powered by RENEW.org
Welcome to Step Into Scripture 2025! We are excited to be offering a virtual platform for this semester of Wednesday Night Bible Study!
We want to say a huge thanks to a great ministry partner, RENEW.org, for putting the platform together.
If you have any trouble viewing please try refreshing your web browser and/or press play, more viewing tips can be found following the schedule below.
VIEWING TIPS
1. Participate on a Chrome browser if possible, avoid Safari.
2. If you do not see “We are live!” at the session start time, try refreshing your browser.
3. On mobile devices, you may need to manually tap the screen to unmute the sound.
4. If your video freezes, try clicking the gear icon in the video window and select a lower quality resolution.
Please note all times in schedule are in Eastern Daylight Time.
Bible Study will happen every Wednesday night @ 6:30PM on Jan 8 to April 9 2025.
Our Wednesday night gatherings will last about an hour and a half, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, and our time will be structured in 30-minute increments:
* 30 minutes for arrival, fellowship, and reading
* 30 minutes for teaching
* 30 minutes for table discussion and announcements
Reading Time
Whatever day we’re on in the reading plan when we gather, we’ll read that day’s passage aloud in the group setting. Anyone can volunteer to read one chapter to the group. Another person will volunteer to read that day’s entry from the Step Into Scripture book. Even if you have fallen behind, you’re encouraged not to quit but to pick up where we are that day.
Teaching Time
Our teaching team will lead the whole group in a lesson based on that week’s reading. This lesson is an additional devotional to the one in the book, since we’ve already been reading it daily on our own. It’s also a way to model for the group that we’re never done learning the Bible. God gives us fresh insights every time we read, and what’s written in the book is by no means everything there is to learn!
Table Discussion Time
During each weekly gathering, your will be provided with a brief overview of the Wednesday lesson along with discussion questions based on the lesson. You’ll then join a group to talk through the discussion questions.
Breakout Rooms
Our online breakout rooms are virtual spaces for deeper group discussions, connection, and spiritual growth. After the main session, participants should pick a breakout room to join where they can share insights, have group discussion, and pray together in a more personal setting.
Ekklesia Resources
Step Into Scripture Reading Plan Quarter 1 Shadows
WEEK 1
Step Into Scripture Quarter 1 Week 1 Slide Deck
SIS Discussion Questions Week 1
WEEK 2
Step Into Scripture Slide Deck Week 2
Step Into Scription Shadows Week 2 Questions
A daily journey to understanding your bible. A 365 day chronological read through of the bible.
By: Tina Wilson
A daily journal to compliment the SIS Bible Study.
By: Matt Wilson
Chronological Bible Reading Plan that corresponds with Step Into Scripture
Ekklesia App
If you have not already done, please download the Ekklesia App.
Step Into Scripture: Shadows
Day 15 Reading: Job 40—42 and Day 15 of Step Into Scripture
Week 3 Lesson: God’s Sovereignty in Suffering
This week, we’re delving into the Book of Job, emphasizing its importance in understanding suffering and the character of God. We will discuss how Job’s friends misinterpret his suffering as punishment for sin, while Job himself struggles with feelings of abandonment and the quest for vindication. Suffering can serve as a form of discipline to cultivate accountability and perseverance, not just punishment. Ultimately, we need to direct our pain and questions to God, remembering the hope found in trusting God’s sovereignty and the promise of ultimate vindication in His perfect timing.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the story of Job challenge our understanding of suffering and why sometimes good people face hardships while others seem to prosper?
- Job’s friends wrongly assumed that his suffering was a result of sin, which reflects a common misunderstanding about why suffering occurs.
- Can you think of a time in your life when you saw someone you considered to be a good person struggle while others who seemed to do wrong thrived? How did that impact your view of fairness in life?
- Job’s friends tried to box God in by saying he was punishing Job for his sins. What does it mean to box God in, and why is this a dangerous mentality?
- It is a mistake to try to define God’s actions strictly based on human understanding and circumstances.
- How do you sometimes find yourself putting God in a box in your own life? What can you do to have a more open perspective of God’s character?
- Reflecting on James 1:2-4, why do you think suffering is said to produce perseverance and maturity in a person’s faith?
- Suffering can lead to growth in our character and faith, similar to how the book of James teaches about the importance of trials.
- Can you identify a situation or challenge in your life that later became a source of strength or growth? How did that experience shape who you are today?
- How does Job’s cry for a mediator relate to our faith in Jesus as our advocate?
- Job’s longing for someone to mediate his relationship with God is fulfilled in Jesus, who serves as our mediator today.
- Do you feel comfortable bringing your struggles and questions to God? Why or why not? How does knowing that Jesus understands your pain help you in your relationship with God?
- In what ways can suffering serve as instructive discipline rather than punishment?
- Suffering can help us grow and keep us accountable, rather than just being seen as a punishment from God.
- Think of a time when you faced a hard situation that taught you a valuable lesson. How did that moment help you grow in ways you didn’t expect?
Prayer:
• Ask for guidance in applying the lessons from Job to personal struggles.
• Request strength to endure difficulties and maintain righteousness.
• Pray for discernment to see how suffering can be a teacher in our lives.
• Share any personal prayer requests and intercede for each other.