Review of Sessions 10/11: The Disciple and the Sanctifying Spirit
· Our study of Romans 7 shows that even a “super-disciple” like Paul wrestled constantly within himself with the law of sin & death, such that the good he wanted he did not do, but the evil he did not want was the very thing he did. If him, how much more us!
· In spite of that, as a result of the work of Christ, we who have the Spirit of God living within us can experience true freedom from this struggle as we set our minds on the things of the Spirit
· That life in the Spirit brings us into close fellowship with all three Persons of the Trinity, to the point where we cry out “Abba” or “Daddy” as the Spirit groans inwardly on our behalf as we pray.
· Christ Himself intercedes for us in the midst of creation’s groaning under its futility awaiting our redemption as sons of God and fellows heirs with Him. Because of this nothing can separate us from His love.
A Thought Question
When you hear the word “evangelism” what emotion do you experience? Is it positive or negative? Why is this?
Matt. 28:16-19
1. Traditionally, this passage has been give a name, or subtitle. What is it and why do you suppose it goes by that name?
2. What three action steps are commanded by the resurrected Jesus at the end of Matthew’s gospel?
3. What two facts are these action steps founded upon? Why are they important?
4. To whom is this “great commission” given? Is it limited to only this group? Why or why not?
5. What has been, and is now, the practical outworking of this “great commission”?
6. What is our personal responsibility regarding this commandment?
7. What does it mean to “make disciples”?
8. Why is baptism as a disciple important?
I Cor. 1:18-21
1. What kind of reception did the preaching of the Gospel receive in Paul’s day?
2. Compare Paul’s day to ours. Is the teaching of “intelligent design” eagerly accepted by the intelligentsia and elites of our culture?
3. What point is Paul making about “boasting” in this passage? Where does intellectual pride ultimately come from? Where does true humility come from?
4. Please compare Jesus Christ to Albert Einstein with respect to “intelligence.”
I Cor. 2:10b-16
1. What is the Spirit’s role in evangelism?
2. How does that fact change our approach to evangelism?
3. Given the fact that people smarter than us are going to reject the Gospel when we share it, will that make us fearful or bold as we present the Gospel? How did Paul “cope” with this?
1 Cor. 9:19-27
1. What was Paul’s strategy in preaching the Gospel?
2. What motivated this strategy? (Hint: see verse 23)
3. What metaphor does Paul use to describe his preparations for evangelism? How does that fit in with other teachings on “spiritual disciplines”?
1 Cor. 10:23-33
1. What does Paul mean when he says “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial”?
2. What does Paul’s hypothetical situation of a believer eating a meal with an unbeliever tell us about his approach to sharing the Gospel?
3. What kind of sensitivities must we have in dealing with an unbeliever and his conscience? Please give examples from your own life.
4. How does this passage direct our efforts in dealing with cross-cultural evangelism, such as that with foreign students?
5. How is verse 33 the “bottom line” on our evangelism?