Talking Points....
10/27/2026
This week's discussion will focus on the first two parts of God's shepherding message to Pastor Doug for our church, "The Bible."
I. The Bible
A. A passion for His Word.
1. Your passion for the Bible should extend far beyond a desire to know more about it.
2. You should love and live the Bible more as you grow in Him.
3. How has your passion for God's Word changed as you have grown closer to Him?
B. We need to abide in Him to change our desires to the things that really matter.
1. John 15:7 - If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
2. How have your desires changed as you have abided in Him?
C. Everyone who has been a Christian for a while should have a noticeable change in their life.
1. A lack of change isn't because of God or the Bible.
2. The problems are that one is not abiding in the Word, or what might be abiding in you.
3. Share some of the changes in your life that have come about because of your relationship with Him and His Word.
D. The Word does its work.
1. The Word will work behind the scenes even if you don't see it.
2. If we find ourselves discouraged because we are not noticing a change, what should we do?
E. The Bible - week 1 memory verse.
1. John 15:7 - If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
2. Why is it important to memorize scripture?
F. We should love God's Word.
1. Why do you love God's Word?
G. The Word needs to be set apart in us.
1. It is not enough to know that the Word is set apart.
2. In order for us to develop the right attitudes inside, we need to set apart the Word inside us.
3. Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
4. Why do we limit the power of His Word in our lives?
H. God has a plan to bless your life.
1. We find His plans in His Word.
2. The Devil has a plan to curse your life.
3. We get to choose which plan we are on.
4. When you find yourself slipping into the wrong plan for your life, what changes have you found helpful to correct that?
I. A desire for His Word.
1. The more we read the Bible, the more we will desire it.
2. How can we encourage others to spend more time in His word?
J. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119.
1. Psalms 119:97-98 - Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
2. The middle of the longest chapter in the Bible, speaks about the Bible.
3. Do you love God's instructions? If not, what changes should you make?
K. We need to Live it.
1. We need to set aside time to read His Word.
2. We need to listen to His Word.
3. Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
4. Matthew 7:24 - Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
5. Do you have a time you set aside each day to spend time in His Word? If not, why?
L. Growing faith.
1. As you hear the Word, faith grows.
2. As faith grows, it is easier to live the Christian life.
3. Especially when the storms come.
4. Do you have a go to verse that you use when facing storms?
M. Let the Bible read you.
1. Don't just read the Bible, let it show you what He has for you.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
3. When you feel convicted because of what you read, are you appreciative for what He shows you? If not, what changes should you make?
N. Let God speak to you.
1. As we read His word, we need to let Him speak to us through His Word.
2. What was the last thing God told you as you spent time in His Word?
O. Pointing us to Jesus.
1. God gave us the Bible to point us to Jesus.
2. John 5:39 - You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
3. If you ever find yourself feeling distant from Jesus, is it because you are not spending time in His Word?
II. Part 2.
A. Get a paper Bible.
1. There is something special about being able to hold His Word.
2. Do you prefer a paper Bible over a digital Bible, why?
B. The Word used the Word against the Devil.
1. Matthew 4:4 - But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
2. Do you use the Word when you are being attacked by the Devil, why not?
C. Get a translation you like.
1. There are about 900 printed English translations and paraphrases of the Bible, and the full Bible has been translated into 807 languages worldwide.
2. What is your favorite translation for daily reading?
D. Get a study Bible.
1. The commentary will help you understand more about what you are reading.
2. How has using a study Bible helped you?
E. Get a Bible buddy.
1. Find someone to hold each other accountable and to share what you have read with.
2. How has having a Bible buddy helped you?
F. The Bible is alive.
1. John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
2. This is our memory verse for week 2.
3. Has anyone learned it and want to recite it from memory?
G. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this message "The Bible?"
This week's discussion will focus on the first two parts of God's shepherding message to Pastor Doug for our church, "The Bible."
I. The Bible
A. A passion for His Word.
1. Your passion for the Bible should extend far beyond a desire to know more about it.
2. You should love and live the Bible more as you grow in Him.
3. How has your passion for God's Word changed as you have grown closer to Him?
B. We need to abide in Him to change our desires to the things that really matter.
1. John 15:7 - If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
2. How have your desires changed as you have abided in Him?
C. Everyone who has been a Christian for a while should have a noticeable change in their life.
1. A lack of change isn't because of God or the Bible.
2. The problems are that one is not abiding in the Word, or what might be abiding in you.
3. Share some of the changes in your life that have come about because of your relationship with Him and His Word.
D. The Word does its work.
1. The Word will work behind the scenes even if you don't see it.
2. If we find ourselves discouraged because we are not noticing a change, what should we do?
E. The Bible - week 1 memory verse.
1. John 15:7 - If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
2. Why is it important to memorize scripture?
F. We should love God's Word.
1. Why do you love God's Word?
G. The Word needs to be set apart in us.
1. It is not enough to know that the Word is set apart.
2. In order for us to develop the right attitudes inside, we need to set apart the Word inside us.
3. Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
4. Why do we limit the power of His Word in our lives?
H. God has a plan to bless your life.
1. We find His plans in His Word.
2. The Devil has a plan to curse your life.
3. We get to choose which plan we are on.
4. When you find yourself slipping into the wrong plan for your life, what changes have you found helpful to correct that?
I. A desire for His Word.
1. The more we read the Bible, the more we will desire it.
2. How can we encourage others to spend more time in His word?
J. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119.
1. Psalms 119:97-98 - Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
2. The middle of the longest chapter in the Bible, speaks about the Bible.
3. Do you love God's instructions? If not, what changes should you make?
K. We need to Live it.
1. We need to set aside time to read His Word.
2. We need to listen to His Word.
3. Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
4. Matthew 7:24 - Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
5. Do you have a time you set aside each day to spend time in His Word? If not, why?
L. Growing faith.
1. As you hear the Word, faith grows.
2. As faith grows, it is easier to live the Christian life.
3. Especially when the storms come.
4. Do you have a go to verse that you use when facing storms?
M. Let the Bible read you.
1. Don't just read the Bible, let it show you what He has for you.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
3. When you feel convicted because of what you read, are you appreciative for what He shows you? If not, what changes should you make?
N. Let God speak to you.
1. As we read His word, we need to let Him speak to us through His Word.
2. What was the last thing God told you as you spent time in His Word?
O. Pointing us to Jesus.
1. God gave us the Bible to point us to Jesus.
2. John 5:39 - You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
3. If you ever find yourself feeling distant from Jesus, is it because you are not spending time in His Word?
II. Part 2.
A. Get a paper Bible.
1. There is something special about being able to hold His Word.
2. Do you prefer a paper Bible over a digital Bible, why?
B. The Word used the Word against the Devil.
1. Matthew 4:4 - But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
2. Do you use the Word when you are being attacked by the Devil, why not?
C. Get a translation you like.
1. There are about 900 printed English translations and paraphrases of the Bible, and the full Bible has been translated into 807 languages worldwide.
2. What is your favorite translation for daily reading?
D. Get a study Bible.
1. The commentary will help you understand more about what you are reading.
2. How has using a study Bible helped you?
E. Get a Bible buddy.
1. Find someone to hold each other accountable and to share what you have read with.
2. How has having a Bible buddy helped you?
F. The Bible is alive.
1. John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
2. This is our memory verse for week 2.
3. Has anyone learned it and want to recite it from memory?
G. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this message "The Bible?"