Carol is a young Christian, or a Christian who has been orphaned (never been discipled or received any form of good teaching). Carol is hungry to grow. She is looking for someone to mentor her. She has been reading her Bible, but it seems so foreign. Carol needs to be grounded in some very basic things. First of all and most importantly, she needs to know who her ?daddy? is and what he has done for her. She needs to develop a habit of meeting with her Father to get to know him. She needs to understand who she is in Christ. She needs to have someone lovingly help her expose patterns in her life reflecting her old way of life and show her that these have been broken. It is also critical at this point that Carol experience a loving community in which her spiritual gifts are exercised, she sees true worshippers and honest struggling but victorious Christians. Carol should not abandon her old friends (unless they are harmful to her) but instead should be joined by the Christian community so that she can share her new found love with them.
The Christian life is a life of discipleship. The contemporary call to discipleship is often spelled out in terms of rigor and self denial, and well it should be. After all, it was the Master himself who said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The call to discipleship, then, involves a call to take up an instrument of death, the cross, and follow the master to Jerusalem, as it were.
But we must also note that the Master spoke about discipleship in other terms as well. On many occasions he used rural, agrarian imagery to envision for people a life of discipleship. Indeed, in Matthew 11:25-30 he spoke about discipleship as an invitation to rest, to take upon ourselves his yoke and learn from him.
The word “disciple” is the English term typically used to translate mathetes, which itself is an important Greek NT word often referring to a “student,” “pupil,” “apprentice,” or “adherent.” Generally speaking, when Jesus uses mathetes in the Gospels, it has connotations both of “learning” and “following.” Indeed, Jesus suggests that a committed disciple is one who reflects on His teachings and seeks to consistently implement them in his or her life (John 8:31-32). A disciple is also someone who, in light of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), desires to help others come to know the Master and live out his teachings as well. Therefore, since discipleship is a good lens through which to view the whole of the obedient Christian life, we have decided to start this second track with another important article along these lines.
The goal of this first track, then, is to contribute to the discipleship process of a young believer by orienting them to the basic doctrines and ideas of the Christian faith. We will read articles on discipleship, the importance of the Bible, the triune God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Man and Sin, Salvation, Christian growth, Satan, the church, and the end times. It should be mentioned that the articles used for the various tracks are culled from material already on the website. This means that we may use article 3 in a six-part serieses on prayer as one of our articles. We will attempt to indicate where this is the case so that the reader can look at the series as a whole if they so wish. Also, the articles were written by at least six different people, so the student is afforded a nice variety in perspective and writing style.
The way to use the material is straightforward and easy. First, read the synopsis of the article and then the article itself. The synopsis is designed to orient you to the lesson and should not be skipped. After reading the lesson and thinking about it, go ahead and answer the various questions assigned to that article. This may be done in a group or one your own.
For the most part, the questions are fairly straightforward, though they will require some thought. Do not be concerned if you cannot answer every question. Some will be straightforward “content” questions, some will be “synthetic” (or understanding) questions, and some will be “applicational” questions. Give it your best shot and enjoy the material. Our prayer is that the Lord will use this material to encourage you in a life of discipleship and that you, in turn, can minister to others, enabling them to live an obedient life for the Lord (John 14:21). Finally, any suggestions you have on how to improve the material would be greatly appreciated.
The first place in which to begin to develop as a disciple of Christ is to review, learn, understand, and be able to share the gospel. That is the specific intention of this article, Assurance Regarding the Gospel. Besides the introduction and the conclusion, the article is broken down into five sections. The first deals with God’s plan of salvation. Pay careful attention to 1 John 5:11-12 because you will hear these verses mentioned or see them cited often. The second section deals with our sin and the fact that it separates us from God. One of the most often cited passages here is Romans 3:23. The third section makes it clear that good works, however noble, cannot earn salvation for us. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly teaches this truth. The fourth section deals with God’s unchanging solution to the problem of our sin—the death of Christ. Romans 5:8 is a great passage which affirms God’s love for us and his eternal plan through Christ. The fifth and final, but by no means least, section of the article deals with your personal response to God’s offer of forgiveness through Christ. While we may do good things, and certainly should, they cannot save us. Only God can save us when we receive Christ, that is, when we trust him alone (John 1:12; 3:16-18). Sincerely praying the prayer at the end of the article is one way to express your personal trust in Christ.
