MAIN POINT Although we may not know

all that the future holds, We remain confident,

for we know the One who holds the future.

Chapter 1 | God’s Eternal Love Story

FOR FURTHER STUDY How would you summarise God’s Bible story?

Have a try of putting God’s plan for humanity and creation in one sentence.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ ______________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ The following series is based on God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts, Resource available from clayton.tv/big

Anglican Parish of SouthLakes

5th Sunday after Epiphany Sunday, 9 February 2020

Discussion Notes

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MESSAGE OUTLINE: Point 1: We have need of a plain and simple, reassuring message: God has a plan.

“7 The words we speak are wise because they are from God, telling of God’s wise plan to bring us into the glories of heaven.”

Point 2: We become worried about our world, when we focus on the fictitious story the world preaches.

“I fear for what the future holds.”

Point 3: The Bible tells one long, epic story, revealing God as the Eternal Author who planned everything from beginning to end.

Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Rev 22:13

Sum up Point: The knowledge that God has an everlasting plan for his creation, gives us confidence for the future.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: Did you know that the Bible, although written by many different authors, tells one epic long story? As we delve into learning God’s Eternal Love Story this year, start discussing these questions:

1. If someone asked you how you knew the Bible was inspired by the Spirit of God, how would you answer?

2. Read 2 Timothy 3:16. Christians have different ideas on how God inspired or breathed into the hearts of the human authors who wrote the various books of the Bible. Discuss among group members the different theories of God’s inspiration of God’s word. (For the different theories of biblical inspiration, see www.gotquestions.org)

3. Discuss the impact of different hermeneutical models. For example, if you believe the dictation method, you are unlikely to question words and phrases, etc.

4. What difference does it make in your life, knowing that God has a plan for this world?

5. How do you encourage yourself, when the world’s preachers speak of their hopelessness about the world’s future?

Preparing for next week’s message:

6. Almost all Christians believe that the central thrust or main character of God’s story is his Son, Jesus Christ. Read Luke 24:27. Jesus explains to his disciples “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

7. Regarding Jesus Christ has the central focus of Scripture is called a “Christocentric” reading of the Bible. Discuss whether each group member believes Christ is the central focus of the entire Bible.