Walking Points Bible Studies

About the Walking Points Bible Study Series
 
Walking Points Bible Study Series

In the Bible, the word “walk” or “walking” is often a metaphor for one’s faith and relationship with God, as well as a right pattern of living.

The purpose of the Walking Points Series is to help followers of Christ draw from Scripture, those key truths and ideas that will help them walk faithfully with him – that is, know him better, love him more, become more like him, and follow him more faithfully.

Each lesson moves chapter by chapter, verse by verse, drawing from the text that which God has revealed. After a “bird’s eye view” question is asked, to get the big picture of the text, the questions that follow hone in on particular verses, in order to draw out key truths and ideas related to those verses.

Walking Points Questions

While application runs through most questions in each lesson, the Walking Points questions are designed to give the group members an opportunity to reflect on some practical “next steps,” so the application of God’s Word will continue to make a significant impact in their lives after the lesson is over. At the beginning of each lesson the members are asked to “review and report” on what Walking Point from the previous lesson they followed through with, victories and/or struggles they experienced, and what they learned that week.

Prayer Requests

Prayer requests in group settings frequently get stuck on appeals for physical needs. And often the requests are for people far removed from the members in the group. Christians absolutely ought to intercede for the physical needs of others. However, the “prayer request” space in this study guide will remind the group members that requests should primarily focus on the spiritual, physical, relational, emotional, vocational, and other needs of those who are part of the group.

Covenantal Reflection and Accountability Questions

These are questions from the Wesleyan tradition, designed for covenantal relationships. It’s doubtful a large Bible study would or should use these questions. Instead, these questions are included for smaller group use, such as a covenant/accountability group or a one-to-one discipling relationship. These questions assume a deep level of trust and confidentiality among those in the group, a serious commitment to one another’s spiritual growth, and Christlike love for one another.

A Personal Word about the Word

Having taught Bible studies and directed small groups for over 25 years, I have used many kinds of curricula. Some are more academic and do a marvelous job of imparting information. Other resources skate along the surface of biblical content but do better at drawing out application. Still other material creatively connects group members, but doesn’t necessarily help them grow spiritually.

In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul told the Romans not to be conformed to the world around them, but to be transformed by renewing their minds. A vital form of such mind-renewal occurs as we study God’s Word together. But such study should not be merely the imparting of information for its own sake. Instead, the purpose of studying God’s Word is mind-renewal and life-transformation.

Consider what God says about his Word throughout Scripture. It penetrates our deepest being (Heb. 4:12), judges our thoughts and attitudes (Heb. 4:12), makes us wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15), was breathed out by God himself (2 Tim. 3:16), is truth (John 17:17), is the means by which we are sanctified (John 17:17), is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16), thoroughly equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17), works as a mirror to show us our truest selves (James 1:23-25), endures forever (1 Peter 1:23-25), cannot be broken (John 10:35), counsels us in every sphere of our lives (Ps. 119:24), will not return to God empty but will achieve the purpose for which he sent it (Isaiah 55:11). As the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17), it is our offensive weapon in our war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.

​We are, therefore, to let it dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). Our Lord commanded us to abide in him and let him and his word abide in us, if we would bear much, good, and lasting fruit (John 15:1-8). It is as God’s Spirit renews our minds in and through God’s Word, in the fellowship of God’s people, that our lives will become increasingly transformed so that we will be better able to know, love, and follow the Lord and help others do the same.

There is no perfect study guide. However, I have tried to put together a resource that will help those who use it better appreciate and understand God’s Word and more faithfully apply it in their lives. I pray it will draw group members closer together as the Spirit of God moves through his Word and the discussion. And, of course, I hope prayer requests and the accountability questions will foster a deep and abiding relationship for those who make use of that part of the lesson.

Above all, I pray God will be glorified in each lesson.

There are presently two study guides ready for purchase. One is, Costly Discipleship, which is a six lesson study on Jesus' words about what it means to truly follow him. The other is a study of Philippians, entitled, Joy in Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dale