Some False Substitutes and the True Source

GOALS• Connect the timeless truth of

God’s Word to current lifestyle, cultural and theological issues

GOALS• Emphasize the importance of

making decisions based on clear scriptural commands and instructions

GOALS• Discuss what the role of the church

is and isn’t in the life of the Christian

• Help us know how to relate to other Christians who differ with us on issues

GOALS• Renew our commitment to the

authority, sufficiency and clarity of Scripture

TRUTHUNDERSTANDING

APPLICATION

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Cultural Christianity –

predominant practice in a region or community; an understood, normative, expected way of thinking and living

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Institutional Christianity –

an institution has a standard or rule which becomes the norm for how all Christians should live

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Parental Christianity –

indoctrinating children with data and behavior; practicing “formula” parenting; assuming children will adopt and follow parents’ beliefs and practices; …

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Parental Christianity (con’t)–

… children conforming to family expectations rather than developing personal apprehension of truth and learning to make discerning application

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Traditional Christianity –

the way we have done it = good; anything new = bad; if an application was valid in the past, it is still valid today; to change is to compromise

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Box Christianity –

accepting or eliminating practices by category or label

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Movement Christianity –

determined by what leaders in a movement are doing; following or reacting to them

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Guru Christianity –

adopting beliefs and practices because an influential person has reached conclusions and teaches them

Substitutes for Biblical Christianity• Fad Christianity, Best Seller

Christianity, Ministry Program Christianity

• Reactive Christianity

Source of Biblical ChristianityMatthew 28:19-20Basis Content Scope

Source of Biblical ChristianityActs 2:41-42

4:185:4213:115:3518:1128:30-31

Source of Biblical ChristianityRomans 12:3-8Ephesians 4:11-14

Source of Biblical Christianity1 Timothy 1:3-10

3:24:6-11, 13, 165:176:1-5

Source of Biblical Christianity2 Timothy 2:2

3:164:2-4

Titus 2:1, 10-15

Source of Biblical Christianity2 John 4-11

The Basis for belief and lifestyle choices is not the substitutes but the right understanding of the truth of God’s Word.