LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH ADULT SMALL GROUPS

LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH ADULT SMALL GROUPS

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. ISLAM 3 II. MORMONISM 5 III. EASTERN MYSTICISM 7 IV. NEW AGE 9 IV. HINDUISM 11 2 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist CHurch

LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH COEXIST ISLAM RELIGION SUMMARY Islam is the world s second most populous religion with roughly 1.8 billion adherents. It was founded by the prophet Muhammed (born A.D. 570) in Mecca, a city in Arabia, around A.D. 622. Muhammed had given up the idolatrous paganism of his culture to believe in only one God. Around age forty he began to have visions, which he recounted to others who wrote them down. These revelations, were compiled in the Qur an, which is the Muslim holy book on which the religion is based. In Islam, Jesus was a good man and a prophet, but not God. Those who believe that Jesus is God are considered unbelievers. MAIN POINT The Bible teaches us that Jesus is God. Because He is, we can know everything we need to know about God by looking to Jesus. INTRODUCTION Have you ever lived in or traveled to a primarily Muslim country? Where was it? What was your impression of that country or culture? Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Why do you think it is growing so rapidly? What is appealing about this religion? What are some of the ways you have seen the perception of Islam change in the last 10 to 15 years? UNDERSTANDING One of the most confusing parts of Christianity to a Muslim is the idea of the Trinity. Do you ever find the Trinity to be a confusing concept? How would you explain the Trinity to someone from another faith? Christians believe that Jesus, one of the members of the Trinity, is fully God and fully man at the same time. Why is it important in Christianity to believe that Jesus is God? Can you think of any places in the Bible that teach the divinity of Jesus? > READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES. John 1:1 3 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

John 8:58 John 10:30 John 20:28 Why does the fact that Jesus is God matter? Why is it essential that someone believe in Jesus divinity in order to be a Christian? What would some of the implications be if Jesus were not fully God? > READ JOHN 14:1-11. What does Jesus mean in referring to Himself as the Way? Truth? Life? How would these truths have encouraged His disciples at that moment? How might Jesus claim at the end of verse 7 been received by faithful Jews during Jesus day? Why? What do you think Jesus meant by the phrase, I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? How do these verses speak to the Islamic idea of Jesus? What evidence do we have that Jesus words are true? APPLICATION Based on today s study, how would you respond to someone who believes Jesus is a great teacher but not truly God? Is there anywhere else other than Jesus you are looking in order to know God? What is one way you can fix your eyes on Jesus alone as the fullness of God in bodily form? How does your worship need to change in order to more fully reflect Jesus divinity? 4 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH COEXIST MORMONISM RELIGION SUMMARY Joseph Smith (1805 1844) was the founder of Mormonism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in 1830 near Rochester, NY. With more than 12 million followers and over 50,000 missionaries in more 200 countries, Mormonism is one the largest and fastest growing religious movements of the 21st century. Smith had a series of visions from 1820 1823 in which he claimed to have been told by God that all other denominations were wrong and that he was to correct nearly 2000 years of supposed errors in the Bible. Mormons believe Jesus was the firstborn spirit child of the Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother. He is our elder brother. His brother is Lucifer. MAIN POINT God has given us all we need to know for life and salvation in the Bible. The Bible is God s Word to us, and no further revelation is necessary. INTRODUCTION Do you have or have you had any Mormon friends? What was your relationship with that person like? Have you ever discussed the question of whether or not Mormons are Christians with that person? What did you learn from that conversation? What are some of the ways you know of that Mormonism differs from Christianity? UNDERSTANDING Joseph Smith founded Mormonism based on a series of visions he claimed he had, including one in which an angel led him to discover the book of Mormon. What is an appropriate Christian response to these claims? What do Christians believe about divine inspiration? Why is that an important question to answer? > READ GALATIANS 1:6-9. How do you think the Galatian believers felt when they read this section? How would you respond if someone was astonished that you had drifted in your faith? Why did Paul hate false gospels? What makes them so dangerous? 5 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

