Women's Bible Study Church History Week 4

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Women’s Bible Study Church History Week 4 Discussion Questions 1. Please read Exodus 35:31-35. What type of creative gifts are listed in this passage? How have you seen God use art and creativity to point people to Him? In class we talked about the Protestant “reaction” against statues and art. Do you agree or disagree with the principle behind that and why? 2. Please read Matthew 18:1-5 and Matthew 23:23-28. What do you learn about God’s view of leadership in these passages? How have you seen leadership go bad in the past? Why do you think Jesus speaks so harshly to religious leaders who have gone bad? How can you move towards godly leadership in your relationships?

3. Please read the Rule of St. Francis sections 2 and 4, 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and Hebrews 13:5. What do you think of St. Francis’ views on money and poverty? How have you seen benefits of a godly perspective on money? How have you seen the destruction that pursuing money only can cause? What wisdom do you see in the Bible passages you read today that you want to apply to your life right now? 4. Please read Psalm 119:89, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Ephesians 6:10-17 and Hebrews 10:23. As you have studied Church history over the past month, how have you seen the importance of standing firm in truth? Both the 1 Corinthians passage and the Ephesians passage talk about being on your guard when it comes to holding to truth. Why do you think holding to the truth is something that you must guard? When you are you most tempted to let your guard down when it comes to your faith? Is there someway your discussion group can support you right now?

5. “To the one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas. Please read Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:1 and Hebrews 11:6. What do you think of the Thomas Aquinas quote? Do you think the Bible verses you read today support or disagree with the Thomas Aquinas quote? Recall a time when you had to step out in faith and trust God. What happened and how has that impacted your faith? 6. Please read Psalm 46. As you read this psalm today, which verse is particularly encouraging to you and why? Look back over verses 8-10. Write down some of your thoughts about these verses in relationship to the Crusades. In what way do you need God to be your refuge and strength right now? 7. Please read Psalm 15. What connections do you see between this passage and some of St. Francis of Assisi’s Rule?

The psalm closes by saying that “Whoever does these things (that were just listed) will never be shaken.” Why do you think that is true (or do you)? Which of these things (in verses 2-5) are you struggling most to live out right now? How can you begin to change that today?