Chapter 1

1. Picture yourself as a disciple of Jesus when Jesus was on earth. How would your life have been different in the presence of the Master?  Is it possible to live your life now in the presence of Jesus?  How?

2. Why was it important for Jesus to fulfill the prophecies concerning the Messiah? Which of the prophecies and its fulfillment impress you the most?

3. Read Matthew 3:16-17.  What is the significance of this story?

4. Why do the humanity and the deity of Jesus need to be in perfect balance?  What would be the implication for us if Jesus’ deity was limited by His humanity?  What if His humanity would have been overshadowed by His deity?

5. In what ways does the resurrection bring meaning to heaven and eternal life?

6. Have you heard any “explanations” for the empty tomb other than those listed in Chapter 1? How would you respond to them?

7. Where is Jesus now?

8. What is Jesus doing now, and what does it have to do with you?

Chapter 2

1. Do you really believe there are spiritual forces at work in the world? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think Peter experienced such a turnaround in his attitude toward Jesus and the Good News message of the gospel?  Are such turnarounds possible with people today?

3. Have you ever felt empowered by the Holy Spirit for a specific purpose?  What happened?

4. What happens when you are controlled by your sinful nature?  What happens when you are controlled by the Holy Spirit?

5. Why do you think the Bible refers to the “fruit” of the Spirit, not the “fruits” of the Spirit?

6. What would happen if you were to bear only one or two fruit clusters rather than all three?

7. Why do you think God gives each of us one or more spiritual gifts? In other words, what is the main purpose for spiritual gifts?

Chapter 3

1. Why aren’t Christians more motivated to read the Bible?  Why do you read the Bible?

2. How can you be sure the Bible is true 100 percent of the time?

3. Explain in one sentence each of the following “links” in the chain connecting the Bible from God to you:

• Inspiration
• Canonization
• Transmission

4. List the three measurements scholars use to determine the reliability and accuracy of ancient documents. How does the Bible measure up?

5. What does it mean to translate a text from one language to another?  What was the first translation of the Scriptures?

6. If someone were to ask you what the Bible is all about, what would you say?

7. List at least three benefits to reading the Bible.

Chapter 4

1. What are some of the main objections you hear about the Bible? List two or three and then explain how you typically answer them.

2. Why is it important to know what the Bible is all about?

3. Explain in some detail the main three plot-points of the Bible.

4. As you look at the various sections of the Bible, where do you find yourself spending the most time? What is the value of spreading your Bible reading out among all the sections rather than staying in one or two?

5. What are the pitfalls of basing a particular belief or practice on an obscure passage of Scripture?  Can you think of an example where this has happened?

6. Give an example of “twisting Scripture.” Why is this a common practice of people who disagree with the Bible, or who want to disprove the Bible?  Has anyone ever twisted your words to make you look bad?  What happened?

7. Why is it so important to apply what you read in the Bible to your life? How does application take place?

Chapter 5

1. Can you remember the first prayer you every prayed?  How did you know what to say?

2. What is the main reason you’re supposed to pray? What keeps you from praying?

3. Why does God want you to pray? Why do you think He chose prayer as the way for us to communicate with Him?

4. List five things that prayer is not.

5. Why is confessing your sins so important to the process and effectiveness of prayer?

6. Is there anything we can do that God doesn’t know about? Then why do we act as if there’s nothing that can get in the way of our prayers?

7. Why is it so important for us to be persistent in our prayers? Why doesn’t God answer our prayers right away?

Chapter 6

1. Why would it be better to call the “Lord’s Prayer” the “Believer’s Prayer”?

2. What are the five categories this prayer covers?

3. Does God care how you pray to Him? The words you pray are important, but what’s even more important than the words?

4. Have you ever felt that God was talking to you?  Describe what happened?

5. What does it mean to pray with power?  When’s the last time you prayed with power? Did you experience anything unusual?