How do these verses speak to some of the differences between Mormonism and Christianity? > READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17. Verse 16 teaches us that all Scripture is God-breathed. What does this imply? Why is the divine inspiration of Scripture important? What would change if you didn t believe Scripture was divinely inspired? What words in these verses emphasize the importance of studying Scripture? In what areas of your life has Scripture proven profitable? How? Have you noticed a change in these areas when you haven t been actively studying God s Word? What does Scripture equip us to do? How does this work? > READ HEBREWS 4:12-13. What similarities do you see in this passage and the passage from 2 Timothy 3? What does God s Word have the power to do in our lives, according to this passage? How have you seen this to be true in your life? APPLICATION Does your commitment to reading, studying, and memorizing the Word show you believe it to be uniquely inspired by God? What needs to change in your schedule in order for it to be so? How would you respond, based on today s study, to someone who claimed that the Bible isn t the only holy book that points people to God? What can our group do to hold each other accountable to being more deeply rooted in the teaching, studying, and memorizing of Scripture? 6 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH COEXIST EASTERN MYSTICISM RELIGION SUMMARY Eastern mysticism is largely characterized by the search for peace and enlightenment by looking inward. Two of the most prominent eastern religions are Buddhism and Taoism. Buddhism began as a movement within Hinduism through the efforts of Siddhartha Guatama (born in 563 BC) who was dissatisfied with Hinduism s answers to life s problems. While sitting under a fig tree one day, he found the answers to life s problems through enlightenment. Later, he was called Buddha ( Enlightened One ). Life is about realizing this same kind of enlightenment, known as Nirvana. Similarly, Taoism sees the point of life is to live at peace with all things. This is accomplished through a life of moderation and through focusing the body and mind and even the breath. MAIN POINT Truth and salvation cannot be found inside us because we are inherently sinful. Because we are, our only hope to know true truth and life must come from outside of ourselves. INTRODUCTION What are some areas of our culture where you see influences of Eastern religions right now? Why do you think these kind of attitudes or characteristics are so appealing? Can you see any similarities between Christian belief and the description above? What are some of the main differences? UNDERSTANDING Eastern religions emphasize inner peace that can be obtained through discipline and meditation. Where do you see similar virtues and practices emphasized in Christianity? What are some of the main differences between the Christian practice of these things and those of the eastern religions? > READ JEREMIAH 17:9. How does this verse help us see what s wrong with looking inward for peace and truth? When have you seen the deceitfulness of your own heart? When has your heart lied to you? 7 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

> READ EPHESIANS 2:1-3. What attributes of humanity do you see in this passage? How do you think a person with an eastern religious mind-set would respond to this passage? Why is it hard to use those terms to talk about our natures? Why is it good to use those terms to talk about our natures? > READ EPHESIANS 2:4-7. After reading verses 1-3 how do you feel when you read the words But... God in verse 4? What would the world be like without those words? What attributes of God do you see in this passage? Why does Paul highlight the mercy of God as one of those attributes? > READ EPHESIANS 2:8-10. Salvation is not just from something, it is unto something as well. How would these good works be different than those someone from an eastern religious mind-set might accomplish? APPLICATION How would you begin a conversation with someone who believes in the goodness of humanity based on our study today? How does it change your own perspective to remember our true state of need? Is there anything specifically that needs to change in your own understanding of the nature of truth and humanity? How does knowing that you can t trust your own heart change the way you approach the Bible? 8 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH COEXIST NEW AGE RELIGION SUMMARY New Age is an umbrella term used for a group of religious philosophies that began to rise in popularity in the early 1960 s. Largely a western phenomenon, these religions find their roots in eastern mysticism and advocate a movement toward a heightened spiritual consciousness that will result in harmony and enlightenment through the elimination of poverty, racism, sexism, and war, among other things. Though diverse in practice, some of the over-arching characteristics include a search for personal fulfillment, a rejection of absolute truth, and belief in the inner goodness of humanity. MAIN POINT The true center of the universe is Jesus Christ. It s only when we lose ourselves in Him that we truly find ourselves. INTRODUCTION Given the description above, which elements of New Age philosophy are most visible in the culture around you right now? Do you think Christians see this kind of philosophy as contrary to Christian belief? Why or why not? What are some ways Christians might easily talk themselves into believing in New Age elements? UNDERSTANDING New Age philosophy emphasizes self-betterment and fulfillment. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Why or why not? Why can that philosophy become dangerous? > READ COLOSSIANS 1:15-20. Looking at Colossians 1:15-20, what phrases clarify Jesus true identity? How do these verses speak to Jesus centrality in and supremacy over creation? In what ways is Jesus the Image of the invisible God? 9 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