1. According to 1 John 5:11-12 is there any gray area in John’s thinking regarding who has eternal life and who does not?
2. What does the imagery of “wage-earning” communicate in Romans 6:23?
3. What is the result of sin? Physical? Spiritual?
4. Why can’t good works save us? Why does salvation have to be by grace through faith?
5. Summarize the message: How do I become a Christian?
The word of God is able to sustain us even in the most difficult of times. It is adequate to the task, through the power and personal ministry of the Spirit, to sanctify the believer. The article, The Adequacy of Scripture, was written from this perspective. The article focuses on the several aspects of 2 Timothy 3:16. First, it is important to note that the verse says that “all” Scripture, not just some is inspired. Second, the article touches briefly on the process of Scriptural inspiration, though this is not the main point of the passage. Third, the article deals with the growth process described in the verse, namely, teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. The main thrust of the passage is the adequacy of the Bible for a life of godliness and usefulness to the Lord.
1. What is the significance of the word “all”? Read Romans 15:4.
2. Christianity is a faith that deeply involves “the whole person,” including his/her emotions. But, if on some issue you had to choose between what your emotions were telling you, and what the Bible was telling you, which would you choose? Why? Think about the nature of the Bible as God-inspired. Give an example of a choice.
3. We live in a day and age in which “doctrine” is being increasingly “dumbed down.” How does this verse speak to that issue? Paul says that God’s inspired word is useful for teaching doctrine, i.e., both what to believe as Christians and how to live in light of that belief.
4. Many people nowadays seek New Age, mindless Christianity, where immediate experience and gratification are the order of the day, not faithful cooperation with the Spirit in hard-won personal character and righteousness. How does the term “training” in 2 Timothy 3:16 speak to this issue? What does the term “training” bring to mind and what does this say about the authentic Christian life? In the balanced Christian life where is the responsibility for growth placed? Carefully read Philippians 2:12-13.
5. What is the goal of obedience to Scripture and training in righteousness? Read 2 Timothy 3:17.
This is an extremely helpful article regarding why there are so many Bible translations on the market today and how to choose the best one(s)? The article is broken down into five sections: (1) Why so many versions? (2) the text of modern translations; (3) Deissman and the papyri; (4) dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence, and (5) which translation is best? Let me summarize briefly each section.
The first section suggest three reasons why there are so many translations available today: (1) the text-critical work of Westcott and Hort; (2) the discovery of papyri in Egypt, and (3) developments in translation philosophy or theory. The second section argues that the text of the modern translations is based on the oldest and best manuscripts, while the King James translation was ultimately based on a half dozen or so manuscripts (mss) used by the Dutch humanist Erasmus. While there has been heated debate over these issues, the wise person exercises love and patience with all men. He/she realizes that no major doctrine is affected by any textual variant. Third, Deismann’s papyri discoveries helped us to understand that the NT was written in the language of the common man and that we too should insist that our translations be faithful to the Greek text, but expressed in the language of today. The papyri also helped us understand NT vocabulary better so that we have been able to improve on what the King James’ translators only guessed at. The fourth section deals with the pros and cons of dynamic (phrase for phrase) translation as opposed to formal (word for word) translation. You may be surprised to see what you learn! The fifth and final sections deals with actual translations and gives a brief evaluation of each. In the end, there is no one best translation, per se. While a person may read one Bible more often than others, he/she will want to have a few translations from which to study.
1. How did Westcott and Hort affect Bible translations? For more information on B. F. Westcott and F. J. A. Hort see Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 1167.
2. How has what you’ve learned about Bible translation affected your understanding of the Bible?
3. How would you respond to someone who says, “Well, the modern translations leave out huge portions of the Bible?” What would you say to a person who claims that the King James is the only authoritative Bible? Based on what your read in the article, could you answer, “Which King James do you mean?” How so?
4. What are some strengths and weaknesses of dynamic and formal theories of translation?
5. Why will you want to read three or four translations when doing serious study?
6. What does learning about Bible translations and the involvement of men teach you about God’s sovereignty?
The term “trinity” is not found in Scripture. But the concept, however difficult to finite minds, nonetheless is. And this is exactly why the early church believed in the trinity, though the doctrine was only implicitly developed. Its full systematic exposition grew as a result of the heretical influence of the Gnostics and other groups who in one way or another denied God’s oneness and threeness.
