G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr once noted;
Have you ever had to swallow your pride, and quickly realized; "Man... I bit off more than I can chew?" Talk about needing a weight-loss program, right!
Hoping Stones
12 Week Study Guide
Foundations of Faith
1
Week:
An introduction to the gospel and identity in Christ.
An introduction to the gospel and identity in Christ. This week grounds participants in the core story of the Christian life, clarifying who God is, what Christ has done, and how that shapes our identity. The study of this week emphasizes the beginnings of trust—how belief becomes the soil for spiritual growth and practical discipleship. Participants will leave with simple, tangible ways to remember and live out these foundational truths.
Hearing and Presence
2
Week:
Learning to hear God and cultivate His presence
Learning to hear God and cultivate His presence. This session trains attention toward God’s voice through Scripture, prayer, and quiet practices that sharpen spiritual perception. It balances expectation with patience, offering practices to recognize promptings and to dwell in God’s nearness amid daily life. The aim is to move from information about God to an ongoing, felt relationship with Him.
Community and Witness
3
Week:
Relationships, testimony, hospitality, mission
Relationships, testimony, hospitality, and mission. This week explores how faith is formed and expressed in community—through honest relationships, shared stories, and intentional hospitality. It equips participants to give and receive testimony, to practice welcome, and to join God’s mission in ordinary contexts. Emphasis is placed on mutual formation: we grow as we serve and witness together.
Gratitude and Joy
4
Week:
Cultivating thankfulness and joy as disciplines
Cultivating thankfulness and joy as disciplines. Participants learn gratitude as a spiritual practice that reshapes perception and sustains resilience. The week offers rhythms and exercises for noticing God’s gifts, celebrating small mercies, and choosing joy even in difficulty. The goal is a habitual posture of thanksgiving that deepens worship and everyday contentment.
Purpose
A guided 12‑week journey that moves learners from early faith toward deeper formation. Each week focuses on a single theme and uses 3–9 of our devotionals as daily Hoping Stones (stepping-stones of faith).
Format
Each week contains: Theme, Learning Objectives, Daily Readings, Reflection Questions, Practical Exercise, Leader Notes, and Suggested Scripture. Use the daily readings as short personal devotions or group discussion prompts.
Pacing Options
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Daily personal track: one devotional per day (self paced).
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Small‑group track: three devotionals per week with deeper discussion.
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Retreat track: compress a week into a single half‑day session for concentrated groups.
Printing: Print one workbook page per week (or two pages for leader notes). Provide participants with a journal or printable reflection sheet.