Sandra Maria Van Opstal - The Next Worship Bible Study

• This guide is based on a classic book that will enrich your spiritual life. If you have not read The Next Worship, you may want to read the portion recommended in the Read section before you begin your study. The ideas in the book will enhance your study, but the Bible text will be the focus of each session.

• Begin each session with prayer, asking God to speak to you from his Word about this particular topic.

• As you read the Scripture passage, reproduced for you from the New International Version, you may wish to mark phrases that seem important. Note in the margin any questions that come to your mind.

• Close with the suggested prayer found at the end of each session. Speak to God about insights you have gained. Tell him of any desires you have for specific growth. Ask him to help you attempt to live out the principles described in that passage. You may wish to write your own prayer in this guide or a journal.

Joining a Bible study group can be a great avenue to spiritual growth. Here are a few guidelines that will help you as you participate in the studies in this guide.

• Reading the recommended portion of The Next Worship, before or after each session, will enhance your study and understanding of the themes in this guide.

• These studies use methods of inductive Bible study, which focuses on a particular passage of Scripture and works on it in depth. So try to dive into the given text instead of referring to other Scripture passages.

• Questions are designed to help a group discuss together a passage of Scripture in order to understand its content, meaning, and implications. Most people are either natural talkers or natural listeners, yet this type of study works best if all members participate more or less evenly. Try to curb any natural tendency toward either excessive talking or excessive quiet. You and the rest of the group will benefit!

• Most questions in this guide allow for a variety of answers. If you disagree with someone elses comment, gently say so. Then explain your own point of view from the passage before you.

• Be willing to lead a discussion, if asked. Much of the preparation for leading has already been accomplished in the writing of this guide.

• Respect the privacy of people in your group. Many people share things within the context of a Bible study group that they do not want to be public knowledge. Assume that personal information spoken within the group setting is private, unless you are specifically told otherwise.

• We recommend that all groups agree on a few basic guidelines. You may wish to adapt this list to your situation:

  • a. Anything said in this group is considered confidential and will not be discussed outside the group unless specific permission is given to do so.

  • b. We will provide time for each person present to talk if he or she feels comfortable doing so.

  • c. We will talk about ourselves and our own situations, avoiding conversation about other people.