Simply Disciples Podcast

1. What are common answers to “what is faith” (whether from this podcast or statements that you’ve heard)?

2. How does the Bible define faith? Read and discuss Hebrews 11:1, 6; Eph 2:8-9.

3. Westminster Shorter Catechism #86 gives a great summary of the Bible’s teaching on Faith - “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.” Heidelberg Catechism #21 also provides a great summary - “True faith is a sure knowledge where I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word. At the same time it is a firm confidence that not only to others, but also to me, God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation, out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits. This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel.” What are the important aspects in these summaries of the Bible’s teaching on faith?

4. How does the Bible’s definition of faith differ from the common cultural understanding of faith?

5. The podcast discussed the importance of the three parts of faith: knowledge (how God has revealed himself in Scripture), belief (not just knowing facts, but believing them), and trust (resting and dependence on truth). In your own life, how do you see this play out in your own faith in God (whether positively or negatively)?

1. What are common answers to the questions “How can a sinful human be right with a holy and righteous God?” and “If you were to die tonight and meet God, why should he give you eternal life in heaven?”

2. The podcast discussed various views of salvation including Pelagianism, a cosmic scale of justice, Roman Catholic, and Arminian. What’s a common thread in all of these views?

3. We believe the Bible answers the question of how a sinful human can be right with a holy God with the doctrine of Justification. Read and discuss Rom 3:21-26, Rom 4:4-8, 5:9, 8:31-33, Gal 2:15, 1 Cor 1:30, 2 Cor 5:21.

4. Westminster Shorter Catechism #33 gives a great summary of the Bible’s teaching on Justification - “Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardons all of our sin, and accepts us as righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.” What are the important aspects of this doctrine?

5. Why is this doctrine so important!?

1. The podcast defined predestination as “the biblical teaching that God sovereignly chooses, before the foundation of the world, who he will save through his Son Jesus and because of that who will receive eternal life”. This raises questions about free will. Do we have free will if God chooses who will be saved?

2. How did this podcast explain our free will?

3. Do you have trouble embracing predestination? If so, why?

4. Sometimes we talk about predestination as a “secondary issue.” Read Ephesians 1.3-11 again. Do you believe Paul would have considered predestination a “secondary issue?”

5. Rather than treating predestination with skepticism, Paul treats it as something to be praised. Read Ephesians 1.11-14. Why do you think Paul is so filled with praise when talking about predestination?

1. Why is this a controversial doctrine?

2. This podcast discussed the two views of the nature of humans - basically good (Pelagianism) or sinful and fallen. What are some of the differences between these two views?

3. Discuss how does the Bible speaks of predestination in Rom 8:28-30, Eph 1:3-11, John 15:13-19? Was it helpful to also consider predestination in the OT passages of Gen 18:18-19 and Deuteronomy 7:6-8?

4. Why is grace such an important part of the conversation when it comes to predestination?

5. Why should the doctrine of predestination be comforting to God’s people?

1. Prior to this podcast, how were you taught about the manifestation of Spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing, apostleship, tongues (aka the Sign Gifts)?

2. Discuss the differences between the Continuationist view and Cessationist view with respect to the manifestation of spiritual gifts in the church today. Was it helpful to think through the differences?

3. When it comes to the manifestation of the spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing, apostleship, and tongues (aka sign gifts), many Christians point to the book of Acts for proof that those gifts should still exist today. But what was the purpose of these gifts in the time of Acts? Further, why was the time of Acts a special time in the history of God’s people? (hint: what prophecies in the OT and what promise of Jesus was being fulfilled?)

4. What else was helpful in this podcast?

1. What or who has shaped your views on spiritual gifts leading up to this podcast?

2. What is the danger in looking to personal experiences to shape our understanding of the purpose for spiritual gifts?

3. Read 1 Cor 12.4-7, Rom 12:6, 1 Pet 4:10, Eph 4:11-13 and discuss what spiritual gifts are and what is the purpose of spiritual gifts? (this podcast proposed a definition of spiritual gifts - “a spiritual gift is an ability… graciously given… by God…for service to build up the church.” )

4. What else stood out to you in this podcast?

1. Did you resonate with any of the misunderstandings of the work of the Holy Spirit that this podcast mentioned (i.e. always spectacular, works apart from Scripture, always spontaneous)?

2. The podcast highlighted the work of the Holy Spirit in the OT in creation, inspiration of Prophets, and equipping/enabling God’s servants. Read and discuss Gen 1:1-2; Isaiah 61:1; Judges 13:25; Isaiah 11:2)

3. The podcast highlighted the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament in teaching us truth, giving us spiritual life, and uniting us to Christ. Read and discuss John 14:15-ff and John 16:4-15. What was shared in the podcast regarding these verses that was helpful to you?

4. Why is a proper understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit crucial for our daily lives?

1. Were you taught about the Holy Spirit in your past in ways that differ from the teaching in this podcast?

2. Why do you think there is confusion about the Holy Spirit today?

3. The Nicene Creed is a summary of the Scriptures. What is the Nicene Creed seeking to make clear about the Holy Spirit?

4. Read and discuss what the Scriptures teach about the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-26 and John 16:7-15.

5. (Optional if you have time) Read and discuss what we learn about the Holy Spirit in Eph 4:30; Rom 15:30; Rom 8:27; 1 Cor 2:11 and 12:7-11; Matthew 28:19; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14.

6. Why is clarity about the Holy Spirit important for our daily lives?

1. What does the Bible teach about the resurrection of Christ? Is it mythical or just a spiritual metaphor? (read and discuss 1 Cor 15:1-19)

2. How does 1 Cor 15 (and other portions of Scripture) answer the objections that the people who saw Jesus were just hallucinating, or that it was made up by the disciples?

3. Is it enough for a Christian to claim that the resurrection is true because Jesus lives within our heart? What is at stake if Jesus did not rise bodily from the grave after his crucifixion?

4. The Scriptures boldly declare that Jesus rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and is alive at the right hand of the Father. What are the implications? (read and discuss Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1 Thes 4:13-18; Rev 1:7; John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; Mt 24:42-44; etc.)

How would you respond to the following questions:

1. “Isn’t God unfair to punish Jesus, as a substitute, in our place?” (Rom 6:23; Heb 4:15; John 3:16; John 10:18)

2. “Isn’t God’s reaction to sin disproportionate to the crime? Does sin really deserve eternal hell and punishment? (Rom 1:18ff)

3. “How can an eternal penalty be paid for by one act of suffering for a few hours by one man, Jesus?” (How does the fact that God is eternal and infinite play into this question?)

4. “If Jesus died for my sins, why do I still feel guilty?” (discuss objective guilt vs subjective guilt)

5. In light of all this glorious truth, how should we respond?