Discussion Questions

In Luke 24:44–47, Jesus says “all things must be fulfilled” from the Law, Prophets, and Psalms “concerning me,” and then links that fulfillment to repentance and remission of sins being preached to all nations—what does this combination reveal about God’s priorities in history: proof, fulfillment, suffering, and repentance? JumpstartAnother way to ask: In Luke 24:44–47, Jesus says Scripture was fulfilled about Him and then says repentance and forgiveness should be preached to all nations. What does this show about what God cares about most in history—proof, fulfilled promises, suffering, or people turning back to Him?

Chuck claims there are “two challenges” in the Great Commission: the 32% who believe need to be taught obedience, and the 68% who don’t believe need to be convinced—where do you feel the stronger pull in your own Christianity (assurance/belonging vs. obedience/submission vs. persuasion/mission), and what does that expose about what you think Jesus meant by “make disciples”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chuck says believers need to learn obedience and unbelievers need to be persuaded. Which pulls you more—feeling sure you belong, obeying Jesus, or helping others believe—and what does that show about what you think “make disciples” means?

Chuck uses Luke 6:46, John 8:31–32, and James (“even the demons believe”) to argue that belief that Jesus is God’s Son is only “first base”—what modern Christian habits or church messages tend to treat “first base” as the finish line, and how would your life look different if you took “abiding” and obedience as the defining mark of discipleship? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chuck says believing Jesus is God’s Son is only the start, not the finish. What church messages or habits today act like belief alone is enough, and how would your life change if “abiding” and obedience were your main test of being a disciple?

When Chuck contrasts evangelism today (“felt needs,” testimonies, C.S. Lewis, “come to church”) with evangelism in Acts (“reasoned from the Scriptures”), what assumptions about people, truth, and conversion are being challenged—and which of those assumptions do you personally resist? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chuck compares today’s evangelism (felt needs, stories, “come to church”) with Acts (arguing from Scripture). What beliefs about people, truth, and how someone changes are being challenged, and which one do you most push back against?

Chuck warns against sounding like a “used car salesman” who exaggerates benefits and minimizes cost, and he counters with Jesus’ Luke 14 “count the cost” message—where have you seen the cost of following Jesus downplayed in your own church culture, and what do you think that does to the depth and durability of disciples? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chuck says we shouldn’t sell Jesus like a product and hide the cost, because Jesus said to “count the cost” (Luke 14). Where have you seen the cost of following Jesus played down, and how do you think that affects how strong disciples become?

He brings in John 15 to argue that faithful disciples should expect hatred and persecution, then cites 20th-century martyrdom numbers and “waves” of persecution—how should this shape the way Christians talk about “God has a wonderful plan for your life,” and what would you need to change in your expectations to be prepared if a “wave” hits your context? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Using John 15, Chuck says disciples should expect hatred and persecution. How should that change the way Christians talk about “God has a wonderful plan for your life,” and what expectations would you need to change to be ready if persecution grows where you live?

Dr. Barrett’s answer—“the most effective means might be Christian martyrdom”—and Tertullian’s “blood of the martyrs is the seed” both suggest God grows the church through suffering; what does this imply about God’s wisdom and methods, and what parts of your theology of success, safety, or comfort get exposed by that? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If God can grow the church through martyrdom and suffering, what does that say about how God works? What does it reveal about how you think about success, safety, and comfort?

Chuck lists multiple examples in Acts where apostles persuade by Old Testament prophecy (Peter, Stephen, Paul, Philip with Isaiah 53, Bereans, Apollos, Paul before Agrippa)—what does that tell you about the early Christian view of the Old Testament (authority, clarity, evangelistic usefulness), and how does that compare to how Christians typically treat the Old Testament today? JumpstartAnother way to ask: In Acts, the apostles often use Old Testament prophecies to persuade people about Jesus. What does that show about how they viewed the Old Testament, and how is that different from how many Christians treat it today?

Chuck tries to “obliterate” objections (“that was only for Jews,” “they were Bible scholars,” “it wouldn’t work today”) by using 1 Corinthians 15 (“according to the Scriptures”), Acts 4:13 (“uneducated and untrained”), Justin Martyr to pagans, and modern examples (India, Mexico, Albania)—which objection do you still feel emotionally attached to, and what would repentance look like if that objection is really an excuse? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chuck answers common excuses like “that was only for Jews” or “it wouldn’t work today.” Which excuse still feels convincing to you, and if it’s really just an excuse, what would it look like to repent and change?

Chuck proposes a direct challenge: “If I can prove to you from the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus was the Son of God, would you believe and follow Him?”—what would it cost you socially and relationally to ask someone that this month, and what fears or motives in your heart would that expose (need to be liked, fear of conflict, fear of suffering, fear of being wrong)? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chuck suggests asking someone, “If I can show you from the Old Testament that Jesus is the Son of God, would you believe and follow Him?” What might it cost you socially to ask that this month, and what fears in you would it bring to the surface?