Discussion Questions

The speaker argues from Romans 13 that “obeying Caesar is obeying God” unless Caesar commands direct disobedience to Jesus; what does that claim reveal about how God normally governs and cares for society through civil authorities, and where do you feel internal resistance to that way of thinking? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The speaker says obeying the government is usually part of obeying God, unless it tells you to disobey Jesus. What does that say about how God cares for society through leaders, and where do you struggle with that idea?

The speaker denies that Hebrews 10 (“assemble together”) overrides temporary meeting restrictions, insisting Jesus never required a particular meeting size; how would an early Christian house-church mindset (including “two or three” gatherings) challenge modern assumptions about what “real church” must look like? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He says Hebrews 10 doesn’t mean we must ignore temporary limits on meeting, since Jesus didn’t require a certain crowd size. How would thinking like an early house church (even “two or three”) change what you think “real church” has to be?

The speaker calls the common story that early Christians met in catacombs “total nonsense” and explains the catacombs were burial places, not secret worship sites until after persecution; what does this correction do to the way you imagine early Christian courage, ordinary life, and practical wisdom under pressure? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He says early Christians didn’t worship in catacombs because they were mainly for burials. How does that change how you picture early Christian courage, normal life, and wise choices during danger?

Tertullian’s reported counsel in Carthage (around AD 200)—to meet in groups of two or three rather than pay fines—highlights a specific kind of conscience; what motivations (fear of compromise, refusal to “buy” permission, loyalty to Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:20) seem to be driving that approach, and how would those motivations land in your church culture today? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Tertullian advised meeting in groups of two or three instead of paying fines. What reasons do you think were behind that (not compromising, not “buying” permission, trusting Matthew 18:20), and how would your church react to those reasons today?

The speaker says that even without a government order, “a greater law” applies: love of neighbor, especially because asymptomatic spread makes you a potential “link in the chain”; how does his “you may never know who died because of you” argument confront modern views of Christian liberty, personal risk-taking, and moral responsibility for indirect harm? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He says love of neighbor is a “greater law,” since you could spread sickness without knowing it. How does “you may never know who died because of you” challenge ideas about Christian freedom, taking risks, and being responsible for harm you didn’t mean to cause?

He criticizes a church saying “Jesus had COVID-19” and the “word of faith” claim that true faith guarantees protection from disease, calling it a late-1800s novelty and “not the historic Christian faith”; what does this expose about how doctrines of faith and healing can become measures of spirituality, and what similar impulses might exist in subtler forms in your own circles? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He rejects the idea that real faith guarantees protection from disease. How can beliefs about faith and healing turn into ways to judge who is “spiritual,” and what similar pressure shows up in your own circles in quieter ways?

The speaker quotes Cyprian during the plague (AD 240–250): God hasn’t promised riches or perfect health; Christians suffer famine and plague like others, and even “should expect more suffering”; how would early Christians have understood the gospel’s promise in a way that clashes with modern evangelical expectations of comfort, safety, and “God’s protection”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Cyprian said God never promised wealth or perfect health, and Christians may even suffer more. How did early Christians understand the gospel’s promise in a way that challenges modern expectations of comfort, safety, and protection?

The speaker frames reckless gathering not as “bold faith” but as sin: “we do not put God to the test,” tying it to Jesus’ refusal to jump from the temple (Matthew 4:7); what practical behaviors today would count as “testing God” under his definition, and how can a person tell the difference between faith-filled action and presumption? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He says reckless gathering is not brave faith but “testing God,” like when Jesus refused to jump from the temple. What actions today would count as testing God, and how can you tell the difference between real faith and foolish risk?

He finds it “interesting” that God gave Israel quarantine laws in the wilderness despite daily miracles of manna and preserved clothing, concluding God chose ordinary means rather than constant miracle for disease; what does that suggest about God’s wisdom in using mundane obedience (quarantine, distance, caution) alongside prayer, and how does that challenge a miracle-centered spirituality? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He points out that God gave Israel quarantine rules even while doing daily miracles, so God used ordinary steps to stop disease. What does that teach about obeying simple precautions along with prayer, and how does it challenge a miracle-focused faith?

The speaker urges specific “don’t waste this crisis” practices: Zoom meetings, more phone calls than WhatsApp, outdoor visits with distancing, increased family devotions, and devotional reading like *A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life*; which of these concrete suggestions most exposes weaknesses in your current habits, and what would repentance look like in scheduling, media use, and family leadership over the next month? JumpstartAnother way to ask: He suggests practical ways to not waste the crisis (Zoom, more phone calls, outdoor visits with distance, more family devotions, devotional reading). Which suggestion shows the biggest weakness in your habits, and what changes should you make in the next month with your schedule, media use, and leading your family?