Just lead a student interactive Bible study on the topic of discernment… here’s where I went:
I suggested that there were perhaps two types of Christian discernment; discernment of God’s will, what we might call guidance, and also discernment of truth, from error – particularly focusing on the truth and error in doctrine, what we believe as Christians.
The second type, discerning Truth, comes with a big premise, namely that there is Truth and error. So already with this premise we are battling against prevailing worldviews: post-modernism that says there is no ultimate Truth, and relativism which says there are many truths – which taken to it’s logical conclusion also affirms there is no ultimate Truth.
So… What is discernment?
Groups looking at: Hebrews 5:11-14, Philippians 1:9-10, Romans 16:9, Ephesians 5:8-10, Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, 1 John 4:1
We need to have a good grasp of the gospel to be able to discern truth from error!
What is the Gospel? – 1 Corinthians 15:1-5
Gospel – it’s good news!
It’s apostolic – Paul preached it!
It’s a first-order, fight over, go to the stake issue – FIRST IMPORTANCE!
Cue 6 points nicked from John Piper: Planned, Historical, Objective Accomplishment, Free offer to faith, Application to the individual, joyful eternal future.
Warning against false gospels! - Galatians 1:6-9
It’s not good news – no gospel at all. Perversion of the true gospel. Eternal condemnation!
Case studies
Here’s the PDF handout from the study, complete with case studies – wonder if you can guess who the dodgy quotes are from…
