Get ready to talk.

If you are walking through this section with a person or group, get some dialogue going with the following questions and corresponding points.

1. Just because we are in the 21st Century, doesn't mean the way of Jesus & His Church that we examine from the 1st Century is outdated or expired.

• Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today & forever. If Jesus has not changed, and we are following the same Jesus of the 1st Century, why would our experience with Him deviate from scriptural account?
• In what ways does 21st Century Christianity deviate from the 1st Century template in Scripture?
• Does Jesus' way expire? Does anyone have the authority to change it?

2. The standard of Christianity, is the Christianity of the Bible.

• Whose version of Christianity have you been unconsciously using as your standard?
• We can honor those who have come before us, and even be inspired by the outcome of their lives, without allowing their life to become our template for discipleship. Why does that distinction matter?
• Who is a disciple son Jesus that you look up to?

3. Without continual reference to the Scriptural template, doctrine & experience drift.

• Where have you seen something get changed slightly as it was passed down? It doesn't have to be religious.
• What does it mean to "continually reference"? How often are you actually checking what you believe and live against the Word?
• The chapter says our experience drifts too, not just our doctrine. Experience is always downstream of doctrine. Where have you seen a church or a believer's experience quietly become something the Bible never intended?

4. Follow those who follow Christ, as long as they follow Christ.

• Read 1 Corinthians 11:1 carefully. What work is the second half of that sentence doing?
• Who are you currently following?
• What would you do if you noticed they were no longer following Jesus?

5. There are many modern Christian doctrines and practices that are not found in the Scriptures.

• Had you ever noticed something in Christianity that you can't find in scripture? If so, what?
• Does it matter that practices differ from the Scriptures? Why?
• What else might you be assuming is in Scripture that you have never actually looked up?

6. Don't lower your doctrine to accommodate experience. Elevate experience to accommodate doctrine.

• Have you ever concluded that something from the Scriptures is "not for today"? Did you get that from the Bible?
• Where have you lowered what you believe is possible to match what you have experienced?
• If you were to elevate your experience to match the truth of the Scriptures, where would you begin? What would that process and journey look like?

7. The church Jesus started is the church He intends to continue.

• Does the Bible give Church leaders authority to change the essence and expression of Jesus' Church?
• If your personal experience were measured against the book of Acts, where would be the widest gap?
• What would it cost you to hold the Bible as your standard rather than what is familiar, traditional or comfortable?