The key to defining the trinity is understanding the terms “person” and “essence.” God is one in essence, yet he subsists in three distinct persons. There is unity in diversity, equality among the diverse persons, and diversity in the operations of the three persons of the Godhead. Tri-theism (three distinct gods) is an error to avoid in thinking about the trinity. So also is modalism (one person in the Godhead who appeared in different ways) and Arianism, the latter of which denies the deity of Christ.
The article also goes on to deal with the Biblical evidence for God’s oneness and threeness, as well as passages that seem to suggest that the trinity is not a Biblical doctrine. It also discusses the practical ramifications of the truth of the trinity and the difficulty we have as finite human beings (also fallen human beings) to understand what appears to be a contradictory doctrine. But is the doctrine of the trinity really contradictory after all?
1. In the study of the trinity, what does “person” and “essence” mean?
2. How would you define the doctrine of the trinity in a single sentence?
3. What are some heresies which grew up in the early church and how did they differ from the Christian doctrine of the trinity?
4. What are some common, present-day misunderstandings to avoid in thinking about the doctrine?
5. What are some practical results arising from the truth of the trinity?
6. Name three passages in the NT which are difficult to reconcile with the idea of the trinity? How do you interpret each one?
The world is unable to appreciate the real greatness of Jesus Christ. This is due to the fact that they are unable to comprehend his uniqueness. In this article, the author briefly discusses the uniqueness of Christianity among the world’s religions as well the uniqueness of Christ for Christianity and world history. Jesus was anticipated by the Old Testament, born in a unique way, his person is unique (both God and man), he lived a unique kind of life, was killed in a unique way (i.e., according to ancient prophecies), and his resurrection was unique. There has never been, nor will there ever be, another Jesus. There is only one…and he lives and reigns today.
1. How important is the Biblical description of the person of Jesus Christ to Christianity? What would happen to Christianity if we were to change that?
2. Does the uniqueness of Jesus imply that during his earthly ministry he was so different that no one could understand him at all?
3. What does Jesus mean to you?
We live in an age where technological advances have far outstripped our ethics; we have a lot of “power,” but no clear moral benchmarks to aid us in the use of such power. One reason we lack the moral foundation is because we have left the doctrinal foundation of creation and who we are before a holy and wise creator. In this article the author seeks to explain who we are and where we came from according to the early chapters of Genesis 1-2. It is here that we get solid answers to difficult questions. The text of Genesis couldn’t be more contemporary.
Man was created in God’s image and therefore possesses dignity. This has to be understood and embraced as a world view if we are to grasp the hideous nature of abortion, euthanasia, and a host of other sins. This does not mean that we as Christians condemn those who have committed these sins, but we need to loving affirm our subordinate place in God’s creation and the attendant dangers we invite when we court such autonomy.
At least two things flow from our dignity and the fact that we are created in God’s image. First, we are able to carry out the work he has given us to do, though after the fall this will be much harder. Second, according to our dignity, God has established the paradigm for human sexuality and the expression of intimacy between a man and his wife. This article will explore both of these issues in connection with our creation.
1. Explain why a solid understanding of creation theology is necessary for thinking about moral issues today? Generally speaking, how would the doctrine of natural evolution tend to destroy solid moral foundations?
2. What does the word “dignity” mean in connection with the creation of man? What are some implications for the way we treat other people? Read James 3:9.
3. How do you view your work differently as a result of studying Genesis 1-2?
4. What does the order of creation teach you about the respective roles of the husband and wife in the marriage relationship? Think through the meaning of “image” and how it relates to both the man and the woman.
5. Summarize Genesis 1-2 in your own words.
Have you ever wondered why God was so harsh with Adam and Eve when they ate the fruit which they were commanded not to eat? Wasn’t it a little unfair to banish them (and us) from the Garden just because they did something which apparently amounted to little more than getting their hand caught in the cookie jar? And so goes the common ridicule from the world. But a sovereign, holy, and merciful God does not weigh these things in such light and trivial ways.
Indeed, the question of man’s disobedience and sin is simple on the one hand, and quite profound and far reaching on the other. This article seeks to explain some of the most important facets of our sin and separation from God by focusing on an verse by verse analysis of Genesis 3. The article will deal with the temptation itself, in all its subtleties, as well the consequences for the man, his wife, and the Serpent. You will see that God’s wrath is both punitive and therapeutic; he justly punishes man, but always provides a way for man to return to him.