6. What does it mean to pray with faith?  What are the two principles for praying with faith?

7. What does it mean to pray with purpose?  Are you praying with purpose for anything specific right now?

8. What does it man to pray with passion? When is the last time you prayed with passion? What happened?

Chapter 7

1. What are the differences between a gift and a secret?  Why do we have a tendency to treat salvation like it’s a secret?

2. What are some of the words and phrases the Bible uses to describe “sharing your faith”?

3. What is the “Good News”?

4. What has God done to prepare the people you share your faith with?

5. Why did God create you?  What is His ultimate plan for you?  What is God’s chosen path for you?

6. What are three things believers need in order to grow into mature Christians?

7. What are the two supernatural resources God has given you to help you share you faith?

8. Review the list of ten basics of the Christian life. Do you need to gain some knowledge in any of these?  What can you do to improve?

Chapter 8

1. What does it mean to be a “witness” for Christ?

2. Describe a time when you were a “good” witness for Christ. How about a time when you were a “bad” witness for Christ.

3. Summarize what it means to pursue the character of Christ.

4. Summarize what it means to practice the deeds of Christ.

5. Summarize what it means to present the simplicity of Christ.

6. Have you ever met a true skeptic?  Describe what happened.

7. What are some benefits that come from interacting with skeptics? What can you do to put yourself into contact with skeptics?

8. Have you ever wrestled with the questions posed at the end of the chapter? Is there a question that still bothers you?

Chapter 9

1. In what ways is the church very diverse? In what ways is the church very simple?

2. Is it possible to never go to church and still “belong to the Lord”? Why or why not?

3. Do you feel you have been “called out” by God? In what ways?

4. Reflect on what it means to belong to the family of God. If you are a Christian, how was it that you were “born” into God’s family? 

5. Why do you think Paul was so fond of the term, “the body of Christ”? Why does this metaphor for the church work so well?

6. What are the benefits of your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)? How should knowing this change the way you think and act?

7. What are the benefits of the church being a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)?  How should knowing this change the way you think and act?

8. Is it possible for a revival to break out in our country today?  What do you think would have to happen for a revival to occur?

Chapter 10

1. Why do you think there’s so much diversity in the church today?  Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

2. There seems to be a lot of confusion in the church today over which kind of music is the best for worship. Can you find anywhere in the Bible where it describes the kind of music is best suited for worship? 

3. What are the essential ingredients for true worship?

4. Most churches make it clear that when it comes to communion, only those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ should participate? Do you think this is the right way to do it? Why or why not?

5. Are believers today required to give a tithe to the Lord?  What is a better standard for a Christian than the tithe?

6. Are there any specific spiritual gifts that are required for salvation?  If not, then why do some church leaders teach that you must speak in tongues in order to be saved? Why is this incorrect teaching?

Chapter 11

1. Why are people so anxious to discover God’s will for their lives?  Why do they seem to have so much trouble finding it?

2. What are some inappropriate reasons for wanting to know God’s will?  What are some appropriate reasons?

3. Reflect on God’s “omni” attributes:  omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresent. Explain how each of these impacts your personal relationship with Him.

4. People often like to emphasize God’s love without considering God’s holiness.  Why is it important to balance these two attributes?

5. How can a holy and loving God allow suffering and evil? 

6. How is it possible for God to always have the correct response to the events (both good and bad) that occur in our lives and in the world?

7. Define the providence of God.

8. Do you really believe that God wants everyone to have eternal life?  Then why don’t all people turn to God?

Chapter 12

1. How do you look for God “in earnest” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)?

2. Why isn’t God’s will easier to find?

3. Explain the three components of God’s will:

• God’s sovereign plan for the universe
• God’s moral code for humanity
• God’s general will for you

4. How much freedom has God given you to operate within His will? What does that mean on a practical, day-to-day level?

5. The book suggests that you do three things each day. How many of these are you doing on a consistent basis? What can you do to go “three for three” each day?

6. You may not use all of the five God-centered resources each time you are faced with a decision, but which ones should you engage each and every day?