Christianity's Family Tree - Chapter 6 - Baptists (Reading questions)

Here are some questions to consider as we prepare for class this week.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 6:23)

1. How has the Bible been an important "road map" in your life?  How has study of the Bible shaped your understanding of God? impacted your personal relationship with Christ? affected your spiritual growth.
2. Who were the Puritans and what kind of reform did they seek to bring to the Church of England?  Who were the Pilgrims and how did they respond to their dissatisfaction with the Church of England?
3. The first Baptists came from what tradition?  Why were they considered to be radical reformers?  What traditions and practices of the COE did they reject or discard and why?
4. Why are there so many different varieties of Baptists?  
5. What are the three core beliefs or emphases all Baptists hold in common?  What three qualities demonstrated by Baptists would all Christians do well to copy?

Finish this sentence:  The most important thing a believer does is...

We'll discuss this more in class.

Until then... Deb