Jan 25
18
- What is the one thing all the members of a church can do for the good and prosperity of other churches?
- What, in particular, is the good and prosperity we should seek for our church and other churches? Hint: the last line of this paragraph defines what the good and prosperity is.
- What are other ways (besides prayer) that one church can seek the good and prosperity (peace, increase of love, and mutual edification) of other churches?
- How can elders, deacons, and gifted brothers from one church be used to bless other churches?
- What does it mean for churches to “hold communion together”?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
Jan 25
18
- How might disciples of Jesus be tempted to lose heart?
- What are remedies for a discouraged heart?
- Why is a widow a fitting symbol for disciples of Jesus?
- Why does Christ compare God to an unrighteous and loveless judge in this parable? How is this judge like God? How is this judge not like God?
- The judge was motivated to act by the persistence of the widow because he did not wish to be bothered by her anymore. What “motivates” God to act on behalf of his elect?
- What reason do we have to approach God in persistent prayer?
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Joe.
Jan 25
12
- What is eschatology?
- Why is it important for Christians to know what the Bible teaches about the future? What practical difference does eschatology make?
- What is the next major event to expect as it pertains to the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom?
- How will non-believers be living when Christ returns?
- How should the Christian be living when Christ returns?
- What do the flood (Genesis 6 & 7) and Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18 & 19) have to do with these last days and the second coming of Christ? What can we learn from these stories?
- How might you apply this text of Scripture to your life today?
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Joe.
Jan 25
12
- Will you ever find a church without problems? (see Second London Confession 26.3)
- When offended or sinned against, what is the “duty required” of church members?
- What does it mean to “disturb… church-order”? What does it mean to “absent” oneself “from the assemblies of the church” or the administration of the ordinances”? Why would it be tempting to do this when offended? Why must this behavior be avoided?
- Why does our confession say that offended members are “to wait upon Christ, in the further proceedings of the church”? What do the proceedings of the church (in discipline) have to do with Christ, and what does Christ have to do with the proceedings of the church? (See Second London Confession 26.4, Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20)
- When it comes to dealing with difficulties and sin in the church, what is lost by abandoning the process laid out in Scripture? What is gained by the one who is sinning, those sinned against, the church as a whole, and the honor of Christ’s name by following the process laid out in Scripture in obedience to the command of Christ?
Posted in Study Guides, Joe Anady, Posted by
Joe.
Jan 25
5
- How should a believer express gratitude for the grace that God has shown to them in Christ Jesus?
- When did the kingdom of God arrive?
- When the kingdom of God first arrived, it was hardly perceivable. When the kingdom is consummated, everyone will see. Discuss.
- What should we expect life in Christ’s inaugurated kingdom to be like?
- What does it look like to honor Christ as Lord and King? What does honoring Christ as King look like on the Lord’s Day? What does it involve on the common days? What does it mean to honor Christ as King in thought, word, and deed?
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Joe.
Jan 25
5
- Is church membership (joining a church) optional for a follower of Christ?
- What are some possible scenarios in which a Christian might not have an opportunity to join a church? What should a Christian do in such situations?
- What are the privileges of church membership?
- What are the responsibilities of church membership?
- What does it mean to be under the censures and government of the church?
- Why is it important to say that all Christians are under the censures and government of the church they have joined? Hint: Should those who are wealthy or politically powerful be exempt from the censures and government of the church?
- What is meant by the words, “according to the rule of Christ”?
- Why is church discipline good for the believer, the church, and the glory of Christ?
Posted in Study Guides, Joe Anady, Posted by
Joe.
Dec 24
29
- What is a leper? How does knowing the Old Covenant ceremonial laws regarding leprosy (Leviticus 13 & 14) help us to understand the situation here in Luke 17:11-19?
- Why did Christ tell the ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests? (see Luke 17:14). Why are we to interpret this statement to imply the promise of healing? (see Leviticus 14)
- Of the ten, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus and he was a Samaritan/foreigner. Why is this point emphasized?
- Those who are cleansed from their sins and saved by Jesus ought to give praise to God and live a life of gratitude before Christ Jesus. If we are not moved to give thanks and praise to God and Christ, what does this reveal about our souls?
- What are ways we can give thanks and praise to God and Christ?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
Dec 24
29
- What does our confession mean when it says that “the bishops or pastors of the churches” are “to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office”?
- According to our confession, is the work of preaching to be strictly confined to those who hold the office of bishop or pastor?
- Who may preach the word of God (publically; formally)? What are the standards or qualifications?
- Who must approve and call a man to preach the word?
- Why does our confession say, “may and ought to perform it”? Why the word “ought”?
- What are some potential reasons why a man might be called to preach the word but not hold the office of elder (at least not yet)?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.