Grow Guide | June 2, 2024
Series Theme: The Good Book
Reading: Genesis 19:15-17, 24-26
Connecting Question
What is a place you look back fondly being?
What are you looking forward to this week?
Prayer for Illumination
Let your Spirit, our Advocate, guide us still— preserving us from judgment, protecting us from sin, and leading us into righteousness, so that we may testify to the good news: fullness of life and joy for all; through Jesus Christ our Savior and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Context
The Good Book: Meeting Our Ancestors in Faith, One Story at a Time
The Bible can be a barrier for a lot of people of faith. It’s large, intimidating, and can be confusing! Many people are wary of reading these texts, carry bruises from their upbringing, or simply do not have enough information for the stories to make any sense. This summer, we invite you to spend time reclaiming the “good” in The Good Book - learning and relearning how ancient stories relate to our stories here and now. We are so glad you are here!
From Pastor Terry Fretheim at EntertheBible.org:
Consider the type of literature in the book. Recall that this literature centers on God’s promises. Note the ways in which the stories depict Israel’s ancestors as dysfunctional families and, at the same time, how God can work in and through them on behalf of the divine purposes.
Look at the Book
Open to Genesis 1. How does God create?
How have you seen relationships created by words?
Jump to Genesis 18. Who is the main character here? What do we know about them?
Jump to Genesis 19. Notice Abraham disappears and Lot takes center stage. Google Lot, what do we know about him and his family tree?
Much of the ancient world revolved around hospitality. What does good hospitality look like to you? How about bad hospitality?
God sends messengers (“angels”) to help Lot and his family escape a city that was showing negative hospitality. Tell about a time when someone helped you to some form of safety.
What was the encouragement in verse 17 for Lot?
Tell about a time you dragged your feet when you needed to move. What helped you move? Was it good or bad?
Read Genesis 19:24. How does this picture of God make you feel? Why?
Our focus words this week are: empathy, compassion, and why we keep looking back. Which words are you drawn to? Why?
What does Lot’s wife famously do and what is the response?
Why does God encourage us to be present or look ahead? Read Philippians 3:12-14. What do you make of Paul’s words here?
What do we have in common with Lot’s wife? With Lot (dragging our feet)?
Read Philippians 1:3. How is this good news?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Show hospitality to a stranger today.
Commit to God one thing you would like to stop looking back over your shoulder about this week.
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.