Nov 24
3
- What do the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son share in common? What was the occasion that prompted Jesus to tell these parables? Who did he tell them to? What effect were they to have on the two different audiences?
- In the parable of the lost sheep, who does the shepherd represent? Who do the 99 sheep represent? Who does the one lost sheep who is found represent?
- What does the parable of the lost sheep have to do with the prophecy of Ezekiel 34?
- In the parable of the lost coin, who does the woman represent? Who do the 9 silver coins represent? Who does the one lost coin represent? What do the lighting of a lamp and the sweeping of the house represent?
- In both parables, there is rejoicing on earth and Christ explains that there is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents. What effect was this to have on the two groups: the scribes and Pharisees on the one hand, and the crowds who followed Jesus on the other?
- How do these two parables apply to you today?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
Oct 24
27
- Is a Christian ever to judge in his or her capacity as a member of a local church? If so, when, how, and by what standard?
- What are the qualifications for membership in the local church?
- Under what circumstances is a member to be removed from the church?
- What is the connection between membership in a local church and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
- When a local church receives someone into membership, what is the church saying about that person’s profession of faith? When a local church removes a member through excommunication or exclusion, what are they saying about that person’s profession of faith?
- How does Second London Confession(2LCF) 26.2 & 3 help us judge rightly when receiving members and in matters of church discipline?
- How does 2LCF 26.2 & 3 help to ensure that we do not judge too stringently when receiving members and in matters of church discipline? In other words, how does our confession help us to be patient and gentle with one another, forgive, work to maintain the unity of the Spirit, and welcome the one who is weak in the faith (see Romans 14:1)?
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Joe.
Oct 24
20
- These words of Jesus are shocking: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). How do we know that Jesus does not literally mean that we are to hate these.
- What then does Jesus mean when he commands his disciples to hate parents, spouse, children, and even their own life?
- What does Jesus mean when he says, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27)?
- In Luke 14:28-35, Jesus presented three illustrations urging the multitude to count the cost and to avoid making a false profession of faith. Discuss the meaning of each one.
- Jesus was not interested in having a large following. He was interested in having a faithful and sincere following. The same is true today. Discuss.
- Not all disciples are called to die the death of a martyr, but all are called to bear their cross daily. Not all disciples are called to give up everything they own, but all are called to “renounce all” they have (Luke 14:33). How can a disciple renounce all they have without actually giving it up?
- Read Philippians 3:7-11. Have you counted the cost of following Jesus and do you agree with the Apostle that it is worth it?
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Joe.
Oct 24
17
- What does the word church mean?
- What is the catholic or universal church?
- What is a local or particular church?
- The members of the catholic church are the elect who have or will be united to Christ by faith. Who are to be received as members of local churches? Notice, our confession does not say “the elect”! Why?
- What are the qualities or characteristics of visible saints? Remember, our confession states these qualities positively and negatively.
- Why did the doctrine of the church expressed in 2LCF 26 seem radical to most Christians when it was written in the 17th century? Why does this doctrine seem radical to many professing Chritsians today?
- Why is it vitally important for the elders and members of our churches to know who the members of the local church are to be?
Posted in Study Guides, Joe Anady, Posted by
Joe.
Oct 24
13
- What does the word catholic mean?
- Who belongs to the catholic or universal church?
- In what sense is the catholic church invisible? When will the catholic church be visible?
- Chapter 26 of our confession focuses on the local church in paragraphs 2-13. Paragraphs 14-15 address the interrelationships between local churches. Why does our confession begin with a statement on the catholic church?
- When we recite the Apostles’ Creed we say, “I believe in the… holy catholic church”. Why is this important to confess? Why do you think this statement is found after the words, “I believe in the Holy Spirit”? If the catholic church is the universal and invisible church, what do you think the phrase “I believe in the… communion of the saints” refers to?
- I hope you love the local, visible church. Do you love the catholic church? If so, how is this love expressed?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
Oct 24
13
- In Luke 14:7-11, Christ gives the Pharisees wise counsel concerning their behavior at the dinner party (compare with Proverbs 25:6–7). He concludes by saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” This passage is about more than dinner party etiquette. It’s about the ethics of Christ’s kingdom. How so?
- In Luke 14:12-14, Christ turned his attention to the one who invited him and instructed him to not only invite family, friends, and the prestigious within society to his banquets. Does this teaching forbid us from ever having private parties? How does interpreting this teaching through the lens of kingdom ethics help us properly interpret this passage? How should this teaching affect our conduct within the church?
- In Luke 14:15-24 Christ presents a classic parable. In this parable, who does the man giving the banquet represent (v. 16)? Who does the servant who extends the invitation represent (v. 17)? Who does the first to be invited – those who made excuses – represent (vs. 18-20)? What does the command for the servant to go out to the streets and lanes to invite the poor and crippled represent (v. 21)? What does the command to go to the highways and hedges represent (vs. 22-23)? What is the primary meaning of this parable? What is a secondary meaning or application?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
Oct 24
6
- Who is our catechism talking about when it speaks of “the wicked”?
- What is meant by “the Day of Judgment”? When will this day be? What will happen on that day?
- Who will be raised bodily on the last day?
- What is hell?
- Must we say that hell is everlasting? What would you say to someone who claims that eternal punishment is unjust?
- What has Christ saved us to? What has Christ saved us from?
- How should this teaching affect how we think and the things we say and do?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
Oct 24
6
- Why did Christ heal?
- Why were the Apostles of Christ given this ability to heal?
- Why did some within the early church have the gift of healing?
- Does the gift of healing remain in the church today?
- Does God heal today?
- How does God heal?
- Should we expect that God will heal us?
- Why should we pursue healing when we are physically ill?
- How should we pursue healing?
Posted in Study Guides, Posted by
Joe.
