Let’s say that you and your friend Claire decide that you will meet twice a week for the next six weeks to grow in the virtue of love. You decided on love because you both took the assessments and both of you scored low in that area. You mutually agreed love would be a great place to start. Here’s what that might look like.
Week 1 – Session 1
You meet and read through the overview of love and read all of the Key Scriptures in the Virtue of Love area. You then complete the “Key Scriptures Bible Study” at the end of the “Key Scriptures” section. You then decide that you are going to memorize one Bible verse per week and choose to memorize Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4: 7-8; Romans 12: 9-11; Romans 13:8; 1 John 3:18; and Ephesians 4:2.
Week 1 – Session 2
You meet and go through an Inductive Bible Study on Romans 13:8 from the “Key Scriptures” section. You also review the various books in the “Recommended Reading” section and decide that you would like to read “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning.
Week 2 – Session 1
You go over your first memory verse and then you lead out in a discussion on “The Radical Love of Christ” based on Matthew 27: 11-56 which is discussion P1 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 2 – Session 2
You meet and go over your second memory verse, which is 1 John 4:7-8, and do an Inductive Bible Study on that text from the “Key Scriptures” section. You then look through the Growing Exercises and decide you are going to try number 6: random acts of kindness. You will discuss the exercise next time you meet.
Week 3 – Session 1
You discuss the random acts of kindness exercise along with observations, insights, and learning. Claire then leads a discussion on love and gentleness based on Philippians 4: 4-7, which is P17 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 3 – Session 2
Your friend Paul joins you for this session and you lead a discussion on the gift of friendship from 1 Samuel 20, which is P15 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 4 – Session 1
You meet and go over your fourth memory verse, which is Romans 12: 9-11, and do an Inductive Bible Study on that text from the “Key Scriptures” section. You then discuss your observations, insights, and learning from what you have read in the book thus far.
Week 4 – Session 2
Paul joins you again and Claire leads in a discussion on the fruit of love in our lives from John 15: 9-17, which is P3 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 5 – Session 1
You meet and go over your fifth memory verse. You then lead in a discussion on how love fulfills the law based on Matthew 22: 34-40, which is P4 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 5 – Session 2-
You discuss your observations, insights, and learning from what you have read in the book thus far. Claire then leads you in a discussion on the freedom of love based on Galatians 5: 13-15, which is P9 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 6 – Session 1
You meet and go over your final memory verse. You then decide you would like to try Growing Exercise 11 where each of you will attempt to restore a broken relationship. You then lead a discussion on the hard side of love based on Matthew 5: 38-48, which is P13 in the “Discussion Guide” section.
Week 6 – Session 2
You meet and discuss your observations, insights, and learning from the book you have now both finished. You then discuss the Growing Exercise of reconciling a broken relationship. You again discuss observations, insights, and learning. You also decide that you are going to meet for the next 6 weeks to learn about the doctrine of Following Jesus.
Notice how this study would have been completely different had you and Claire choose different scriptures, discussion guides, readings and exercises. Tailor the approach to you and your spiritual goals and struggles. Also, there is nothing magical about a 6 week study. You could choose 4 weeks or 15 weeks. You can also decide to meet once a week, or once a month. You can tackle one subject at a time, or three or four. It’s all up to you.