Explain the differences between a worldview that starts with the premise that God exists and a worldview based on naturalism, which is the philosophy that God does not exist.
What are the practical implications of each of these worldviews regarding:
Your career choice
Your marriage partner
Your leisure activities
Your community service opportunities
Your plans for the future
Why is it counterproductive to try to figure out when Jesus is going to return?
What would you say to someone who says they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior only for the purpose of avoiding hell and nothing more?
Chapter 2
See the introductory quote on page 33. Name at least two “unreasonable and absurd ways of life.” Would you agree that these are an offense to God? In what way?
How do “commonsense” ideas help people shape a correct belief about God?
Why do you think people outside the Christian faith often see the beliefs of Christians as “foolish”? See 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
How would you put God to the test of truth is you didn’t have a Bible? What “proof” would you use?
Chapter 3
Why do you think the Bible has come under so much fire in the last few years? What are the main objections you hear to the Bible? How do you answer them?
Review the five checkpoints on page 58. How do these help you deal with other so-called “lost books” (such as the Gospel of Judas) that have been around since the second century?
What did you think of the technique of dividing the Bible into three parts: Eternity Past, Eternity Present, and Eternity Future? Does this help you gain a perspective on your life now? In what way?
Which of the “Top Ten Terms for the Future” are you most interested in? If you are in a group study, would you consider doing some additional study on this topic so the rest of your group would benefit from your research?
Chapter 4
What are the two types of prophecy? Summarize the value of each one.
Why do you think God didn’t make it more clear to the Old Testament prophets that there would be two separate times when the Messiah would come to earth? How do you think this contributed to the confusion (or at least misunderstanding) over the first coming of Christ?
Do you really think that Jesus doesn’t know the time of His return to earth (Matthew 24:36)? Why would He make such a statement?
Chapter 5
What lessons can we learn from the history of prophetic interpretation (see pages 98-99)?
Why is it OK to disagree over Bible prophecy? What would you say to someone who insists that their view is absolutely correct and your view is wrong?
Explain the difference between the “then and there” and the “here and now” parts of biblical interpretation. Illustrate the difference in Jeremiah 29:11-14.
Why is the Millennium such a key component of Bible prophecy?
Chapter 6
Which view of the rapture—pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib—do you believe is closest to the truth of Scripture? Why do you think God didn’t make it more clear?
What is the value of knowing that the rapture could happen at any moment? What is the downside?
When you read 2 Peter 3:8-10, do you get the impression that the day of Christ’s return is fluid? In other words, even though God in His omniscience knows what that day will be, do you have any reason to believe that it depends on how many people will repent and turn to Him?
Chapter 7
Why must something as horrible as the great tribulation precede the future Kingdom of God? Why doesn’t God just end the world without all of the calamities?
Some people—including some Christians—believe that the events described in Daniel and Revelation are symbolic rather than literal. How does such a reading of these events change the way you see Bible prophecy?
How impressed would the world be with a leader who could negotiate a meaningful truce between Israel and her enemies? What would happen to such a leader?
Chapter 8
Do you agree or disagree with this statement: It’s more important for a Christian to have an influence in the culture than it is to have an impact. Explain.
How is it possible for anyone to say that God has not lost control of the world, given the way things are going in the world right now? What possible purpose could God have for letting things get so bad?
Use the chart on page 168 to explain in one paragraph the differences between the rapture and the Second Coming of Christ.
Why do you think God designed it so that Jesus would come to earth two different times? What are the main purposes for the Second Coming of Christ?
In what way are you currently living in “three tenses”?
Chapter 9
Would you agree that our culture has desensitized us to death? How has this happened?
If you were to take a poll in a public place in your city, what do you think would be the most common answer to this question: “What will happen to you when you die?”
Why do you think Roman Catholic teaching about Purgatory is so strong?
Explain how the judgment for unbelievers differs from the judgment for believers?
Some theologians believe that hell will merely be separation from God rather than an eternal torture chamber. What do you think of this view?
Chapter 10
Reflect on the statement C.S. Lewis made about heaven (see the bottom of page 209). Does this expand your view of heaven? In what way?
Explain the differences between heaven as a place and heaven as a state. Why is it important for heaven to be both of these?
Why do you think people are so concerned that they will be bored in heaven? Why will it be impossible for anyone to get bored in heaven?
Chapter 11
Review the contrasts between the two boxes on pages 233 and 234. Why do you think many people outside the Christian faith see Christians as falling into the second box? What can you do to change this impression, at least for the people around you, if not for the world?
Think of at least one person for each category described on pages 234-237. Write out one or two sentences for each person in answer to the question, “Why should I become a Christian?”
How can you tell if a person is being intellectually honest rather than intellectual arrogant when it comes to responding to the claims of Christ?
Chapter 12
How are you presently living your life with regard to your—
Stuff
Health
Life
Some experts have observed that the so-called self-esteem movement has created a generation of self-centered people. How is it possible for a Christian to have a healthy self-esteem, yet still put Christ first?