The Thrill of Theology: Biblical Doctrine and Core Beliefs

Discussion Questions:

What does the word 'doctrine' mean to you? Why are we taking time as a community to study doctrine this year? 

What questions do you think come innately in human beings? What unanswered questions do you have about God or life?

Read ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬, ‭‭John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

According to these verses, why were humans created? Why do we explore these profound questions?

Acts 26:12–18 ESV

Do you think Paul was right or wrong in this situation? 

Read 2 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Have you ever experienced people applying Bible verses incorrectly to their situations? What was your response to this? How can fitting the Bible to our own view of God become idolatry?

‭‭Read Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

How would this church be different if every person viewed himself/herself as a minister of Christ? How can you build up others at Providence? 

What topics are you excited to learn more about throughout this series?

Meditate on this reading:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered died and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the
Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy
catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one
baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.