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Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 66: Tony Evans

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On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris join renowned author and pastor, Dr. Tony Evans. Brian, Chris, and Tony answer the following questions:

  1. What do you mean by “kingdom disciple”?
  2. There’s a need for disciples in individuals, in families, in churches, and in communities. What does a disciple of Jesus look like in each of these areas?
  3. How can pastors gauge how they are doing in regard to disciple making in their churches?
  4. Is discipling men different from women, or the same?
  5. How do we disciple men?
  6. What challenges do men face not only in the area of discipleship, but also in life in general?

GUEST: Dr. Tony Evans is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. A man of many hats, Tony is the president of The Urban Alternative, chaplain of the NBA Dallas Mavericks, and author of over 100 books, booklets, and Bible studies. Tony was named as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the world by Baylor University.

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Small Groups For The Rest Of Us.
Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 6

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Welcome to the last session of The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We hope you have learned a lot through this study and have found new ways to dive deeper into the Bible.

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7th.

Click here for Session 1.

Click here for Session 2.

Click here for Session 3.  

Click here for Session 4.

Click here for Session 5.

Below are this week’s video and discussion questions.  

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important for us to recognize that Jesus is fully God and fully human?
  2. When did you first encounter the Person of Jesus?
  3. What are some ways we can wear the name of Jesus? Bear the name of Jesus? Share the name of Jesus?
  4. Lastly, please provide any feedback on this online Bible study experience, including what you loved and any recommendations you have for future Bible study experiences.

Thank you so much for joining us in this online Bible study! We’ve loved going through this study with you, and getting to know each of you. We pray that you continue to grow deeper in your knowledge and love for the Lord as you reflect on His wonderful attributes and names!

 

Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 5

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Welcome to Session 5 of The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We hope you had a great week of learning and enlightenment.

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7th.

Click here for Session 1.

Click here for Session 2.

Click here for Session 3.

Click here for Session 4.

Below are this week’s video, discussion questions, and your assignment for next week.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can we learn about God’s character from His name El Elyon?
  2. What are some ways people can be held hostage in today’s culture?
  3. Respond to Dr. Evans’s statement: “The beautiful thing about this name [El Shaddai] is that your mistakes don’t have to cancel out His power, because He is the God who can come through.”
  4. How can we support one another in moments when we’re waiting for God to come through?

This week, read and complete Week 5: El Elyon & El Shaddai (pages 123-146) in your Bible study book.

Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 4

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Welcome back to The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We hope you are enjoying this study of God’s names and why they are important.

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.  

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7th.

Click here for Session 1.  

Click here for Session 2.

Click here for Session 3.

Below are this week’s video, discussion questions, and your assignment for next week.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the metaphor of the shepherd and his sheep help you picture your relationship with God?
  2. Review Psalm 23. With which verse do you resonate the most? Why?
  3. When have you been in a situation when it seemed as if nothing made sense?
  4. What emotions did you experience during that time? 

This week, read and complete Week 4: Jehovah Rohi & Jehovah Jireh (pages 95-118) in your Bible study book.

Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 3

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Welcome back to The Power of God’s Names online Bible study. Can you believe we are almost halfway through the study?  

If you have any questions about how this study works, then visit this page.

If you are running behind, then that’s okay. We are leaving the full, free videos online until September 7th.  

Click here for Session 1.  

Click here for Session 2.

 

Below are this week’s video, discussion questions, and your assignment for next week.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can we learn about God’s character from the name Jehovah Nissi—the LORD My Banner?
  2. Respond to Dr. Evans’s statement: “Everything visible and physical is preceded by something invisible and spiritual. If you want to deal with the visible and physical, you must address the invisible and spiritual.”
  3. Do you find it easy or difficult to ask for help? Explain.
  4. What can help us identify the line between our responsibilities and God’s responsibilities when we’re in a battle?

This week, read and complete Week 3: Jehovah Nissi & Jehovah Tsaba (pages 67-90) in your Bible study book.

Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 2

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Welcome back for Session 2 of The Power of God’s Names by Tony Evans. We hope you had a good week learning about the importance of God’s names and why He has so many.

If you have questions on how this online Bible study works, then please check out this page.

And don’t forget—if you are falling behind, then we will have the full videos available for free until September 7th.

Click here for Session 1.

Below are this week’s video, discussion questions, and your assignment for next week.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the name Jehovah contribute to your understanding of God’s nature and character?
  2. Dr. Evans listed five aspects of the phrase “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3:14). Which aspect strikes you as interesting or important?
  3. What’s required of us to relate to God as Adonai?
  4. What benefit do we receive when we connect with Adonai?

This week, read and complete Week 2: Jehovah & Adonai (pages 39-62) in your Bible study book.

Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Session 1

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Welcome to The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We’re so excited to kick off this 6-week journey into this Bible study from Tony Evans and to explore the biblical meanings of God’s names and related attributes. Please read the following instructions carefully.  

Here’s how our online Bible study will work:

  • Each week, you’ll come here to the blog and watch the video led by Tony Evans. The videos are 25-30 minutes long. Once you watch the video, we have questions for you to answer in your group or in the comments section of the post.
  • This is available to those studying together and those going solo.
  • The questions will help you to get to know your fellow Bible study participants, and we hope these interactions will be both challenging and encouraging.
  • After the video, we’ll let you know the personal study assignment to do for the next week in your The Power of God’s Names Bible study book.
  • The study will be six weeks long (including this introduction week).

A note about the Bible study videos: We are giving you the complete video content for The Power of God’s Names online Bible study! We will leave all the videos up until September 7th, to make sure anyone who needs a few weeks to catch up and finish has time to do so. After that you can purchase sessions you miss online.

If you would like to receive weekly reminder emails when we post, click here to go to our signup page. 

Now that all of that is out of the way, watch Session 1 below:

Questions for Session 1:

If you are studying in your group, please discuss these during your group time. If you are studying by yourself, then please comment below with your answers.

  1. What is your name? Where are you from?
  2. What drew you to this Bible study?
  3. What are some different names we use for God?
  4. What do you hope to learn or experience in this study of God’s names?

 

This week, complete Week 1: The Majesty of God’s Names (pages 11-34) in your Bible study book and we’ll see you next week!

Online Bible Study

The Power of God’s Names Online Bible Study – Sign Up

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We’re so excited to kick off our first online Bible study walking through The Power of God’s Names by Tony Evans. You can find out more information on what an online Bible study is by checking out our Announcement blog.

This study will begin on June 29 and go until August 3. We’ll post a video on the blog every Thursday during that time and ask you to participate by answering questions either in your group or here on our blog.

To participate in the online study:

  1. Go to your email and add The LifeWay Groups Ministry email address “churchresources@email1.lifeway.com” to your contacts. This way, our emails are less likely to go to your spam folder.
  2. Fill out the form below to be added to our email list. You will receive a welcome email, but weekly emails will not begin until June 29. The emails are simply reminders to come back here and check the blog.
  3. You’ll need to grab a copy of The Power of God’s Names Bible study book. You can purchase that here or at your local LifeWay store.

Then you’ll be ready to go!

  

Thank you for joining our online Bible Study! We’ve attached an image below for you to share with your friends about this upcoming study. Download the image below by right clicking on it and saving it to your computer (or tap and hold if you’re on your phone). Post it to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

Online Bible Study

Announcing Our Summer Online Bible Study – The Power of God’s Names

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We are so excited to announce our first online Bible study experience happening this summer!

In just five short weeks, we will begin studying The Power of God’s Names by Tony Evans right here on our blog. If you are unfamiliar with what an online Bible study is, then please allow us to explain…

An online Bible study is the perfect experience for three reasons:

  1. Summer is typically a time when churches take a break from small groups, discipleship groups, family groups, etc. An online Bible study experience allows you to work through a hearty and trustworthy Bible study with experts right at your fingertips, even if your small group has taken a few months off.
  2. If you are a Bible study leader looking for a new Bible study, then our online Bible study is the perfect place to walk through a study before taking your group through it in the fall. You’ll definitely have all the knowledge you will need to successfully lead a group and look like a Bible study pro.
  3. The online Bible study experience can be the perfect way to get your small group together, as well as provide you with some flexibility and individual study time. With our online study, group members can participate in our blog posts and take their insights to your group meetings.

Now that we’ve sold you on signing up for our online Bible study, I bet you’re looking for some information on the chosen study, The Power of God’s Names by Tony Evans.

Click on the session to see that week’s lesson on our Online Bible Study.

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

Session 5

Session 6

About The Power of God’s Names Bible Study

To fully grasp the significance and power of knowing God’s names, you first need to understand the context of names within biblical culture. In Old Testament times, a name was more than simply nomenclature. Rather, it was a replica and revelation of the individual or thing itself.

Words translated as a name show up over one thousand times in Scripture and routinely carry with them power, responsibility, purpose, and authority. A name not only expresses the essence and significance of what is being named, but also—when duly authorized—accesses the capacity intrinsic within it.

Because of God’s depth of character, He has a variety of names to reflect His different capacities of relating to humanity. For example, God is called Elohim when referenced as the all-powerful Creator. When you need provision, get to know the name Jehovah-jireh, which means God the Provider. God has a name for any and every situation you can find yourself in. Get to know the names of God, because it is in knowing His character and capacity that you will discover both peace and power in His covenant care.

The study examines 11 names of God.

To sign up and learn more about our online Bible study process, go to this blog post.