LIVING STONES

An Old Testament sermon series + bible study

A study focused on how we approach God's Word.

This Spring's sermon series takes us through much of the Old Testament. Pastor Brooks has put together a companion study guide for individuals and groups to use in parallel with the series. This study, like 1 Peter, continues the 'study, discussion, preaching' model. We'll study the word, discuss it together, then hear it preached.

The study guide is designed to help you develop the daily practice of encountering Jesus through the scriptures. Through daily reading, prayer, and thoughtful meditation you will learn to exercise spiritual muscles that will help you grow strong in your faith. Each week you will see various questions repeated – this is an intentional process meant to train you in how to approach God’s Word. Our hope is this repetition will condition you to respond to God’s word as a personal letter to you from one who loves you and longs for you to experience his love.

...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5

What You Will Need

To complete this study you will need:  A hard copy or digital PDF (above) of the study guide, a notebook, access to a bible, and something to write with. Optionally, you may also want to access Grace’s YouTube channel to view the Living Stones sermons after completing your study and discussion.

 

How To Use This Study

This study is formatted to guide you week by week through selected passages in the Old Testament. Each section is devoted to particular Old Testament saints. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, etc… These saints are not the heroes of the story. God is the hero, and each story helps us know and love him more. These accounts were written for us that we might learn from them (1 Corinthians 10:6-13 and Hebrews 11). Sometimes we see these men and women – these living stones – acting in heroic faith. But they also act out of selfishness, fear, and faithlessness. But God in every instance pursues them with unrelenting love. It is our prayer and hope that you will come to trust this unrelenting pursuer of souls and likewise be built up as a living stone.

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The purpose of each section…

Below are notes and suggestions to help you get the most out of your time using this study and God’s word. We encourage you to set aside adequate time to do the study each week, so as not to rush through any section.

Always begin with prayer
The first thing to always do first, before anything else, is begin with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to use his word to grow you up in Christ. 

Old Testament reading
You will read passages from the Old Testament in order to see God’s unchanging love and commitment in establishing a people for his own possession (1 Peter 2:9) through his interaction with Adam through Joshua . Sometimes the objects of his love are faithful and sometimes they are not.

New Testament context
You will also read related New Testament passages which will demonstrate how the Father’s interaction with each Old Testament saint is made perfect and available to us through Jesus.

Prayer and Meditation
You will ask the Lord to search your heart to lead you in application (Psalm 139:23-24). You will be asked to consider who you most identify with in the stories and why. Sometimes you will identify with a victim, a villain, or possibly the hero.

Response
After your reading, prayer, and meditation you are ready to ask the Lord what you should do in response to the truths he has shown you. Ask and listen. What would the Lord have you do? Perhaps you will be led to begin trusting God for things you have not, begin a practice you have never done, serve someone specific, share something you have (faith, possessions, a meal). Or maybe the Spirit will prompt you to repent of some attitude or 5 action. Perhaps your response is to simply bow in humble adoration and gratitude for having encountered the living God through his word.

Share
God is creating a people (plural) for his own possession. God wants us to celebrate what he is doing in and through us, or our spiritual family. Each week you will be asked to share what God has been teaching you and or is leading you to do. This could be a friend, a spouse, or a group of Christians you are in regular fellowship with.