1. Compare and Contrast Genesis 1-2 with chapter 3-4.
2. How did the Serpent approach Eve and why was it so seductive? How does he do that to us today (cf. 2 Cor 11:3)? After studying the section on “Man’s Sin” can you walk another person through Genesis 3 and explain it to them? There will come a time when you will need to do that for another Christian struggling with related issues.
3. What are some of the consequences of the sin of Adam and Eve? How does the narrative (i.e., the story) convey that?
4. How does God respond to their sin? What is the first question he asks? Why? For whose benefit did he ask the question?
5. What was the punishment on each of the parties? How does it reveal God’s sovereignty (i.e., He is the one in control), his wrath, and yet his grace as well?
The issue of assurance and security with respect to one’s salvation is crucial to living a life pleasing to God. How can a person live for the Lord if they’re not sure he is their Lord? How can a person call on a Father, if they’re not really sure he is their Father? But there is a difference between the security of the believer and the assurance he/she has of that security. This article is designed to investigate these issues and help the young believer live by faith, not purely by feeling.
After looking at some important reasons why certain people lack assurance, the article digs into the proper foundation for assurance: (1) the clear teaching of Scripture; (2) the work of Christ, and (3) the witness of the Spirit. Once this foundation has been laid, two important principles are discussed for developing the assured life. Finally, a separate section on the judgment seat of Christ follows, in order that the new believer not come to think that since his salvation is secure he can live as he wants. Christ died for all, “that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Cor 5:15).
1. What do we mean by security? What do we mean by assurance? How are they different yet related?
2. What are some reasons people lack assurance? If you have struggled with assurance, why do you think that is? How can struggles give us assurance and not diminish it? How does our struggle in this area relate to the work of Satan (Ephesians 6:12-18)?
3. What are three aspects to a solid foundation in terms of one’s assurance of salvation? Explain them and how they relate to each other.
4. What are two key principles for developing assurance and how are they to be applied?
5. How do you relate the judgment seat of Christ to security and assurance?
The author says, “This study introduces us to the concept of positional truth. Positional truth has to do with who we are “in Christ” as believers. Since it has to do with who we are “in Christ,” it will also affect our self-concept. The focus, however, is on who we are in the Savior through faith in Him and how that should impact our lives as believers.”
First, we will survey numerous biblical passages which discuss the concept of being “in Christ.” Second, we will talk about what that means in terms of who, when, where, and how. Third, we will relate key concepts to the truth of being “in Christ.” These concepts will include personal growth and change, the completeness of our position in Christ (nothing can be added to our position to enhance it in any way), and immutability and eternality (i.e., it will never change throughout all eternity) of our position in Christ. Fourth, we will look at positional truth according to the wealth of benefit accrued to the believer in terms of Christ’s person and his work. Fifth, the article will conclude with a brief discussion of obedience in light of what God has done for us and our new position of grace.
1. What is positional truth? Why do we call it “positional”?
2. What is the who, when, where, how of positional truth?
3. What are some of the key concepts related to the doctrine of being” in Christ.”
4. What are various aspects of the wealth we have in Christ?
5. How does obedience relate to our position in Christ?
Eugene Peterson says in his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, “Everyone is in a hurry. The persons whom I lead in worship, among whom I counsel, visit, pray, preach, and teach, want short cuts … They are impatient for results …The Christian life cannot mature under such conditions and in such ways.”1 It goes without saying, then, that the concept of a devotional life—a life of thoughtful prayer and meditation—suffers in this climate as well. All of us need to be reminded that drawing near to God is not just a privilege, it is the core value of the gospel and demonstrates whether we really believe the good news or not. Indeed, it is the very heart of our existence.
This article was designed to help you understand the importance of the devotional life as a necessary and vital aspect of living in communion with Christ. It is important for the new Christian to realize that there is a daily need to be with God in his word and prayer as well the weekly need to fellowship with other Christians. But in the development of these spiritual disciplines there needs to be an understanding of what constitutes balance and proper motivation. This article will address these questions as well as other dangers involved in living out a meaningful spiritual life.
