Andrew Farley

What is discernment? Some of my friends listen to explicit music that is laced with profanity. How should I deal with this situation? My friend quotes Matthew 19 to say that we’re still under the 10 Commandments today. What’s the truth?

Can we give up our birthright (our salvation)? If not, then why does Hebrews 12 mention Esau giving up his? What does God canceling “the certificate of debt” mean in Colossians 2? I feel like the Lord asked me to do a bunch of things that I wasn’t willing to do. Then I rebelled and married a man who may be an unbeliever. Now I have a child with him. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to try to go back to my old life. Can you help?

What is “childlike faith”? What does it look like? I want peace with God, and I wonder how I can have that relationship with God as my Father. Can you help me? What is one powerful passage of Scripture I can share with a friend who wants to learn about the message of God’s grace?

Discussion Questions: What happens to God’s grace when we sin? So, why not just sin? What significance does “or do you not know…?” hold in this passage? What kind of baptism (water or spiritual) is Paul talking about? What happened to you as a result of being baptized? Why does Paul mention how many times Jesus died here? What does it mean for you? How specifically does this passage transform the way you react to a sinful thought? React to this statement: I’m the new self, so I don’t need to deny myself or die to self. Instead, I can love myself and be myself!

Why does Jesus tell people to chop off their hands and pluck out their eyes? What is He really getting at? What does God’s discipline look like? How is it different from punishment? Why does Hebrews 12 talk about God “scourging” us?

Who are the 144,000 people mentioned in the book of Revelation? How do I address issues such as gender when my kids are hearing so many different things at school? Why does James reference the Old Testament law so much in chapter 2? I was a lukewarm Christian, but now I’m serious again. Should I get re-baptized?

What kind of repentance does it really take to be saved? How can we be “perfected for all time” if we still sin? If we are not under the Law, then why does the New Testament still mention “commandments” for believers? What is the power called “sin” in Genesis 4? And how does it relate to us being tempted today?

Are all humans born in the perfect image of God today? Does Jesus know the time of His return? If we don’t have to ask for God’s forgiveness of each sin, then what about the Lord‘s Prayer?

What should you do when you don’t feel God is pleased with you? How could the people mentioned in Matthew 7 cast out demons and heal if they weren’t saved? Does Hebrews 6 suggest you can lose your salvation? What does it mean to be “glorified” in Romans 8:30? Are we giving too much power to Satan? Can a Christian receive a hex or a curse? How do we reconcile the advice to marry if you burn with lust with the idea that we have been given a spirit of self-control?

Discussion Questions: React to this statement: Jesus wants His joy to be made full in you. How are you “not of the world”? How are you kept from the evil one? What does “sanctify” mean? How are we sanctified? React to this statement: You are in the Trinity. What does it mean to you that Jesus has given you His glory? React to this statement: The Father loves you just as He loves Jesus. React to this statement: God’s love is in you, and Christ is in you.

Why was Cain’s sacrifice not accepted by God? How do you bear the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life? What did Jesus mean by “pick up your cross and follow Me,” especially since this was pre-cross?

How can we discern who to marry given the warning about being unequally yoked? Why should I remain Protestant and not become Eastern Orthodox? What is the value and purpose of crowns in Heaven? Can we “speak things into existence”? Wouldn’t that be taking power away from God?

How do you find strength to carry on when you feel attacked on all sides? Was Pontius Pilate’s wife’s vision from God? How should I navigate ongoing health problems with no answers for almost a year?

What happens to those who were cremated at the return of Christ? Did all of humanity die with Christ? If Adam was created perfect, why was he tempted to become like God? How can I handle the struggles of daily life in a deteriorating living situation?

Discussion Questions: Read Matthew 7:1-5. What is the main point? How does it parallel Romans 2:17-24? Read Matthew 7:6. Describe a time you tried to share the truth with someone who didn’t want to hear it. What did you learn from that experience? And from this Scripture? Read Matthew 7:7-11. How is this evangelistic? How does it point to the goodness of God? Read Matthew 7:12. This is commonly referred to as “the golden rule.” How does it fall short of a new covenant, grace-based motivation for treating others well? Read Matthew 7:13-14. Describe the narrow gate. Describe the wide gate. Reader Matthew 7:17-19. React to this statement: I’m a good tree that bears good fruit. Read Matthew 7:21-23. Why does Jesus tell some to depart from Him? How do we know they were not ever believers?