Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
The speaker argues that denominational confusion makes it hard for a newcomer to “understand and grasp God’s truths”; if you were discipling a brand-new believer, what specific doctrines would you hesitate to teach with confidence because of the Christian disagreements around you, and what does that hesitation reveal about your own foundations?
Another way to ask: If you were teaching a brand-new Christian, what beliefs would you feel unsure teaching because Christians around you disagree? What does your uncertainty show about how solid your own beliefs are?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript implies a new believer would immediately face confusion on several “big” doctrines because churches publicly contradict each other, and that can make a discipler hesitant. That hesitation may reveal we haven’t tested whether our confidence rests on “team” teaching or on truth we can explain and defend as knowable.
- He asks how a newcomer can grasp truth “if we can’t even agree amongst ourselves.”
- He gives examples of disputed doctrines: remarriage rules (“I can remarry” vs “I can’t”), identity (“I’m a sinner” vs “I’m a saint”), sexuality and leadership (“Homosexuality is a sin” vs “a gay pastor”), women preaching, and salvation framing (“Saved by grace alone and faith alone” vs “Faith without works is dead”).
- He says these opposing claims are backed by “the exact same scriptures,” intensifying the confusion.
- He later says he was wrong about “most of the big stuff,” naming areas like “salvation” and “the forgiveness of sins,” showing how foundational topics can be misunderstood.
- He insists truth “can be known,” implying discipleship shouldn’t be reduced to guesswork.