1. What are the dailies and the weeklies?
2. What aspect of prayer, meditation, Bible study, fellowship, etc. does the word “discipline” capture? In what sense are they disciplines and in what sense are they not?
3. How does the grace of God relate to the disciplines of the Christian life?
4. What are some dangers to be avoided in living out the spiritual disciplines?
5. What area of the spiritual life is the most difficult for you? Why? How has this study helped you with this weakness?
George Müller was a great man of faith. He emphasized meditation on the Word and prayer throughout his Christian life. Yet he learned a few things about communion with the Lord as he grew. Though he had spent time in prayer as the first thing after dressing himself in the morning, he now saw that spending time in meditation on the Word was the first thing he should do, not prayer per se. As he puts it, his heart was thus “comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed; and that thus, by means of the Word of God, while meditating on it”…“brought into experiential communion with the Lord.” Meditation on the word had a way of staying his mind on the Lord.
But Müller did not give himself to meditation for the public ministry of the Word, though it obviously influenced his public ministry. His chief end, however, in his private meditations, was the “happiness” (i.e., contentment and joy) of his own soul. It was out of his meditations on the Word that he was inevitably led to prayer for himself and others. Such a process of meditation first, and then prayer, kept his mind from wandering and enabled him to experience God’s blessing and presence more acutely. Devotions done in the morning, in this way, prepared him to meet the challenges and temptations to come throughout the day.
1. What is the significance of the Word in our daily relationship with the Lord, according to Müller?
2. Why does Müller suggest that the Word precede prayer in our daily devotions?
3. Can you think of any pattern in the Bible for having daily devotions (cf. Mark 1:35, etc.)?
4. Why is it important to commune with the Lord daily?
5. Why is it important to persist in prayer and not give up after a few minutes?
1 Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, InterVarsity, Downers Grove, IL, 1980, pp. 11-12.
Some misunderstandings are funny. Some, however, are not funny and have desire consequences as a result of the confusion. Such is the case with the improper understanding of the ministry of the church. The article first seeks to establish the point, misunderstood in our church culture, that all Christians are to be involved in ministry, not just the pastors, teachers, and gifted evangelists.
Ministry in the New Testament can be defined as service which is beneficial to the saints. Though there are perhaps three or more Greek terms used to describe ministry, each of which having slightly different nuance, the basic root idea is service broadly speaking. The only delimitation on service is that it is characterized as beneficial to God’s people the church.
The two fundamental principles which underlie this concept of ministry in the New Testament—the concept of each believer serving in areas beneficial to the body—are (1) the doctrine of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:4-7), and (2) the doctrine of the priesthood of every believer (1 Peter 2:5-9). 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 discusses the diversity in unity that arises from each of us possessing different gifts and 1 Peter 2:5-9, Romans 12:1, Hebrews 13:15-16 stressing the sacrificial nature of the service we are to render.
1. How does your church view “the ministry”?
2. What is positive about your church’s view and what needs rethinking?
3. What are the two foundational principles which underscore the necessary involvement of all Christians in service?
4. What is your spiritual gift(s) and how could you serve in your church?
5. Why is it necessary to talk about the sacrificial aspects of ministry? How is that connected to the example of Christ?
This article is designed as a beginning approach to this whole area of study—an area of study that has promoted no little discussion these days. The author will discuss the important truth that angels are created spirit beings who are answerable to God. Not all angels, however, maintained their status as holy and obedient. Some rebelled.
Therefore, the article will discuss the good or holy angels as well as the wicked or fallen angels. The ministry of good angels includes such roles as protecting God’s people, providing for them, proclaiming God’s truth, and carrying out God’s punishments. Fallen angels, on the other hand, incessantly carry out the role of deception and opposing God’s people and God’s plans. Obviously, as mere creatures, they never seriously throw the plan of God into question, but He does allow them to wreak havoc at times in order to strengthen our faith and accomplish his purposes in the world. The article concludes with some do’s and don’ts with respect to angels. In the next section we will deal with the issue of the spiritual battle and the forces of darkness.
