THE FIVE SOLAS -

Small Group Discussion Guide

Quotes To Consider: • is “the main hinge upon which religion turns” — John Calvin • “I must listen to the Gospel which teaches me, not what I ought to do...but what Jesus Christ the Son of God has done for me…. It is therefore [essential], that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually" — Martin Luther • “It ought to be the first concern of every Christian to lay aside all confidence in works and grow in the knowledge, not of works, but of Christ Jesus, who suffered and rose for him.” — Martin Luther • “What makes faith salvific is the object of faith.” —Thomas Schreiner • “Every little touch would hurt my tender conscience. But one day, as I was passing through a field, suddenly I thought of a sentence, ‘your is in heaven,’ and with the eyes of faith, I saw Christ sitting at God’s right hand. And I suddenly realized — THERE is my righteousness. Now my chains fell off indeed! I felt delivered from slavery to guilt and fears. I went home rejoicing for the love and grace of God.” —John Bunyan

Discussion Questions: 1. Justification is a legal term that refers to God’s gracious activity in forgiving our sins and giving us right standing before God. 1. Why do we need justification according to Romans 3:10 & 23? 2. Who needs justification according to Romans 3:9 and Galatians 2:15? 3. How are we justified according to Romans 3:24? 4. In Galatians 2:16 Paul say three times we are not justified by what? 3. Paul says forgiveness of sins and right standing with God is God’s activity and it is “received through faith” (Rom 3:25; Gal 2:16). Discuss the difference between faith as an “instrument” through which we are justified versus faith as the “object” by which we are justified? 1. Read the quotes by Tom Schreiner and John Bunyan above. How do these help make this distinction clearer? 2. Luther speaks of active/ works-righteousness and passive/ Christ- righteousness. What do you think is the difference and how does this help us better understand faith? 4. What are some ways we attempt to add to the gospel (the work of Christ) that diminish its’ power? 5. Justification is the legal declaration of our new identity. While is the process of spiritual growth and good works. Why is it so important not to reverse the order of these? In other words, why is it important that sanctification flow from our justification and not the other way around? 6. Why do you think justification by faith is such and essential and central doctrine? If we are forgiven of our sins and made right before God by works what would this mean for: 1. Assurance of salvation 2. Our view of good works 3. Our view of suffering 4. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection

For Further Study: 1. Thomas R. Schreiner, Faith Alone—The Doctrine of Justification: What the Reformers Taught...and Why It Still Matters (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Academic, 2015).