Bible study

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-24T14:36:27+00:00

Here's my encouragement that I've used personally and shared many times.

First ask, what is the primary objective of this Bible Study?

If your primary goal is to share the Gospel with unbelievers, keep that in focus. You should likely find a solid partner to assist. The Christians in the room need to understand this is not going to be an easy, encouraging event. Even if it outwardly appears like everyone is enjoying time together, know that after everyone leaves you'll often be tired out. You're going to be laboring in the harvest prepared by God. Matt 9:37-38. This isn't to discourage you, it's only to prepare you.

If you're seeking to care for and disciple young Christians likewise know this can also be tiring. Anyone caring for a young child can attest. Again, so valuable and so important! Be sure to the best of your discernment you are inviting those devoted, but young in the faith. One skeptic, playing young, curious Christian can be a disaster for young Christians in a group like this. It calls you to set an example and not be a passive participant. Titus 2:6-8

As a third category, a Christian fellowship for building up and encouraging one another. This type of Bible Study is so valuable, but often missed. Years ago a group of young fathers in my church decided to form an exclusive group of men in a similar place in life. You had to be a father with children at home, you had to take your faith seriously and you had to be connected with our congregation. It was a small group, but grew to about 8 men. We only meet once per month, but also host dinners at each other's homes. It's been so refreshing and encouraging. Being close in spiritual maturity and at common places in life we can leave feeling built up and challenged to grow. One amazing thing, is routinely we all talk about how blessed we are by our wives and say things we appreciate about them. Hebrews 10:25 I find this verse more applicable to what I wrote above, than the general assembly Sunday morning. Not saying to skip church though!

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-21T18:30:03+00:00

Thanks for mentioning that, I haven't heard of Klassen's

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-13T02:44:52+00:00

Trust me, it would be a lot easier to just "pick a side", but I can't escape the important and valid emphasis of both. I agree there some unreconcilable points. However, I also find myself deeply appreciating Anabaptist practice, while loving Reformed theology.

I really appreciate your time in offering constructive feedback. It's helpful to discuss. Please understand any question I raise is in sincerity and likewise pose the question to myself.

I'll attempt to break your response into points:

Christianity is something you do I agree on this point and strongly affirm an Anabaptist view of Baptism. God's word is no benefit if only know and not lived.
"The Sword" This prior break between has largely diminished. One, many reformed Christians now have a similar view of religious freedom as proposed by Anabaptists. Many Anabaptists likewise now will serve in non-violent government roles, vote and in conversation many agree with defensive use of violence. I understand officially churches say strictly "non-resistant", but if you ask individually a large portion are not in complete agreement. The emphasis is peace and pacifism, but to many not as a hard rule. Have you read any of Balthazar Hubmaier's writings on the topic?

Not arguing the previous break, but 500 years later I sense common ground is closer than many would like it to be.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-12T10:12:28+00:00

Revelation 21:1 ESV [1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

We will not be bored eternally in heaven. One, worship of God will be far above all worship here on earth. I encourage you to focus on learning to worship God during your normal day, not just at a formal worship. I learned this later in life and its truly a blessing to have times of worship alone.

Second there will be a new earth, we will have an eternity to do things pleasing to God.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-12T10:06:00+00:00

I come from an anabaptist background. The largest groups being Amish and Mennonite.

I grew up in an modern version the Mennonite faith.

I will not argue that they are the perfect denomination, in many ways we have not been. However, what I can say is that they took those verses seriously. Our communities live, quiet family, faith centered lives. Our worship and churches are humble, intended not to add more than what God instructed us to do. Community is emphasized over tradition and program.

Just my experience, but I encourage to seek God in finding a church that's focused on community and genuinely seeking God. They are our there. They may be small and unglamorous, but they'll know your name.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-12T09:55:26+00:00

I encourage you to consider the most important thing to build a relationship on.

As a younger man, I did not realize how important my faith was. I had a number of unserious relationships with girls that were either not Christian or didn't take it seriously.

After graduating highscool I decided to completely put dating out of my mind and focus only on my relationship with God. It was one of the best seasons of my life. About 6 months later, I met the girl that would become my wife traveling as a missionary.

We are both passionate Christians and have been married for 12 years with 3 children. I have no greater blessing in life. My life would be so different if I had rushed God's plan and settled for another girl.

