“We exist to worship the living God, to make disciples ...images.acswebnetworks.com/1/1567/CPCFoundations301studentgui… · Session One – Why Predestination Part I: A Blind People

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“We exist to worship the living God, to make disciples and to

build bridges into the Chapin community and the world.”

Foundations - 301

Chapin Presbyterian Church | 600 Old Lexington Hwy | Chapin, SC 29036

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*Special thanks to Assistant Pastor Jack Carmody for writing/compiling this material.

Thanks to Carrie Carmody, Debbie Doster, Allen Jones, Jackie Linder, Dan Ratchford, Josh Vahle, and Diana Smith for their assistance as well.

** All scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

Updated 4-6-14

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“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove

to be my disciples.” - John 15:8

Dear Chapin Presbyterian Family,

Welcome to our new discipleship curriculum! I hope you find this

study exciting and challenging in your walk with Jesus Christ.

Our church is committed to helping our people grow. We want to see

them grow from converts (baby Christians) to disciple (maturing

Christians) to makers of disciples (influencing Christians). Or course,

discipleship is more than just a course – it is a lifestyle, a decision to

follow Christ and allow the Spirit of God to change you. That being

said, a course like this one will help equip you in the foundations of the

faith. The Vision of Chapin Presbyterian Church is:

“We exist to worship the living God, to make disciples and to

build bridges into the Chapin community and the world.”

In short, our vision is COME, GROW, and GO. May God richly bless

you as you work your way through this study!

Pastor Dan

September 2013

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Contents

Session 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Why Predestination Part I: A Blind People

Session 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Why Predestination Part II: A Rescuing God

Session 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 God the Father

Session 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 God the Son

Session 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 God the Holy Spirit

Session 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Biblical Perspective on the End Times

Session 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Biblical Perspective on Suffering: Why?

Session 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Biblical Perspective on Suffering: Our Response

Session 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Biblical Perspective on Decision Making

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session One – Why Predestination Part I: A Blind People

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Goals of the Lesson

Point out that theology/doctrine matters.

Look at what "total depravity" means (and doesn't mean).

Discuss practical applications of total depravity.

Why Does Theology Matter?

"Predestination" can be an intimidating, scary, and divisive word. Over

the next two sessions we will look at this concept and how it applies to

our lives. It is important to say at the outset, that your agreeing with

the view of predestination held by our denomination (PCA) is not

essential for your salvation, nor required for church membership. We believe the doctrine of predestination is important and has many

ramifications for Christian practice, but it is by no means a litmus test.

Before we delve into this doctrine, it is going to be helpful to briefly

look at the idea of "theology" as a whole and its importance.

For Starters - Word Association

Quickly brainstorm and write down what comes to your mind when

you hear the word "theology."

Often times we relegate theology to the scholarly realm and fail to see

how it connects with everyday life. Many Bible studies will lead with

something like this: "we focus on the practical and try not to get into

much theology." What we do not realize is that theology has

everything to do with practical living. Webster's even defines theology

as, "the study of God and of God's relation to the world."1 Sounds

practical!

1 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theology


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Read

Read the following theological positions by some of the mainline

denominations. When finished, answer each question below.

Theology of the Bible

Today it is impossible to assume the historicity of the things recorded.

What the biblical authors report is not accepted as a literal transcript of

the factual events. Therefore, critical scholars inquire behind the text

and attempt to reconstruct the real history that took place.2

Theology of Salvation

I contend that God in fact saves the whole world and all peoples

through Jesus Christ alone and that this salvation extends to all,

including Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, etc. For where there is

love, there is God.3

Theology of Continuing Revelation

We believe in the principle of continuous revelation; that the canon of

scripture is not full, that God inspires men in every age and among all

people, and that He speaks when, where, and through whom He may

choose.4

Theology of Baptism

A sacrament of the New Law instituted by Jesus Christ, in which, as a

result of washing with water accompanied by the words ‘I baptize thee

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,’ a

human being is spiritually regenerated, and made capable of receiving

the other sacraments.5

Discuss

1. Explain the above theological position(s) in your own words.

2 Christian Dogmatics, pg 76.; Braaten,Jensen, Forde; 1984 3 http://www.elca.org/Living-Lutheran/Ask-a-Pastor/2013/05/130520 4 http://www.churchofchrist-tl.org/basicBeliefs.html 5 Attwater, Donald. 1961. A Catholic Dictionary. New York, NY: Macmillan, p. 45


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2. What impact does this position have on the way you live?

Many of the sessions in "Foundations 301" overtly emphasize theology.

However, if you have been paying attention through 101 and 201 you

would have noticed that theology has been interwoven throughout!

Key Concept

"Theology" is not something that is reserved for scholars writing in

their ivory towers. "Theology" is simply a set of beliefs that guide the

way we live. Thus, our theology has a major impact on our lives.


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What "Total Depravity" Is

The view of predestination held by our denomination has been

incorporated into the acronym TULIP:

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perseverance of the Saints

Broadly speaking, there are two views when it comes to this topic: the

Calvinist view and the Arminian view. The view held by our

denomination is the Calvinist view. For this session we will focus on

the "T" in TULIP, total depravity."

Read - Total Depravity Positions6

Arminian Position

Although human nature was seriously

affected by the fall, man has not been

left in a state of total spiritual

helplessness. God graciously enables

every sinner to repent and believe,

but He does not interfere with man’s

freedom. Each sinner possesses a free

will, and his eternal destiny depends

on how he uses it. Man’s freedom

consists of his ability to choose good

over evil in spiritual matters; his will

is not enslaved to his sinful nature.

The sinner has the power to either

cooperate with God’s Spirit and be

regenerated or resist God’s grace and

perish. The lost sinner needs the

Spirit’s assistance, but he does not

have to be regenerated by the Spirit

before he can believe, for faith is

man’s act and precedes the new birth.

Faith is the sinner’s gift to God; it is

man’s contribution to salvation.

Calvinist Position Because of the fall, man is unable in

and of himself to savingly believe the

gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and

deaf to the things of God; his heart is

deceitful and desperately corrupt. His

will is not free, it is in bondage to his

evil nature, therefore, he will not —

indeed he cannot — choose good

over evil in the spiritual realm.

Consequently, it takes much more

than the Spirit’s assistance to bring a

sinner to Christ — it takes

regeneration by which the Spirit

makes the sinner alive and gives him

a new nature. Faith is not something

man contributes to salvation but is

itself a part of God’s gift of

salvation— it is God’s gift to the

sinner, not the sinner’s gift to God.

6 "Five Points of Calvinism," Steel and Thomas, p. 16


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The Bible is our guide for all of life. With the above contrasting views

of humanity in mind, read the following passages. And answer the

questions below for each passage.

