Overview:
How to Use This Study Guide

This page has separate suggestions for how to use this study guide for individuals studying on their own, small group members, and small group leaders. Click the appropriate link below:

• Individuals studying on their own

• Small group members

• Small group leaders

Individuals studying on their own

This study guide walks through Pope Francis's document Spes Non Confundit paragraph by paragraph so that you can engage with it personally and apply it to your life.

The guide presents questions that will help you explore Pope Francis’s insights, the Scripture passages he cites, and additional Bible passages that support his points where his document does not explicitly cite Scripture.

The guide also suggests activities that might help you put your discoveries into action.  You can also be creative in coming up with your own activities.

This study guide assumes that you will read the specified portions of Spes Non Confundit before trying to answer the corresponding questions.  The document can be accessed online (and printed out, if desired) here: Spes Non Confundit. In this online study guide, there is a link to that document at the top right corner of every page.  You can read the Bible passages as you go. 

It is not expected that you will engage every question with equal intensity.  The goal is not to answer every question like a checklist.  The goal is to hear what Pope Francis and the Scriptures are saying and then to dig in where God is calling you to new insights and action.

When a question asks you to restate what Pope Francis or the Bible says, it helps to check yourself against the actual passage, to make sure you are interpreting accurately.

Please give yourself plenty of time for the application questions that speak to your heart at this particular time in your life.  Listen for what God is saying to you, and respond. If at the end of a session you have a clear sense of what new insight or action God is calling you to, you are on the right track.

Small group members

This study guide walks through Pope Francis's document Spes Non Confundit paragraph by paragraph so that we can engage with it personally and communally and apply it to our lives.

The guide presents questions that will help your group explore Pope Francis’s insights, the Scripture passages he cites, and additional Bible passages that support his points where his document does not explicitly cite Scripture.

The guide also suggests activities that might help you put your discoveries into action.  You can also be creative in coming up with your own activities.

Although anyone can explore these questions on their own, God can work powerfully when people come together with an open heart and a willingness to share their experiences, learn from others, and explore how God is calling them to action in their everyday lives.

This study guide assumes that the group has agreed to read in advance the specified portions of Spes Non Confundit for each session.  The document can be accessed here: Spes Non Confundit.  In this online study guide, there is a link to that document at the top right corner of every page. Group members may read the Bible passages in advance but are not expected to do so.  The study guide indicates when to read the Bible passages.  You may access the Bible online or use your own Bible (use your Bible’s Table of Contents to find passages quickly).

Groups will not have time to discuss all the provided questions.  Group leaders will need to make choices about where to focus based on the direction of the conversation.  Help your leaders cover the main points and allow plenty of time for the application questions, without feeling an obligation to cover everything.  Let your leaders know in advance if there are particular questions or paragraphs of the document that you are especially interested in discussing.  Help the group find the new insights or actions God is calling you to.

Small group leaders

This study guide walks through Pope Francis's document Spes Non Confundit paragraph by paragraph so that we can engage with it personally and communally and apply it to our lives.

The guide presents questions that will help your group explore Pope Francis’s insights, the Scripture passages he cites, and additional Bible passages that support his points where his document does not explicitly cite Scripture.

The guide also suggests activities that might help you put your discoveries into action.  You can also be creative in coming up with your own activities.

Although anyone can explore these questions on their own, God can work powerfully when people come together with an open heart and a willingness to share their experiences, learn from others, and explore how God is calling them to action in their everyday lives.

This study guide assumes that the group has agreed to read in advance the specified portions of Spes Non Confundit for each session.  Spes Non Confundit can be accessed online (and printed out, if desired) here: Spes Non Confundit. In this online study guide, there is a link to that document at the top right corner of every page.  Group members may read the Bible passages in advance but are not expected to do so.  The study guide indicates when to read the Bible passages.  Group members may access the Bible online or use their own Bible (encourage them to use their Bible’s Table of Contents to find passages quickly).

Who can lead: Because a full set of discussion questions is provided here, almost anyone can facilitate a small group on Spes Non Confundit.  If you believe in Jesus, are willing to do a small amount of preparation in advance, have an open heart, and have an awareness of social dynamics, you can be a small group leader.  For additional support, you can find leadership training materials at Leading a Small-Group Bible Study.

Questions in bold are questions a leader can pose directly to the group.  Other useful background information is presented in regular font.

What to focus on: Groups will not have time to discuss all the provided questions.  Group leaders should make choices about where to focus based on the direction of the conversation.  Try to cover the main points and allow plenty of time for the application questions, without feeling an obligation to cover everything.  Encourage members to let you know in advance if there are particular questions or paragraphs of the document that they are especially interested in discussing.  Help the group find the new insights or actions God is calling you to.