Senior Small Group

Persecution and Martyrdom Purpose: To learn the place of persecution in the Christian life today When you hear the word martyrdom what comes to mind?

Have you ever wondered if you would be willing to die for the Lords sake?

Polycarp (ca. 75-155 AD) Disciple of the Apostle John Bishop of Smyrna, in modern day Turkey Read Martyrdom, chs. 2, 7, 9-11, 14 What is Polycarps view of suffering and persecution? How does Polycarp imitate Christ?

John 15:18-25 Luke 6:26 2 Tim. 3:12 What do these texts teach us about the Christian life?

Nicea and the Trinity Purpose: To understand what the Trinity is and how it changes how we live Constantine and Edict of Milan Arius and Arianism Jesus is created, has similarities to God Council of Nicea, 325 Made up of bishops from all over the empire Purpose of the Council -Did not determine books of the Bible -Constantine did not influence anything, merely added political authority to what council agreed upon -Lucianists Only small minority of bishops supported Licinius -When the Arian view was explained, the council exploded with cries of heresy Arianism still grew in strength because the next Emperor was Arian. -Orthodoxy requires faithful teachers to continue to teach even when unpopular -The God of the elite is not always the God of Christianity Why does this matter? What are the effects of how we describe the Trinity? -Salvation -Relationality of God -Who we worship -Gods care for the world becoming flesh means God truly does love humanity -protects Gods holiness Still Other even though Christ identifies with us -Holy Spirit in us is able to do anything

Chalcedon and Christ

Purpose: To understand the nature of Christ, the incarnation, and why they matter Who do we believe Christ is? Fully God and Fully man, in one person Nestorianism Christ is split into two people Christ on the cross man Christ calming the storm God Christ raising Lazarus from the dead God Christ not knowing the hour of His return - man What is wrong with this? How does it change salvation? How does it change how we relate to Christ? -We cannot be saved if Christ, fully God and fully man, did not die for us. If it was merely Christ as man, then it would be no different than you or I dying. -If Christ is split in two, then does Christ as God actually identify with our sufferings? Eutychianism/Monophysitism One person, one nature -Co-mingling of the two natures -Not fully God or fully man What is wrong with Eutychianism? -Read Phil 2:6-8 -Does not protect either His Godhood or His manhood

Have them read Chalcedonian Creed, giving them 5 minutes to take notes and write questions. Discuss definition of terms. Why did the use the wording they used?

Augustine and Pelagianism

Purpose: To remember who is responsible for our faith, regeneration, and salvation Augustine Bishop in North Africa, 395-430 AD Believed the Fall caused man to be unable to not sin Heb. 11:6 and Eph 2:1

Pelagius Monk from England He (or his followers) believed that grace was God giving free will to us You can choose to please God and have faith Found favor with the rich in Rome who already had a high view of themselves Condemned at the Council of Orange in 529 Leaned on the commands that the Bible gives According to Pelagius, who is responsible for my faith? According to Augustine, who is responsible for my faith? How do we understand the commands that God gives to us? -Read Phil 2:12, Romans 8:9-17

Luther and the Reformation

Purpose: To understand the difference between scripture and tradition, and to hold them each in their proper place

Scripture: 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21, Eph 2:20 -Men moved by God have written to us words that are authoritative for life and practice. The foundation of our faith is built upon the apostles and prophets who have passed down what is important. These writings we have are everything the Church has considered important for life and practice necessary. The issue in the Church has always been a matter of interpretation of these scriptures. Some people have argued over their authority, but by and large people have accepted that the apostles were authoritative. However, the problem comes to how one understands what is written. Interpretation demands an outside party to discuss scripture.

Tradition That which has been passed down from one generation to the next Matt. 15:1-6, 1 Cor 11:1-2, 2 Thess. 2:15 Traditions which cause us to break the word of God are ipso facto not traditions handed down the apostles. That would cause the Spirit to be inconsistent. However, legitimate traditions which have been passed down by the apostles are ones to follow. For example, the church has observed the Lords Supper with bread and wine since the beginning. That Christ is God has been observed from the beginning. Baptism with water has been observed from the beginning. Meeting regularly and sharing goods has been observed regularly.

The traditions that Paul has in mind here are those that keep the Church pure. Why Luther broke with the Catholic church over a number of traditions was that they were not really traditions at all. Practices such as indulgence do not appear until the Middle Ages.