GBC | Big Three

If unity is mission critical should we try to overcome denominational differences? Given that the Jew/Gentile fault line doesn’t really exist now, how important is our Jewish heritage? Is there any Old Testament significance to the olive tree metaphor? 

Is the hardening of Israel related at all to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart? Why is evangelical Christianity so committed to the nation-state of Israel? Absolutely agree that there is no space for anti semitism in the church. How do we engage with anti Christianity in the Synagogue?

How can we best reconcile man’s responsibility of hearing and believing with Gods sovereign election and predestination of those who will be saved? Paul says in Galatians 3:24 that the law is a schoolmaster that brings us to Christ. What is our correct use of the law according to Paul? In today's context how can we live our faith when we need to take into effect the law?

If this section isn’t about predestination why is it so often used this way? How are personal salvation and inclusion in the people of God related? Would the Gentiles have understood all the Old Testament references? Why would Paul use so many if they wouldn’t have?

What does Paul mean by "boast" in verse 16, particularly in light of his focus on humility earlier in the chapter? How does that fit with 1Corinthians 9:16? In verse 15, why does Paul reference Deuteronomy32? What are other ways we can work things out together?

How to we lament our woes to God like the psalmist without crossing the line and becoming a complainer like the Israelites?  Can you say more about the links with Elijah? Wasn’t the Spirit only given short-term rather than permanently in the Old Testament? Is this an exception?

Deuteronomy 10 talks about covenant, and verse 18 mirrors Psalm 68:5. Can you expand Sunday’s message using the text of Deuteronomy 10? The middle of the psalm has some pretty violent imagery. What do we do with that? Can we know anything about when this psalm was used in Israel’s worship?

What is the significance of a ram, bull and goat as the sacrifice in vs 15. What was this combination of animals used for? Is the structure of a psalm always important? How do we know when to pay attention to it? Do you think that the author of Psalm 66 knew about psalm 73 or vice versa?

If Peter’s readers were Gentiles would they have recognised and understood the Old Testament references? Rox mentioned emperor worship. Was this just propaganda or more? Peter says that those who rejected Jesus were destined to do so. Is this referring to predestination?

How does the context of John 9 (the man born blind) influence the good shepherd imagery? Why don’t we follow the lectionary all the time? Is there any relationship between Psalm 23 and John 10? 

You mentioned the four cups of Passover. What are those 4 cups and where are the scriptures that explain these? How are vows and oaths different from making a deal with God and why is deal-making frowned upon? You said something about no hope of heaven or fear of hell, was there a belief in the afterlife in the Old Teatament?

Matthew quotes Zechariah 9:9 as a prophecy being fulfilled. Apart from the textual differences, was Zechariah 9:9 ever a prophecy, as it doesn't read that way? Is It more of a parallel?  Is every detail of a biblical story important? When is a detail just a detail?  What do we do with the differences between the gospel accounts? 

How do we live urgently in the light of the long delay of Jesus’ return? How do we navigate conversations and discourse with Christians of different denominations? For example, a relative saying they would never step foot in a Baptist church. If Paul was writing this letter to Gymea Baptist Church, what problems would he be asking us to fix?

Can you discuss how verse 2 instructs our ‘minds’ being changed to align with Gods will, rather than majority of scripture suggesting a ‘heart’ change? Given the letter’s Jew–Gentile relational focus and differing Roman/Jewish sacrifice views (transactional vs atoning), why assume verse 1 refers to Jewish sacrifice? Why don’t we talk much about spiritual gifts if they’re mentioned so often in the...

Does this scriptire suggest that we should not fight government corruption or protest policies that do not align with Jesus' teachings? What examples are there in the New Testament of justified disobedience to the governing authorities? How can we discern when we should not obey?

What might a disputable matter be today? Where is the line between disputable matters, and something, presumably more serious, where another believer needs to be corrected? Should unity inlcude gay brothers and sisters as volunteers?

Is there any significance to the Jews coming first and then the gentiles? is it simply someone has to be first? How does this impact the Money Gentiles sent the Jews? Why does Paul care about not building on someone's foundation? It comes across as ego (Also 2Cor 10:16). Why not water someone else's seed? (1Cor 3:6) If Romans 15:27 says Gentiles owe sharing material blessings with Jews, is that pu...

Why haven’t you preached through Romans before? What does Paul mean when he says to be wise about the good and innocent of evil? In the church context especially. Every divisive person recommends unity, just agree with me. Paul does the same, and rejects the Heterodox. Is this real unity or just uniting against something?

GBC does many things to bring hope to a dying world, but I don't feel like a dear friend of them. How can we make them a collective mission for our community? You mentioned we should not argue or grumble. At times, this is hard for those abused by others, both verbally and physically, to stand up for their safety. Philippians 2:12 calls for active working out (katergazomai) your salvation (sōtēria...

I struggle with sermons on “getting on.” They can feel simplistic after real hurt. Forgiveness doesn’t always require restored relationship. Can you speak to that? If Paul was concerned at not receiving support "with strings attached", why do we take government funding which has strings attached including proclaiming the gospel?  When we’re told to "work out or salvation”, in what sense work? Our...

Does the Bible give encouragement on us giving attention to things we don’t want to? For example tough relationships, studying, our health. Not to be black and white, but is social media sinful? The culture, theology, and gospel framework was helpful. Can you give another example of its use?

What are the red lines for religious freedom in terms of speech? Can you say more about Niebuhr’s framework? You noted the history of Baptists and then mentioned in passing the Pentecostal movement and how it was different. How was it different? What about other denominations?

What’re your thoughts on the kind of ‘empathy’ which considers words or ideas or faith based beliefs to be violence? Can you comment on any relationship between toxic empathy & tough love? Can we love toughly but with empathy? Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭11 Is toxic empathy a cynical invention to divert Christian voters from feeling they should act and vote compassionately?

By the wording of his letter, which of the fruit of the Sprit is Paul implicitly asking Philemon to exhibit? Why didn’t Paul (or Jesus) call for the abolishment of slavery? Is there any other evidence that Onesimus did get set free?

This week's questions:- 1. Given joy is somewhat experiential - how can we know that the joy we experience is from the spirit? 2. What does it mean that the Joy of the Lord is our strength? 3. What did James mean when he said we should count it all joy when we encounter trials?