Connect
Are you more of a head (thinking) or heart (feeling) type of person? What happens when we focus on one of these and neglect the other?

Pray
Spend time praying for each other.

Reflection and Discussion
Don’t rush through this. The goal is not to answer all the questions, but to cultivate meaningful conversations with God and each other. Be prayerful as you reflect and grow together.

Insight: Moses emphasized the importance of Scripture as he prepared the Israelites to enter the Promised Land: The king was to have a copy of God’s Word with him and read it all the days of his life (Deuteronomy 17:18-20), the words of the law were to be written on large stones after crossing the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 27:1-8), and a written copy of the Book of the Law was to be placed beside the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 31:24-27). God’s Word was to be at the center of the lives of God’s people throughout all generations.

1. During the times of rebellious kings in Israel and Judah, the precious scrolls containing the words of God had been hidden in a cave, neglected and lost for many generations. How did Josiah respond when he heard the words of Scripture being read? Why do you think he responded this way?

2. Why was God angry?

3. Do you ever feel like God is angry at you for not reading the Bible enough? Explain.

4. None of us have fully or perfectly obeyed the commands of God. In many ways, we’re more like the Israelites than we’d like to admit. What encouragement do you find in Romans 5:8 and 2 Corinthians 5:21?

5. If Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin (Galatians 3:13; Colossians 1:14) and if our salvation is not based on our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), what role do the commands of Scripture have for us today?

6. Read 2 Kings 23:1-3. What does it mean that Josiah renewed the covenant?

7. What impact did Josiah’s commitment to keeping God’s word have on the people of Judah and Jerusalem?

8. The only people who had copies of Scripture in the Old Testament were prophets, priests and kings. What do you think it would be like if everyone at Brookwood had to share one copy of the Bible?

9. Which of the following can you relate to the most? Select one or two, then share and discuss with your group.
◾ The Bible is filled with rules, and I usually feel guilty reading it.
◾ The noise and pace of life make it hard to focus and spend time with God.
◾ The Bible is overwhelming or confusing, and I could sure use some help.
◾ My passion to read and understand the Bible is growing these days.
◾ I’ve had significant encounters with God when reading the Bible.
◾ Reading the Bible has become a way of life for me.
◾ I used to have a desire to read the Bible but have drifted away.
◾ Talking with others about the Bible has been helpful.
◾ I’m having a hard time seeing how the Bible is relevant to my life.

10. The writer of Psalm 119 declared, Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight, and he rejoices in God’s word like one who discovers a great treasure (Psalm 119:111,162). What would it look like for God’s Word to become a greater treasure to you?

11. What’s something from the Bible that captured your attention recently?

12. What do the following passages teach you about God’s Word?

13. What inspires or challenges you from these passages?

The Big Takeaway
Silence allows us to attend to and listen to God, freeing ourselves from the addiction to and distraction of noise. Spend a few minutes quietly allowing your heart and mind to settle. Trust that God is near and desires to meet you where you are. Ask Him what He wants you to know or do from this week’s study and discussion. Write down what you sense God is saying to you. Share this with the group and pray for each other.

Scripture Memory
One way to keep Jesus at the center of your life is by keeping the words of Scripture at the center of your heart. May you carry the life-shaping words of God in you at all times and in all places.

This week, commit to memory this verse about treasuring God’s Word:

For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

Josiah in the Bible
• Josiah’s name means God helps, supports, or even heals. This series focuses on ways God worked through Josiah to strengthen His people in a culture and kingdom of chaos and destruction. Josiah’s faithfulness is a model for us today.

• Josiah’s story is recorded in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30, then is retold more than 100 years later to the Jews who returned to Israel, directing them in the restoration of the kingdom. This second account is in 2 Chronicles 33:25-36:1. Group Guides in this series are based on material from both accounts.

• Of the 19 kings who led the Southern tribes, Josiah was only 1 of 7 described as good. Of the 19 kings who led the Northern tribes, not one of them was considered good. Disobedience and evil spread throughout the land, resulting in oppression and hardship beyond what words can describe.

• Josiah was a good king. He reigned from 640-608 BC and spent his life leading people back to God. May his faithfulness draw our hearts to the One who is perfectly faithful. His name is Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Major Themes in the Life of Josiah
1. Breaking the family pattern (generational cycle).
2. Seeking God with urgency and passion.
3. Trusting God with all you are and all you have.
4. Pursuing a life of holiness.
5. The importance of God’s Word.
6. Finding strength in humility.
7. Remembering and celebrating who God is and all He’s done.

Outline of the Story of Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-23:30)
1. Beginning of Josiah’s Reign (22:1-2)
2. Repairing the Temple (22:3-7)
3. The Word of God (22:8-20)
4. Josiah’s Reforms (23:1-20)
5. Passover (23:21-27)
6. Closure of Josiah’s Reign (23:28-30)

Messages in this Series
1. October 6 NOW IS THE TIME TO BE FAITHFUL
2 Kings 21:19-24; 2 Kings 23:25

2. October 13 SEEK HIM FIRST
2 Kings 22:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:3

3. October 20 TRUST IN GOD
2 Kings 22:3-7

4. October 27 HOLINESS
2 Kings 23:4-24

5. November 3 GOD'S WORD
2 Kings 22:8-13

6. November 10 HUMILITY
2 Kings 22:14-20

7. November 17 REMEMBER
2 Kings 23:25-30

May this be the prayer of our hearts:

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.
Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Why Jesus?
If you've never experienced God's forgiveness and grace, we'd love the opportunity to talk with you about life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.