Read - Select Passages

Ephesians 2:4-5 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great

love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our

transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have

been saved),

Ephesians 5:8 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are

light in the Lord; walk as children of light

Jeremiah 17:9 9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is

desperately sick; Who can understand it?

Isaiah 64:6 6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And

all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither

like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Psalm 51:5 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my

mother conceived me.

John 8:34 34

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you,

everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

Discuss

1. According to this passage, what is the effect of sin on humanity?

2. Are we capable of seeking God on our own?


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3. Which view (Arminian or Calvinist) seems to resonate with these

verses?

What "Total Depravity" Is Not

Read Quote by RC Sproul

Total depravity means radical corruption. We must be careful to note

the difference between total depravity and "utter" depravity. To be

utterly depraved is to be as wicked as one could possibly be. Hitler was

extremely depraved, but he could have been worse than he was. I am

sinner. Yet I could sin more often and more severely than I actually do.

I am not utterly depraved, but I am totally depraved. For total depravity

means that I and everyone else are depraved or corrupt in the totality of

our being. There is no part of us that is left untouched by sin. Our

minds, our wills, and our bodies are affected by evil. We speak sinful

words, do sinful deeds, have impure thoughts. Our very bodies suffer

from the ravages of sin. 7

Key Concept

Westminster Confession 9.3 - Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has

wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying

salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good,

and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or

to prepare himself thereunto."

Optional Activity

The Arminian Rebuttal

It is important to point out that there are many capable scholars who

vehemently disagree with the Calvinist position (see "For Further

Study"). Read the Arminian counter argument below. The context of

this quote is the idea of being held captive to sin (depicted as a prison).

The authors agree with the Calvinist, in that they acknowledge that God

must break into the prison (grace), however their ending to the story is

looks radically different.

7 http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul/depravity.html


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Read Quote from "Why I Am Not a Calvinist"8

The classical Arminian believes that God steals into the prison and

makes it to the bedside of the victim. God injects a serum that begins

to clear the prisoner's mind of delusions and quell her hostile reactions.

God removes the gag from the prisoner's mouth and shines a flashlight

around the pitch black room... "Do you know where you are? Let me

tell you! Do you know who you are? Let me show you!" And as the

wooing begins the divine truth begins to draw on the prisoner's heart

and mind... "Do you see what they have done to you, and do you see

how you have given yourself to them?... Do you know who I am and

that I want you for myself... Can I show you the wondrous plans I have

for you in years to come?... Let me show you something-my hands,

they're a bit bloody. I crawled through an awful tangle of barbed wire

to get you." Now here in the newly created sacred space, in this

moment of new possibility, the Savior whispers, "I want to carry you

out of here right now! Give me your heart! Trust me!

Discuss

1. Re-read the Arminian position on page seven and notice the

similarities to the above quote. What is appealing about this

position?

2. The Arminian describes God as a "wooer." How far does God

woo someone in this view? How does this idea square with the

verses we looked at above in support of Calvinism (page eight)?

8 Walls and Dongell, Why I Am Not a Calvinist," p. 69


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3. Arminians often site passages like Luke 11:10 and Jeremiah 29:13

which appear to say that man is fully capable of choosing God on

his own (contra total depravity). Do these verses deny total

depravity? Could they be compatible with total depravity?

Key Concept

The Arminian position and the Calvinist position on Total Depravity

agree to a certain point. Both agree that mankind is sinful and God's

grace must break through. However, the Arminian position states that

God only "woos" people so far, and in the end, man is still able to

choose (or not choose) God.


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Who Cares?

We started off this session by making the case that theology and

practical living are connected. With all this talk about "Total

Depravity," what difference does this make in our lives? Read the

scenarios below and think about how the idea of "total depravity" can

help you process what is going on.

Read the Scenarios

1. You are sharing the gospel with a skeptic. You answer all his

questions perfectly (so you think) and have made a strong case that

the Gospel is the answer for him. You feel so certain he will

accept Christ but he does not. You wonder what you did wrong...

2. You turn on the news. The first story you see is about wall street

corruption. The second story is about a drug bust in a suburban

neighborhood. You start to feel very depressed at the state of the

world, but get a bit of a jolt when you see that "Sports" is next.

Sure enough, the bad news continues as you hear about yet another

professional athlete who is busted for steroids. You think to

yourself, why is the world like this...

3. You are a Christian and have struggled with anger (outbursts) since

your youth. You finally get to the place where you feel some

victory with the issue until you read in Sermon on the Mount that

Jesus says having anger (or any sin) inwardly is just as serious as

an outward expression. Discouraged, you think to yourself, "I

cannot believe that I am this much of a mess..."

Key Concept

The doctrine of total depravity does not lessen the sadness of living in a

broken world- but it does help to explain it.


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Wrapping Up

Takeaways

Have you learned anything new about "total depravity" from this

lesson?

If you find yourself lining up more in the Arminian camp, has anything

from this lesson challenged you?

For Further Study

Books:

"Why I Am Not an Arminian" by Michael Williams and

Robert Peterson

"Chosen By God" by RC Sproul

"Why I Am Not a Calvinist" by Jerry Walls and Joseph

Dongell (Arminian Perspective)

"Chosen But Free" by Norman Geisler (Arminian Perspective)

Article - "Total Depravity" by RC Sproul

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/tulip-and-reformed-theology-total-

depravity/

Watch - "What is Reformed Theology" by RC Sproul

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/what_is_reformed_theology/total-

depravity-part-1/

For Next Time

There is much more to be said about T-U-L-I-P that we will get into

next session.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Two – Why Predestination Part II: A Rescuing God

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Goals of the Lesson

Review "Total Depravity."

Examine "Unconditional Election."

Discuss how predestination relates to human responsibility.

Where Do We Stand?

Let's take a minute to review "total depravity" and transition into a look

at some other aspects of TULIP. In case you were wondering, the

Westminster Confession (cited below) is a set of doctrinal statements,

written in the 16th century, that our denomination holds too.

Review Total Depravity

Read Westminster Confession 9.3

Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to

any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being

altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his

own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.

Discuss

1. According to the confession, what is the effect of sin on humanity?

Are we able to choose God on our own?

2. If the Confession is correct in its assessment of humanity, what

kind of savior do we need (contrast with the Arminian concept of

"wooing" from last session)?

Key Concept

Sin has blinded humanity to the things of God. Apart from a

supernatural work of God, we are all incapable of choosing God. We

need to be rescued.


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Fact: if you believe in the Bible, you believe in Predestination, since

the word does appear numerous times in the Bible.

Ok, not so fast! The term "Predestination" is used many times in the

Bible, but it can be defined very differently. In this session, we will

look at the "U" in TULIP: Unconditional Election. While we will not

spend much time on the Arminian position, it is helpful to see the

contrast.

