Main Point: We need to study the Bible so we can know the truth, live by it, and share it with others.
Discussion Starter: Christian Doctrine Quiz
Circle the best answer, or neatly write in your answers. You may not use a Bible or electronic device while taking this simple quiz.
1. As it applies to the Bible, the term “canon” means:
A. rule or measure
B. authority
C. a really big gun used for blowing up opponents to Christianity
2. Jesus’ relationship to God can best be described as:
A. Jesus was created by God to do His will on Earth
B. Jesus is the Son of God and the exact same as God
C. Jesus is the Son of God and is very similar to God, Himself
3. How many natures did Jesus have?
A. Just one…mother nature
B. Three…as in the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
C. Two…as in human and divine
4. For a person to be saved, he/she must be baptized.
A. True
B. False
5. According to the Bible, Jesus
A. sinned only when His enemies did so first
B. sinned about the same as everyone else
C. never sinned
6. List 3 of the 4 Gospels:
A.
B.
C.
7. On the Day of Pentecost, a mighty wind blew upon believers, and they were simultaneously engulfed by “tongues of fire.” Which Figure in the Trinity is most closely tied to this event?
A. God the Father (Yahweh)
B. God the Son (Jesus)
C. God the Spirit (Holy Ghost)
8. Heaven and Hell are not literal places. They are concepts that help people live their lives like God says.
A. True
B. False
9. According to the Bible, a person is saved
A. mainly by being good and going to church
B. through faith in Jesus Christ alone
C. by focusing on spiritual matters
10. The first 5 books of the Bible are often called:
A. The Preamble
B. The Pentateuch
C. The History of Humanity
11. The Bible claims to be inspired by God.
A. True
B. False
C. Depends on interpretation of key passages
12. In the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, the best understanding of the bread and wine is:
A. they present the fundamental substance of Jesus’ body and blood alongside the bread and wine
B. they literally become the actual body and the actual blood of Jesus Christ
C. they represent the two elements Jesus used during His last night on Earth, but they are merely tokens/symbols and nothing more
13. The Trinity
A. proves that Christians worship three different Gods
B. is made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
C. doesn’t exist because the word is never found in Scripture
14. Justification can best be defined as:
A. God’s desire and accomplishment of pardoning believing sinners
B. the ongoing “cleansing” in our lives that pleases God and makes us more like Jesus
C. a vacation home for Justin Bieber
15. Satan is an actual being with a real personality who seeks to destroy God and all that He loves.
A. True
B. False
The Answers
Of course, you’re gonna want to hang on to these for yourself while your students take the actual quiz. After they finish, distribute copies of this sheet, or display on a PowerPoint presentation, or just read them out loud.
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. C
6. Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John
7. C
8. B
9. B
10. B
11. A
12. C
13. B
14. A
15. A
After taking the quiz, spend a few minutes going over the correct answers. Be careful to not let anyone get embarrassed by their wrong answers. But have a fun time with the students over what they knew and didn’t know. Afterword…
Transitional Statement:
OK, first let me say that if you missed all or most of the questions, you are not going to Hell! But, you now know that you could be spending more time in God’s Word. For the next few minutes, we’re going to talk about why it’s important to know God’s Word. You might be surprised out how important the truth of the Bible is.
Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.
CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.
Discussion Questions:
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we begin, let’s all take a second to share our names and how many questions we got correct on the quiz.
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: Were you surprised by your score? Why or why not?
- ASK A FEW: Was there a question that you were surprised to get wrong? If so, what was it?
- ASK A FEW: Which of those questions do you think is the most important? The least important? Why?
- ASK A FEW: How important do you think these questions and answers are?
- ASK A FEW: Do you believe the “trustworthy saying” that the Apostle Paul includes in this passage? Why or why not?
- ASK A FEW: What do you think we must we do to be able to “present ourselves to God” and “correctly handle the word of truth”? (Leaders – You’re looking for something along the lines of “Study the Bible,” or “Spend time in God’s Word,” and maybe even “Putting into practice what we learn from the Bible.”)
- ASK A FEW: Why do you think Paul says the false teaching will spread like gangrene? (Leaders – You may have to explain that gangrene is “the death of tissue due to poor circulation.”)
- ASK A FEW: What is the best way to guard against believing false teaching? (Leaders – The best way is to know the truth. Then, whatever is not the truth, is easily identifiable as a lie.)
- ASK A FEW: Do you think we can “live by God’s Word” if we don’t know it or understand it? Why or why not?
- ASK A FEW: Paul seems to be helping Timothy understand what it is he is trying to teach his church. Do you think it’s possible for us to teach others the Bible’s message if we do not know it ourselves? Why or why not?
- ASK A FEW: What keeps you from spending more time in God’s Word?
- ASK A FEW: What is one way we could help you better study/understand the Bible?
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: How will your Bible study habits change as a result of our discussion?
Read the following passage:
2 Timothy 2:11-17 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Wrap Up:
Hopefully, you had some fun tonight taking a quiz that won’t impact your grades…at all. But that doesn’t mean that your score is unimportant. Far from it!
In fact, this might be one of the most important quizzes you ever take.
Tonight, we learned a lot of information about the Bible, but now let me tell you how important that information is. None of that is trivial info. For instance, you were asked whether or not Jesus sinned. He didn’t sin…ever; the Bible makes that crystal clear in Hebrews. The reason that’s important is because Jesus had to be the perfect Lamb of God that was able to take away our sins. If Jesus would have sinned, He would have been just like you and me, tainted. But He didn’t; He was perfect.
Now see how important that is?
We need to know this truth like the back of our hand so we aren’t fooled. We need to know the truth so we can live by it. Lastly, we need to know the truth so we can share it with others!
I heard long ago that Canadian Mounties don’t study counterfeit monies. They only study the original. The idea is that there are many ways to produce counterfeits…but there is only one original. If they can learn what the original looks like, they will notice the slightest difference in counterfeits and identify them as fakes.
2,000 years ago, Paul wrote that when we don’t adequately know the Word of God, people’s faith can be destroyed. That alone is reason enough to study the Bible.
Before I close up shop, let me give you just a few tips on studying the Bible. (Leaders, you may want to have these on a quick card stock handout for the students.)
First, get a translation of the Bible you can understand. I recommend the NIV or the NLT. Second, ruthlessly carve out 15-30 minutes of EVERY day to spend with God. During that time, pray and ask for God’s help during your time of study. Tell Him how badly you want to know His Word. Why wouldn’t He help you with that? Finally, write down what you learn, and what you have questions about. That way, you can take them to our leaders and get answers. That’s why we’re here!
Guys, the Bible’s message is crucial to our lives. If we don’t understand it, then life will be hazy at best. We must know God’s Word for that’s the only way to know Him.
Close in Prayer
Written by David R. Smith
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.
pastor parris lester
June 19, 2013 at 12:00 amMr Smith, I think this was great. I have been looking for a way to determine where our youth are, and this agenda will do just that. Thank you so much…
Rev
May 17, 2014 at 12:00 amThis does NOT represent ALL Christian doctrine. It represents a very specific (and fairly narrow) tradition’s beliefs. Please don’t use this with your kids if these aren’t actually your church’s beliefs!!!