Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
Ice-Breaker:
- What has been the most interesting part of the last three weeks on church history to you?
Discussion Questions:
- This week, Clayton delved further into the age of REFORMATION. This was when several reformers rose up to correct theology of the Roman Catholic Church and clearly define the doctrines, or the pillars, of the protestant faith. The first one they defined was Sola SCRIPTURA, or SCRIPTURE alone. This is the belief that only Scripture, because it is God’s inspired Word, is our inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the church. Sola Scriptura teaches us, in the end, that all other authorities in the Christian life serve underneath Scripture, while Scripture alone rules over other authorities, for it alone is God’s inspired, inerrant, and sufficient word. This means all other Popes, preists, Christian leaders, pastors, teachers, books, etc. are subservient to Scripture. They are secondary. Everything and everyone must submit to the truth of God's Word. Think of a good Christian book that has been impactful on your life. What are the dangers of valuing that writing on the same level as Scripture? How conscious are you of the fact that we, as believers, should check and test everything we hear or read against the truth of the Bible?
- Next, we talked about Sola GRATIA, or GRACE alone. Grace alone is the belief that we are saved by God’s grace alone apart from any work or merit on our part before or after salvation. Grace is receiving what you did not earn or work for. Grace is receiving what you do not deserve! In order to truly receive God's forgiveness, grace and mercy, we must first come to the realization that we are incapable of earning anything from Him. This is a truly humbling experience, and one we must remind ourselves of on a daily basis. The truth is, we aren't good enough, smart enough or lovable enough to deserve anything from God except for punishment for our sin! What kind of attitude or heart posture comes from keeping his grace at the forefront of our minds and attitudes? What kind of fruit would that produce in our lives?
- Next was Sola FIDE, or FAITH alone. Faith alone is the belief that a person is granted access in to the grace of God and receives the righteousness of God through faith alone and apart from works. This is another area where the Roman Catholic church had missed the mark. Whereas Scripture teaches that good works we do, or the fruits of our life, are a RESULT of the work Jesus has done IN us, a works-based theology says there are lots of other things we must do in order to earn or keep God's love, grace and favor. This is an incredibly dangerous way to interpret the gospel, and it is our default if we aren't vigilant. We can all tend to slide into this religious mindset that dumbs down our faith to certain religious activities. How can you tell if you are drifting in that direction? What are the consequences of operating in a works-based faith?
- Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone... and now Solus CHRISTUS, or CHRIST alone. In other words, the reformers clearly defined for us that, according to Scripture, we are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone... PERIOD. Jesus ALONE is the way, the truth and the life. This was to, in part, correct the Roman Catholic's exaltation of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly describes how they believe Mary not only somehow participated in Jesus' act of redemption, but that she was "preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." They had elevated Mary to some sort of deity and were encouraged to pray to her. But the Bible over and over again explicitly condemns praying to or communicating with the dead. Mary died. She was just an ordinary and faithful woman whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way. Many of us either grew up Catholic or have loved ones that are. How can we gently and lovingly encourage them to confront these issues with the Catholic faith and teachings? Have you ever had these kinds of conversations, and if so, how did they go?
- Finally, Soli DEO Gloria, or for the GLORY of God alone. Because salvation is a work of God from beginning to end, the glory for salvation is God's alone. There are no works that we add to the gospel to help in salvation or in maintaining our relationship with Him. We were all held captive to our master, the devil, and Jesus came and rescued us from darkness! So, the Christian never says, "Look what I've done!" The Christian says, "God showed me I was sick and needed a doctor, and by His grace ALONE I put my faith in Christ ALONE!" Who is getting the glory in YOUR life? What is God impressing upon you through what we've learned this week? What is He asking you to DO?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would never forget that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.
- That God alone would get the glory!
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