Read - Election Positions9

Arminian Position

Conditional Election

God’s choice of certain individuals

unto salvation before the

foundation of the world was based

upon His foreseeing that they

would respond to His call. He

selected only those whom He knew

would of themselves freely believe

the gospel. Election therefore was

determined by or conditioned upon

what man would do. The faith

which God foresaw and upon

which He based His choice was not

given to the sinner by God (it was

not created by the regenerating

power of the Holy Spirit) but

resulted solely from man’s will. It

was left entirely up to man as to

who would believe and therefore as

to who would be elected unto

salvation. God chose those whom

He knew would, of their own free

will, choose Christ. Thus the

sinner’s choice of Christ, not God’s

choice of the sinner, is the ultimate

cause of salvation.

Calvinist Position


God’s choice of certain individuals

unto salvation before the

foundation of the world rested

solely in His own sovereign will.

His choice of particular sinners was

not based on any foreseen response

or obedience on their part, such as

faith, repentance, etc. On the

contrary, God gives faith and

repentance to each individual

whom He selected. These acts are

the result, not the cause God’s

choice. Election therefore was not

determined by or conditioned upon

any virtuous quality or act foreseen

in man. Those whom God

sovereignly elected He brings

through the power of the Spirit to a

willing acceptance of Christ. Thus

God’s choice of the sinner, not the

sinner’s choice of Christ, is the

ultimate cause of salvation.

9 "Five Points of Calvinism," Steel and Thomas, p. 16


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Discuss

1. Compare and contrast the two positions. What do you notice?

What picture of God is painted by each?

2. If "Total Depravity" (Session One) holds, which view fits? Why?

3. On a personal level, what is your reaction to the Calvinist view?

Do you feel like God is "forcing" faith onto some people, while

unfairly disregarding others?

Our denomination believes that election is deeply rooted in scripture

and indeed is the foundational basis for how God relates to humanity.

Let's look at a few key examples:

Read select passages

Election of Jacob - Genesis 25:21-23, Joshua 24:2, Romans 9:9-16

Election of Israel - Deuteronomy 7:6-8, Deuteronomy 9:4-12,

Election of His Disciples - John 15:14-19

Election of Believers in General - John 6:44, 10:26-30, Ephesians 1:4-5

Election into the Book of Life - Daniel 12:1, Revelation 17:8, 21:27


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Discuss

1. What do these passages have in common? What does God base his

choice on (Ephesians 1:4-5 particularly)? What is it not based on?

2. After reading these passages what do you think about election?

3. As sons and daughter of God, what difference does an

understanding of our own helplessness before God, in conjunction

with His heart to rescue, make?

NOTE: Arminian theologians obviously interpret these texts

differently. For example, they might acknowledge God's election in

parts of the Bible, but relegate it to a specific time/place- not as a

paradigm for how God operates with individuals today. What do you

think?

Key Concept

Westminster Confession 3.5

Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the

foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and

immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His

will, has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free

grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or

perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as

conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His

glorious grace.


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What About Human Responsibility?

The issue that many raise with the Calvinist/Arminian discussion is that

of human responsibility. If God is the One in control, and God chooses

whom He will save, what happens to our free will? Are we no longer

responsible for our actions? It is the view of the PCA that the Bible

affirms the two truths in question: 1) God is in control over all things

(He is sovereign) and 2) We are responsible for our actions. The quote

below is a nice summary of this point.

Read Quote from "Why I Am Not An Arminian"10

Just as a small portion of an iceberg that breaks the surface of the

Atlantic indicates the existence of a much larger mass below the

waterline, which indeed buoys up that which is visible, so too God's

actions in our lives hint that there are depths to the providence of a

transcendent God that we cannot begin to fathom... Scripture tells us

that God loves His people with an infinite love, that His wisdom is

unfathomable and that He is unremittingly holy and good. It also tells

us that God is sovereignly over both evil and good. We do not know

how it is that God sovereignly directs and ordains our freely chosen

path and, yes, our sinful acts as well as the good that we do. Yet since

we have faith in His goodness, we will trust that God always has the

best reason for His plan.

Discuss

1. How do the authors in the above quote explain the tension created

between election and human responsibility?

10 Peterson and Williams, pp. 161-162


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2. Our denomination's view on human responsibility leaves much up

to mystery. How does that make you feel? Are there some things

about how the world works we can never know?

Key Concept

Holding the concepts of God's sovereignty and human responsibility

together might seem like a contradiction, yet the Bible affirms both.

How these two concepts relate is impossible to fully understand. There

are some things that our finite human minds simply cannot grasp.


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Wrapping Up

What about the "LIP" in TULIP? We just do not have time to cover TULIP fully in two sessions. Avail

yourselves of the resources at the end of this session (and last). Also,

we covered "Perseverance of the Saints" in 101 - Session Two.

Takeaways

After two weeks of thinking about this issue, where do you stand?

What questions do you have? Where do you need to go from here?

In what ways can you see this applying practically in your life?

For Further Study

Five Articles by R.C. Sproul on the five letters of TULIP

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/tulip-and-reformed-theology-introduction/

Read "A Sovereign and Personal God" by D.A. Carson

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/prayerchangest

hings.html

Listen to "Perseverance of the Saints" by Tom Schreiner

http://mp3.sa-media.com/filearea/32606184539/32606184539.mp3

For Next Time

For the next three sessions we will be looking at the three parts of the

Trinity.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Three – God as Father

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Goals of the Lesson

Examine the importance of seeing God as "Father."

Look at three aspects of God's Fatherly relationship and what

difference it makes for us.

What is at stake?

For Starters

Read Quote from a Pastor

Often the Bible refers to God as "Father." While this may have been

appropriate in years past, it is now necessary to move beyond such

language. Many people in our congregations have had earthly fathers

that have been absent, or even abusive. Also, in our politically correct

society, attributing a particular gender to God is offensive. Thus,

talking about God as "Father" is really no longer appropriate. Rather

than referring to God as "Father," we should stick with the more

generic "God" or "Lord," and in doing so avoid such issues.

Discuss

1. According to this quote, why is seeing God as "Father" dangerous?

What do you think about this point?

2. What do you think of the pastor's solution to this issue? What do

we lose when we fail to see God as a "Father?" What do we gain?

Key Concept

Understanding God as our "Father" is a very important concept.

Though we need to recognize the short comings of our earthly fathers,

we see God is our perfect father.


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The Father is Personal

We serve a big God! There are many images and metaphors for God in

the Bible (warrior, healer, rock, etc.). Each one of these images

communicate something about who God is and what he does. When

God is described as "Father," however, it is more than simply a

metaphor. God the Father is a unique Person in the Trinity (a concept

we will look at in session Five). Let's look at three important aspects of

seeing God as Father (realizing much more could be said):

1. The Father is personal

2. The Father loves

3. The Father disciplines

Read Quote on "Deism"11

Deism holds that God does not intervene with the functioning of the

natural world in any way, allowing it to run according to the laws of

nature. For Deists, human beings can only know God via reason and

the observation of nature, but not by revelation or supernatural

manifestations (such as miracles) – phenomena which Deists regard

with caution if not skepticism. Deism does not ascribe any specific

qualities to a deity beyond non-intervention. Deism credits the

formation of life and the universe to a higher power, using only natural

processes.

