Dear Fellow "Searchers",

This study has much more reading than our previous studies have had. I am writing to encourage each of you to set aside some time each week to "search" your Bible so you can learn more about God and learn from these Biblical characters' lives. Our goal is your own personal spiritual growth. Most of us are busy, so this time will probably have to be scheduled.

To facilitate your "search" please consider the following suggestions:

  1. Let's agree that we all have 168 hours in a week. Some of those hours are accounted for, but most of us have choices about how we are going to spend SOME of our time.
  2. The Bible is a "love letter" from God  and helps you understand what He thinks, what is important to Him, what He wants to give you, how He wants to love you,  things He wants you to know about Him and His ways, warnings/helps/encouragements that He has for you, and so much more.
  3. Reading the Bible is counterintuitive. Most people who are new to Bible study and even people who have been Christians for a long time often think the Bible is too difficult to understand, take the Bible for granted or do not really sit down and read it.
  4. We are asking you to set aside 1.6 hours out of your 168 hours each week (One percent of your time)  to read your Bible (hear from God) and do the "Search" that these lessons help you do. A study Bible is very helpful. This can be purchased at any bookstore.
  5. Before you begin your search, pray and ask God to help you concentrate and hear from Him as you read.
  6. Read the questions you will be answering so you will have them fresh in your mind as you read your Bible.
  7. Read the "Basic Reading" and then as time allows read the "In-Depth Study."  There will be places where you want to slow down and read each word and there will be places where you can "skim" through the verses. Your reading should not take more than an hour of your week. Reading may be more effective if it is done in two or three 20 minute sittings. For some, this reading can be easily completed in one sitting.
  8. This is a PERSONAL search. It is not school. No one is going to "grade your paper".  These lessons attempt to help you make observations about God, observations about a Biblical character's life, and observations and applications to your own life.
  9. Your community group will be MORE EFFECTIVE for spiritual growth if each person has spent time meditating and searching the verses at home before coming to group. The learning process for you will be so much more life changing if you are part of a group where all the participants are learning and growing together in this way.
  10. Look at your priorities honestly. See if you can move some "good things" out of your week so that you can have time for God and for learning more about Him in this way. Please know we are praying for you as you search.

For this weeks Sermon Study Guide on Joseph, click here.

Yours, 

Jamie Beckemeier
Director of Community Groups