WELCOME and THANKS for joining us.
OPENING PRAYER
OPENING COMMENTS
APPRECIATING OUR PERSONAL THEOLOGIES (Part 2)
A. Everybody has a theology that determines, in large part, what he/she believes, the choices he/she makes … and what he/she ends up doing.
B. If we understand our personal theologies, then that can help us understand why we make some of the choices we make … and why we do some of the things we do.
C. My purpose, in this study, is to help each of us better understand what his/her personal theology might be … by asking a number of questions (in the first person, because I want us to ask the questions personally).
Before we ask the personal questions, however, let’s address a few general questions:
GENERAL QUESTIONS
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- According to Google, THEOLOGY is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.
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- SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith
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- According to Google, ” Everyone consciously or unconsciously has beliefs about God which they have organized one way or another. In this sense, everyone is a theologian.”
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- In my own words … everyone has a personal theology, which is what a person believes – in his heart – about God and His nature … and things that relate to God.
5. How do people end up with the personal theologies they have … and how does it affect them?
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- Consider the following description of a book, Varieties of Personal Theology: Charting the Beliefs and Values of American Young Adults, by David T. Gortner …
This book charts the subtle and significant influences of social class, family, school, work, peer relationships, religion, and intrinsic attitudes and dispositions on young adults’ personal theologies, and traces the ways their personal theologies connect with choices they make in their daily lives – in education, jobs, leisure, and relationships. Intentionally crossing boundaries between religious and social science fields, Gortner combines perspectives from both to demonstrate how theological diversity persists in America despite some clear culturally dominant trends. This book reveals how American young adults are active theologians forging diverse ways of seeing and being in the world – shaped by their experiences and in turn continuing to shape their choices in life.
6. Why should theology be important for us?
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- Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Having said all that … let us now try to answer some questions that relate to various aspects/branches of theology.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
- Do I believe in God?
- Why do I believe in God? Why Should anyone Believe in God?
- What do I believe about God?
- What is God Like? What word(s) would I use to describe God?
- Do I believe in the Bible?
- What do I believe about the Bible? Do I believe the Bible is the word of God? Do I believe the Bible contains the word of God?
- Why Should I trust in the Bible? Why should anyone trust the Bible?
- What is “Man” Like?
- What word(s) would I use to describe Man?
- What do I believe is the major difference between God and Man?
- Do I believe in life after death?
- Do I believe I will live again if I were to die now?
- Do I believe the dead are conscious now?
- Do I believe in Heaven?
- Do I believe in Hell?
- Do I know where I am going after I die?
- Do I know for sure that if I were to die right now, I’ll be going to Heaven?
- What would prevent someone from going to Heaven?
- Have I ever sinned?
- How would I define Sin?
- What do I believe a person has to do to be guilty of sinning?
- Do I believe in Jesus Christ?
- Why do I believe in Jesus Christ?
- What do I believe about Jesus Christ?
- Do I believe Jesus of Nazareth was fully human?
- Do I believe Jesus of Nazareth was fully God?
- What word(s) would I use to describe Jesus Christ?
- What do I believe Jesus Christ accomplished by His death?
- What do I believe Jesus Christ accomplished by His resurrection?
- Do I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins?
- Do I have any idea how Jesus could have died for my sins?
- Do I believe I have been reconciled to God?
- Do I believe I have been saved?
- Do I believe I am in the one true Church?
- Do I believe there is a great tribulation coming?
- Do I believe the Church will be going through that great tribulation?
- Do I believe Christ is coming back?
- Do I believe some of my loved ones will be going to Heaven?
- Do I believe some of my loved ones are likely to go to Hell?
- Do I believe that God loves all my loved ones?
UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL (Part 1)
The Gospel in ‘P’s
God’s PURPOSE = Relationship
Man’s PROBLEM = Separation
God’s PROVISION = Jesus Christ
Man’s POTENTIAL = Reconciliation
God’s PROMISE & Man’s RESPONSE – Receive/Reject Him
What Do You Mean “Grace Alone”?
What Do You Mean “Faith Alone”?
What Do You Mean “Christ Alone”?
What is a disciple?
Where did the idea of “making” disciples come from?
Who can make a disciple? – Unless the Lord builds …
Who can become a disciple? – Not for us to decide
What about baptizing? – should only happen after believing
What about teaching? – to move from believer to discipler
What about going? – making friends before making disciples
Are you ready to share your faith? – answering those who ask
Do you understand the Gospel?
Have you learned a Gospel Presentation? – just in case
How can you Birth a Believer? – by presenting the Gospel and
How can you Follow-up a New Believer?