Survey in Basic Christianity Class
(for Survey Question Results - See Below)
How often are we asking ourselves "I wonder what God thinks of this?", or we are in a conversation and we think something is being misrepresented about God or His Word but we don't really know what to say or where to find out the answer?
God says "Buy the truth and do not sell it" (Prov 23:23). Of all people, we have the direct revelation from God in the Bible, and we can know what He wants us to understand about everything. Some of the truth we buy comes in the form of listening to teaching on Sunday or on the radio or at a conference, but a large part of the truth we can buy comes from us personally opening our hearts and minds to God's word so that we can hear from Him and understand His truth.
One great way to do this is through the Survey of Basic Christianity (SBC) course. The 13 week course workbook covers these subjects:
Thy Word is Truth - The Bible as God's unique message to man
The Person of God - Evidence of the existence and personality of God
The Likeness of God - What God is like. His attributes
Understanding Man - His origin, purpose, responsibility
The Problem of Sin - Definition, origin, and results
Considering Eternity - The two destinies of man. Life after death
Jesus the Messiah: God's Provision - His coming foretold. His deity and humanity
The meaning of the Cross - What Christ accomplished through his death and resurrection
The New Birth - Necessity, means and results of being "born again"
Salvation by Grace - How to get to heaven without being religious
Believing on Jesus Christ - Meaning of real faith. Belief that makes a difference
Assurance of Salvation - How to be sure of eternal life
Living the New Life - Principles for Christian Living
The source for truth in all these chapters is the Bible. Each week there's about 2 hours for you to invest in reading and answering questions, a simple 3 question survey for you to ask a couple of people (survey results are posted below), and 2 hours of meeting together on Wednesday evenings with myself and others to dig through what we are learning.
It can be a very fruitful investment! If you're interested in joining this round, or have other questions, please contact me at (248) 978-5845. Is there a friend you know who would be interested in knowing what God's word says? Bring them along! If you miss this round, it will probably roll again before the end of 2007.
In a buying mood?
- Geoff Wilson
Survey Results:
Week 1 (Jan 31/07)
If you were God , and wanted to communicate to man, how would you do it?
- by dreams(3)
- speaking / moving
- using signs as in the Bible
- through an Angel
- through everyday experiences-helping find solutions to everyday problems
(health, job, family)
- I would use the Holy Spirit as God does now
- use mass media & through natural disasters
- to individuals through some circumstance that personally speaks clearly
to them
Then how would you convince People that this was really your communication?
- you would have to make an appearance
- through a supernatural sign
- you cannot convince people. They must have faith. God doesn't convince people that the Bible is His word, they have faith. The prophecies help strengthen our faith (especially when they're fulfilled).
- by a repetative theme
- using undeniable proof
- inner voice / conscience / reoccurring dreams
- using even more dramatic signs
- this is real
- (by the changed lives of people who take the message to heart)
If someone would prove to you that the Bible was really true, would you be willing to conform your life to its moral teachings?
- yes(5)
- yes, if I was a Christian. Currently I am trying to conform my life to Sikhism
- of course. I try to do that everyday
- yes & step by step I try to conform more
- yes, I would conform my life to it according to how I interpret it
Week 2 (Feb 7/07)
How would you define God?
- all knowing being, supreme ruler (highest ruler)
- maker of heaven & earth
- a spirit, loving, creator
- undefinable, creator, omnipresent, omniscient
- God is knowlege, power, higher intelligence, more spiritual than religion
- a spiritual being to pray to and ask forgiveness, inner peace, health
In your opinion, what is the greatest proof that God exists?
- the earth in general, and the complexity of the human body
- the way he makes everything work in my life
- myself (that I exist)
- nature in balance, seems like every human has an innate desire to worship
- cannot prove God exists, but you can have faith in your heart
- miracles that happen around us (good or bad)
If you could ask God anything, what would you ask Him?
- what do you want to do with my life?
- why was I put here, what is the reason for me being here?
- (how can I be) more close to him?
- why - what's the intention in creating the whole thing?
- what about a Nirvana state?
- give the world Peace, Love and Happiness.
Week 3 (Feb 14/07)
What are some exclusive characteristics that God has, but people do not?
- invisible, immortal
- unconditional love, forgiveness power to solve all problems
- God is blameless - you can't mark sin on him
- doesn't eat or sleep (not hampered by human needs)
- Agape Love
What does it mean that God is holy?
- because people believe in Him
- He knows what's in our hearts. He is pure
- God can do whatever he wants & he would be right. He is blameless - not at fault for anything
- he created good & evil to test us - He doesn't sin.
How do you account for the Biblical description of God as both a God of love and a God of wrath?
- many different writers of the Bible. When writer wanted an angry God he wrote it that way. If he wanted a loving God he wrote it that way.
- He corrects us out of love like a dad.
- God is responsible for the good things in the world. His wrath: Katrina cleaning New Orleans
- God lives his people more than anyone else could because he's the creator. He created good & evil - do good and he will reward you, do bad & he will punish you.
- Just like a Father. If you obey God He will show you his love. But disobey and beware his WRATH.
- Free wil does not mean allowance to do "anything". We have the free will to decide right & wrong but there are consequence for both
Week 4 (Feb 21/07)
Where did man come from?
For what purpose does man exist?
What do you feel is the number one purpose in life?
Week 5 (Feb 28/07)
In your opinion, what is sin?
Do you see anything in the newspapers or on television that indicates that man is a sinner?
What do you think a righteous God would do about sin?
Week 6 (Mar 7/07)
In your opinion, what happens to a person when he dies?
What do the expressions "heaven" and "hell" mean to you?
If you could ask any question about the afterlife and get an absolutely reliable answer, what would you ask?
Week 7 (Mar 14/07)
Who is Jesus Christ?
The Bible teaches that God became a man. If you were given the opportunity to be with Him, what would yo expect Him to be like?
Do the expressions "Son of God" and "God the Son" mean the same thing to you? Please explain this.
Week 8 (Mar 21/07)
In your opinion what was the purpose of Jesus Christ dying on the cross?
Do you believe that jesus arose from the grave and is alive today?
What effect should belief in the resurrection of Christ have on a person's life?
Week 9 (Mar 28/07)
Many people are using the expression"born again". What does this expression mean to you?
In your opinion, how does a person become a member of God's family?
Why do you think Jesus used this expression to discribe what it means to become a Christian?
Week 10 (Apr 4/07)
What was the purpose of the 10 Commandments?
Do you ever use the expression "grace" in everyday speech such as 'grace period' ?
What do you think the Bible means when it says we are 'saved by grace'?
Week 11 (Apr 11/07)
One often hears the expression 'believe in Jesus Christ'. Do you think to believe in Christ means more than mental assent to certain facts about Him and His life?
What do you think real belief is?
Do you think it is possible for people to trust God about everyday matters and not trust Him for their eternal future?
Week 12 (Apr 18/07)
Do you think it is possible for a person to know for sure that he has eternal life?
What do you think the Apostle John meant when he wrote, "These things have I written that ye may know that ye have eternal life?" (1 John 5:13)
Have you ever come to a place in your own spiritual experience where you knew for certain that you have eternal life?
Week 13 (Apr 25/07)
In your opinion, which is most important to a Christian: going to heaven or having a fulfilled life hear on earth?
How would you describe the way a real Christian should live?
Do you feel it is important for a Christian to be actively involved in a local church? Why or why not?