Hearing God: 8 Steps to Understanding the Bible

by Michael C. Mack, Mark A. Taylor

Is it really worth taking the time to study the Bible? The answer to that question depends upon your answer to this “Is God worth listening to?” The Bible is God’s way of unveiling the truth for us – truth that we would not know without his sharing it with us. God has pulled back the curtain for us to see the truth about our past history, our present condition, and our future. The only way we can know God is to know his thoughts. But we cannot know his thoughts unless he chooses to show them to us through his words and actions. He has chosen to do so and has given us the Bible. The Bible is a record of God’s actions and words. Through that record, we can come to know God and enjoy a common oneness with him. This guide is designed to help the class teacher or group facilitator lead a study of important issues facing adults today. Whether your group meets in a classroom at the church building or in the family room in someone’s home, this guide will help you get the most out of your session. Each section in this guide includes two plans - one for classes and one for small groups. This gives the leader several 1) use Plan One, 2) use Plan Two, or 3) use the best of both plans! Resource sheets in each session are available for you to tear out and photocopy for your class or group. Overhead transparency masters are also included for most sessions. Use your own creativity as you decide how to make these resources work for you.

88 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

About the author

I'll never forget the F I received on an eighth-grade writing project. I had wanted to be a writer since the first time Mom put a crayon in my pudgy hand. When Mrs. Witte assigned our class an essay on the history of the State of Ohio, I filled a spiral-bound notebook with the stories of the state's settlers and other heroes. The big red F on the first page of my notebook was garnished with a note that accused me of plagiarism.

I pleaded with her. I tried to convince her I wrote the paper myself. Finally, I boldly asked her to prove her contention. She couldn't. My grade was revised to an A, plus an apology. I was a writer, and 40 years later I still am.

So far I've written more than 30 nonfiction books and discussion guides, hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, and I've lost count of how many articles and blog posts on the web.

I recently released a new self-published book, World's Greatest Small Group, available in both print and Kindle versions on Amazon.

I blog regularly at Small Group Leadership and write a monthly "Best Practices" column for The Christian Standard magazine. I have edited books and other materials for major Christian publishing companies both on staff and as a freelance editor.

I am also a writer/editor in other fields as well, especially as related to living with diabetes, marriage and parenting, cycling (especially mountain biking) and other outdoor recreation, and other topics. I blog about life with diabetes, cycling, marriage and family, and other stuff I'm passionate about at Life's Highs and Lows.