You are not your own - 27 January 2011 |
|
Here are the questions for week 2 of the Guided Reading Course. We’re looking this week at Calvin’s material on the Christian life from his Institutes, III.vii-viii, as part of our introductory material on how to think (last session), speak (this session) and pray (next session).
Chapter vii
1. According to Calvin, what implications follow from the biblical declaration that we “are not our own [Cf. 1 Cor. 6:19] but the Lord’s” (III.vii.1)? Why might make it difficult for us to live out these implications?
2. How does Calvin define “denial of self” (III.vii.2, cf. III.vii.8-10)? How is this related to the answer to question 1? How does Calvin’s definition differ from some contemporary understandings of “self-denial”? Why is this difference important?
3. What three aspects of Christian living are identified in Titus 2 (III.vii.3)?
4. Why does Paul “[recall] us to the hope of blessed immortality” (III.vii.3)?
5. What do you think of Calvin’s assessment of our natural sinful instincts as he describes them in III.vii.4?
6. How should we regard “our faults,” and the faults of others (III.vii.4)?
7. On what “condition” has God granted “benefits” to us? How, then, should we use them? Why is the “body” imagery important here (III.vii.5)?
8. How does Calvin encourage us to do good to those who are “most unworthy” (III.vii.6)?
9. How does Calvin help us learn to “fulfil the duties of love … from a sincere feeling of love”? What consequences will follow from such an approach, according to Calvin (III.vii.7)?
10. What sort of blessing should we seek (III.vii.8)?
11. How is receiving “divine blessing” related to obeying God’s word? Why (III.vii.9)?
12. How does self-denial help us bear adversity (III.vii.10)?
Chapter viii
13. Why must every believer “bear his own cross”? What, according to Calvin, can “soften all the bitterness of the cross” (III.viii.1)?
14. “There are any reasons why we must pass our lives under a continual cross” (III.viii.2). What are these reasons? Do you agree with Calvin’s reasoning here?
15. How does suffering change our character (III.viii.3)?
16. What does Calvin mean when he says that God tests his people’s patience? How exactly does suffering do this (III.viii.4)?
17. How does suffering restrain us? Why, according to Calvin, to different people suffer to different degrees? Do you agree? Why or why not (III.viii.5)?
18. Why does Calvin believe that “whenever we are afflicted, remembrance of our past life ought immediately to come to mind”? Do you agree (III.viii.6)?
19. How should we respond “when we recognize the Father’s rod” (III.viii.6)?
20. Why is it “a singular comfort” when we “suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake” (III.viii.7)?
21. What kind of cheerfulness in suffering should we display? And what kind of sorrow (III.viii.8-10)?
22. Would it be possible for a believer who did not suffer to remain faithful to Christ? Why or why not?
23. How close are you to displaying the approach to suffering that Calvin commends?
| Tweet | Post comment via Facebook |
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Minister's Blog