Skeptical: Just Some Old Book

Episode 230 of the St. John's United Methodist Church - Edwardsville, IL podcast, hosted by St. John's Communications Team, titled "Skeptical: Just Some Old Book" was published on January 24, 2021 and runs 20 minutes.

January 24, 2021 ·20m · St. John's United Methodist Church - Edwardsville, IL

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

by Rev. Grant ArmstrongSunday, January 24, 2021John 20:30-31; 2 Timothy 3:14-17Donate Online - Secure, web-based giving for St. John's UMC SERMON NOTES I. The Bible can be abused, but that doesn't make it abusive. II. The primary purpose of the word of God is to point us to the Son of God. III. Inspiration means that God inspires the readers as much as God inspired the writers. FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION - What is your favorite book and why? If your answer is the Bible, what is your second favorite book? - If the Bible can have such a history of misuse or abusive interpretation, why do people of faith continue to consider it so valuable? - Methodist founder John Wesley stated, “If there be one falsehood in that book, it did not come from the God of truth,” but focused a lot more of his ministry on the Bible's usefulness. Does that distinction between inerrancy and usefulness matter? Why? - Christ followers believe that the same Holy Spirit that inspired people to write passages of scripture also inspires the people who read those same scriptures. How does that encounter with God impact the ways we might read the Bible? - Where is God nudging you to live into a promise of the Bible to show that it's reliable? - What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Episode Description

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Sunday, January 24, 2021 John 20:30-31; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Donate Online - Secure, web-based giving for St. John's UMC

SERMON NOTES I. The Bible can be abused, but that doesn't make it abusive. II. The primary purpose of the word of God is to point us to the Son of God. III. Inspiration means that God inspires the readers as much as God inspired the writers. FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION - What is your favorite book and why? If your answer is the Bible, what is your second favorite book? - If the Bible can have such a history of misuse or abusive interpretation, why do people of faith continue to consider it so valuable? - Methodist founder John Wesley stated, “If there be one falsehood in that book, it did not come from the God of truth,” but focused a lot more of his ministry on the Bible's usefulness. Does that distinction between inerrancy and usefulness matter? Why? - Christ followers believe that the same Holy Spirit that inspired people to write passages of scripture also inspires the people who read those same scriptures. How does that encounter with God impact the ways we might read the Bible? - Where is God nudging you to live into a promise of the Bible to show that it's reliable? - What is God saying to you through today's scripture?