I remember one of the first Life Groups in Chi Alpha that I co-led. The AU staff asked me and my co-leader to use the first semester to go through one of the Gospels instead of the book of Acts, what we originally wanted to do. I listened, reluctantly, but was met with a quick realization that the girls that had joined our Life Group that year desperately needed a focus on the Gospel, and the core of our faith. Many of the ladies had grown up in a Christian home, but they had not really been following Jesus in their own lives, and some were very new believers. The focus back on the core of our faith – the love of our God, and sacrifice and resurrection of His Son, was necessary in allowing us to dive deeply into what Jesus meant for those with Him then, and for us now.
I encourage Life Groups, those that have many strong believers, and those with folks who don’t know who Jesus is at all, to lean into the opportunity to study a Gospel. The fruit from it will bring depth, no matter the audience, and will allow us to remember that the good news is just that – it feels too good to be true. The Gospel is also a perfect place to turn to when pursuing individual relationships with students. One-on-one’s are a great opportunity to walk through the truth of who God is, and the declaration of His commitment to us through Christ. So even if you are going through the book of Matthew for the sixth time, spending some time in the Gospel will open doors for those who don’t know Him yet, and further encourage those who do.
Here are some questions that I have found are helpful to ask when wanting grow from a study of the Gospel in the context of community:
How do each of the four books encounter the Gospel differently? Similarly?
I believe this is an excellent question to ask in the context of a continued study with a group of people. Life Groups are a great place to focus in on a specific book, and comparatively study it with one or two more of the Gospels. As I have learned in my Berean course through Chi Alpha, it is important to keep in mind the patterns that the Synoptic Gospels fall under. They are made up of the books Matthew, Mark and Luke as these three books are very similar, and all three aid in a full understanding of the events that centered around Jesus’s time on Earth. I encourage you to challenge the members of your Life Groups to compare passages, and then come ready to share truth and new understanding with the group. Don’t underestimate the amount of depth that comes from studying His love!
What is the context behind a teaching, miracle, or event?
The longer I am follower of Jesus, the more I am reminded of how important it is to understand the context with which events were shared and recorded in the Bible. Studying the context of scripture can help transport us to the time and place of the people that were there. It allows us to step back in time and ask, “What did this mean for the people who heard it first”? With that knowledge, I have found it much easier to know how to apply scripture to my life today, and answer - “What does this mean for us now”?
What methods did Jesus use to make Him such an effective teacher?
I know that through my own study of the Synoptic Gospels, in particular, this question produced a ton of fruit in my own understanding of Jesus. When learning about His practices and teaching methods, I was struck with memories of my favorite teachers and professors. What they did to lead me well, meet me where I was at, and how they delivered with wisdom and kindness. If that is how other humans have seen and known me in sharing knowledge, imagine how much more gracious our God is! Studying the way Jesus taught, has allowed me to understand ever more deeply how He cares for us so specifically. When I was able to process why He taught that way, my world was rocked all over again by His goodness and gentleness. I encourage you to ask yourself this question, and then ask the folks in your life groups, and in one-on-one’s as I believe this conversation is a practical start for knowing Jesus even deeper.
What does this passage, chapter, etc. say about the character of Jesus? What does that, then, say about us?
This may be one of my favorite questions to ask anyone that I study Scripture with. I have been praying this often when meeting with the ladies that I help disciple this year. I believe there is something powerful about asking ourselves what about this book, this sometimes-mundane text, says about the character of. And if we understand the character of Christ more and more, if we are His creation, made in His likeness, and carry His power within us – then what does that say about us, His children?
How does a deeper understanding of the Gospel help you to share it/ communicate it with others?
I believe this is a question that we should be asking continuously. This is a question that will have different answers in different seasons, and the deeper you go in relationship with Christ. A study of the Gospels brings understanding and understanding brings an ability to clearly communicate the greatest truth that we know of. His Love is endless, and I’m excited to see how a deeper dive into this Truth will bring you closer into relationship with Him, and push you into desiring others to also know and be known by Him.