Discuss

1. In your own words, what is "deism?"

2. How has this view crept into the "church?"

11 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism#Features_of_deism (accessed February 18, 2014)


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3. Contrast the idea of seeing God as a "Father" with the concepts

presented in deism (Read these passages for help Luke 12:27-32,

Romans 8:28, 1 Timothy 2:4, Psalm 68:5-6).

Key Concept

Our Father is a personal God. He made us, loves us, takes care of us,

and wants a relationship with us.


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The Father Loves

Read 1 John 3:1 & Romans 5:6-9

1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that

we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason

the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Romans 5:6-9 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time

Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous

man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to

die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we

were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now

been justified 1a

by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God

through Him.

Discuss

1. These passages get us back to the very backbone of Christianity.

How is the Father's love on display here? What did His love

accomplish?

2. In Romans 5, Paul's audience (and us) is being contrasted to a

"righteous man" and a "good man." Where do we fit? How can

this analogy help us better appreciate God's love?


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3. The next chapter of Romans addresses a common issue arising

from the concept of God's love. Paul anticipates the question, "Are

we to continue in sin that grace might increase (Romans 6:1b)?"

How can a deeper understanding of the Father's love guard us from

abusing God's love?

Key Concept

As people who are born into sin, we do not deserve the love of God the

Father. However, God loves us anyway, and with a costly love.

Understanding his love should move us to worship him with our lives.


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The Father Disciplines

Read Hebrews 12:5b-11

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint

when you are reproved by Him; 6 For those whom the Lord loves He

disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives." 7 It is for

discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what

son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are

without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are

illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly

fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much

rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10

For they

disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He

disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 11

All

discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to

those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit

of righteousness.

Discuss

1. How are the Father's discipline and the Father's love related?

2. How the writers comparing God's discipline of us to (earthly)

parental discipline helpful?


27

3. Practically, what could the Lord's discipline look like? Why?

How do we know if we are being disciplined?

Key Concept

Just as a father disciplines his children, whom he loves, our heavenly

Father disciplines His children, whom He loves. Discipline, though it

can be painful, flows out of love. It is important to recognize that not

all pain/suffering is the result of discipline, but it is always wise to ask,

"Lord what could you be teaching me through X?"


28

Wrapping Up

Takeaways

What are one or two things you have taken away from this session?

For Further Study

Read "I Believe in God the Father Almighty" by Ligon Duncan

http://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/i-believe-in-god-

the-father-almighty/print

For Next Time

We will continue our study of the Trinity with a look at God the Son.

NOTES:

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Four – God the Son

29

Goals of the Lesson

Ask the question, "Who is Jesus?"

Ask the question, "What did Jesus come to do?

What Would Jesus Do? For Starters

Many of us have seen the popular

bracelets that have the initials

"WWJD," which stand for, "what

would Jesus do?" Lets evaluate this

concept.

Discuss

1. When do we ask this question?

What answers are we seeking?

2. When we ask this question, how are we seeing Jesus? What are we

asking of him? Is seeing Christ in this way appropriate? What are

the dangers here?

Key Concept

While Jesus was a tremendous example to us in terms of how we

should live our life, if we only see Christ as our example we lose the

essence of Christianity. Jesus was fully God and fully man, and came

to redeem the world.


30

Who is Jesus? Fully God

Before we can understand what Jesus came to do, we have to

understand who he is. Read the passage below with an eye for seeing

Jesus' divinity.

Read - Hebrews 1:1-4 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in

many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has

spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things,

through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the

radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His

nature, and 2b

upholds all things by the word of His power.

When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the

right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 having become as much

better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent

name than they.

Discuss

1. What does this verse say about the Son? What is He like? What

does He do?

2. Put it all together - what does this passage say about Jesus? See

also Philippians 2:6, John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:13-19.

Key Concept

Jesus Christ is fully God.


31

Who is Jesus? Fully Man

Jesus is not only fully God, but also fully man. Below are just a

sampling of passages that highlight Jesus' humanity.


Hebrews 4:15 15

For we do not have a high priest who cannot

sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all

things as we are, yet without sin.

Colossians 2:9-10 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in

bodily form,

John 11:33-35 33

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews

who came with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and

was troubled, 34

and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to

Him, "Lord, come and see." 35

Jesus wept.

John 4:6-7 6 and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied

from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth

hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to

her, "Give Me a drink."

Luke 2:52 52

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in

favor with God and men.

Discuss

1. Where do you see Jesus humanity in the above passages?


32

2. Did any of these passages surprise you? Trouble you?

3. Putting it all together - the Bible portrays Jesus as fully God and

fully man. This is a paradox! B. B. Warfield said of this concept,

"We can never hope to comprehend how the infinite God and a

finite humanity can be united in a single person." How does that

sit with you?

Key Concept

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is 100 % God and 100 % man.

Jesus is one person with two natures. How this union is possible is

beyond our grasp!


33

What Did Jesus Come to Do? Save Mankind

Why does it matter that Jesus was fully God and fully man? In order to

answer that question, and see how Jesus saves mankind, we have to

remember some of the points covered in Session 1. Humanity has

rebelled against God. More specifically, we owe a debt to God we can

never repay.

Read - Quote by John Stott12

Sin is lawlessness, a disregard for God's law and disobedience of it.

But the law cannot be broken with impunity. Sinners therefore incur

the penalty of their law breaking. They simply cannot be let off. The

law must be upheld, its dignity defended, and its just penalties paid.

Discuss

1. Why do we incur a penalty for breaking God's law? Why can't we

be "let off?" Think about the character of God.

2. How does the idea of sin deserving a "penalty" sit with you? Why

can this concept offensive to our culture?

Key Concept

When we sin, we break God's law. Since God is just, everyone who

breaks his law must be punished. There is no way for mankind to

escape this reality. If we are to be saved from God's just punishment

Someone must intervene.

12 Stott, Cross of Christ, p. 115


34

Let's put the pieces together. We have seen that Jesus is fully God and

fully man. We have seen the problem created by our sinfulness and the

need for divine intervention. That intervention comes in the person of

Jesus Christ.

Read - Quote by John Stott13

Our substitute, then, who took our place and died our death on the

cross... was God in Christ, who was truly fully both God and man, and

who on that account was uniquely qualified to represent God and man

and to mediate between them.

Discuss

1. In what sense is Christ our "substitute?"

2. In what sense was Christ "uniquely qualified?"

3. Seeing the importance of who Jesus is and what He came to do,

how damaging are attacks on Jesus' person (i.e. saying he was not

really God, or not really man)? Where do we see these attacks

today?

