SEPTEMBERS HOME GROUP 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER SEVEN

JOY TO THE WORLD

1. Christmas is coming! What gives you joy at Christmas? What do you understand by 'a profound kind of pleasure that the world can imitate but never reproduce' (Page 117)

2. Read Revelation 12. what impact does this have on the way you see the Christmas story?

3. 'Jesus is the last Adam, the true Israel, the finally faithful son of David.' (Page 123) How can these titles help us explain the gospel?

4. What does Union with Christ mean? How do you come into Union with Christ? What is the importance of being in Union with Christ?

5. Justification means 'just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned' - why is this only half the story? What difference does knowing the 'second-half' make to you?

JUNE HOME GROUPS CORE CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER 6

GOD MADE A PROMISE

1. What are some of the difficulties we encounter as we read the Old Testament?

2. What has encouraged you to read the Old Testament and what has helped you to do so?

3. What are some of the great promises God has made in the Old Testament?

4. What are the main differences between the Abrahamic Covenant and the Sinai Covenant?

5. David sinned greatly in committing adultery and murder. Why did the Davidic Covenant still stand?

6. What is 'new' about the New Covenant?

MAY HOME GROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER FIVE

GOD MADE THE WORLD BUT WE'VE MADE A MESS OF IT.

Question 1: Has anyone ever said to you that they do not believe in God because of the way the world is, the terrible things that happen?

Question 2: In your own words say what a covenant is and what is meant by Eschatology?

Question 3: Were Adam and Eve real people? Were they the first people or was there a pre-Adamic race? 

Question 4: On page 85 Mike says that Adam and Eve should have driven God's enemy (the serpent) from God's garden. Is he right? Did they sin before they eat the fruit in not driving the serpent out?

Question 5: What is evil?

Question 6: What is original sin? 

Question 7: What do you understand by 'Total Depravity'? 

APRIL HOME GROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER FOUR

GOD SPEAKS

1. Why did God give us the Bible?

2. Has God spoken to you or someone you know?

3. What is preaching? 

4."The gospel....is of earth-shaking and life-changing significance" (Horton). Share two references with the group that show this is so. 

5."The main thing is to hear God address us regularly through the ministry of fellow believers who are called by God to study and proclaim his Word"(Horton). What ways do you find helpful in hearing God speak through his word?

6. What makes the Bible a founding and ruling constitution for the church?

7. For what reasons do Christians assert that the Bible is inspired by God? (Sinclair Ferguson's book "From the Mouth of God" is helpful on this). 

8. How should Christians deal with differences when interpreting the Bible?

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE HISTORY THEN THIS IS THE HISTORY SERIES FOR YOU!

REFORMATION 500 - It all begun in 1517.

Not everyone finds history to be compelling reading. For some the idea of reading a whole book on the Reformation seems more like a slow form of torture than a joyful experience. Well here is a way of learning about the Reformation and the Puritans who followed that may surprise you by how much you like it and leave you wanting more.

The Christian Institute are showing a series of 12 lectures, each is around 24 minutes long, by Michael Reeeves. (Co-author of 'Why the Reformation Still Matters'.) This week is the 3rd one in the series. You can catch up here:

 http://www.christian.org.uk/resources/series/the-english-reformation-and-the-puritans/

Happy watching and listening! 

CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING

"Counseling Through the Lens of Scripture" is the aim of the 'CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING & EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION' or as it is known 'CCEF'.

Their web site is a great resource giving help on many different issues. Whilst they charge for many of their resources there is also some that is free. you can find it on:

https://www.ccef.org/

After a four year break they have just resumed their podcasts. These are all free. A recent one is on Transgender Issues.

MARCH HOMEGROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER 3

GOD IS GREAT AND GOOD

1. What is your favourite hymn or song that speaks about some of God's attributes?

2. Name one thing about God from the chapter that excites you and say why it does.

3. How may knowing about God's aseity, unity, immutability and eternity affect our Christian life?

4. What are some things God cannot do?

5. Discuss some reasons why people may feel that God is not great or good.

6. If God is great and good, how can there be so much evil in the world?

7. How are. the cross and resurrection central to showing God's greatness and goodness?

Remember to watch the 'Core Christianity' lesson on the web site.  

My thanks to Janet Proud for good suggestions for some of the questions.