1. What is the nature of angels? How does this affect the way you view them?
2. Why shouldn’t we pray to angels?
3. What is the role of angels in our lives today?
4. What is the nature of fallen angels and what is their “main goal in life”?
5. Are fallen angels any real threat to God and his plans? Why or why not?
Whether you are a new believer or an experienced saint, you may not realize something very important—you are a soldier in an ongoing war. There are two opposing forces in this war. There are fallen angels who seek to corrupt saints, and thwart the salvific purposes of God, and there are holy angels who seek to carry out God’s will. Both forces are powerful and the battle takes place in the spiritual and physical realm as the fallen angels often work through people and the holy angels often seek to aid the church. Though the battles are real and the carnage at times devastating, the ultimate victory, however, is in no way left up to chance. God is the sovereign king in charge of all battles and the one who designed the final outcome. He will win. That much we know for sure!
But there are often misunderstandings among Christians as to the proper focus we ought to maintain in light of this truth. The Holy War--A Spiritual Warfare Primer seeks to clarify some of these misconceptions. One must learn that it is ultimately the Lord’s battle and that we fight by submitting to God in obedience and taking up the full armor of God including his word in every and all situations.
1. What are the two classes of angels and how are they distinct?
2. What are some misconceptions about fallen angels?
3. What are our weapons?
4. According to the article, should we ever attempt to deal with Satan directly? Do you agree? Why or why not?
5. How does Jude 9 contribute to question #4?
This article begins by establishing what you have learned so far—Satan is real and it is certain folly to deny his existence and work. From this biblical foundation, the author talks about the nature of Satan, his personality, and certain designations which are given him in scripture. The focus on the nature of Satan is to point out that he is a creature with limitations. Therefore, whatever else we want to say about his power, it is infinitely limited compared to God’s. There is no point at which they are comparable. The scriptures clearly indicate that he has personality and his designations underscore the nature of his rebellious, deceitful, and vicious work.
The last half of the article is taken up with the history of Satan as revealed in the Bible, his activities, the world system he governs with God’s permission, and the Christian’s defense against him. Two primary passages will be looked at in terms of the history of Satan, i.e., Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. These texts, as well as others, will help us understand his original position, his fall, his relationship to the chaos and ruin of God’s creation, as well as his ultimate end in judgment. Regarding his activities, discussion will center around their relation to Christ, to God, the nations, unbelievers, and believers. Finally, we will look at Satan’s attempt to control a world in rebellion against its Creator as well as the Christian’s provisions (in Christ) for victory in the midst of the ongoing battle.
1. Define the nature and personality of Satan? What observations from Scripture demonstrate that he indeed is a creature and that he has personality? How could you use these to respond to the person who says that Satan is just an impersonal force?
2. Outline the history of Satan according to Scripture. What are the problems with the interpretation of Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19? How do you handle them?
3. What are some of the activities of Satan?
4. What is Satan’s relationship to the present world order? In what sense is he the “god of this age”?
5. Discuss the Christian’s relationship to the Devil and what spiritual realities God has put in place in order to enable us to overcome Satan and his demons? What do you think is the role of fear in Satan’s plan (cf. Heb 2:14-15)?
There is confusion today regarding the judgment of believers and what that will entail. This article seeks to clarify the issues involved by discussing the meaning of the “judgment seat” or bema of Christ, including such ideas as the time, place, participants, the judge, and purpose for the examination. The nature of the rewards as well as a brief discussion of “crowns” in the NT will be offered.
1. What is the meaning of the Bema seat of Christ? What are some reasons why this doctrine has been misunderstood?
2. What is the nature of the judgment and who will participate?
3. What are three different views of the bema seat of Christ? How are they different? Similar?
4. Which one does the article argue for? Do you agree? Why? Why not?
5. What does the language of “crowns” evoke? Describe the NT teaching on the idea of rewards and the use of crowns to describe those awards.
This article is a brief survey outlining several aspects related to the topic of hell. It begins by discussing some facts about eternity, most important of which is that all people will live for eternity. Then the author lists several important facts about hell from some of the most important passages. Next, he discusses erroneous views of hell as well as objections to the biblical view of hell. The last section of the paper deals with biblical terms describing the place of the dead, hell, and the afterlife.
1. Summarize the Bible’s teaching on hell.
2. State and evaluate certain erroneous views of hell. What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?
3. What are some objections to the biblical view of hell and why are they so appealing? If you happen to have read “Three Views of Hell” (not required for this study), discuss some of the problems with each view.
4. What are some of the biblical terms for describing hell and the afterlife?
5. What does the doctrine of hell teach you about God’s justice and man’s sin?