Words & Ways

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of the shepherds and Jesus. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 2:1-20 Side Passage: Matthew 2:1-6 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What parts of the Christmas story do you most connect with? What parts are the most unexpected? Why? Why do you think God chose shepherds as the first people to hear about Jesus’ birth and see Jesus in person? How do you envision angels? Why do you think angel messengers almost always started with, “Don’t be afraid?” What can you learn from the shepherds response to the angel, their actions, and their words? Many details are left out of the story about Jesus’ birth, for example what the shepherds did with their sheep when they went to see Jesus. What other details are missing? Which ones are you most curious about? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary with news of Jesus. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 1:26-45 Side Passages: Luke 1:5-25 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How does God speak to you? How do you imagine angels’ appearance? Why? Whenever angels appear in the Bible, they say, “Don’t be afraid!” What do you think is fearful about their appearance and presence? Why do you think Zechariah doubted the angel’s message? Why do you think the angel didn’t visit Elizabeth? Why do you think Mary’s response to the angel was viewed as simple confusion rather than disbelief? The Bible never tells us why Mary was favored and chosen by God to be Jesus’ mother. Why do you think she was favored and chosen? What do you think Elizabeth and Mary did and talked about during the three months they spent together? When have you disbelieved something God told you (through the Bible or a wise teacher or his Spirit) even though it’s something he’s already done in your life or someone else’s? When you have believed but been confused about something God told you (through the Bible or a wise teacher or his Spirit)? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus calming the storm. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Mark 4:35-41 Side Passages: Luke 8:22-25 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What’s you own storm story? Why do you think Jesus was so tired? How do you think Jesus was able to stay asleep during such a fierce storm? When have you said to Jesus, “Don’t you care that….?” How has he responded? Is it what you expected? Why do you think Jesus stopped the storm instead of helping the disciples bail out water? Why do you think the disciples were so afraid of Jesus’ powerful actions? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In what ways is “fear of the Lord” a good and wise thing? When life is difficult and it doesn’t feel like Jesus is answering or showing up fast enough or in the way you’d hoped, what do you do? How can you learn to be more patient and trusting in those situations? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 4:3-14 Side Passages: John 4:15-42 (the rest of the story) DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you respond to travel detours? Why? What kind of “detours” does life sometimes throw at you — things that make you change your route and restructure your plans? Think of groups who have a long history of distrust and animosity (like the Jews and Samaritans in Jesus’ day). How do people try and dismantle those histories? What things are most effective? Why do you think Jesus started this conversation with a question? How do questions (in general) work as good conversation starters? Biblical stories give us a snapshot of things that happened. It’s very possible that the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was much longer than what’s written down. What other things do you think they maybe talked about? Why do you think the woman left her water jar behind when she went to tell her village about what happened? (verses 27-30) What do you think Jesus did and said to the people during the two days he stayed with them? Is there a person you’ve been avoiding that God is nudging you to acknowledge and talk to? How will you do that? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and Nicodemus. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 3:1-12 Side Passages: John 7:42-52, John 19:38-42 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Why might some people care more about following rules than following Jesus? Why do you think Jesus often used imagery and metaphors when he taught? Why do you think he talked about being “born again” with Nicodemus? What causes some people to misunderstand or not believe Jesus’ words and teaching? Jesus said that just believing in him isn’t enough. After all, even demons believe in him. And some people will say “Lord, Lord” to him at the end of their life and he’ll reply, “I never knew you.” So what do you think Jesus meant when he said to Nicodemus, “Anyone who believes in me will never die but will have eternal life”? How are belief, trust, and obedience connected? Do you know someone, or have you, moved from disbelief to pre-belief to belief like Nicodemus did in his three different scenes? Are there some things you believe but don’t follow or do? (For example, you might believe that certain foods aren’t healthy but eat them anyway, or you might believe that going to bed at a decent hour is good but stay up late anyway.) SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and light. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16 Side Passages: John 1:1-5, 1 John 1:5-7, Revelation 22:3-5, John 3:18-21 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Talk about actual light — what it’s like, what it does, what it’s good for, and more. How is actual light like Jesus? Talk about actual darkness — what it’s like, how it makes people feel, and more. How is actual darkness like spiritual darkness? When and why do people avoid spiritual light? Why and why are people drawn to spiritual darkness? When and why are people drawn to the light of Jesus? Describe someone you know who displays the light of Jesus. What is about them that “shines” and illuminates the darkness, while pointing to God? What are some ways you’ve been a light to others? How can you be the light of Jesus more faithfully and consistently? What do you think Jesus meant when he said light and darkness cannot exist together? What does that mean for how you live as a disciple who follows him? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the story of the wise and foolish builders. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Matthew 7:21-27 Side Passages: Luke 6:46-49, Job 38 and 39 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Jesus used personally familiar imagery (building) to help explain eternal truths. What familiar images from your own life might be helpful for explaining eternal truths (e.g. gardening, painting, coaching, running, parenting, etc.)? In what ways? Jesus used images that still make sense to his followers today, like building a house, light, salt, water, vines, branches, trees, roots, lost items, shepherds, and more. Which of the many images Jesus used are most meaningful to you? Why? What spiritual habits and practices can help build a strong foundation for your life? How are you trying to build a strong foundation of faith (with Jesus’ help and guidance)? Who is someone you know that seems to have a strong discipleship foundation? Why do you think that? What can you learn from them? If someone’s life of discipleship is built on sand, what might that look like in daily life? What kinds of situations might cause the “house” to topple off its shallow foundation? Why do you think Jesus included this warning and story at the very end of such an important time of teaching? People sometimes say, “All you have to do is believe in Jesus to be saved.” In these verses, Jesus seems to say it goes deeper than that. Reread Matthew 7:21-23. How does that fit in with what you’ve heard and believed about Jesus? How does it stretch and challenge what you’ve heard and believed about Jesus? What’s one thing you can being doing now to build a strong foundation on Jesus? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more about how our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and words should be in sync, check out our discipleship series “Head-Heart-Hands” ⁠HERE⁠. It includes conversations about some of the basic habits and practices that build a strong foundation of faith (FOUNDATION and FORMATION), as well as conversations about what it looks like to obey and live a life of deep discipleship (FRUITION). For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus healing a paralyzed man. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Mark 2:1-12 Side Passages: Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: We don’t know the man’s backstory. Why do you think the gospel writers didn’t include more details about his life? Do you think the man himself wanted to go and see Jesus that day, or that his friends brought him by their own choice? Why do you think that? How does that impact the rest of the story for you? Have you ever done something out of the ordinary, daring, or risky in order to see and learn more about Jesus? What did you do and why? The story says that Jesus saw the friends’ faith and then forgave the man. What do you think is going on here? Anyone can say the words, “Your sins are forgiven.” But only Jesus can say it and actually do it. Why do you think he first forgave and then healed the man? The man couldn’t walk into the house (because he was paralyzed, and because of the crowd). But after he was healed, the story says he walked out through the shocked onlookers. Talk about how this story comes full circle at the end. Do you think that’s important? Or is it just how things played out that day? What’s something you think you really need from Jesus right now? What is something that maybe Jesus knows you actually need even more than that? Talk about the miracle of forgiveness. How is that a miracle? How does it change life? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the end of the story of the Prodigal Son. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 15:25-32 Side Passages: Luke 15:11-24 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What feels different about the two parts of this story — the young son’s scenes and the older son’s scene? Why do you think the older son wouldn’t go inside at first to see what was happening? Do you think he eventually went in? Why or why not? Read the older son’s words to his father (Luke 15:29-30). What do they reveal about his true feelings? What are some ways people might make an outward show of goodness, obedience, and faithfulness while being bitter and rebellious in their thoughts and attitudes? In what ways were the younger and older son alike? In what ways were they different? What do you think Jesus meant when he described people as being lost, then found? dead, then alive? In what ways have you been like the older son in this story? How can you protect against that? What are some new insights you’ve learned from this parable? How will those shape your life of discipleship? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the story of the Prodigal Son. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 15:11-24 Side Passages: Luke 15:1-10, 1 Peter 2:24 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Before telling this story, Jesus told two other stories about lost things. But in those stories the main person (like the dad in this story) looked for and chased the lost thing. Why do you think Jesus told this story differently? Why do you think the dad didn’t go looking for and chasing after his son? What are some reasons people reject or run away from God? Why do you think the son in this story finally decided to return home? What are some reasons that real people might decide to return to God? What things might prevent someone from returning to God? What do you think about the father’s response to his son? Does it seem reasonable? Fair? Why or why not? What are some other ways the father could have responded to the son? What was your own “returning to God” experience like? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 14:15-21 Side Passages: John 3: 1-8, John 15:26-16:15, Romans 8:1-17 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How have you heard people teach or talk about the Spirit? What are some things about the Spirit that you understand? What are some things about the Spirit that you want to learn or understand better? Why do you think people are sometimes reluctant to learn or talk about the Holy Spirit? What do you think of the explanation that the Spirit is Christ in you? Does that clarify things? What’s one way you can begin to learn more about the Spirit and be more aware of his presence? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus, vines, and branches. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 15:1-8 Side Passages: Psalm 80, Isaiah 5:1-7, Isaiah 11:1-5, Ezekiel 19:10-14 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What image of Jesus (bread of life, living water, good shepherd, light of the world, cornerstone, great physician, vine) is most attractive to you? Why? Why do you think Jesus used imagery to help describe himself and his purpose? How do you abide/remain in Jesus? What are some ways Jesus is like a vine and his followers are like branches? What comes to mind when you hear the Biblical phrase bearing fruit or being fruitful? How and why do you think God “prunes” his children and followers? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: For more about abiding in Jesus and living a fruitful life, check out our Head-Heart-Hands discipleship series HERE. Click ⁠HERE⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus turning water into wine. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 2:1-11 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Have you ever been at a large event or celebration when something went wrong? What happened? How did people respond? Only John includes this story. Why do you think he considered it important enough to remember and write down? What do you think he wanted people to notice and learn about Jesus? What do you think Jesus’ mother expected him to do? Why do you think Jesus didn’t just miraculously refill the actual wine jars? Why use the water jars instead? Why involve the servants? In verse 9, the wedding host complimented the bridegroom on the excellent wine. Maybe Jesus overheard that conversation. What do you think Jesus maybe thought about that? Is your view of Jesus changed by knowing that he attended (and probably enjoyed) a wedding celebration? If so, in what way? Is there a time when Jesus worked in unexpected ways in your life, like he did in this story? What happened? Is there a time when Jesus worked in behind-the-scenes ways in your life, like he did in this story? What happened? How do you think the servants responded to Jesus’ miracle in the moment? How do you think they responded after some days and weeks passed? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click HERE for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus telling the story of the Good Samaritan. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 10:30-37 Side Passages: Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-29 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Why do you think Jesus answered the man’s question with a story? Why do you think Jesus said this commandment (loving God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving neighbors as self) was the most important? How do you think Jesus would define “love” as it’s used in this commandment and this story? How do you think the world defines love? Who do you know who loves and serves others like the Samaritan did in this story? When has Jesus turned your ideas inside out? What was your response to that? What attitudes prevent you from loving your neighbor as yourself (or humbly serving others like the Samaritan did in this story)? Why do you think the Bible says we should love God first and then love others? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠HERE⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus and Psalm 23. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Psalm 23 Side Passages: John 10:11-18 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Can you relate to the metaphor of God being a shepherd? What makes sense about the image to you? What do you not fully understand? If you were to talk about God generally, what would you say about him (like the Psalmist did in the first stanza)? If you were to talk to God personally, what would you say to him (like the Psalmist did in the second stanza)? In what ways is God’s presence and love more real and powerful when you’re going through a difficult time? What’s a recent “valley of darkness” experience you’ve had? How did you respond? How did God meet you there? Are you more comfortable talking about God or talking to God? Why? How can you become more confident in both of those? Why do you think God allows us to go through difficult experiences and circumstances? How have you grown through those times? How has God shown you his faithful presence day in and day out? How do you give him your faithful surrendered life day in and day out? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click HERE for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus and the rich young ruler. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 18:18-27 Side Passages: Matthew 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, Luke 19:6-10 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Why do you think the man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life? Do you think there was another question behind his question? What kind of answer do you think the man was expecting or hoping for? Why do you think the gospel writers don’t tell us about the man’s wealth until the end of the story? It seems the man had obeyed (or at least claimed to obey) all the major commandments about how to love and honor others. It also seems that he failed to obey the commandments about loving God first, honoring God fully, and having no idols. How do you think the commandments about loving God and the commandment about loving others relate to each other? What possible “idols” do you have (things you wrongly cherish, worship, cling to, rely on)? How has Jesus challenged you to release those things? If you’re still idolizing those things, what will it take for you to release them? Why do you think the man was sad? Why do you think he walked away from Jesus (as noted in Matthew 19 and Mark 10) rather than obeying him? Have you ever tried to lessen the cost of following Jesus for either yourself or someone else? How did you do that? Why did you do that? What are your thoughts about that now? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus at Mary and Martha's house. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Luke 10:38-42 Side Passages: Luke 10:25-37 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How have you heard the story of Mary and Martha explained in the past? What has been your main takeaway? Why do you think Luke included this encounter in his gospel (the only place this story is found)? What do you think he was trying to show or illustrate? What is your most natural way of connecting with Jesus? Are you a listening-reflecting person? A serving-doing person? A learning-understanding person? What does that look like for you? What are some of the most natural ways that your family and/or friends connect with Jesus? How do your similarities and differences impact your relationships with each other and your understanding of God? What are some ways you can honor the Jesus-connection differences in others? What are some ways you can grow and expand your own ways of connecting with Jesus? Is there a way this story could have ended differently for Martha? How and why? Is there a way this story could have ended differently for Mary? How and why? When and why have you tried to tell Jesus what to do and what to make other people do? How can you avoid that kind of praying and instead trust God with challenging situations? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: John 8:2-11 Side Passages: Genesis 2:4-7 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: The woman in this story was both guilty of what she was accused (she had committed adultery) and was treated wrongly (she’d most likely been set up, she wasn’t treated with respect, the man she’d been with hadn’t been accused or dragged into the Temple, etc). Talk about how sinful actions (both our own and other’s) often lead to further difficulty and trouble that we didn’t plan or anticipate. The scribes and religious leaders viewed themselves as righteous and innocent, but they all walked away after Jesus’ challenge. How were their actions and attitudes in this specific story sinful and selfish? Talk about how Jesus showed compassion to both the woman and the accusers in this story. Does that surprise you? Does it seem fair? Why or why not? Read Romans 8:1-2 and think about the words in light of this story. Jesus calls us to repent of our sin (leave it behind and head a new direction) and turn to God (live within his design and will). Have you heard that teaching before? How does it match, expand, or challenge what you’ve been taught about Jesus? In what areas of your life do you need to hear and obey Jesus’ challenge to “go and sin no more”? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at the story of Jesus visiting the Decapolis and healing a man. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Mark 7:31-37 Side Passages: Mark 5:1-20 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Why do you think crowds sometimes pushed people away from Jesus and other times brought them to Jesus? Imagine yourself as the man in this story: you have no idea who Jesus is or why people have brought you to him. What might you be thinking while standing then in the large crowd? What might you be thinking when Jesus leads you away to a quiet place? Jesus had power to heal from afar, without touch, without words. Why do you think Jesus performed the miracle for this man the way he did? What do you think Jesus and the man talked about before returning to the crowd? In what ways have you helped lead someone into the presence of Jesus? What happened after that? What are some of the wonderful things Jesus has done for you? SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life

In this episode of Words & Ways we'll be looking at Jesus giving the Lord's Prayer. Listen for yourself, with small groups, leadership teams, mentoring-discipling relationships and more. Our hope is that the words and ways of Jesus transform your mind, fill your heart, and encourage your soul today and every day. SHOW NOTES Main Passage: Matthew 6:5-13 Side Passages: Luke 11:1-13 DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What part did the Lord’s Prayer have in your religious or church upbringing, if any? When and where have you heart the Lord’s Prayer recited? What purpose did it seem to play? Do you use the model of the Lord’s Prayer (but maybe not the exact words) in your own prayer life? In what way? What do you think about the Lord’s Prayer being both personal and communal, both cosmic and earthy? Why do you think it’s that way? Take time to read through the Lords Prayer slowly and carefully. What do you notice about each line? What can you learn from this model prayer to use in your own prayers? To learn more about the details of the Lord’s Prayer, check out our Bible App plans called Teach Us to Pray and Our Father. SCRIPT & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full written script. For more Young Life Discipleship resources, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discipleship.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can find Bible App reading plans, BibleProject partner content, discipleship series, and more. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discipleship@sc.younglife.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ © 2023 Young Life