13 Stott, Cross of Christ, p. 156


35

4. Look at the graphic below. Describe what is happening? How

does continuing to see God's holiness as well as our sin, change the

way we see Jesus?

Key Concept

Our sins have indebted us to God with a debt we cannot pay. God sent

his only Son, the God-Man, to be our substitute, to pay the penalty our

sins deserve. A great understanding of God's holiness and our

sinfulness, then, should drive us to live holy lives.


36

Wrapping Up

Takeaways

What are some takeaways from this lesson?

For Further Study

Watch "Jesus the God-Man" by RC Sproul (part of a series)

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/understanding_the_gospel/jesus-

the-god-man/

NOTE: Above videos can be downloaded into audio format.

Read "the Work of Christ"

http://thegospelcoalition.org/pdf-articles/work_christ.pdf

Read "the Person of Christ"

http://thegospelcoalition.org/pdf-articles/ThePersonofChrist.pdf

For Next Time

We will talk about the Holy Spirit and also put everything together in a

brief look at the doctrine of the Trinity.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Five – God the Holy Spirit

37

Goals of the Lesson

Understand that the Holy Spirit is a person.

Examine the work of the Holy Spirit.

Discuss the practical application of the Holy Spirit.

Talk about the concept of the Trinity.

Holy Spirit as a Person

The Bible has a lot to say about the Holy Spirit. Once again, we will

not be exhaustive here. This first thing to tackle is a misconception

about the personal nature of the Holy Spirit. Before we look at the

Biblical data, read the quote below and discuss.

For Starters

Read Quote from a Pastor14

For years my concept of the Holy Spirit came right from the Star Wars

movies. I grew up when the original Star Wars movies were coming

out and I thought that the Holy Spirit was kind of like the Force that

Luke tapped into for power. If you have watched the movies you can

still hear OB1 Kenobi telling Luke to use the force in his fight against

evil. Luke goes deep into thought then has the ability to combine his

will with the force and ultimately overcome evil.

Discuss

1. What is being said about the Holy Spirit in this quote?

2. In your experience, what have you been taught about the Holy

Spirit? How does that teaching align with this quote?

14 http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-holy-spirit-john-braland-sermon-on-holy-

spirit-attributes-96557.asp


38

Though many of us may have preconceived notions about the Holy

Spirit, we must let the Bible speak to us. Read the passages below and

answer the questions. Pay careful attention to how the Holy Spirit is

described (we will look at what the Holy Spirit does later).


John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you

into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but

whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is

to come.

Ephesians 4:30 30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom

you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Romans 8:26 26

And in the same way the Spirit also helps our

weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit

Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

John 16:8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world

concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment;

John 14:17 17

that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot

receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know

Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love

of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Discuss

1. In looking at these passages, what are some things you notice

about who the Holy Spirit is? How is the Holy Spirit described?


39

2. Compare how these passages describe the Holy Spirit with the

quote we looked at earlier. What are the differences?

3. If the Holy Spirit is a person, what are the implications for us?

Key Concept

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force that permeates the universe.

The Holy Spirit is described in the Bible as a person. As a result,

believers can enjoy a personal relationship with Him.


40

Optional Activity

The Holy Spirit is God


1 Corinthians 2:10-11 10

For to us God revealed them through the

Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11

For

who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the

man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows

except the Spirit of God.

Psalm 139:7-8 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I

flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I

make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

Acts 5:3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie

to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4

"While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it

was sold, was it not1under your control? Why is it that you have

conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to

God."

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of

the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you

are not your own?

Discuss

What is being said about the Holy Spirit in these verses?

Key Concept

The Holy Spirit is a person, but is also divine (God).


41

Work of the Holy Spirit

Now that we have established that the Holy Spirit is a divine person,

we can look at what the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has

many roles and functions. We will look at a few of them and discuss

what work of the Holy Spirit is being highlighted:

Read/Discuss - Select Passages

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen,

nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared

for those who love him" - 10

these things God has revealed to us

through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths

of God.

Work of the Holy Spirit:

Ephesians 1:13-14 13

In him you also, when you heard the word of

truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed

with the promised Holy Spirit, 14

who is the guarantee of our

inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.


John 16:8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world

concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment;


2 Corinthians 3:17-18 17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the

Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18

And we all, with unveiled

face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the

same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from

the Lord who is the Spirit.


Romans 8:16-17 16

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit

that we are children of God, 17

and if children, then heirs - heirs of God


42

and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that

we may also be glorified with him.


Galatians 5:22-25 22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23

gentleness, self-control;

against such things there is no law. 24

And those who belong to Christ

Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25

If we live

by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.


Discuss

Did any of the works of the Holy Spirit surprise you? If so, why?

Key Concept

The purpose for which the Holy Spirit is given is, therefore nothing less

than the reproduction of the image of God, that is the transformation

into the likeness of Christ who himself is the image of God. To receive

the Spirit is to be inaugurated into the effects of this ongoing ministry.15

- Sinclair Ferguson

15 Ferguson, Holy Spirit, 92


43

Practical Application

Our theme for these first sessions of 301, which are more theological in

tone, has been that theology matters practically. Read the quote below

and discuss the practical application of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Read - Quote from ESV Study Bible

The ultimate goal of all of life is to know and love God, make him

known, and thereby glorify him. This goal is accomplished primarily

through the work of the Holy Spirit. Reading the Bible, going to

church, Christian fellowship, spiritual disciplines, service, and worship

are merely playing at religion if all of these activities are not

empowered, guided, and filled by the Spirit. If he is not present, even

these good things are fleshly, empty, and repugnant to God: “For if you

live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to

death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13).

Discuss

1. We have definitely stressed the importance of spiritual disciplines

in Foundations. What does this quote say about them in relation to

the Spirit? Do you agree?

2. Why is doing these things minus the Spirit referred to as "playing

religion?"

3. Do you consistently ask the Spirit to meet you in your daily life?

If not, what would inviting the Spirit look like for you?

http://www.esvbible.org/Romans+8.13/


44

Trinity

Putting it all together, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy

Spirit make up the Trinity. We do not have space to go into too much

depth on this concept, but merely want to touch it.

Read - Westminster Shorter Catechism Question Six

Q. How many persons are there in the godhead?

A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the

Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal

in power and glory.

Read - Scripture Proofs

Matthew 28:19 19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in1 the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit,

1 Peter 1:2 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the

sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for

sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

2 Corinthians 13:14 14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the

love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


45

Discuss

1. The Trinity is a doctrine that can be hard to wrap our minds

around. How does the above material help make sense of it?

2. Much could said for application here. Read Ephesians 1:1-14.

How do we see the three persons of the Godhead working

together?

