This month we’re looking back to see the core decisions and commitments that shaped New Denver from the beginning. And we’re looking forward to dream about where we’re headed. Join us for this series leading up to the celebration of our ten-year anniversary on October 6.
Discussion Questions for NDC Turns 10 Pt 2 | Sep 8, 2019 | Click here for a printable version of the questions.
Key Passage(s): Romans 14:1-10
Discussion Questions
- Share about the church you grew up attending and its perspective on beliefs or theology. If you did not grow up in church, what shaped your beliefs about God or religion?
- Print out copies for everyone of the “Personal Beliefs Assessment” on the following page. Take five minutes for each person to complete the assessment, marking 1, 2, or 3 for each statement.
- How did this exercise make you feel?
- Compare how many 1’s, 2’s and 3’s each person in the group had. How did you decide between what’s essential, important, or not important/believed at all?
- Did you have any reservations about comparing your numbers with others in the group? Why or why not? What makes a group a safe place to share doubts or differences?
- The message talked about “majoring on the majors, and minoring on the minors.” How have you seen this value at New Denver Church? Give examples.
- How has this value been either encouraging or challenging for you?
- Read through the Apostles’ Creed briefly; you can find the text under the About Us > Identity tab at www.newdenver.org. What is the difference between believing that something is true and believing in something/someone?
- Are there any specific topics of belief/theology/doctrine that the group wants to explore together in the future?
Moving Forward
- Take five minutes to say the Apostles’ Creed slowly every morning over the next week. Note: you can say the creed as a reflection or prayer even if there are some parts of it that you question. Are there one or two parts of the creed that God is impressing upon you?
- Consider purchasing and reading a book on the Apostles’ Creed to better understand what it means. A few short options: The Apostles’ Creed by Ben Meyers, The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonazalez, and “I Believe” by Alister McGrath.
- Is there an area of belief where you have a strong personal conviction that is not shared by another person or others in our church or the larger community of faith? Meet with someone else who believes differently to simply ask, listen, and seek to understand why they believe what they believe. Resolve to not share your own opinions, disagree, or seek to even make your position clear. Ask questions; practice empathy and charity.
Personal Beliefs Assessment
1 – This is an essential belief of the Christian faith.
2 – This is an important but non-essential belief of the Christian faith.
3 – This is not important or essential to the Christian faith, or I don’t believe this.
______ I believe that there is one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
______ I believe the Bible is perfect and true and without error or contradiction in every way.
______ I believe there are many paths to having a relationship with God apart from Jesus.
______ I believe that local churches are the expression of the body of Christ.
______ I believe that adultery is a sin.
______ I believe that God knows the future.
______ I believe that Jesus was a man who lived a sinless life.
______ I believe that humans are created in God’s image.
______ I believe that the creation accounts in Genesis should be taken literally.
______ I believe that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all Christians.
______ I believe that Satan is literal being who opposes God’s purposes in the world.
______ I believe that God will use the nation of Israel to fulfill end-time prophecies.
______ I believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
______ I believe that there are two sacraments: baptism and communion.
______ I believe that Jonah was swallowed and in the belly of a great fish for three days.
______ I believe that God predestined some to salvation and others to damnation.
______ I believe that baptism is for new believers (not infants) and should be by immersion.
______ I believe that Christians are no longer bound to keep the Old Testament law.
______ I believe that war and violence are immoral.
______ I believe that all people will spend eternity in a literal heaven or a literal hell.
______ I believe that the Holy Spirit indwells believers.
______ I believe that Jesus’ mother Mary lived a sinless life.
______ I believe that only men should be in positions of spiritual authority in the church.
______ I believe that social justice for the poor and downtrodden is part of the gospel.
______ I believe that Christians should keep the Sabbath one day a week.
______ I believe that Jesus will physically return to earth one day.
______ I believe in purgatory.
______ I believe that Christians cannot lose their salvation (“once saved, always saved”).
______ I believe that genuine Christians will do good works and produce fruit in their lives.
______ I believe that humans are made up of three distinct parts: body, spirit, and soul.
______ I believe that God sometimes answers prayers in miraculous ways.
______ I believe in the virgin birth.
______ I believe that we are living in the end times.
______ I believe that sin separates people from God unless they trust in Jesus.
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