The cross-shaped life - 5 October 2009 |
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Here are some of the questions for week 2 of the Guided Reading Course.
John Calvin, Institutes, III.vii-viii
Chapter vii
1. What is the central principle of Christian living? (III.vii.1) What things might make it difficult for us to follow this principle?
2. How does Calvin define ‘denial of self’? (III.vii.2, cf. III.vii.8-10) How is this related to the answer to question 1? How does Calvin’s definition differ from some contemporary understandings of ‘self-denial’? Why is this difference important?
3. What three aspects of Christian living are identified in Titus 2? (III.vii.3)
4. Why does Paul ‘[recall] us to the hope of blessed immortality’? (III.vii.3)
5. What do you think of Calvin’s assessment of our natural sinful instincts? (III.vii.4)
6. How should we regard our faults, and the faults of others? (III.vii.4)
7. On what ‘condition’ has God granted ‘benefits’ to us? How, then, should we use them? Why is the ‘body’ imagery important here? (III.vii.5)
8. How does Calvin encourage us to do good to those who are ‘most unworthy’? (III.vii.6)
9. How does Calvin help us learn to ‘fulfil the duties of love … from a sincere feeling of love’? What consequences will follow from such an approach, according to Calvin? (III.vii.7)
10. What sort of blessing should we seek? (III.vii.8)
11. How is blessing related to obeying God’s word? Why? (III.vii.9)
12. How does self-denial help us bear adversity? (III.vii.10)
Chapter viii
1. Why must every believer ‘bear his own cross’? What, according to Calvin, can ‘soften all the bitterness of the cross? (III.viii.1)
2. What aspect of our ungodliness is challenged by the experience of living ‘under a continual cross’? How? (III.viii.2)
3. How does suffering change our character? (III.viii.3)
4. What does Calvin mean when he says that God tests his people’s patience? How exactly does suffering do this? (III.viii.4)
5. How does suffering restrain us? Why, according to Calvin, to different people suffer to different degrees? Do you agree? Why or why not? (III.viii.5)
6. Why does Calvin believe that ‘whenever we are afflicted, remembrance of our past life ought immediately to come to mind’? Do you agree? (III.viii.6)
7. How should we respond ‘when we recognize the Father’s rod’? (III.viii.6)
8. Why is it ‘a singular comfort’ when we ‘suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake’? (III.viii.7)
9. What kind of cheerfulness in suffering should we display? And what kind of sorrow? (III.viii.8-10)
10. Would it be possible for a believer who did not suffer to remain faithful to Christ? Why or why not?
11. How close are you to displaying the approach to suffering that Calvin commends?
With thanks here and there to Douglas Wilson
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Minister's Blog