Key Concept

We believe in one God that exists in three persons. However, we have

to humbly confess that it is well beyond our ability as finite beings to

fully understand this doctrine.


46

Wrapping Up

Takeaways


For Further Study

Watch "Mystery of the Trinity" by RC Sproul

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/mystery-of-the-trinity/

Watch "The Holy Spirit" by RC Sproul

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/the_holy_spirit/

NOTE: Both above series may be downloaded to audio as well.

Read "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by Kim Riddlebarger

http://wscal.edu/blog/entry/3468

For Next Time

We will transition away from the Trinity and talk about the Biblical

perspective on the end times.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Six - Biblical Perspective on the End Times

47

Goals of the Lesson

See a real objection to the idea of hell/judgment.

Look Biblically at hell/judgment.

Discuss the new heavens and new earth.

Hell and Judgment

For Starters

Read Quote by Clark Pinnock16

…the semiofficial position of the church since approximately the

sixth century has been that hell lasts forever and that human beings

thrown into it are tormented endlessly. To some, this has conveyed the

picture of unceasing physical burning, while to other in recent times the

torment has been re-imaged in terms of mental and psychological

suffering. Whatever the image, the traditional understanding of hell is

unspeakably horrible. How can one imagine for a moment that the God

who gave his Son to die for sinners because of his great love for them

would install a torture chamber somewhere in the new creation in order

to subject those who reject him to everlasting pain?

Discuss

1. What is Pinnock saying about hell/judgment? Why does he feel

this way?

2. What is your reaction to this quote? Can you sympathize with

Pinnock? Have you heard something like this before?

16 Quoted in Robert Peterson, "Hell Under Fire," p. 8. Pinnock is a theologian.


48

The idea of hell and judgment are not popular today, and indeed they

can be hard to grasp. However, it is impossible to fully understand the

topic of the end times without coming to grips with the Bible's view on

God's judgment.

Read - Matthew 25:31 - 26:1

31

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with

him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32

Before him will be

gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another

as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33

And he will place

the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34

Then the King will

say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father,

inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave

me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36

I was naked and

you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you

came to me.' 37

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord,

when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you

drink? 38

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or

naked and clothe you? 39

And when did we see you sick or in prison

and visit you?' 40

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you,

as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed,

into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42

For I was

hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no

drink, 43

I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you

did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44

Then

they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or

thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister

to you?' 45

Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as

you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into

eternal life."

Discuss

1. When Jesus comes back, what two groups does he make? What is

their destination?


49

2. Who do the "sheep" and the "goats" represent? What seems to be

the criteria for the separation? Giving to the poor (see 1 John 4:15-

17)?

Read - Christopher Morgan Quote17

In the present, justice does not totally prevail. Most criminals seem to

be punished here and now, but some go free. Some seem to get what

they deserve while others suffer minimally. Mark Talbot is on the

mark: "Hitler, as the ultimate perpetrator of the Nazi Holocaust, ought

not to be able to escape being brought to account for his crimes against

humanity by just blowing out his brains... Indeed, something would be

profoundly wrong with a world, where its Hitlers could, when the time

of reckoning drew near, step off in nescience."

Discuss

1. How does this quote help explain hell? Why do we "need" hell on

some level?

2. Practically, how can a thorough understanding of God's judgment

help us to navigate injustice we see in the world (and personally)?

Key Concept

God is holy and just, and as a result His judgment is a reality. When

Christ comes back He will judge the nations. Whoever believes in

Jesus will inherit eternal life, and those who do not will be sent to hell.

17 Hell Under Fire, p. 209


50

The New Heavens and New Earth

Read - "Paradise Regained" by Keith Mathison18

Where do believers go when they die? If you ask any Christian this

question, the response will likely be: “Why, they go to heaven of

course.” But if you then ask them, “Where do believers go after they go

to heaven?” there is a strong probability that your question will be

answered with a quizzical expression of surprise. “What do you mean,

where do believers go after they go to heaven? They just go to heaven,

right?” Well, actually no, not according to Scripture.

According to Scripture, the soul of a believer does go to be present with

the Lord in heaven when he or she dies. But this is only an intermediate

state, and the intermediate state is just that — intermediate, or “in-

between.” It is not the final state or the ultimate future of believers. The

ultimate future of the believer is the resurrection of the body at the

Second Coming of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15). On that glorious Day, the

soul and the raised and transformed body of the believer will be one

again as God originally created them to be. Not only will our bodies

and souls be freed from the remnants of sin, the heavens and earth will

be renewed and freed from the curse of sin as well (Rom. 8:18–25).

This new earth, in which righteousness dwells, will be our home.

Modern Christian pop-eschatology has largely obscured this blessed

hope by positing a rather Platonic view of the afterlife in which the

souls of believers exist in an eternal state of disembodied bliss, floating

among the clouds and playing harps. This has occurred because the

doctrine of the resurrection of the body, which is central to Paul’s

proclamation of the Gospel, and the corresponding doctrine of the new

heavens and earth have not received the same attention in our preaching

as they did in the preaching of the apostles.

As Paul explains so eloquently in Romans 8, our eager desire for the

redemption of our bodies is intimately connected with our hope for the

redemption of the entire creation from the ravages of sin. The doctrine

of the new heavens and earth, then, is not a peripheral doctrine or a

side-issue. It is a key element in the redemptive work of God. It defines

the eternal state in which we shall live with Christ forever.

NOTE: See also Revelation 21:1-4, Isaiah 65:17-25, Apostles Creed

18 http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/paradise-restored/

http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor.%2015

http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom.%208.18%E2%80%9325


51

Discuss

1. According to the article, what is "heaven?" What happens "after

heaven?"

2. What are some key elements in the new earth?

3. Is this a new idea for you? Why do you think this is not preached

more often?

4. Practically, what difference does it make that when Christ comes

back, we will dwell on a new "Earth" rather than "floating among

the clouds playing harps?"

Key Concept

When believers die, their souls go to heaven. However, their final

destination is the new earth, where we will live, with glorified bodies,

forever with Christ after he comes again. This new earth will be free

from sin and decay.


52

Wrapping Up

Takeaways

Has this session changed how you look at heaven? Hell?


For Further Study

Read the article "The New Day" by David King

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/new-day/

Watch/Listen to "Heaven," series by R.C. Sproul

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/heaven/

Read the book "Hell on Trial" by Robert Peterson

For Next Time

We will start a two-part series on suffering.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Seven – Biblical Perspective on Suffering: Why?

53

Goals of the Lesson

Remind ourselves of what we know about God.

Remind ourselves of the effects of the fall.

Remind ourselves of the hope we have in Christ.

Naming the Tension

For Starters

Read - Quote by David Hume

“Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is

he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and

willing? Whence then is evil?”

Discuss

1. What is this quote saying? Why can the presence of suffering

challenge what we think about God?

