GBC | Big Three

Matthew quotes Zechariah 9:9 as a prophecy being fulfilled. Apart from the textual differences, was Zechariah 9:9 ever a prophecy, as it doesn't read that way? Is It more of a parallel? Is every detail of a biblical story important? When is a detail just a detail? What do we do with the differences between the gospel accounts?

How do we live urgently in the light of the long delay of Jesus’ return? How do we navigate conversations and discourse with Christians of different denominations? For example, a relative saying they would never step foot in a Baptist church. If Paul was writing this letter to Gymea Baptist Church, what problems would he be asking us to fix?

Can you discuss how verse 2 instructs our ‘minds’ being changed to align with Gods will, rather than majority of scripture suggesting a ‘heart’ change? Given the letter’s Jew–Gentile relational focus and differing Roman/Jewish sacrifice views (transactional vs atoning), why assume verse 1 refers to Jewish sacrifice? Why don’t we talk much about spiritual gifts if they’re mentioned so often in the New Testament?

Does this scriptire suggest that we should not fight government corruption or protest policies that do not align with Jesus' teachings? What examples are there in the New Testament of justified disobedience to the governing authorities? How can we discern when we should not obey?

What might a disputable matter be today? Where is the line between disputable matters, and something, presumably more serious, where another believer needs to be corrected? Should unity inlcude gay brothers and sisters as volunteers?

Is there any significance to the Jews coming first and then the gentiles? is it simply someone has to be first? How does this impact the Money Gentiles sent the Jews? Why does Paul care about not building on someone's foundation? It comes across as ego (Also 2Cor 10:16). Why not water someone else's seed? (1Cor 3:6) If Romans 15:27 says Gentiles owe sharing material blessings with Jews, is that putting a price on the Gospel? Something that Paul has strong views against.

Why haven’t you preached through Romans before?What does Paul mean when he says to be wise about the good and innocent of evil? In the church context especially.Every divisive person recommends unity, just agree with me. Paul does the same, and rejects the Heterodox. Is this real unity or just uniting against something?

GBC does many things to bring hope to a dying world, but I don't feel like a dear friend of them. How can we make them a collective mission for our community?You mentioned we should not argue or grumble. At times, this is hard for those abused by others, both verbally and physically, to stand up for their safety.Philippians 2:12 calls for active working out (katergazomai) your salvation (sōtēria). How broad is the full scope of this Greek word for "Salvation" used by Paul?

I struggle with sermons on “getting on.” They can feel simplistic after real hurt. Forgiveness doesn’t always require restored relationship.Can you speak to that?If Paul was concerned at not receiving support "with strings attached", why do we take government funding which has strings attached including proclaiming the gospel? When we’re told to "work out or salvation”, in what sense work? Our salvation is not dependent on works.

Does the Bible give encouragement on us giving attention to things we don’t want to? For example tough relationships, studying, our health.Not to be black and white, but is social media sinful?The culture, theology, and gospel framework was helpful. Can you give another example of its use?

What are the red lines for religious freedom in terms of speech?Can you say more about Niebuhr’s framework?You noted the history of Baptists and then mentioned in passing the Pentecostal movement and how it was different. How was it different? What about other denominations?

What’re your thoughts on the kind of ‘empathy’ which considers words or ideas or faith based beliefs to be violence?Can you comment on any relationship between toxic empathy & tough love? Can we love toughly but with empathy? Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭11Is toxic empathy a cynical invention to divert Christian voters from feeling they should act and vote compassionately?

By the wording of his letter, which of the fruit of the Sprit is Paul implicitly asking Philemon to exhibit?Why didn’t Paul (or Jesus) call for the abolishment of slavery?Is there any other evidence that Onesimus did get set free?

This week's questions:-1. Given joy is somewhat experiential - how can we know that the joy we experience is from the spirit?2. What does it mean that the Joy of the Lord is our strength?3. What did James mean when he said we should count it all joy when we encounter trials?

Is it noteworthy that love is the first on the list?Why does Paul only mention love for others and not love for God in Galatians 5:14 like Jesus does in the parable?God’s love in sending Jesus is easy to recognise. In the Old Testament it’s much harder. How is God’s love expressed before Jesus?

Could Paul’s letter to the church be a passive aggressive response to the sins the church could have done? For example, they might have acted with hatred.We’ve looked at the same text for two weeks and haven’t addressed Paul’s interest in the law. What does the law have to do (or not)with the fruit of the Spirit?The vices are obvious, except in us. No one thinks they're in a faction, idolatrous or sexually immoral, yet we know these exist in the church. How do we do better?