Beginning this Sunday we will follow the life of Jesus in a powerful new series, The Face of God.
We begin our journey following the life of Jesus by considering the reliability of the Gospel accounts in the New Testament. Can we trust the Gospels? Are they reliable historical accounts? We want you to know the Bible is a trustworthy and reliable document, and the Gospels are written so that the readers mights “know the truth” concerning Jesus (Luke 1:1-4):
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Our first look as it The Gospel Truth: can we trust the Gospels? In recent years it’s become popular to say there are discrepancies and contradictions in the Bible. Doubt is cast on the Scriptures, particularly the historical accounts of Jesus. Perhaps you have a college student who suddenly began to express doubts about the reliability of the Bible (after taking Philosophy 101 or the Bible as Lit).
Community Groups will be resourced with discussion questions and background studies each week, all the way through Easter. This week’s are below, and we also want to point out a helpful resource on the reliability of the Gospels that will be handed out at the end of our worship gatherings this Sunday. When it’s ready to post online we will do that as well right here.
Discussion Questions for your family and group [available to download as PDF resource page: The Gospel Truth]:
- Prior to this message, what was your own belief about the reliability of the Bible? How has that changed or been affirmed through this message? How has that belief shaped your love for and trust in Jesus?
- About what things in your life do you have complete faith in their reliability?
- When considering the magnitude of evidentiary documentation regarding the reliability of the Bible’s authorship, authenticity, and information, why is it that such conflict over it’s authenticity exists today in our culture? (Why do people argue against it so strongly?)
- What aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry are you most excited to explore?
Printed copies of this resource page will be on the table next to the front desk.
At the end of each worship gathering we handed out a resource to help grasp the evidence for the reliability of the Gospels and New Testament. (Find it here.) It includes many “did you know” facts, and can be used in your community group gathering as well. Links to all the resources mentioned are there as well.
Essential details on the various happenings for January are outlined here.
Tell your group: join WCC as we gather with other local church communities for an hour of prayer this Sunday, January 8th, 4:00-5:00 PM, at Rolling Hills Community Church (directions). We will have our regular 6 PM worship gathering back at WCC afterward.
Trusting in Jesus with you,
Pastor Jeff
