ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

BASIC CHRISTIANITY - 1 - THE RIGHT APPROACH

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on Sunday morning's teaching material. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

1. Have any members of your group ever read John Stott's book 'Basic Christianity'? Can you recall what impact it made on you?

2. In what way are the first four words of the Bible the key to understanding how best to approach the Christian Faith?

3. Read Isaiah 55:8-11. Why is it impossible for us as human beings to get our minds round God without his help? How exactly does he help us? How has he helped you?

4. Have a look at Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20. What do we know about God from looking at the world around us? Why isn't this (known as 'general' or 'natural' revelation) enough?

5. Now read Hebrews 1:1-3. What forms does God's 'special' revelation take?

6. Why is basic Christianity more than God just dispelling our ignorance about him? What more does he have to do?

7. What God has said and what God has done for us finds its chief focus in Jesus Christ. How do John 1:14 and John 1:29 explain this?

8. We've thought about how we depend on God taking the initiative in making himself known to us. Why then can't we just sit back and wait? Why do we need to 'seek' him?

9. If someone asked for your help in seeking God, how would you help them?

10. Read John 7:17. Why is a commitment to obey God so crucial when it comes to seeking him? Why is this often so hard for us?

11. Take some time to reflect on our evangelism and witness at St Nicolas. How might your group help to introduce more people to 'basic Christianity'?

12. Let your discussions in this session guide your prayers. And ask God that, as a result of our life together at St Nicolas, more and more people will start the journey by praying prayers like this: “God, if you exist (and I don't know you do), and you can hear this prayer (and I don't know if you can), I want to tell you that I am an honest seeker after the truth. Show me if Jesus is your Son and the Saviour of the world. And if you bring conviction to my mind, I will trust him as my Saviour and follow him as my Lord.”

David Stone
12 October 2008