NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Bible Passage: Acts 15
Discussion Questions:
- How do you guard yourself from adding to the Gospel?
- How do we help others grow in Christ without burdening them?
- What steps can you take to stand for gospel unity?
Food for Thought:
Conflicts in the church lead to disunity which is never good for the growth of God’s kingdom. Many times, we need to understand and focus on the essentials of the faith.
During the growth of the early church, Gentiles, people from non-Jewish backgrounds, were coming to faith in Jesus Christ. The church had to ask whether someone first had to become Jewish to follow Jesus — whether they had to be circumcised and follow the law. Some believed that they did, while others did not.
The Jerusalem Council met to resolve this dispute. Peter argued that because Gentiles received the Holy Spirit and God knows the hearts of all, He doesn’t make a distinction between circumcised and uncircumcised. Peter affirmed that faith for all is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Affirming the sufficiency of faith in Jesus for justification, the apostles, elders, and the entire church selected representatives to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with a letter confirming the council’s decision. The church in Antioch was encouraged and strengthened by this news, finding unity in Christ alone.
Today, believers can sometimes get caught up in adding to the Gospel with certain rules and regulations, even with good intentions. But Scripture reminds us that faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is all we need for redemption and salvation. That’s the good news of the Gospel message! There’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love and forgiveness. We need only believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives.
The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject.
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