LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To introduce our study of theology by equipping students with an accurate definition of “theology”
2. To inspire students to dig deep into biblical doctrine
3. To motivate students to learn theology, producing an understanding of how theology is used in every day life
Topics
Body of Christ, Christianity, Church, Word of God
Scripture Memorization
2 Timothy 3:16
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (15 minutes)
Every person is responsible for asking the other people in the group these questions. Students must remember each others answers, even if they have to write them down. If your group is large, split them up into groups no larger than four or five.
• Are you a Christian? How long have you been a Christian?
• How did you become a Christian?
• How long have you been going to church?
• What’s your favorite book of the Bible? Why?
Let the students know that it’s cool that people can come from all different backgrounds, different traditions – you may even have people in your group who aren’t believers yet. You’re together as a group to move forward, and each of them brings something unique and special to the table.
GETTING STARTED (5 minutes)
Have the students answer these questions to the best of their ability.
General Discussion:
• Who is God? Is He a person? What does God do? Is Jesus God?
• What is the Church? What should the Church do? Which denomination is right? Are other religions a part of the Church? Why or why not?
• How does someone get to heaven? What makes us a sinner? How do we be “holy?”
• How will the world end? When will it happen?
• Do you have to be baptized to go to heaven? Why do we take communion?
We’re going to get back to some of these questions in a moment. First, turn to Acts 28.
DIGGING IN (25 minutes)
At the end of the book of Acts, Paul is in Rome, guarded by a soldier and under house arrest. In the first twenty-seven chapters of Acts we learn that this is true because Paul has boldly preached the gospel and the Jews saw to it that he was arrested to try and keep him quiet. Paul, a Roman citizen, has appealed to the ultimate authority – Caesar.
By Acts 28, he is in Rome. Starting in verse 17, he begins to explain himself to the Jewish leaders.
Read Acts 28:17-31
Paul is in a tough spot. He’s in captivity, and yet he uses it as an opportunity to explain to Jews and Gentiles, in fact anyone who will listen, about the Kingdom of God.
Discussion Questions:
1. According to verse 24, what is the result of this teaching? (Some believe, others do not)
2. In verse 28, Paul defines why he is teaching in this why. Why is it? (He wants people to know God’s salvation)
3. How long did Paul teach, according to verse 30? (Two years)
4. In what manner did he preach, according to verse 31? (Boldly, without hindrance)
5. Could you preach and teach about God for two years, with anyone who would listen? Why/why not?
There is a severe lack of knowledge about the truth of the Bible among Christians today. While knowing the Bible doesn’t make you a Christian, if you’re a Christian you should know the Bible.
As we were getting started, I asked you some basic Christian theology questions. This wasn’t advanced stuff. In fact, it was pretty simple.
General Discussion:
• How did you feel as you tried to answer?
• What questions did you find the hardest to understand?
• What is something about God that you don’t understand that you wish you did?
We’ve already seen that we need to know theology better. But what is theology, anyway?
The word “theology” is from a Greek word that means “study of” and “God.” Therefore, the word “theology” means “study of God.” That’s very much in line with what Paul teaches on in Acts 28:31. We are to be about preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus.
Before we go any further, this needs to be said: theology should always come directly from the Scripture. Turn to 2 Timothy 3.
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Discussion Questions:
1. Where does this passage say (in verse 16) the Scriptures come from? (From God… “God-breathed” means “inspired.”
2. What does this passage say the Scriptures are good for? (Teaching, rebuking, correcting, training)
3. Verse 17 contains a “so that.” Why is Paul concerned that Timothy know the Scriptures? (So that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work)
4. So what is Paul encouraging Timothy to do, according to verses 14-15? (Continue learning the Scriptures)
All theology, everything you believe about God, should be grounded in Scripture. Let’s return to the questions we kicked around at the very beginning.
General Discussion:
• I asked you who God was and what He does. How many of you used the Bible as a part of your answer? Which verses?
• I also asked you if Jesus was God. What are some scriptures that help you determine your answer?
• I asked you about the end of the world. We all know there are a lot of views and confusion about that? What does the Bible say?
I’m not trying to trap you. I’m not trying to trick you. I’m simply trying to show you that unless your beliefs are consistent with what the Bible says, you do not have a grasp on Christian theology.
MAKING IT REAL (10 minutes)
I’d like to take an extra step here and help you understand why this matters. I’d like to take theology from a head/learning issue to a heart/life matter. I’m going to read a scenario. At the end of that scenario, I’m going to ask you a couple of questions. Do your best to give a thoughtful answer.
| Scenario 1: You are paying for your meal at a restaurant. Your clerk, who appears to be from India, notices that you are wearing a cross necklace. Kindly she remarks about your jewelry and asks this question, “why are you a Christian.” You don’t have time to prepare an answer. She’s looking at you, awaiting your reply. • What do you say? Why are you a Christian? • What are some scriptures that would help in your reply? |
| Scenario 2: You’re sitting at lunch and some of your friends are re-hashing a biology lecture. There had been a pretty heated discussion about creation and evolution. One of your friends looks at you and asks, “what do you think?” You’ve been thinking about it since class. Now is your chance to share the Biblical perspective. • What do you say to your friends? • What parts of the Bible do you reference in your answer? |
| Scenario 3: You’ve been going to church for a while, but your parents never have. You are trying to talk them into going with you on Easter Sunday. They say simply, “I love you, but I don’t want to go to church. I can’t believe that God stuff. How could God be in heaven and on earth at the same time? Why did Jesus talk to God from the cross? Was he talking to himself or to God? I thought Jesus was supposed to be God? How can you believe that confusing stuff?” You’re frustrated because you just want your parents to go to church with you for once, but they’ve asked you an important question. • How can you believe confusing things? How do you answer them honestly? • Where in the Bible would you look if you wanted to help them understand who God is? |
You can see here that there are lots of ways that theology and real life intersect. The implications are even greater than these examples show. We’re going to be talking about these things the next several weeks. We’ll cover a lot of different stuff, including:
• Who God is; What do we mean when we say “Trinity”
• What is The Church supposed to be like
• What is sin and how are we saved from it
• What is going to happen in the End Times
• Why do we baptize? Why do we take the Lord’s Supper?
• We’ll also do a special Q&A time where you can ask questions and we explore other religions and denominations within Christianity
We’re going to use the book of Acts as our guide as well as other Old and New Testament books. As we work through this study, we’ll stay directly linked to Scripture. If our theology comes from any other place, it’s misinformed.
It’s my prayer that, even if this study gets hard, you’ll stay tuned in. I’ll say it again, just because you know the Bible doesn’t mean you’re a Christian, but if you’re a Christian you should know the Bible.
How well do you know the Bible? What do you need to understand better? This study is going to help you do just that. I’m excited, and I hope you are too.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Pray for your students as you begin your study of God and the things of God together.