Chapter 11 Questions - Scott

1. What do the author's state is the primary purpose of the Book of Revelation? How do you respond to this view?
2. What literary form, often employed by intertestamental Jewish writers, is also used in the book of Revelation? Why is this significant to the study of Revelation?
3. How do you think world events could affect someone‟s view of the millennium?

Chapter 10 Questions - Scott

1. What are the three different ways the early church has responded to the social order in which it lived?
2. St. Paul said that he became “all things to all men” for the purpose of spreading the Gospel. What are the limits to this approach in being a Christian witness?
3. Regarding the apostles, Scott says “The hostile, negative reaction they experience from society is to be expected.” (P. 267) Question: What kinds of negative reaction do you experience from this current society?
4. Scott states; “The state, on the other hand, does not know of the lordship of Christ but still serves Him unconsciously and against its will.” (P. 287) Question: What action can we take to help change the state for serving Christ and following God's Will?

Chapter 9 Questions - Scott

1.) How does the church today mimic the church described in the chapter? How does it not?

2.) How do you define "church?"

Chapter 7 Questions (Scott)

1. What does it mean the spiritual life is a “cooperative effort” and what do you believe this
implies?

2. Some denominations believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit can be gained and lost. Can
human‟s affect the work of the Holy Spirit to the point where it can be lost and regained
in one's life?

3. What is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount as presented by Scott? How does Scott's
understanding contribute to the sanctification process?

Chapter 6 Questions

1. How does the author seek to answer the question, "How should believers live?" (p. 132)

2. According to Scott, what does he define as the GOAL of the Christian Life? Do you agree or disagree and why? (p. 133)

3. After all the good things the author lists in regards to what the Christian life is, why does he land on “the Christian life is a life in tension”? (p. 134)

Chapter 5

1. Reconciliation: Are we reconciled to God, or is God reconciled to us, or both? Explain.
(p111-112)

2. How did Jews and Gentiles differ in their view of salvation? How should a Christian
view salvation? (p103-104)

3. What is “kerugma” and what is it made up of according to Scott? Would you agree or
disagree with his position – justify your answer. (p106)

Chapter 4 Questions - February 28, 2009

1. How do the names of Jesus in the New Testament help us to see God‟s character? Which of these means the most to you and why?
2. How does the rest of the New Testament reveal Christ as a relational Savior?
3. What do you think of the statement on page 82 that Jesus was not really divine but functioned in that role (“Functional Christology”)?
4. Does the New Testament say anything about the background and nature of Jesus? If so, what?

1. Scott tells us that Jesus is most commonly referred to as the "Son of man" in the gospel of John. What was John trying to get readers to know about Jesus as being the "Son of man", instead of emphasizing him as the "Son of God?"

2. According to Scott John had a specific purpose in using the word „sign‟. What was John‟s his primary purpose in using this word according to Scott, and what does this word reveal about the character of Jesus?

3. In Scott‟s discussion of John 6:44-45 he notes a significance about the Greek word helkuo. How does understanding the Greek meaning of this word change your understanding of the verse? and/or your understanding of God.

Jeff Morris – Blog Questions – Scott Chapter 2

1. The Jewish people expected the establishment of the Kingdom of God to yield political dominance that would assure Israel’s recognition as “the greatest of all nations” (49). Some expected a cosmic change in the natural world that would eliminate disease (among other things) and bring heightened prosperity (50). Some looked forward to a social era of peace and justice, while others believed a spiritual realignment of those in God’s Kingdom was imminent (50). Most Jews believed that the Kingdom of God would usher in national deliverance that “would bring freedom from Rome” (50).

Jesus’ earthly ministry reflects some of these ideas. His life, death, and ministry are all demonstrations of his warfare against the forces of evil. There is no question that His ministry has brought about a spiritual paradigm shift. His miraculous deeds demonstrated a power over nature and the evils that have crept into creation. Fulfillment of all of these ancient Jewish ideals can be found in Christ and in Christ alone.

2. While the synoptic gospels suggest the idea of Messianic Secrecy, the meaning of such concealment by Christ is still a source of controversy and mystery. It has been suggested that Christ was trying to hide His identity as the Messiah or even deny it completely (56). Perhaps it was a matter of reverse psychology, or maybe Jesus was attempting to stall any public announcements for the sake of drama or in order to cultivate more time to teach his disciples (56). It has even been suggested that such calls for secrecy were mere fabrications so that the disciples could spread the message of Jesus as the Messiah, even though the masses knew that He never publicly made any such claim (56). The text ultimately asserts that Jesus wanted to conceal His Messiahship primarily so that He could clarify through His teachings (and subsequent death and resurrection) exactly what He meant by the term (56). In a time that was highly charged with so many preconceived ideas of who the Messiah would be and what he would accomplish, Jesus intended to take all the time He needed in order to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to His disciples.

3. According to Dr. Scott, the baptism of Jesus was a commissioning of Christ’s earthly ministry, including His death. By identifying Himself with John the Baptist, Jesus affirmed John’s teachings of a coming Messiah, of a need for cleansing beyond “the structure of both the religious ceremonies and the ethnic boundaries of Israel,” and of the need for forgiveness by means of an internal relationship with God and repentant behavior (52).

4. The text states that the Kingdom of God arrived once and for all when Jesus came to earth. The synoptic gospels clearly emphasize this point several times, as do the words of Christ Himself.

Scott Chapter 2

1. What did the Jewish people expect the "Kingdom of God" to look like in redeeming Israel? Did these views mirror Jesus? (p. 49-55)

2. Did the Synoptic gospels suggest the idea of 'Messianic Secrecy'? If so, did Scott's explanation suggest a strong reason for Jesus to deliberately conceal his identity? (p.55-6)

3. Why did Jesus want to be baptized? Why was this significant enlight of the Jews?

4. According to the text, has the Kingdom of God arrived or are we still awaiting its arrival?