Your Journey · Stage 1 of 6

The Discovery Study

The Discovery Study artwork
Discovery Study Guide PDF download

Part 1

Breathe Out

Before we can truly receive from God and others, we must first learn to breathe out — to release all that is inside us. This involves being honest about our lives, celebrating God's goodness, sharing our struggles, and holding each other accountable. Breathing out creates the space and humility needed for real spiritual growth. It's about opening our hearts to God and to one another in trust, building the kind of transparent community where real life change happens.

1

Accountability

Accountability is not about judgment but about loving relationships where we help each other follow Jesus faithfully.

Scripture Set

  1. Accountability spurs us to love and good works Hebrews 10:19-25
  2. Accountability means confessing to one another and praying together James 5:13-20
  3. Accountability means carrying each other's burdens Galatians 6:1-2
  4. Accountability means sharpening one another Proverbs 27:17

Key Questions

Who did share with this past week? Did you follow through with your obedience statement?

2

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving shifts our focus from ourselves to God, cultivating hearts of worship and awareness of His presence.

Scripture Set

  1. Give thanks in everything 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  2. Give thanks for He is good Psalm 100:1-5
  3. Give thanks in all you do Colossians 3:15-17
  4. Present requests with thanksgiving Philippians 4:4-7

Key Questions

What are you thankful for today?

3

Needs

Sharing our needs creates authentic community and reflects how the early believers cared for one another.

Scripture Set

  1. God sees our needs Philippians 4:15-19
  2. God knows our worries Matthew 6:25-34
  3. God's people meets one anothers needs Acts 2:43-45
  4. Faith without meeting needs is empty James 2:14-17
  5. Love meets needs 1 John 3:17-22

Key Questions

What is your primary challenge, need or struggle today? How can we meet the needs expressed?

Part 2

Breathe In

After breathing out, we're ready to breathe in— to receive truth from God through His Word. This involves three primary movements: engaging Scripture with our minds, moving it from our mind into our hearts and finally seeking to really understand it. The Bible is not just information to know but living truth that transforms us as we encounter God through it. This is where we listen to what the Spirit is saying and allow God's Word to dwell richly within us.

1

Engaging The Bible

The Bible is God's living Word that speaks, teaches, and transforms us as we encounter it regularly.

Scripture Set

  1. The Word is God-breathed and useful for us. 2 Timothy 3:14-17
  2. The Word is living and active. Hebrews 4:12-13
  3. The Word is lamp to our feet and light to our path Psalm 119:102-106
  4. Meditate on the Word day and night Joshua 1:6-9

Key Questions

Read out loud several times. Listen and let the text speak to you.

2

From Head to Heart

God's Word must move from our heads to our hearts, where the Spirit applies truth to our lives.

Scripture Set

  1. Hide the Word in your heart to avoid sin Psalm 119:11
  2. Let the Word dwell in you Colossians 3:15-17
  3. Be doers of the Word not hearers only James 1:22-25
  4. Let the Word impact our hearts and lives Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Key Questions

Retell in your own words. Make sure everyone retells the right story and the complete story.

3

Understanding the Bible

The Holy Spirit guides us into truth as we wrestle with Scripture in community, discovering what God is saying.

Scripture Set

  1. The Spirit guides us into all truth John 16:12-15
  2. The Spirit helps us understand God's gifts 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
  3. Examined Scriptures daily to see if true Acts 17:10-12
  4. Jesus opened their minds to understand Scripture Luke 24:44-49

Key Questions

What does this passage tell us about God? What does it tell us about man? How does it challenge you? What truth is being shared?

Part 3

Open Up Your Eyes

Understanding God's Word is not the end of our response - it's actually just the beginning! Opening our eyes means seeing how God's truth interacts with our daily lives and then acting on it. This involves two critical things: obedience (putting God's Word into practice personally) and sharing (bringing others into what we're learning). True discipleship isn't just knowing truth but living it out and helping others discover it as well. This is where transformation becomes visible and multiplies.

1

I Will...

Obedience is how we express our love for Jesus and experience the transformation He promises.

Scripture Set

  1. Those who love Jesus keep His commands John 14:15-24
  2. Don't just listen to the Word do what it says James 1:19-27
  3. Build life on the rock by hearing and doing Luke 6:46-49
  4. We know Him if we keep His commands 1 John 2:3-6

Key Questions

What is your "I Will..." statement?

2

I Will Share With...

Sharing what we're learning keeps our hearts outward-focused and invites others into relationship with Jesus.

Scripture Set

  1. Go and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:16-20
  2. Be witnesses to the ends of the earth Acts 1:6-8
  3. Always ready to give a reason for hope 1 Peter 3:13-16
  4. Entrust to faithful people who will teach others 2 Timothy 2:2
  5. Go tell what the Lord has done for you Mark 5:19-20

Key Questions

Share one person you plan to share what you learned with.

Go Deeper

Articles for this stage

The Discovery Study: A Guide to Spiritual Growth

Breathe out, breathe in, open up your eyes — a guide to the Discovery Study rhythm for spiritual growth,...

Movement

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This course — including short video lessons — lives as a free Channel in the ethnē app, with Scripture in your preferred language.

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