11.5.17 Sermon discussion: Faith Alone

"Faith Alone" (Romans 3:21-28)
Dr. Ligon Duncan
11.5.17

1) What does Paul mean by 'the righteousness of God' in verse 21? Why is this good news?

2) Why is it easier for us to rely on our works-righteousness rather than Christ's righteousness received by faith? Share the specific 'works' you tend to rest on for your righteousness before God (maybe overtly spiritual works, like reading your Bible, or less so, like raising good kids or avoiding certain sins). Note: This can be a hard question for people to answer without much reflection, so here are some diagnostic questions that might help (from David Fairchild, "Gospel Diagnostics"):

• What do I rely on to comfort myself when things go bad or get difficult? 
• I have hope because I'm _______.
• I feel worthy because I'm _________. 
• (In light of Romans 3:27): When I'm feeling insignificant in the eyes of others (or my own eyes), I boast about ______________. 

3) One Puritan pastor confessed that he needs to 'repent of his repentance.' In light of this passage, what do you think he means by that? 

4) Explain how God both the 'just and the justifier' for those who have faith in Jesus? (Romans 3:26). Why is that encouraging for you to ponder today? 

Sermon Discussion: Oct 29, 2017 SOLA SCRIPTURA

Sola Scriptura
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Oct. 29, 2017

Intro: The five 'solas' summarized the theological convictions that informed the Protestant Reformation. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) claims that the Bible is the final, decisive authority on truth.

1) Ryan suggested that we might be Sola Scriptura in theory but Shallow Scriptura in practice. Do you agree? Why or why not? What are some symptoms of living as a Shallow Scriptura Christian?


2) Why is the Catholic Church opposed to Sola Scriptura, in principle? [Hint: in addition to Scripture, what else does the Catholic Church believe is authoritative?] Why is this problematic for Protestants?

3) One of the reasons Catholics give for opposing Sola Scriptura is the fact that there is sometimes interpretive anarchy within the Protestant ranks. In other words, Protestants come to very different conclusions from the same biblical passages. Is this a legitimate concern? Why or why not?

4) In what ways has your interpretation of the Bible been positively shaped by Christian community as well as Christian tradition? [Hint: define Christian tradition as historic creeds and confessions]

5) Brainstorm on some practical ways you can feast on the Word through public proclamation (preaching) and private meditation (devotions). What is your one take-away from this brainstorming session to help you maintain a healthy diet of the Bible in your life? 

Sermon Discussion: Matthew 20:1-16 (Sept. 29, 2017)

Matthew 20:1-16
Sept. 29, 2017
"The Kingdom of Heaven is Bad Business"

1. Re-read Matthew 20:1-16. What details stand out to you?

2. Why do you think the vineyard owner makes five separate trips to the market to hire workers? What evidence from this story supports your answer?

3. Do you sympathize with the 12-hour workers' complaint in verse 12? Why?

4. What difference would it make to think of yourself as a 5:00 pm person, rather than a 6:00 am person? Why is this difficult to accomplish?

5. Ryan claimed that the Kingdom of heaven is only good news when we realize that it is bad business. What do you think he meant by that? Do you agree? 

Sermon Discussion Questions (9/10/17): Matthew 13:31-33

Matthew 13:31-33
Too Small to Fail
9/10/17

1) Re-read the passage together (don't worry; it's short!). What details do you notice that perhaps you've never noticed before?

2) In his sermon, Ryan claimed that it's easy for us to reduce our sense of significance to our success, our popularity, or our social status. What is it in our culture that aids this "seductive reduction?" How do these parables combat these falsehoods?

3) Are there aspects of your life right now that make you feel particularly ordinary or small or hidden? (Maybe it's a challenging family relationship, a dull job, an aching body, or disappearing joy). How do Jesus' parables provide a different perspective this season of life?

4) Can you think of examples of God using something small to make an extraordinary difference in your own life, for the sake of the kingdom? (Perhaps someone's simple act of love or kindness, a parents' faithfulness, etc.)  Be specific. Share stories of God's sprouting kingdom.

5) What are specific ways God is calling you to ordinary faithfulness to Jesus? What challenges do you face in seeking to do so? Ask for prayer from the group for at least one of those challenges -- and then pray together before you close your time.

Ezekiel 47:1-12: The River of Life

1. Reread the passage.

2. To understand the context, trace the visions regarding the Temple through the book of Ezekiel. What's happening in the temple early in the book? What significant thing happens in chapter 10? What happens in chapters 32-33? What surprising thing happens in chapter 43? Why is it surprising and what might it mean?

3. Describe the scene of chapter 47 in your own words, what's happening in the vision?

4. How might this vision of abundant life humiliate the exiles? How might this vision excite the exiles? Might we feel the same way at times?

5. What does this vision point back to and point forward to? Can you explain this using the "Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration" framework?

Ezekiel 37:1-14: True Life

1. Reread the passage.

2. Restate the story in your own words paying close attention to the setting, the descriptive words (auditory and visual words), as well as the genre. In what state does Ezekiel find the bones?

3. How does the historical context speak directly to this miraculous story?

4. What restores the dry bones and what gives the renewed bodies life? (see also Gen. 1:3; Isa. 55:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Heb. 4:12-13)

5. Does the Word of God still have this kind of power? If so, what examples might you give? Were there dry places in your life that were renewed by the Word of God? Are there dry place in your life now that need to be brought back to life?

6. How can you breath in the life giving power of the Word of God more today than you did yesterday?

Ezekiel 34: True Shepherds

1. Reread Ezekiel 34

2. What characterizes the bad shepherds in verses 1-10? How is Ezekiel condemning them?

3. What does self-centered leadership lead to? What are its effects and ramifications?

4. How is David coming back to serve the people? Connect some dots in the scripture between this good shepherd promise Jesus.

5. In what ways do you know Jesus as a good shepherd?

6. What are some new ways you can reflect the shepherding heart of Christ in specific actions?