For those thinking of leading a small group study of Mark Driscoll and Gary Breshears’ Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe I thought my wife’s notes might be helfpful. She’s currently working through the book with a group of ladies who meet once a week and has reported a very profitable study.
The group covers two chapters at a time so the notes do as well. Feel free to make use of these as you wish but one warning: she does supplement the material so check out the notes before you hand them out. I’m assuming any supplemental material will be easily identified and answerable but if you find something completely mysterious email me and I’ll seek clarification. I’ll reproduce the first below and after that there will be links to download the PDF files. Note that she did Chapters 9 and 11 together then Chapter 10.
Doctrine Ch. 1-2
Ch. 1: The Trinity
Introduction: We can never grow, develop or learn beyond our need to study the question, “Who is God?”
Discussion: How is the following statement an attack on the nature of God: “God created us so He would have something to love.”
Examination:
1.Where does the word “trinity” come from? P. 12
2. How does God reveal Himself as Trinitarian in the OT? Gen.1:1-2; Col. 1:15-16, John 1:3
In the NT? Lk. 1:35; Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 1:1-2
3. How does church history deal with the Trinity?
Council of Nicea AD 325
Homoousios –
Homoiousios-
4. What are the three most popular errors circulating today concerning the trinity and where do we find them?
a. b. c.
Application:
- Why is a right understanding of the Trinity essential to our faith?
- How does the doctrine of the Trinity affect your worship of God?
- Which of the doctrinal errors or false views of God are you most familiar or wrestle with personally?
Ch. 2: God Speaks
Introduction: God revealed himself to us so that we might know him and worship him.
Discussion: How does Christian thought differ from that of the Enlightenment or the ancient Greeks in regards to gaining knowledge? 1 Cor. 3:20; 1 Cor. 1:20-25
Examination:
- What is the fundamental purpose of Scripture? How do we see Christ in the OT?
Gen. 3:15
- What is the difference between general and special revelation?
General revelation:
- b. c.
Special revelation:
- What does Jesus say is the fundamental purpose of Scripture? Matt. 5:17-18
- What is verbal plenary inspiration? P. 48
- What is the canon and how did we receive it? P. 51, p.52, p.54
- What is the difference between Sola Scriptura and Solo Scriptura? P.68
- What are the three types of Bible translations? P.70-71
- b. c.
- Eisegeses vs. exegesis? P.73 1 Pet. 3:3
Application:
- How should we interpret scripture? P.72ff
- What does Scripture ___________?
- What does Scripture ___________?
- Look for timeless _______________ for the __________________ (universal) Church.
- What is my __________________?
- What does it mean that the Bible is authoritative? How does it relate to other authorities?
What have you learned in this chapter about interpreting Scripture?
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