Bible Study format for meetings; Mission is discerned through prayer and bible study

Bible study format for meetings
Mission is discerned through prayer and study

The Lower Susquehanna synod of the ELCA have developed a bible study format with suggested readings to help church councils, committees, and in fact everyone who meets in relation to church business to focus on sharing the faith and mission.

Preparation:
Choose a Bible study leader for the next meeting. The leader will select the Scripture and have copies printed to distribute so that everyone can follow along.

Implementation:
The leader will distribute the selected Scripture passage to each person. He/she will then read aloud the scripture passage. Wait a few minutes and then read it aloud again. The people can just listen or follow along on the printed paper making notes about words or phrases that jump out at them if desired.
The group will then discuss the following questions:
What is the word of God in this text?
Who does this text call us to be at this time, in this place?
What is the Word of God in text calling us to do?

Set a time limit for your discussion.

Closing:
After discussing the above questions, the leader will read the scripture passage a final time. Allow a few minutes of silent reflection before beginning the meeting.

Suggested Scripture texts that deal with mission
Mark 8:27-38
Hebrews 12: 1-3, 14-15
John 4:5-32, 39-42
Acts 1:8
II Corinthians 5:17-21
Matthew 28:18-20
Titus 2:7-14
Romans 12:1-2
Galatians 2:20
Luke 15 (entire chapter)
Isaiah 2:2-4
Isaiah 6:6-8
Romans 8:31-39
Exodus 3 (entire chapter)
Haggai 1:2-11
II Timothy 4:1-5
I Corinthians 1:21-25
Philippians 1:9-11
Jeremiah 1:5-8
Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Jeremiah 15:19-20
I Corinthians 15: 3-11
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
Amos 8: 11-12

for more details and resources visit the Lower Susqehanna synod of the ELCA at http://www.lss-elca.org/