Discussion Questions

David Bercot quotes a description of God as a courteous tutor who is ready to correct what we say in error through weakness or ignorance, and who makes the most of what we say correctly. How should this picture of God shape the way we view our own mistaken beliefs and those of other Christians? JumpstartAnother way to ask: God is pictured as a kind tutor who gently fixes our errors and makes the most of what we get right. How should that change the way we see our own wrong ideas and the wrong ideas of others?

The early Christians were dogmatic about the basics of the Apostles' Creed, yet they were no spiritual policemen about wording beyond it. What does that balance tell us about how they understood the Christian faith, and why did they expect more from teachers than from ordinary believers? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The early Christians stood firm on the basics but did not police people's wording beyond them. What does that show about how they saw the faith, and why did they expect more from teachers?

After Nicaea, believers were put to death, even burned alive at the stake, by people who claimed to honor Jesus Christ. David Bercot says anyone who calls those men heroes has not understood Jesus. Why is this hard for Christians who admire figures from church history, and how should the Jesus of the Gospels shape whom we admire? JumpstartAnother way to ask: After Nicaea, some people killed other believers and thought it honored Jesus. David Bercot says those who call them heroes do not understand Jesus. Why is that hard to hear, and how should the Gospels shape who we admire?

David Bercot says the early Christians were precise about loving enemies, loving the brethren, holy living and separation from the world. Tertullian wrote that the pagans themselves said to look at how the Christians love one another. What does that suggest the early Christians assumed being a Christian required? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The early Christians were exact about love, holy living and staying apart from the world. Even pagans talked about how Christians loved one another. What did these Christians believe being a Christian required?

David Bercot says we have all grown up in a post-Nicene world that prizes getting everything nailed down and finding someone to condemn. How does that mindset show up in modern Christian ideas about right belief, faith and assurance, and why is it so hard to get out of our system? JumpstartAnother way to ask: David Bercot says we all grew up in a world that wants everything nailed down and looks for someone to condemn. How does that show up in what Christians believe about faith and assurance, and why is it hard to shake?

Augustine taught, and Luther repeated, that a Christian soldier may follow a ruler into a wrong war because the ruler bears the blame. David Bercot answers that the means count just as much as the end. Where are Christians today tempted to excuse wrong methods because their cause seems righteous? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Some taught that a Christian soldier is innocent in a wrong war because the ruler carries the blame. David Bercot says the means count as much as the end. Where do Christians today excuse wrong methods because the cause seems good?

Eusebius wrote of a secondary grade of holiness allowed to ordinary Christians, and the Sermon on the Mount came to be treated as a teaching for the perfect alone. David Bercot answers that God requires one grade of holiness from everyone. How do modern Christians repeat this two-level thinking when they talk about grace, obedience and freedom? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Some taught that ordinary Christians were allowed a lower grade of holiness. David Bercot says God requires the same holiness from everyone. How do Christians today still divide believers into two levels?

David Bercot closes by saying that Jesus knew who He was picking for His apostles and that they left the church in good shape. What does a faithful church after the apostles reveal about the wisdom of Jesus and His purposes for His people? JumpstartAnother way to ask: David Bercot says Jesus picked the right apostles and they left the church in good shape. What does that show us about the wisdom of Jesus and what He wanted for His people?

David Bercot's pastor warned that people can be stretched a little but will put their shields up if stretched too far, and the Luke 14 principle asks whether we can realistically prevail before we begin. How should these two pieces of advice change the next spiritual disagreement you enter? JumpstartAnother way to ask: A pastor warned that people shut down if you stretch them too far, and Luke 14 tells us to count the cost first. How should this change your next spiritual disagreement?

David Bercot says that if you feel good after banging people over the head with the Bible or the early church, your heart is in the wrong place. What motives and habits would help you build bridges with other Christians, and what can we learn from the Church of Christ elder who simply read the Scriptures on communion? JumpstartAnother way to ask: David Bercot says that if you feel good after beating people down with the Bible, your heart is in the wrong place. What motives and habits help you build bridges with other Christians?