Why Reformation?

Community Group Discussion Guide: Why Reformation?
Read: 1 Peter 1:22-25 NASB95 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, [23] for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. [24] For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, [25] BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
Icebreakers:

• When it comes to your wardrobe, are your choices in clothing driven by more by fashion or practicality?  (Why?)
• Are you more inclined to "throw out" clothing because it is worn out or looks dated?
  
• Fashions are changed on a regular basis, for the purpose of making money in the clothing business; what are some of the other things in life that seem to change and shift on a regular basis?  (Do you personally like or dislike change?  Why?)
  

Big Idea: The idea for a Reformation had been brewing for some time, but it officially launched on October 31st, 1517 when Martin Luther (an Augustinian monk from Germany) nailed his "95" Theses" to the door of "All Saints' Church" in Wittenberg, Germany.  The Reformation was not a call to "reform" into something new as much as it was to recapture and return to something that was ancient.  The Reformation was about returning to Biblically based Christianity.  According to Luther, the Catholic religion had drifted away from some of the important practices and beliefs of Biblical Christianity.  The Reformation was a call for Christianity to return to its roots.  Since the Word of the Lord endures forever, Believers in Christ should treat the Bible as the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

Scripture Exploration: In the 1st Chapter of 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter expounds on the importance of God's Word and covers some of the great truths of our faith.  Peter takes on "Grace," "Holiness," and "Love."
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1. How would you describe or define the concept of grace?
2. Why is it essential to "fix our hope completely on grace?"  
   
3. What are some of the theological differences between a "saved by grace" and a "saved by grace and works" theology?  (This was one of the theological points that led to the Reformation)
   

1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, [15] but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; [16] because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

1. Holiness is largely viewed as spiritual perfection.  However, holiness is more about being set apart for the purposes of God.   (The vessels in Solomon's Temple were considered Holy.  Why?  Because, they were set aside to exclusively serve the purposes of God)
   
2. What is the correlation between holiness and human behavior?  (In other words, does being set aside for God's purposes change human behavior?)
3. The Apostle Paul brilliantly describes holiness in Philippians 3:13-14. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  How does pressing forward help us leave the "things" of the past?
   

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.

1. How important is love, as in forming agape-based relationships, in the Church?
2. How does the love expressed in our relationships within the Church serve as a witness to those that are without Christ?
   
3. How would you describe love (Agape) in the context of our conduct towards one another?  (Refer to 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a) 

Wrap-up: All of these great Bible themes are essential to the Christian Faith.  The salient call of the reformers was a call to return to a Bible-based Faith.  Peter tells us that the "Word of God endures forever."  Without the proper Biblical foundation, our faith becomes subjective and false.  When we move our thinking away from the truth that is God's Word, we are walking in a gospel of our own creation and that is not the gospel that has the power of salvation.