I’ve been leading a small group Bible study this summer through the book “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin. In addition to reading and discussing the book, we’re learning and practicing inductive bible study methods through the book of Jude. I’m publishing my study notes and lesson plans for my own reference, but also to provide ideas for anyone else who is interested in studying or leading a group discussion of the book or Jude. If you find this helpful, please let me know! Some of my discussion questions are taken or adapted from here.
Discuss Chapter 2
This chapter revolves around the habits we develop when we spend time in the word, and examines whether those habits are helpful or can ultimately be harmful to our spiritual development. She argues for what she calls “biblical literacy.”
1. What stood out to you in this chapter?
2. How does she define biblical literacy? (leaves student with a better understanding of the bible than when she started…steadily moving towards knowledge and understanding of the text…) How would you define biblical literacy in your own words, and as a goal to move towards for yourself?
2. What is the hardest bad habit you’ve ever had to break? How did you break it? How long did it take you?
3. Jen describes six less-than-ideal approaches to studying the Bible: Xanax, Pinball, Magic 8 Ball, Personal Shopper, Telephone, and Jack Sprat. Which of these approaches have you practiced personally?
4 Which of these six approaches is potentially the most dangerous? Which could be used in ways that are beneficial?
5. What is the connection between the six unhelpful approaches and our tendency to put self before God, heart before mind?
6. Which of your circles of influence most needs you to grow in Bible literacy? Which of your relationships would benefit the most if you devoted yourself to loving God with your mind?
7. How might the goal of biblical literacy change the way you “spend time in the word” in a practical sense?
Review last week’s homework – who, what, when, where, why, how for Jude
-How could you use this observational technique for other books of the Bible? How could you integrate it into your own quiet time?
Introduce and demonstrate new homework
Note repeated words, phrases, and ideas, marking them as you go and adding them to your observation journal. Read it in two other translations and note clarifications or differences in words or phrasing.
“Authority”
-these people deny only Master and Lord (v 4)
-angels who fell did not stay within their own position of authority (v 6)
-they reject authority (v 8)
-believers are to keep themselves in the love of God (v 21) – authority?
-may all authority and dominion be Jesus’ (v 25)
Fresh + Whole + Heart 