These questions are intended to be used as ‘discussion starters’ in a small group setting based on the sermon topics:

Week #1: “What About the Credibility of the Bible?”

1. Were you surprised by any of the passages that I read from the Old Testament? Which ones and why?
2. Can you think of any other passages from the Bible that are troubling to you?
3. Have you ever been asked about a story or teaching from the Bible that was offensive or troubling to the person? What was it and how did you respond?
4. Can you recall my three-part answer to the question, “What about the credibility of the Bible?”
5. Can you add any other responses of your own?
6. Based on this message, what do you plan to do to help you understand the Bible better?

Week #2: “What About Other Religions?”

1. Do you know anyone personally who is of a different faith than Christianity? Have you ever gotten into a discussion about religion?
2. Were you surprised to learn that Christianity is larger than any other religion in the world?
3. Were you surprised to learn that many religions of the world have some similar teachings?
4. Can you restate Tim’s three-part answer to the question, “What about other religions?”
5. Which one do you feel is the strongest? Weakest?
6. Why did he reference the prophecies in the Old Testament and the resurrection?
7. How would you expand his answer?

Week #3: “What About those who have never heard of Jesus?”

1. Have you or anyone you know struggled with this question?
2. If so, how have you dealt with it?
3. What about Tim’s four-part answer clarified this issue? Can you re-state his answer?
4. Did anything trouble you or confuse you?
5. Does his answer leave you with a clearer understanding of how God works in the world?
6. Do you feel that God is fair in dealing with people who have never heard of Jesus?

Week #4: “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” Part 1

1. If you were asked the question, “If you could ask God only one question and you knew he would give you an answer, what would you ask?” what would you ask God? Would it be similar to what the majority answered when polled by Barna Research, “Why is there pain and suffering in the world?”
2. Do you agree with the first part of Tim’s answer that points to the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden as the source of all pain, suffering and evil in the world today? Would you begin your answer here? Why or why not?
3. Do you agree with the second part of his answer that he believes God can stop any pain, suffering or evil?
4. Can you recall a story out of the Old Testament and one from the New Testament that affirms the reality that God can and does stop suffering or evil?
5. Do you have any evidence in your own life or of someone you know where this has also been true?
6. Look up the following verses and see what they affirm about God: Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37 and Jeremiah 32:17. Commit one or more of them to memory.

Week #5: “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” Part 2

Tim’s complete answer to the question of ‘how can a good God allow bad things to happen’, has eight parts to it:

All evil, suffering and pain is rooted in the fall of man in Genesis 3.

God can stop any evil, suffering or pain.

God is allowing Satan a long leash and he is generating as much destruction as possible.

God uses pain and suffering to draw people to himself.

God uses pain and suffering to develop and mature his children.

Resist telling someone why they are experiencing pain and suffering.

One day God will deal with every act of evil that was not dealt with in this life.

One day God’s people will live forever in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Have a general discussion about these points:

1. Do you agree with the statements?
2. Do you disagree with any?
3. Would you add any points to his answer?
4. If you were asked the question this week, “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” would you be better able to answer the question than you would have been a month ago?

Week #6: “What about Gay’s?”

1. Tim’s 4-part answer to the question, “What about gays?” began with a statement that the Bible makes it clear that engaging in homosexual behavior is a sin. Do you agree or not? Are you able to support your answer from the Bible?
2. His second part had to do with homosexuality not being the ‘unpardonable sin’ or a sin that automatically sends a person to hell. Do you believe there will be gays in heaven? Why or why not?
3. Part three of his answer dealt with distinguishing between behavior and orientation. He did not try to prove or disprove the conclusion that some gays are born that way, but rather likened their state as the same as a single heterosexual who needs to remain sexually pure. Does that argument make sense to you? Why or why not?
4. He ended his answer with the challenge to love gays like Jesus would. How do you think Jesus would treat gays if he were here in person today?
5. Would you support gays attending River Oaks? Why or why not?
6. Would you support celibate gays working and serving in our ministries? Why or why not?

Week #7: “Why is the church so negative and judgmental?“

1. Have you ever heard someone be critical of the Church as being negative or judgmental? What about being political?
2. Do you think that the criticism is more pervasive among young people? Why or why not?
3. Do you think it is an over reaction or do you think their criticism is fair?
4. Pastor Tim said that he did not believe the Church should have the reputation of being negative and judgmental and then gave three reasons why:first, because it is not how Jesus, our leader, acted; second, because it repels people from the Church and the Christian faith and third; because it is not the way Christians are to live their lives. Do you agree with his assessment and reasons? Would you change any or add any?
5. Do you believe there are hopeful signs that the Church’s reputation may be changing? Why or why not?
6. Do you feel that you are helping to change the Church’s reputation for the better? In what ways?