Central Plains Mennonite Conference
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Seeking God's Will Together

a congregational study on communal biblical discernment

“How does the faithful church discern the way of Jesus as we engage the culture in which we find ourselves?” 

This six-unit study is designed to help congregations answer this question through the practice of communal biblical discernment. The units are rich and full so each unit can be adapted to be used in more than one session for groups that would like to take more time. The authors are Amanda Beachy, Shana Peachey Boshart, Nathan Ramer, Nicholas Detweiler Stoddard and Matt Troyer-Miller.

The study addresses why the church practices discernment, teaches specific practices of discernment, and gives congregations opportunities to practice what they have learned. After completing the study, congregations and our conference as a whole will be well-positioned to carry out faithful biblical discernment in ways that will foster unity even when members disagree.

Upon completing a test version of the study one participant said, “This process can help us study and discuss some of the more ‘hot-button’ issues that we intentionally avoid.”

Other participants said:

      "There is a lot of very good information about discernment and how to work at it. Good opening and closing rituals, with readings, scripture, singing. There are good video presentations followed by an appropriate activity."

      "This study is both a scholarly and practical presentation of sound Anabaptist biblical interpretation principles directed to the lay person who truly desires to participate in biblical discernment."

      "It can't help but be a time of bonding for the congregation."

      "If the church is an important part of your life, you will want to invest your time participating in this congregational study."


Key resources related to the study
These are the books we drew from the most as we wrote this study.  We recommend that you have these books available for the facilitator and other interested people.  They would be great additions to your church library.

Unit 1
Discerning God’s Will Together by Ervin Stutzman

Units 2 & 3
Biblical Interpretation in the Anabaptist Tradition by Stuart Murray
“Biblical Interpretation In the Life of the Church” 
Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective 

Unit 3
The Art of Teaching the Bible by Christine Eaton Blair

Unit 4
Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for Ordinary Christians by John Paul Lederach

Unit 6
Table group issues and topics from 2013 
Cool Tools for Hot Topics: Group Tools to Facilitate Meetings When Things Are Hot by Ron Kraybill and Evelyn Wright
Unit 6 Participant Program for you to customize

Related resources that we recommend
Desiring God's Will by David Benner
Recommended for individuals to read before, during or after the study.


Pursuing God's Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton
Recommended for pastors and leadership groups before or after the study.  

Download the study in PDF

seekinggodswilltogether9.14.pdf
File Size: 586 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Order the study in printed form

Order the study as a booklet from Amazon.

Watch the teaching videos

The first five sessions include a teaching video.  
Download videos
We were able to upload just two of the videos to this page. Please be aware that these videos can take quite a while to download, depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Unit 1  download  

Unit 3  download  
Office Manager: P.O. Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029  office@centralplainsmc.org  phone: 605-929-3325
Ministry Staff Office: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Central Plains Structure
    • Staff >
      • Executive Conference Minister
      • Ministerial Leadership
      • Formation Minister
      • Hispanic Ministries
    • Map of Conference
    • Congregations >
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • Board
    • Committees >
      • Christian Formation
      • Outreach and Service >
        • Church Planting
        • Peace and Justice Task Group
        • Practicing Offering and Receiving Hospitality
      • Pastoral Leadership
    • Partners in Mission >
      • Agape Peace Center
      • Philip Friesen
    • Camps & Schools
    • Who are the Mennonites?
  • CPMC at Work
    • MC USA Delegate Resources
    • Publications >
      • Scattered Seeds
      • The Sower
    • Events >
      • Annual Meeting 2022
      • Healthy Boundaries Training
      • Regional Meetings 2022 >
        • Regional Meeting Resources
    • CPMC Covenant
    • New Ministries Fund >
      • Reports of Past Grant Recipients
    • Counsel on variance
  • Congregational Leaders
    • Pastors
    • Elders & Deacons
    • Church Council
    • Support for Conflict >
      • Facilitation Services and Donations
    • Pastor Openings
  • Mission Leaders
    • Racism webinar videos
    • Ecuador/Venezuela Partnership >
      • Story of the Ecuador Partnership
      • Personnel and Partnership Members
      • Quito Property Fund
    • Church Planting >
      • Developing Congregations
    • Travel Like Dave
    • Missional Discipleship Initiative
    • Islam and the Gospel
  • Formation Leaders
    • Formation in Worship
    • Formation Resource Library
    • Children and Families >
      • Faith at Home
      • Curriculum for Children
      • Shine
      • Resources for Parents
      • Protecting Children
    • Youth >
      • Youth Sponsors
      • Youth Curriculum
      • Youth SS Teachers
      • Mentor Coordinator
      • CO Resources
      • Helpful sites for YM
    • Adults >
      • Adult Faith at Home
      • Adult Curriculum
      • Teaching resources
      • Adult Spirituality
    • Shalom Readers >
      • Book List
      • Shalom Readers Adult List
    • Curriculum Evaluation Tool
  • Resources
    • Anti Racism Resources
    • Bible study Webinars >
      • Bible Study Webinars 2016
      • Bible Study Webinars 2017
    • Conference Documents
    • Christian Discernment
    • En Espanol
    • Immigration
    • Mennonite Links
    • Spiritual Deliverance
  • Contact Us
    • Contact form
    • Church contact info form
    • Donate
    • COVID Relief
    • Discerning Future Leaders
    • Sunday Speaking Information Sheet