Break the ice. What is your favorite verse, passage or book of the bible, and why?

---

2 Timothy 3: 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the people of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

---

Discuss the second core, essential belief of Citizens Church: the Doctrine of Revelation.

Doctrine—what Christians believe—directly influences how they live. We believe the Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and are therefore without error in their original writings. These writings alone constitute the verbally inspired Word of God, which is utterly authoritative and free from error. Scripture is sufficient for all that God requires for us to believe and do and is therefore to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; and trusted, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises (Is. 40:6-8). As God’s people hear, believe and obey the Word, they are equipped as disciples of Christ and witnesses to the gospel.

1. What is the source of Scripture? How does this autograph display its perfection (being without error and absolutely reliable)?
2. Scripture is able to make us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” What do you think this phrase means? What else does Paul say Scripture is useful for?
3. From the purposes of Scripture that Paul lists, is there one that is neglected more than the others in your life?
4. Imagine you are explaining verses 16 and 17 to an unbeliever, what would you say? How would you answer the question, what is the nature of Scripture? How is Scripture unique in its circulation, survival and influence?

---

Rest in God’s promises from Isaiah 40:8 and Matthew 24:35 – The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my (Jesus) words will never pass away.

Close in prayer. God, you have spoken everything we need for life and godliness in your Word. We are not left to our foolishness. We are not left to try and figure it out on our own. Thank you. Like the apostle John, we confess, “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) and believe you speak without contradiction or flaw (Prov. 30:5-6; Ps. 18:30). Thank you. We believe it is impossible for you to lie for you are the God of truth and your character demands inerrancy, for you cannot err. Thank you.