Yengi Moses Wani 
USING THIS WORKBOOK
1. Notice in the Table of Contents there are three sections: (1) Impact-Site-Verification: -652250795
Sessions; (2) Appendices; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize
yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the
sessions themselves.
2. If you are facilitating/leading or co-leading a small group, the
section Small Group Leaders will give you some experiences of
others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common
obstacles to effective small group leadership.
3. Use this workbook as a guide, not a straightjacket. If the group
responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with
that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the
lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently
Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section.
4. Enjoy your Small Group experience.
5. Pray before each session—for your group members, for your time
together, or wisdom and insights.
6. Read the Outline for Each Session on the next pages so that you
understand how the sessions will flow.
OUTLINE OF EACH SESSION.
Read through this outline to get a clear
idea of how each group meeting will be
structured. A typical group session for
the Today Matters study will include the
following sections:
WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES – Each session opens with a Memory Verse
that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional
exercise, but we believe memorizing scripture is a powerful way to grow
spiritually. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses
for each session are also listed in the Appendices.
INTRODUCTION – Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help
you prepare for the session and get you thinking about that week’s topic.
Make it a practice to read these before each session. You may want to
have the group read them aloud.
SHARE YOUR STORY – The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate
connection with God and His family. You build that connection by sharing
your story with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust.
This section includes some simple questions to get you talking letting you
share as much or as little of your story as you choose.
HEAR GOD’S STORY – In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to
teaching in order to hear God’s story—and begin to see how His story
aligns with yours. When the study directs you to, you’ll watch a short
teaching segment on video. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a
passage of scripture and discuss both the teaching and the text. The goal
isn’t to accumulate information, but to apply the insights from scripture to
your daily life.
STUDY NOTES – This brief excerpt from the book Today Matters will go
deeper into one aspect of the week’s topic.
CREATE A NEW STORY – In this section, you’ll have an opportunity to go
beyond Bible study to biblical living. This section will also have a question
or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others,
sharing your faith, or worshipping God.
FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY – If you have time and want to dig deeper into
more Bible passages about the topic, we’ve provided additional passages
and questions. You can use them during the meeting or as homework.
Your group may choose to read and prepare before each meeting in order
to cover more biblical material. Or, group members can use the additional
study section during the week after the meeting. If you prefer not to do
study homework, this section will provide you with plenty to discuss within
the group. These options allow individuals or the whole group to expand
their study, while still accommodating those who can’t do homework or are
new to your group.
DAILY DEVOTIONS – Each week on the Daily Devotions pages, we provide
scriptures to reflect on between sessions. This provides you with a chance
to slow down, read just a small portion of scripture each day, and pray
through it. You’ll then have a chance to journal your response to what
you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the
week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a
hurry. Take enough time to hear from God and talk to Him.