2. What is your reaction to this quote? Can you sympathize?

The problem of evil/suffering is intensely personal for all of us. In the

next two sessions we will examine this issue. Confession: there is

MUCH we do not know about the problem of evil/suffering. However,

the Bible does tell us many things that can help us as we try to look for

answers. In the next session we discuss how we should respond to

suffering in our own lives and in the lives of others.


54

What Do We Know About God?

Read – Psalm 136:1-7

Discuss

1. Make observations from the passage. What truths about God do

you see?

2. While this passage does not tell us why evil/suffering exist, how do

the truths expressed relate to the issue?

Key Concept

The reason why evil/suffering exist has puzzled philosophers and

theologians for generations. As Bible believing Christians, we know

the reason can't be because God isn't loving, or good, or powerful.


55

What Do We Know About the Fall? We have talked about the Fall of man and its effects very extensively

over the course of Foundations. We want to emphasize again that our

rebellion against God has HUGE consequences.

Read – Genesis 3:14-18


56

Discuss

1. Who are the characters present in this passage? What happens to

each as a result of the fall?

2. What does this passage say about the earth? How has sin effected

the ground?

3. Think about all the different areas where suffering is a reality.

How can the Fall of man make sense of these?

4. To put our sin in perspective, how much suffering would be wiped

away if we really treated our neighbor as our self?

Key Concept

Suffering can be traced back to the Fall. Because of sin, nothing in this

world works the way it should. Everything is broken. Why did God

allow the Fall? Why does Satan exist? Those are questions we cannot

answer.


57

Making All Things New

Read - Revelation 21:1-4 and Quote 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the

first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the

holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice

from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with

man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,2 and God

himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear

from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be

mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have

passed away."

“In light of heaven, the worst suffering on earth will be seen to be no

more serious than one night in a bad hotel.” - Saint Teresa of Avila

Discuss

1. Here the apostle John describes a new heavens and a new earth.

What are some of the promises spoken of?

2. How can these verses give us comfort during times of suffering?

Key Concept

When Christ comes back, suffering will be wiped out. God also

promises to right all the wrongs that were committed in this life.


58

Wrapping Up

Takeaways

How has this session changed the way you look at suffering?


For Further Study

Watch "Doubting Sessions" by Dr. Jay Sklar

http://journeyon.net/media/doubting-sessions

Read the Book - How Long O’Lord? Reflections on Evil and Suffering,

by D.A. Carson

Listen to "A Pastoral Theology on Evil and Suffering" by D.A. Carson

http://56fa3aff5991ad0e899f-

f1ddfc1ea867949245a8ca2f18697fd0.r64.cf1.rackcdn.com/SpurgeonCa

rson_Oct1408.mp3

For Next Time

We will look at how we are to respond to evil and suffering.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Eight – Biblical Perspective on Suffering: Our Response

59

Goals of the Lesson

Examine three common responses to suffering.

Discuss the best response to suffering.

Real Suffering

We are going to do things a bit differently this session. Read the

(fictional) scenario below about Sandy and her situation. Sandy has

three friends who give her advice. Each friend's response reveals what

they believe about who God is and how He works. We will also use

what each friend says as a way to think about how we respond to

suffering.

Read - Scenario

Sandy and her family have fallen on tough times. She lost her job last

month. Her husband had already been out of work for several months

leaving her as the sole income provider. They have some savings but

with her out of work they will burn through what little money they have

very quickly. They also have two kids, one of which has special needs.

Sandy and her husband are believers but they find this season of life

particularly challenging for them. Sandy has three close friends,

Rhonda, Sam, and Mary Ann, who decide to take her out to lunch to

encourage her through these trials. As they were about to finish lunch

they went around the table and each shared some wisdom with Sandy.


60

Repent?

Read - Rhonda's Response

The Bible tells us that we "reap what we sow," so I would take some

time and ask the Lord to show you any areas in your life that might not

be pleasing to Him. I bet you have a hidden sin in your life. God is

calling you to repentance.

Discuss

1. What is Rhonda's perspective on suffering (and God)?

2. Read Luke 13:1-5 (also John 9:2-3). Is there truth in what she is

telling Sandy? Where does she err?

3. What do you think is going through Sandy's mind as she is hearing

this?

Key Concept

God disciplines the one's he loves (Hebrews 12:6). However, we

should rarely assume we know specifically when that is happening.

We do know that God uses all things (blessing or suffering) to call us to

repentance.


61

You Can Handle It?

Read - Sam's Response

Sandy, God has made you to be a strong woman. Every time I hear that

song, "God can't give you more than you can handle" I think about you.

I know you can persevere through this if you try.

Discuss

1. What is Sam's perspective on suffering (and God)?

2. This idea that God "won't give us more than we can handle"

supposedly comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13. Read the passage. Is

Sam right?


this?

Key Concept

God gives us more than we can handle all the time. God's desire is that

we look to Him for strength and peace in our trails, and not look to

ourselves.


62

Could Be Worse?

Read - Mary Ann's Response

Sometimes it helps to put this in perspective. There are a lot worse

things going on in the world today. Think about the starving children

in Africa. You really should count your blessings.

Discuss

1. What is Mary Ann's perspective on suffering (and God)?

2. One way to read the Psalms is to read them as "model" prayers.

Read Psalm 3. What picture of God is painted? What is David

praying for?


this?

Key Concept

Whatever we are going through, if we look hard enough, we can surely

find someone else who has it worse. However, this fact does not negate

the seriousness of our pain/suffering. God takes all suffering seriously.


63

Applying the Principles

So we have seen all the wrong responses to suffering. So how should

we respond when someone we know is suffering? The answer is

simple, and often overlooked.

Read Romans 12:15 and Quote

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

"Job's friends were great counselors... until they opened their mouths."

- Tullian Tchividjian

Discuss

1. What is the advice of Paul in Romans 12:15?

2. Think back to the story of Job. What is Tchividjian getting at?

3. Why do we feel the need to say something to people when they are

suffering? Can you see the value of listening, rather than

speaking?

Key Concept

What people really need when they are suffering is a friend. They need

someone who will listen to them, weep with them, and pray with them.


64

Wrapping Up

Takeaways

How have you been challenged in your way of responding to suffering?


For Further Study

Listen to "Tears, Truth, Anger, and Grace" by Tim Keller (sermon

delivered after 9/11)

http://download.redeemer.com/rpcsermons/tragedy/Truth_Tears_Anger

_and_Grace.mp3

Watch "What Not To Say To Someone Who Is Suffering"

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2014/02/18/what-not-to-say-to-

someone-whos-suffering/

For Next Time:

We wrap up 301 with a look at decision making.

NOTES:

CCPPCC FFoouunnddaattiioonnss -- 330011 Session Nine – Biblical Perspective on Decision Making

65

Goals of the Lesson

Recognize that decision making can be a challenge.

