wilderness May 05, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus being baptized and tempted in the wilderness.

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 1:9-11, Matthew 4:1-11

Side Passages: Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22, 4:1-13

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why do you think Jesus, the sinless Son of God, thought it was important to be baptized publicly?

If you’ve been baptized, what was that experience like for you?

When have you experienced a “wilderness” season — feeling alone, facing temptation, battling against evil? How did you face that situation? How did you engage with scripture, the Spirit, the Father, etc.?

How do you currently engage with God’s Word? What are some ways it has encouraged and guided you? What are some ways that you can deepen your knowledge and understanding of God’s Word?

What are some ways that scripture can be twisted and misused (like it was by the devil in this story)?

Imagine hearing God’s voice say to you, “You are my dearly loved son/daughter.” What is your response to that? How do you live in that truth?

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

E5 - Jesus at 12 Apr 28, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus when he was 12 years old.

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 2:41-52

Side Passage: Exodus 12:1-27

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What’s your first reaction to thinking of Jesus as a 12-year-old middle-school-aged kid?

Since Jesus experienced a fully-human life, he experienced all the challenges of growing up, learning new things, navigating social situations, etc. How does that impact your understanding of Jesus?

What kinds of things do you think Jesus might have been asking the religious elders about? What is your reaction to the fact that Jesus was in the Temple that day, learning about his religion, his sacred scriptures, and his own Father? At age 12, how much do you think Jesus knew and understood about his full identity and his purpose for coming to earth?

What steps do you think Jesus (and his parents’) took in order for him to continue growing in wisdom from age 12 onward? What steps do you take to continue growing in wisdom, at whatever age you may be?

BONUS: Each time you see a 12-year-old, remember that Jesus was that age once, following his interests, trying to figure out life. Show them (and all other aged children and teens) the genuine interest and attention they deserve.

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

E4 - Jesus Names a Woman Apr 18, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus, Jairus and the bleeding woman.

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 8:40-50, Mark 5:21-36

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What do you notice when thinking about the woman's’ story and Jairus’s story as one interconnected story?

Have you ever experienced something like Jairus — feeling that Jesus is making you wait unnecessarily when you have pressing, urgent needs? What happened? How did you respond

Have you ever been in a situation like the woman’s - feeling desperate, helpless, and hopeless? Did you reach out to Jesus? What did you do or say to him? How did you sense him responding?

The woman came to Jesus humbly and quietly. Jairus came boldly and vocally. But in the end, Jairus had to wait humbly and quietly while the woman was asked to speak boldly. Has Jesus ever inverted your story in this way, turning things upside down in ways you didn’t expect?

How does your true identity as a daughter or son of the Most High God shape your daily life? When are you at risk of forgetting your true identity? How do you guard against that?

Are there people in your life whose situation and personality is completely different from you that might be good for you to know, listen to, and learn from?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠HERE⁠for 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

E3 - Jesus Breathes Life Apr 14, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus' resurrection 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

*The Orthodox Christian church celebrates Easter based on the Julian calendar, sometime between April 4 and May 8. The rest of the Christian church celebrates Easter between March 22 and April 25. Every few years, the dates coincide.

Main Passage: Luke 24:1-11

Side Passages: Luke 23:55-56, John 20:19-23

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Why do you think the disciples didn’t believe something that Jesus had repeatedly told them about (i.e. his death and resurrection)?

The first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection — with both their eyes (they witnessed or saw it) and their words (they witnessed or testified to it) — were women. In the ancient world, women weren’t considered credible witnesses. What are your thoughts about this important detail of the resurrection story?

How does the resurrection change everything for followers of Jesus?

What does it mean to live a resurrection life?

How do you experience and understand the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?

What confuses you about the Holy Spirit? Who can you talk to about this to learn more? (Read Romans 8 for some helpful truth about the Spirit.)

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠for the full written script.

Email: ⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠

E2 - Jesus is Crucified Apr 06, 2023

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus being crucified.

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 15:16-41, John 19

Side passages: Matthew 27, Luke 22

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What do you learn and notice when considering this story through the eyes of different characters?

Talk more about what Simon of Cyrene may have seen, felt, and experienced.

Talk more about what the criminal hanging next to Jesus might have seen, felt, and experienced.

Talk more about what the Roman soldier standing at the foot of the cross might have seen, felt, and experienced.

Talk more about what Jesus himself might have been feeling, thinking, and experiencing during his trial and crucifixion.

How do you remember and reflect on Jesus’ death? How does his death impact you?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click ⁠HERE⁠for 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

E1 - Jesus Sees Zacchaeus Mar 31, 2023

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

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 19:1-10

Side passages: Luke 5:27-31, Luke 7:18-29, Luke 15:1-2, Luke 18:9-14

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How does the big-picture of Luke bring clarity and depth to the story of Zacchaeus?

What are some other favorite familiar stories that you will revisit in search of fresh and next-level learning?

Is there a reason you are intentionally not trying to see Jesus right now? If so, what are the circumstances? Why are you avoiding him?

What are some ways you regularly try to “see” Jesus (that is, be with him, learn about him, experience him)?

Who are the Zacchaeuses in your life — people (or groups) who you maybe avoid or look down on? What are some ways (even unintentional) that you make it difficult for that person to see Jesus?

What is one way you can help other people see Jesus?

Zacchaeus was changed in deep ways. His relationship with money — a centerpiece of his work and life — was completely turned upside down and inside out according to Luke 19:8. What are some ways that Jesus has changed you at your deepest core? What are some ways the you sense him changing you right now? What are some things in your life in need of change that you’ve not yet surrendered to him?

SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Click HEREfor 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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