I. Receiving “the love of the truth” (II Th. 2:10)
- II Th. 2:10 speaks of those who do not receive “the love of the truth.” Instead of saying that they do not receive the truth, it says they do not receive the love of the truth. What does this mean?
- What does loving the truth have to do with loving God? If loving God is what is important (and, of course, it is), then why does Scripture place such a stress upon loving the truth?
- What are some ways that we show that we really are loving the truth? How does it manifest itself in our worship, in what we read, in our daily prayers, in our walk of life?
- Christ said the truth will make you free (John 8:32). If someone is sincerely holding to the truths set forth in our confessions, how will these truths make him free? Free from what?
- Is it possible for us to grow in our love for the truth? If not, why not? Is so, what can we do that would promote growth in a love for the truth?
II. The Importance of Holding to Truth
- What are some common views that people in other denominations have of creeds?
- How should we view our creeds? How important is it that we all really hold to the doctrines set forth in our confessions?
- Below is a list of a few specific truths that we as churches confess. Go through each statement, and ask this question, “How significant is it if someone denies this truth?”
- God desires to save only some people.
- God created all things in six literal days.
- There is no remarriage after a divorce (i.e. As long as one’s original spouse is still living).
- There is no condition that we have to fulfill to get into the covenant or to stay in the covenant.
- Some people who deny these truths have never been shown from Scripture their error. But if a person has been often brotherly admonished concerning his error, and he still holds to it, is this a sin?
- Why is the Holy Spirit called the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13; John 15:26)? If the Spirit of Truth is in us, how will this manifest itself(I John 4:6; John 14:17)?
III. Challenges in the Last Days
- What are some ways in which the devil in these last days is trying to get us to be unconcerned about the truth?
- Do you find the internet to be helpful in your spiritual studies and discussions? Do you find it difficult to use the internet profitably? What are some ways it can be used profitably?
- What do you think it means that God “sends” delusion in the last days to those who refuse to receive the love of the truth? Can you give examples of this? Is there a warning here for us as well?
- None of us can say that we spend enough time searching the Scriptures as we ought. What are some things that tend to get in the way, and what should we do about this?
- Besides the Bible, what kind of spiritual reading do you do? What kind of material (books, articles, pamphlets) do you tend to read?
- How can we encourage one another to grow in our love for the truth? What are some things we can do together that will help promote this?