Examine three means God uses to show us his will.

See the hope we have in our decisions.

Challenge of Decision Making

We believe that God has a will and a plan for our lives. However, our

challenge is to see His will, and line ours will up with it... easier said

than done! Read the scenario below and talk about Suzanne's approach

to finding God's will.

For Starters

Read this Scenario19

Suzanne needs direction from the Lord. She has saved a little money,

and wants to invest it for her retirement. Recently someone talked to

her about annuities and other retirement strategies, but much of it was

over her head. She has also heard from her alma matter, which is

looking for people to invest in their childhood education program, and

several Christian organizations have appealed to her for gifts. Not

knowing what to do, she sits down in her chair and opens her Bible.

"I need You to tell me what do to, Lord," she prays silently. "Show me

through your word." Then she picks up her Bible, flips it open to a

page, and begins reading.

"But Jesus said, 'Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from

coming to me.'" Suzanne takes this as God's leading that she is to

invest in children's ministries and decides to send her money to the

college.

Discuss

1. What choices does Suzanne face with her money? Why is

Suzanne struggling with this decision?

19 Bruce Waltke, "Finding the Will of God, " p. 6


66

2. What do you think of her decision making process? What are the

dangers? Have you ever done something like this?

3. What other challenges do you face in thinking about finding God's

will when making a decision?

Key Concept

Finding God's will in terms of our decision making process can be a

real challenge. Ever since the fall of Genesis 3, our communication

with God has been tainted by sin. However, God still reveals himself

to us in many ways, some of which we will see in this session.


67

Look at Yourself20

With any decision we face there is much to take into account. God can

reveal His will to us we look inward. While we should never stop

there, it can be a good starting point. Let's look at two aspects of

looking inward and see some benefits (and pitfalls).

Abilities/Gifting

Read - Acts 6:1-3 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a

complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their

widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the

twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not

right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,

pick out from among you seven men of good

repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this

duty.

Discuss

1. How are the twelve apostles taking spiritual gifts into

consideration with their decision to appoint deacons? How can we

apply this principle?

2. What are the dangers in looking at our own spiritual gifts and how

they relate to our decisions?

20 Much of the framework for this session comes from the book "Finding the Will of

God," by Bruce Waltke


68

Personal Desires

Read - Select Verses

Romans 1:11-12 11

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you

some spiritual gift to strengthen you - 12

that is, that we may be

mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Romans 15:20 20

and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel,

not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's

foundation,

Philippians 1:21-23 21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet

which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23

I am hard pressed between the

two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Discuss

1. From the verses above, where do we see the personal desires of

Paul shine through? Do you think his desire influenced his

decisions?

2. Our desires are clearly valuable and should be taken into account.

Read Jeremiah 17:9. What are the dangers of relying too much on

our own desires?

3. Do you think you rely too much or not enough on your own

desires?

Key Concept

We should always take our desires into account when making a

decision. However, they must also be tested, as we will see next.


69

Read Your Bible

The scriptures are vitally important in our decision making. Read the

passage and quote below and discuss the questions.

Read Verses and Quote

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and

profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in

righteousness, 17

that the man of God may be competent, equipped for

every good work.

Psalm 37:4 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the

desires of your heart.

"Too many Christians spend time trying to divine the will of God, I

ask, 'How much time have you spent reading your Bible?' To know

what pleases God- what His desires are- you must know His heart." -

Bruce Waltke

Discuss

1. According to 2 Timothy 3, why is reading the Bible so important

to our decision making process?

2. What is Waltke getting at in his quote? Why is he stressing the

importance of the Bible? How does that work with Psalm 37?


70

3. Have you ever thought about the importance of the Bible in your

decision making? What difference could you see that making?

Read - Helpful Questions to Ask:

Does this course of action correlate with the word of God?

Does it speak directly to this issue? Example: If I feel led to

sell everything I own, where does that leave the family I am

called to support (1 Timothy 5:8)?

Can the Bible give me any wisdom? Example: I am a new

believer but want to be a leader in the church, is that wise (1

Timothy 3:6)?

Does this course glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31)?

Does this decision fulfill the great commission (make

disciples)?

Does this course of action steward my time well (Psalm

90:12)? Example: Learning to play the oboe may seem fun,

but is it the best stewardship of time?

Does this course of action blatantly lead me (or someone else) to sin?

Does it violate a commandment? Example: If Sunday is the

Sabbath, is this decision causing me to miss out on worship?

Am I causing someone else to stumble (Romans 14)?

Example: Could my choice of clothing lead someone to look

at me inappropriately?

Key Concept

God uses His word to reveal Himself, and His will, to us. The more we

read His word the better in tune we will be with His heart.


71

Seek Counsel

Read - Verses from Proverbs and Quote

Proverbs 19:20 20

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you

may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 11:14 14

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an

abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15 15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a

wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 15:22 22

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers

they succeed.

"Christian brothers and sisters can keep us accountable to live as

Christians in an unchristian world. They ask us hard questions, offer a

new perspective, and be used by God to influence our lives. We can

seek their counsel when we are unclear from scripture what God would

have us do and unsure of our God-given desires." - Bruce Waltke

Discuss

1. What kinds of things does Proverbs say about the importance of

seeking wise counsel?

2. What benefit does Waltke see in seeking counsel?

3. What are dangers of seeking counsel from others?


72

4. Do you seek counsel from others on a regular basis? Do you have

someone in your life you can talk with?

Key Concept

God uses the body of Christ to reveal His will to us. To fail to seek

counsel (or seek it and ignore it) is to reject a God-given resource

availed to us!


73

Make the Decision

You may have noticed that we do not have a full section on prayer in

this session. To relegate prayer to simply one step in the process would

be to undercut its' power. We want to encourage you to see prayer as

something that is woven into the whole process of your decision.

Much more could be said on this issue but the material here is

definitely a good start. You must take all these different areas into

consideration when making a decision. However, there is one more

truth that is important to leave you with which is summed up nicely

below:

Read -Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 7:

Q: What are the decrees of God?

A: The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the

counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, he hath fore-ordained

whatsoever comes to pass.

Discuss

1. What is the main idea that the catechism is getting across here?

2. How does this truth comfort us in our decisions?

Key Concept

There comes a time to prayerfully make a decision. We must

remember that no matter what we decide, God loves us, and us in

control.


74

Wrapping Up

Takeaways

How has this session changed the way you look at decision making?

What will be the most challenging aspect for you in terms of applying

this lesson?

For Further Study

Read - "How God Guides" by J.I. Packer

http://www.munichurch.de/sermons/2008-08-

31_Packer%20How%20God%20Guides.pdf

Read the Book "Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion" by Bruce

Waltke

Listen to "God's Will Conference" Audio - Five Lectures

http://godswillconference.com/resources/

Documents

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