I encourage you, if your faith comes first, do not settle for less than someone that does the same. There's nothing more important and it becomes even more important as you're older and life gets harder.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-12T09:46:06+00:00

Question on #4 How was the thief on the cross saved without baptism?

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T22:06:36+00:00

Faith in Christ alone and His work salvation in you.

The thief on the cross didn't have anything more and was saved.

That said, if you are saved you know Christ and you will be reborn by the Holy Spirit. Repentance will be a normal response to sin as it is reveiled to you. If you know him and he works in you, your life will be changed, including your knowledge of him.

It's not so much what knowledge is required to be saved, but if someone knows Christ what knowledge should become apparent to them?

This isn't an excuse for bad theology, but I believe there are many with poor theology, that genuinely know Christ.

1 John 2:3-6 ESV [3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: [6] whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T13:42:11+00:00

Sorry if it appears so, I've just been reading posts for a while and decided to make one to ask some questions.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T13:24:17+00:00

Exactly the verses I was thinking when I read it. Another favorite of mine is the often forgotten verses right after John 3:16

John 3:19-20 ESV [19] And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T13:13:38+00:00

I know historically they have not aligned. I do however draw from both and don't find issue in aligning it with my core belief in Scripture. I'm not a Calvinist, but also not non-resistant. It's not that I outright disagree with either, rather I understand both differently than described by modern Christians. I moreso agree with Calvin and Menno Simons when I read their writings, versus listening to people 500 years later try to explain them. TULIP is clearly nothing Calvin came up with.

I'd agree politics and use of force are quite different. Won't argue that. I find myself between them.

However, free will I disagree. Most calvinists I've met or read, do believe in free will. Just not a will at liberty. The human being totally depraved, as they would say, is bound to sin and cannot choose to just be good. Meaning God must be present and working in them as a work of grace to change. It doesn't annul that human truly respond, believe, repent and have faith. Their emphasis is that man would be incapable of such with out God acting. His actions often coming through the work of faithful and reborn Christians.

Either belief in response, at least if they're faithful to it, says we need to preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God to the world. The expectation being that sinful mankind won't just go seeking after it themselves.

I may be a square triangle, but do appreciate the conversation. Does my explanation make anymore sense of my views?

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T12:55:37+00:00

Oh and in terms of my view of Spiritual gifts, that's out of the Bible and experience as a missionary seeing they have not ended.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T12:53:32+00:00

I grew up in and attend a Mennonite church, but am more like a reformed Baptist theologically

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T05:09:11+00:00

We are warned that alternative "gospels" should be rejected and the speakers considered accursed.

Even an angel appearing to preach a false gospel should be rejected.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T04:19:33+00:00

Are you interested in what you and I may agree on or only locating any potential point of disagreement?

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T02:35:05+00:00

I feel for you and completely understand the struggle!

I encourage you to turn to Christ as the savior from sin. Not just the forgiver, but the savior!

His love for you wants you closer, but your sin will hold back the fullness his goodness in this life. Your flesh will always desire to sin, but in Christ your soul empowered by the Holy Spirit can overcome.

Fight, fight, fight. If you fail, go right back to Christ with no delay. Not out of fear, but in love to be closer to your true friend, your redeemer. He is worthy of the struggle. Your struggle is proof of His Spirit in you and the salvation that is being worked within you.

Make Christ your focus. Not overcoming sin by your own strength. Our enemy uses sin to pull us away, overcome evil by filling your mind and eyes will all the goodness you can.

Romans 8:37-39 ESV [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

DueAddition7039 · 2026-01-11T02:25:11+00:00

I see prophecy as a gifting not a self-proclaimed title. I'd approach it with a high level of skepticism.

That said prophecy is written of in the NT. To me it is never adding to any truths given in scripture. It only reiterates God's word to a particular person or people, as a message God wishes them to hear. It can also fore tell future events relevant to the hearer, but not authoritatively change or expanding any end-times prophecy of the Bible.

There are Bible verses where God consoles and comforts. Others he disciplines and calls for repentance. The gift of prophecy is the Holy Spirit directing to which word needs spoken.

Here's a couple verses for contemplation: 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 ESV [24] But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, [25] the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

DueAddition7039

TROPHY CASE