Foundations
Connecting with God
How the Christian life actually grows: through God's Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, the church, and worship. These five sessions build the everyday rhythms of relationship with God and his people that turn a new believer into a growing disciple.
What you'll learn
- 1
Session 1: The Bible - God's Word to You
What the Bible is, how to find your way around it, and how to read it with the H.E.A.R. method.
~50 min - 2
Session 2: Prayer - Talking with God
Prayer as honest conversation with your Father, using the A.C.T.S. pattern and learning to listen.
~50 min - 3
Session 3: The Holy Spirit - God in You
The Holy Spirit as a Person who lives in you, and what it means to walk with him daily.
~45 min - 4
Session 4: The Church - You Belong to a Family
Why you belong to a church family, and how community grows you in ways isolation cannot.
~45 min - 5
Session 5: Worship - A Lifestyle, Not Just Sunday
Worship as a whole-life response to God, not just a Sunday activity or a style of music.
~45 min
Sample lesson
Session 1: The Bible - God's Word to You
The Bible: God's Word to You
How do you get to know someone? You spend time with them. You listen to them. You learn what they think, what they value, what they love. The same is true with God. And the primary way God speaks to us is through the Bible.
What Is the Bible?
The Bible isn't just a religious book or a collection of ancient stories. It's the inspired Word of God: His revelation of Himself to humanity.
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:16-17 · NIV
When we say the Bible is "God-breathed," we mean that God worked through human authors to produce exactly what He wanted written. It's authoritative (it has the right to tell us what to believe and how to live), sufficient (it gives us everything we need for life and godliness), and reliable (it can be trusted completely).
The Bible contains 66 books written over about 1,500 years by about 40 different authors. Yet it tells one unified story: God's plan to rescue humanity through Jesus.
How to Navigate the Bible
If you're new to the Bible, it can seem overwhelming. Here's a quick orientation:
Old Testament (39 books): The story before Jesus: creation, the fall, God's chosen people Israel, the law, the prophets, all pointing toward a coming Savior.
New Testament (27 books): The story of Jesus and the early church: the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the book of Acts, letters from apostles, and Revelation.
Each book is divided into chapters and verses for easy reference. When you see "John 3:16," that means the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16.
How to Read the Bible: The H.E.A.R. Method
Here's a simple method for reading Scripture that will help you actually hear what God is saying:
H - Highlight: As you read, mark a verse or phrase that stands out to you. What catches your attention?
E - Explain: In your own words, what does this passage mean? What was the author trying to communicate?
A - Apply: How does this apply to your life? Is there something to believe, do, stop doing, or pray about?
R - Respond: Write a prayer responding to what you've read. Talk to God about it.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.James 1:22-25 · NIV
Where to Start
If you're new to Bible reading, here are some good starting points:
- Gospel of John - The life and teachings of Jesus, written specifically so you would believe
- Psalms - Prayers and songs covering every human emotion
- Proverbs - Practical wisdom for daily life
Don't try to read the whole Bible in a week. Start with one chapter a day. Consistency beats intensity.
105Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.Psalm 119:105 · NIV
1.What has been your experience with the Bible before now?
2.What obstacles might keep you from reading regularly?
3.What time of day could you set aside for Bible reading?
Let's Practice Together
Read John 1:1-14 together and walk through the H.E.A.R. method. What do you highlight? How would you explain it? How does it apply?
After reading John 1:1-14, use the H.E.A.R. method to write your response.
That's a free sample lesson. Sign up to complete the interactive workbook and continue the rest of the course.
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