Welcome to Step Into Scripture 2025! We are excited to be offering a virtual platform for this semester of Wednesday Night Bible Study!
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Please note all times in the schedule are in Eastern Daylight Time.
Bible Study will happen every Wednesday night at 6:30 PM from April 30 to July 30, 2025.Weekly Gathering Structure
Our Wednesday night gatherings will last about an hour and a half, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The time will be structured in 30-minute increments:- 30 minutes for arrival, fellowship, and reading
- 30 minutes for teaching
- 30 minutes for table discussion and announcements
Reading Time
Whatever day we’re on in the reading plan when we gather, we’ll read that day’s passage aloud in the group. Anyone can volunteer to read one chapter, and another person will read that day’s entry from the Step Into Scripture book. Even if you've fallen behind, you’re encouraged to pick up where we are that day and continue.Teaching Time
Our teaching team will lead a lesson based on that week’s reading. This lesson acts as an additional devotional beyond the book, modeling that we’re never done learning the Bible. Each reading offers new insights, and the book is just one part of the journey.Table Discussion Time
During each weekly gathering, you'll be provided with a brief overview of the Wednesday lesson and discussion questions. You’ll then join a group to reflect on and respond to the lesson together.Breakout Rooms
Our online breakout rooms are virtual spaces for deeper group discussions, connection, and spiritual growth. After the main session, participants should pick a breakout room to join where they can share insights, have group discussion, and pray together in a more personal setting.- Interactive Discussions: A safe space to share thoughts, ask questions, and explore this week’s reading and teaching in greater depth.
- Fellowship & Connection: Build meaningful relationships with other men as you grow in faith together.
- Prayer Time: Each group is encouraged to close with prayer, supporting and uplifting one another.
- Guided Conversations: Discussion questions and prompts are provided to help keep the conversation flowing and focused on the study.
Dakota's Breakout Room
Dakota Fulp is a Deacon, creator of Faith-Off, assistant security team leader, young adult small group leader, and production member of Ekklesia Christian Church. He teaches Computer Science at Coastal Carolina University and is a dedicated husband to his wife Megan.Ekklesia Resources
Quarter 1
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Quarter 2
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
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Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9 - No meeting this week
No resources this week.
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Study Notes Teaching Video
Quarter 3
Week 1
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Study Notes Teaching Video
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching Video
Week 5
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching Video
Week 6
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching VideoWeek 7
Slide Deck Discussion Questions Teaching Video
Ekklesia App
If you have not already done so, please download the Ekklesia App.Step Into Scripture—Sounds
Week 7: Break Up the Fallow Ground
This week in Jeremiah, we see a people on the brink—confident yet unrepentant. God calls Judah to break up their unplowed ground (Jer 4:3–4): soften their hearts, confess sin, and receive His Word. When God’s people repent, He gives shepherds after His heart (Jer 3:14–15); when they resist, they empower false prophets who soothe rather than save (Jer 5:31; 6:10). Jeremiah exposes sin as an exchange (Rom 1), an addiction (Jer 2:23–25), and a deception (Jer 3:4–5)—and points us to freedom in Christ through a new allegiance signaled in baptism (Rom 6:2–4; Col 2:11–12). God still invites: “Return… Only acknowledge your guilt” (Jer 3:12–13). Soft hearts receive the Word; hard hearts reject both message and messenger.Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to “break up your unplowed ground”? In Jeremiah 4:3–4, what does the farming metaphor teach about heart readiness for God’s Word?
Answer: Ancient farmers shattered hard soil, removed rocks and thorns, then sowed. Likewise, God calls for heart circumcision—removing hardness and sin so the Word can take root (Jer 4:3–4; 9:25–26). Jesus affirms this in the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:3–9, 18–23).
Application: Where is your heart “packed down” (pride, secret sin, cynicism)? What one practice this week will you adopt to turn the soil (e.g., daily confession, a media fast, Scripture meditation, reconciling with someone)? - Why does repentance precede the blessing of godly shepherds? According to Jeremiah 3:14–15, what’s the sequence between repentance and God’s provision of leaders?
Answer: God says, “Return… then I will give you shepherds after my heart.” Repentance positions God’s people to be led with knowledge and understanding. The NT echoes this: elders serve as under-shepherds under Christ, the Chief Shepherd, leading by example (1 Pet 5:2–4).
Application: How can our group practice repentant accountability so our leaders can truly shepherd us (e.g., receiving correction, honest check-ins, praying for leaders by name)? - How does Jeremiah expose the nature of sin? Summarize Jeremiah’s diagnosis of Judah’s sin and connect it to Romans 1.
Answer: Sin is an exchange (trading God’s glory for idols; Rom 1:23–25), an addiction (compulsive pursuit; Jer 2:23–25), and a deception (religious talk without obedience; Jer 3:4–5, 11–13). It blinds, binds, and grinds.
Application: Name one “exchange” you’re tempted to make (approval, comfort, control, screen time, money). What specific counter-practice will replace it this week (worship, generosity, Sabbath, serving, limit setting)? - What kind of leaders do unrepentant people choose? Contrast true and false shepherds in Jeremiah. What signs reveal each?
Answer: False: prophesy lies, lead by self-authority, promise peace without repentance—and people love it (Jer 5:31; 6:13–14, 10). True: God’s heart, knowledge, understanding, example (Jer 3:15; 1 Pet 5:2–4).
Application: How can we guard our intake (podcasts, feeds, voices) to prize truth over flattery? What criteria will we use to test teaching (Scripture, character, accountability, fruit)? - Why are our words a key measure of our hearts? What do Jeremiah (9:3–5), James (3:5–10), and Jesus (Matt 12:34–37) teach about the tongue?
Answer: The tongue aims like a bow (Jer 9), is a fire that corrupts (Jas 3), and reveals the heart’s storehouse (Matt 12). We will answer for every careless word (Matt 12:36–37).
Application: This week, where will you replace a destructive speech habit (gossip, sarcasm, complaint, exaggeration) with a redemptive one (intercession, encouragement, direct peacemaking)? Who will you reconcile with?
Prayer Prompts
- Soft Hearts: “Lord, break up our fallow ground. Circumcise our hearts. Make us good soil for Your Word.” (Jer 4:3–4; Matt 13)
- Repentance & Shepherds: “Father, we acknowledge our guilt. Grant us repentance and raise up shepherds after Your heart.” (Jer 3:12–15)
- Holy Speech & Holiness: “Spirit, tame our tongues and free us from sinful exchanges; establish us in truth, freedom, and love.” (Jer 9:3–5; Jas 3; Rom 6)