1) What kind of death magnifies Christ greatly?
2) What key element of faith does Piper highlight (p.70)?
3) Knowing that death magnifies Christ by showing him to be more valuable than this life, what kind of lifestyle should we pursue as Christians? How does this knowledge help us to magnify Christ when our lives are not threatened?
4) Explain the difference between sacrifice and suicide.
5) What is the place of pain and death in a life well lived? What fears, concerns, hesitations rise up in your heart and why?
2) What key element of faith does Piper highlight (p.70)?
3) Knowing that death magnifies Christ by showing him to be more valuable than this life, what kind of lifestyle should we pursue as Christians? How does this knowledge help us to magnify Christ when our lives are not threatened?
4) Explain the difference between sacrifice and suicide.
5) What is the place of pain and death in a life well lived? What fears, concerns, hesitations rise up in your heart and why?
1 comment:
Lesson 4 – The Glory of God in Pain and Death
Based on the material from Chapter 4: Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death
We have discussed both the truthfulness and beauty of Christianity. However, to many the truth of the Christian faith is foolishness and the happiness offered looks dull. Trying to show the world the error of such a view will cost us much. But Piper has shown that suffering, even at times leading to death, “is not merely the result of magnifying Christ; it is also the means”. This should not surprise us. It is one of the dominating themes of Scripture.
1. Read “The Christ-Exalting Paradoxes of Life” on page 63 in DWYL
1.1. What is the paradox that Piper sees?
1.2. This paradox is woven throughout and is one of the major themes of Scripture
2. Read Genesis 21:1-13; 25:19-26; 37:1-11
2.1. List all of the things that are similar in these accounts of the patriarchs.
2.1.1. What similarities are odd and contrary to conventional wisdom
2.2. Compare with Romans 9:6-13
2.2.1. Paul refers to the relationships of Isaac/Ishmael and Jacob/Esau.
2.2.2. What commonalities between Isaac and Jacob does Paul see? Why does Paul draw them out here?
3. Think about the Exodus of Israel out of Egypt
3.1. Do you think the Israelites forgot about the glorious promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
3.1.1. Did God abandon Israel and forsake his promises during this period?
3.2. Read Exodus 6:1-9; 7:1-7; 9:13-16
3.2.1. Why does God allow Israel to remain in slavery under the Egyptians? Why does he harden Pharaoh’s heart and allow him to remain in power? Why does he multiply the plagues against Egypt?
4. Review the accounts of Joseph in Egypt (esp. Genesis 41), and Esther in Persia (Esther 2:5-7, 16-18)
4.1. Each character either begins the story in a lowly position or winds up in a lowly position along the way
4.1.1. Joseph – in prison (after already being sold into slavery by his brothers, and then falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife)
4.1.2. Esther – an orphaned Jew in captivity in Persia
4.2. Are they in these positions of shame and humility because of direct disobedience to God?
4.2.1. What was the immediate result of their obedience?
4.3. In the end God delivers each of them out of their distress, and uses their reversal of fortune to bring about the deliverance of God’s people (cf. Genesis 50:19-21; Esther 8:1-8)
4.3.1. Could God have prevented them from the pain or distress before it ever came upon them?
4.3.2. Why would God wait till they are in danger and suffering before he delivers them?
5. At numerous stages in history we see God working in ways we might not expect.
5.1. In the patriarchs we find older serving younger. Where we would expect God to bless the firstborn, the one who expects honor, we find him blessing the child of promise, the younger.
5.2. The Exodus is the most powerful and dramatic Old Testament display of God’s ability to redeem his people out of slavery and captivity and to reverse roles from shame to honor
5.3. The stories of Joseph and Esther show us that God often uses those in positions of humility and shame by reversing their roles to positions of glory and honor for the deliverance of his people.
5.4. Think of other examples in the Old Testament of where God allows his people to experience suffering and danger, then reverses their fortunes. Think of other unlikely characters in the Old Testament that God uses to do extraordinary things through.
5.5. What should these stories teach us about the ways in which God works in history for his people?
6. Read Philippians 2:5-11
6.1. In Jesus’ death and resurrection we see the role reversal that every other role reversal of the Old Testament foreshadowed
6.2. We also are given the firm confidence that God can and will vindicate his people no matter how dark and difficult their situation. However, he often does so through the experiences of suffering and shame and pain and humility.
6.2.1. What reasons can you think of for God’s going through suffering and shame in his working for his people?
6.2.2. Does the truth of God’s deliverance out of these situations hold true for the many who die or are killed (e.g. John the Baptist)?
7. Explain why “Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death” is in line with God’s purposes throughout history? How might this knowledge encourage and strengthen us in the life of love?
Post a Comment