How do these verses contradict the new age emphasis on personal fulfillment? In what sense is Jesus Head of the church? What does the church look like when Jesus is the Head? What does it look like when He is not? Why might even the church be vulnerable to new age philosophy? What are some ways we can make sure that we see Jesus as the Head of the church instead of individuals like ourselves? > READ COLOSSIANS 1:21-23. Why was it important for Paul to remind the Colossian believers of their past? How does reflecting on who you were before Christ impact your relationship with Him today? What does it look like for you to remain grounded and steadfast in your faith? What are some practical ways you can live in such a way that displays the centrality of Jesus in all things? APPLICATION Why does losing your life in Jesus actually lead to finding your true life? Why can t you find your true life any other way? In what area of your life are you trying to hold onto your own self-fulfillment instead of losing yourself in Jesus? How would you begin a conversation with someone from a New Age perspective? Why that way? 10 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

LONG HOLLOW BAPTIST CHURCH COEXIST HINDUISM RELIGION SUMMARY Hinduism began in the Indus Valley (Pakistan and western India) as far back as 1800 years before Christ, about the time Abraham lived. Scholars are mixed as to exactly how Hinduism formed but it seems it mixed animism (worship of the elements and animals), polytheism (belief in multiple gods), and notions of the spiritual unity of humanity. These beliefs were passed down orally until they were written in sacred books called the Vedas. Hinduism originally focused on the worship of many gods but later evolved into a pantheistic perspective in which everything is God and God is everything. Hindus don t talk about sin in the way that Christians or even Muslims do. The physical body is ultimately an illusion with little inherent or permanent worth. Rebirths/reincarnations are experienced until one s karma (actions) has been removed to allow the soul s re-absorption into Brahman the greatest of gods. Salvation is less about being rescued from sin and more about escaping the physical world and becoming one with the spiritual world. MAIN POINT There is only one God of the universe; when we recognition there is one God behind all we see and know, we must also recognize His authority to demand our obedience. INTRODUCTION Based on the description above, what do you see as some of the most fundamental differences between Christianity and Hinduism? If you wanted to share your faith with a Hindu, where would you start? Why? What do you think the biggest obstacle for someone with a Hindu background would be in embracing Christianity? UNDERSTANDING One of the most basic differences between Christianity and Hinduism is the belief in a single God over all. How are some of the other beliefs in Christianity dependent on believing in a single God? In Hinduism, there is a belief that the physical world is something to be escaped from. How do you think this compares to the Christian belief regarding the physical world? If you believe the physical world is evil, what implications might that have on how you view sin? 11 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church

> READ ACTS 17:16-21. What similarities do you see between Hinduism and the spiritual climate of Athens? Do you see these similarities in any other belief systems in the world today? Why do you think the people of Athens had so many statues to so many gods? What would it be like to live in that kind of belief system? Verse 17 says Paul met with people in both the synagogue and the marketplace. Why might he have gone to both places to share the gospel? How does Paul s willingness to go to both of these places teach us about the nature of evangelism? > READ ACTS 17:22-32. Why do you think Paul began his address to the Areopagus with a compliment? What do we learn about sharing the gospel from this? What truths did Paul communicate about the character of God (vv. 24-31)? Why do you think He chose these traits to communicate to this particular group of people? As we consider the religion of Hinduism, what are the character traits of God we should present to those we come in contact with? How did Paul tie the fact that there is only one true God to the need for repentance? What does this teach us about God s authority? Read verse 32 again. How was Paul s message received? Is that encouraging or discouraging to you? Why? APPLICATION Has today s study taught you anything about how to approach evangelism? Specifically, what might be a way you could approach someone with a background of Hinduism? Why? How are these principles transferrable to those of other religions besides Hinduism? 12 COEXIST Long Hollow Baptist Church