Recently I was going through some old files I used to forward to my self viae-mail for back up and stumbled across this “What is the Gospel” outline I put together for one of the Impact Movement Friday night BBS back in 09. I remember the burden of piecing this together like it was yesterday, praying, nervousness, going over it with my pastor, and learning a lot in the process my self. I when the time came I think we had about close to twenty people at the study that night including the women in charge of the school’s own campus ministry organization which made it all the more nerve racking. Neverthless, despite my reservations the study went smoothly, there was nice balance of me chiming in and dialog concerning key points and passages, and it left a lot of people talking. Didn’t go the way I expected it, I just flowed with it thankfully, but I gather it went the way God wanted that night. Sadly, I think from that point Impact BBS got gradually worse throughout the semester for a variety of reasons I won’t touch on in this blog. lol Forgive me for getting all sentimental, but looking over this just reminds me how time flies, how awesome the experience of doing college ministry is, and how much more I could of done with Impact during my time at XU in New Orleans.
Getting back to the Study, it’s certainly it’s not exhaustive or perfect, but in retrospect it was insightful and kind of meaty so it could in and of itself been stretched out to a couple weeks. I still have the hand written notes for this, which actually are about 2-3 pages front and back littered with talking points and more passages. Thankfully, however, I decided on making it more concise following some wise good feed back from this guy, and internalized the talking points and passages or else we would of had a long one. lol The tinal draft of the Study is below just like it was conjured up oh so many moons ago. Enjoy.
Bible Study Topic: What is the Gospel?
Key Passages: Mark 8:31;1 Corinthians 15:1-11;12- Romans 5:6-11,18-21 ; Romans 6:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Questions
1. How would you define the Gospel? In what ways have you heard it defined by others? (i.e. other Believers, Non-Believers, in the media, in school, etc.) Do you think these are biblical definitions?
2. After reading Mark 8:31 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 is it explicitly clear that the Gospel Jesus and Paul preached are the same? Who is this message about? What elements make up the message? (refer to Mark 8:31 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
3. Can you think of any past and/or modern day arguments that deny that any of these events actually occurred? In what ways do you see Paul try to emphasize the significance and historical nature of these events? (refer to 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
4. In light of reading Romans 5:6-11,18-21 what was accomplished by Jesus’ death on the Cross?
5. What are the implications of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for the believer according to Paul in Romans 6:1-11 & 1 Corinthians 15:12-49?
6. Once all these element are brought together what exactly makes this “good” news? With good news there always has to be some bad news. From what we read what exactly is the “bad” news?
7. Considering that many of us have placed our trust in and have been transformed by this message what does scripture say we are to do with this good news? (Refer to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
"...by the grace of God I am what I am..." - 1 Cor. 15:10
