Beginning With Jesus: Christ in Scripture, the Church, and Discipleship

Transcription

1 Teachable Books Free Downloadable Discussion Guides from Cokesbury Beginning With Jesus: Christ in Scripture, the Church, and Discipleship by Joel B. Green Discussion Guide Beginning With Jesus (Cokesbury, 2000) provides the reader with a greater understanding of the nature and work of Christ through Scripture, the church, and discipleship. It takes the reader on a spiritual journey that begins with the Old Testament; looks at the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus; and examines the church as it exists around the world today. It shows that all people are part of the human family, created by God, and that Jesus is Lord of all. Permission is granted to reproduce this discussion guide. Chapter 1 Christology, the Journey This chapter introduces the concept of Christology. 1. In your own words, explain the meaning of Christology. Why is the concept important, and what is your interest in it? 2. Trace the origin of the word Christian. What does it mean to you to be identified as a Christian? 3. Why is it important to remember that Jesus was a Jew? 4. What is the importance of the witness of Basil? Beginning With Jesus Discussion Guide / 1

2 Chapter 2 Israel s Hopes, God s Fulfillment This chapter establishes the context and content of Israel s messianic hopes. 1. What assumptions have Christians made about the Jews who lived in Jesus time? How are these assumptions both valid and not valid? 2. What questions of language are raised by the phrase kingdom of God? What new insights about the phrase did you gain? 3. Not all Jews in Jesus day saw things the same way. What were some of the differing attitudes and expectations among the early Jews? 4. What are your expectations of Jesus, and what are they based upon? How have your expectations changed over the years? Chapter 3 The Spirit of Christmas This chapter focuses on the meaning of Christmas. 1. How do the four New Testament Gospels begin telling the story of Jesus? How are the Gospels different from each other? Why are they different? 2. How do cultural differences affect the ways in which people tell the Christmas story and what they believe about the story? 3. How has the meaning of Christmas been enhanced for you through this lesson? What did you learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus mission? 4. In your own words, explain what it means to you that God became human. Chapter 4 Jesus, the (New) Human This chapter focuses on the fullness of Jesus humanity. 1. How was Jesus truly human, and in what ways did he demonstrate true humanity? 2. What does it mean to you that you were created in the image of God? Beginning With Jesus Discussion Guide / 2

3 3. How did Jesus inaugurate a new humanity? 4. In what ways did Jesus reflect God s love for us? How did Jesus make friendship with God possible? Chapter 5 The Mission of the Messiah This chapter clarifies the nature of Jesus mission. 1. What was the purpose of the three Quests? How did each differ from the others? Why are the Quests important, and what resulted from them? 2. List and discuss the elements of Jesus mission statement. How did his mission cross social and religious boundaries? 3. Use your Bible to list the groups and individuals who were included in Jesus ministry and mission. 4. What important issues of the day did Jesus address in his ministry? How do those issues compare with modern-day issues addressed by the church? Chapter 6 Why Did Jesus Have to Die? This chapter examines the historical problem of Jesus crucifixion. 1. Use a hymnal to locate hymns that deal with the crucifixion of Jesus. What truths do the hymns convey about Jesus death? 2. What groups saw Jesus as a threat and engineered his death? What was their desired outcome? 3. What did you learn about the practice of crucifixion from reading this chapter? 4. Divide into two groups and debate whether or not Jesus was a political threat to the leaders of his time. Chapter 7 The Mystery of the Cross This chapter deals with the meaning of Jesus death. 1. How did early Christians deal with the meaning of Jesus death on the cross? Beginning With Jesus Discussion Guide / 3

4 2. In your own words, explain the meaning and message of the cross. How is the death of Jesus for us? 3. How did Paul express the meaning of Jesus death? 4. List some ways in which the New Testament helps us understand the meaning and relevance of Jesus death. Chapter 8 The Way of the Cross This chapter examines the meaning and importance of the cross. 1. What was Paul s perspective on the way of the cross? 2. How was Paul persecuted, and how did he respond to the persecution? 3. Explain what it means to take up your cross daily. 4. How has this discussion helped you better understand the way of the cross? Chapter 9 Raised to Life This chapter explores the resurrection of Jesus. 1. After the death of Jesus, what two events proved pivotal for the ongoing ministry of the church? 2. What evidence supports the resurrection of Jesus? 3. Why is the resurrection of Jesus also a missionary mandate? 4. List and discuss references to resurrection that are found in the Old Testament. Chapter 10 Christ and the Spirit This chapter explores ways in which the Holy Spirit is integral to our understanding of Jesus work. 1. In your own words, explain the work of the Holy Spirit. Beginning With Jesus Discussion Guide / 4

5 2. Discuss ways in which Christians can cultivate life in the Spirit. 3. What guarantees are made for us today because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? 4. Discuss the Christological importance of Pentecost. Chapter 11 Return in Glory This chapter examines issues related to Christ s return. 1. Green maintains that some people think too much about end-times, while others don t think enough about them. What do you think is an appropriate middle ground? 2. What images of Jesus return are presented in the Bible? 3. What do you believe God expects of us as we await the return of Jesus? 4. What does the Bible tell us about the antichrist? Chapter 12 Jesus, Lord of All This chapter explores what it means to affirm and proclaim that Jesus is Lord of all. 1. List some of the words and images that answer the question Who is Jesus? 2. How can Christians in America benefit from perspectives of Jesus held by Christians in other nations? 3. How do images of Jesus differ among Christians in Africa, Asia, and Latin America? 4. What are some of the challenges faced by missionaries in foreign lands? Do you think it is more difficult to be a missionary today than it was a hundred years ago? Explain. Chapter 13 Living in Christ This chapter examines how Christology might shape faithful life before God. 1. In your own words, explain what it means to live between the times. Beginning With Jesus Discussion Guide / 5

6 2. List and discuss some of the meanings of being in Christ. 3. In what ways are baptism and the Lord s Supper focal points of lived Christology? 4. What new insights did you gain from reading this book? Copyright 2003 Cokesbury Permission granted to reproduce this discussion guide Beginning With Jesus Discussion Guide / 6