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Study Guide for God's Power, Jesus' Faith, and World MissionA Study in Romans by Steve Mosher |
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Discussion Questions for Sunday Schools, Book Clubs, Pray Breakfasts, and other settings
The following questions are discussed throughout the book, as it weaves together the themes of God's power, Jesus' faith, and world mission, as found in Paul's letter to the Romans:
1. Was the faith Paul taught the same as the faith Jesus believed, taught, and lived? What was the focus of the faith of Jesus and Paul?
2. How is our/my mission like that of Jesus and Paul? Were they so special that God's power doesn't work that way in us today? Are church leaders today so special that most Christians do little or no serious mission?
3. What can we learn from certain Third World Christians about an obedient discipleship that serves sacrificially among the dominated and speaks prophetically to the powerful? Can former Anabaptists challenge current Anabaptists to return to their roots: a lowly, persecuted lay mission?
4. How does the faith of Jesus (and the New Testament) relate to the law of Moses (and the Old Testament)? Is the whole Bible our authority for what Jesus wants us to do today?
5. Can comfortable, secure Western Christians hear Jesus' (and Paul's) critique of wealth and violence? Would an American middle-class Christian be considered wealthy in the eyes of Jesus and Paul? Do American Christians encourage violent suppression of national enemies and local criminals?
6. Are the blessings of Christendom really curses? Are the successes of large building and professional staffs (in church and society) really failures? Is the leadership of white males really domination?
7. What is the difference between the civil religion of a society and Jesus' faith? How did Paul's mission differ from a "civilizing" mission?