In light of the recent sermons on the gospel, and realizing that for many of our newer people, issues like “justification vs. sanctification” might be very new, here are some questions taken from CJ’s Living the Cross-Centered Life. If the content of these chapters sounds familiar, it’s because they are the same as the earlier The Cross-Centered Life chapters 1, 3, and 4. Use your best judgment on this, but we always need refreshers on the gospel. I would pick the 4-6 questions you like best and forget the rest.
Chapter One, At The Core
- The first chapter, “At the Core,” reminds us of the centrality of the gospel to all of life. Restate the gospel in two to three sentences using your own words.
- What do you think Jerry Bridges means (on page 15) when he says “the gospel is the only essential message in all of history”? How does this apply to you, personally and practically?
- On page 16, C.J. lists some symptoms of a life that is not cross-centered (“You often lack joy. You’re not consistently growing in spiritual maturity. You’re love for God lacks passion. You’re always looking for some new technique, some ‘new truth’ or new experience to pull all the pieces of your faith together”). Have you seen any of these symptoms in your own life? Which ones?
- How would you answer the question on page 16, “Is your life cross-centered?”
Chapter Eleven, Breaking the Rules of Legalism
- Before you first read this chapter, how would you have defined legalism? Has your understanding of legalism changed since you read the chapter?
- Do you now view legalism as “self worship” and as a “serious problem”? Why or why not?
- Do any of the following statements apply to you? If so, give examples of how they apply.
- You often find you’re more aware of your sin than of what Jesus accomplished at the cross.
- When you picture God’s attitude toward you, you think of God as disappointed with you rather than delighting over you.
- You lack holy joy.
- You look to “spinning plates” for confidence in approaching God.
- In what ways do justification and sanctification differ? Ought they to be understood as independent of one another? Why or why not?
- How does understanding the difference between justification and sanctification help someone overcome legalism? Will it help you?
- Read the prayer on page 35. How will praying like this help you to walk by grace? Give a specific situation where this would apply.
- Justification vs. Sanctification:
- Justification is being declared righteous. Sanctification is being made righteous—being conformed to the image of Christ.
- Justification is our position before God, a position that becomes permanently ours at the time of our conversion. Sanctification is our practice that continues throughout our life on earth.
- Justification is immediate and complete upon conversion. You’ll never be more justified than you are the first moment you trust in the Person and finished work of Christ. Sanctification is a progressive process. You’ll be more sanctified as you continue in grace-motivated obedience.
- Justification is objective—Christ’s work for us. Sanctification is subjective—Christ’s work within us. (Living the Cross-Centered Life, 118-119).
Chapter Twelve, Unloading Condemnation
- As you read the list of questions on page 125 of Living the Cross-Centered Life (p. 39 Cross-Centered Life) , do you see any traces of condemnation in your life? Explain. Here are the questions:
- Do you relate to God as if you were on a kind of permanent probation, suspecting that at any moment He may haul you back into the jail cell of His disfavor?
- When you come to worship do you maintain a ‘respectful distance’ from God, as if He were a fascinating but ill-tempered celebrity known for lashing out at His fans?
- When you read Scripture, does it reveal the boundless love of the Savior or merely intensify your condemnation?
- Are you more aware of your sin than you are of God’s grace, given to you through the cross?
- Are you carrying any “luggage” from past sins—that is, anything for which you sometimes wonder if you are fully forgiven?
- Describe in your own words the process that C.J. relates (on page 129 Living/43 Cross-Cent) for beating condemnation. How do you believe your life will change if you apply this process consistently to your sin and temptation?
- “Here how to beat condemnation: Confess your sin to God…then believe in Him. Exercise the gift of faith God has given you to believe that Jesus died for the very sins you’re feeling condemned for” (129).
- Whom do you view as the worst of sinners? Why? How will viewing yourself as the worst of sinners help you to beat condemnation?
- What specific steps can we take to help us view ourselves as the worst of sinners?
