For discussion

April 23, 2013 | Feature
By Barb Draper |

1. How important is the Bible in your life? Do you think the church has lost its commitment to the Bible? Is your church presently wrestling with any passages of Scripture? Which ones have you wrestled with in the past? Are there passages that the church simply ignores?

2. Derek Suderman suggests that churches are sometimes tempted to concentrate on social justice or the material needs of the world, rather than struggling to discern the will of God. What is the important thing to learn about Jesus’ first temptation?

3. Another temptation for churches is to smack down any questions with definitive Bible verses, says Suderman. Why can this approach be a problem? Is this similar to regarding the Bible as a magic lamp that provides quick answers about God’s will?

4. What does it mean to be a “priesthood of all believers”? Do you agree that we are falling into the habit of expecting biblical interpretation to be done only by professors and pastors? Might our high level of literacy and education be contributing to a declining interest in the Bible? If so, how?

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