Study Guide

How to Use This Book

The questions and exercises in this study guide are designed for individual study which will in turn lead to group interaction. Thus, they may be used either as a guide for individual meditation or group discussion. During your first group meeting we suggest that you set aside a few minutes at the outset in which individual group members introduce themselves and share a little about their personal pilgrimage of faith.

If possible, it is a good idea to rotate leadership responsibility among the group members. However, if one individual is particularly gifted as a discussion leader, elect or appoint that person to guide the discussions each week. Remember, the leader's responsibility is simply to guide the discussion and stimulate interaction. He or she should never dominate the proceedings. Rather, the leader should encourage all members of the group to participate, expressing their individual views. He or she should seek to keep the discussion on track, but encourage lively discussion.

If one of the purposes of your group meeting is to create a caring community, it is a good idea to set aside some time for sharing individual concerns and prayer for one another. This can take the form of both silent and spoken petitions and praise.

1. Why Am I So Empty?

1. Do you agree with Mr. Graham's statement, "Today . . . much of the world in search of knowledge and fulfillment ignores God" (p. 4)?
2. What had become meaningless in Tom Phillips's life (p. 8)? What did he discover was missing?
3. Discuss the questions listed in the second paragraph of p. 9.
4. Do you agree that man is desperately seeking for "peace" (p. 10)?
5. What is peace? Define and discuss.
6. Can you think of anything more important?

2. Can Anyone Tell Me Where to Find God?

1. Do you think the religion of "nationalism" is as prevalent as Mr. Graham suggests on p. 19?
2. Discuss the statement from Blaise Pascal on p. 20. Put it in your own words.
3. On p. 21 Mr. Graham says, "Faith is the link between God and man." Discuss the implications of that statement.
4. Using a concordance or topical Bible, explore the various facets of God's love.
5. In what ways are you aware of God's love right now?

3. Does God Really Speak to Us?

1. Discuss the concept of "spiritual blindness" (pp. 27-28).
2. What are some of the ways in which it manifests itself?
3. What, for you, is the most compelling evidence of God's existence (see p. 30ff.)?
4. In what ways does God speak to you?
5. Which way is the most common?
6. What is your favorite Bible verse?

4. But I'm Not Religious!

1. Contrast the sacrifices of Cain and Abel (pp. 47-48).
2. Why was Abel's sacrifice accepted by God and not Cain's?
3. If Christianity is not a religion, what is it?
4. Answer the question on p. 52, "Can we really lump Christianity with every 'religion' of the world?" Discuss your answers.
5. Someone has said, "Everyone has a God-shaped vacuum in his life." Discuss in the light of Mr. Graham's comments on p. 52ff. under "Without Excuse."
6. Discuss "The Deceivers" listed on p. 58ff.

5. What Is This Thing Called Sin?

1. Where did sin originate?
2. Discuss our "terrible freedom" (p. 67).
3. Discuss the similarity between "sin" and the skater's fall on p. 69.
4. Read the letter from the girl that appears on p. 71. What does it reveal about her?
5. Reread the "X-rays" on pp. 72-75. Have you broken any of these "rules for living"—or all of them?

6. Does God Have a Cure for Spiritual Disease?

1. "Sin is like cancer" (p. 78). Discuss.
2. Read and discuss the first paragraph on p. 79.
3. Discuss our similarity to babies as we begin the Christian life.
4. Reread Dr. Wilson's statement on p. 85: "One of the greatest causes of mental illness is unresolved guilt. Feelings of shame, inadequacy, missing the mark, not measuring up, are some sources of guilt feelings. The answer to guilt is grace and new birth. The new birth leads to the forgiveness of sin." Discuss and apply.
5. Discuss Mr. Graham's statement on p. 88: ". . . it's not the heavy storms of life that erode us, but the insidious, gradual pollution of sin which leads to our destruction."
6. What are the three dimensions of death (pp. 89-93)?

7. The Man Who Is God

1. "Jesus possessed a mental agility that has astounded scholars for two thousand years" (p. 100). Think about and discuss this aspect of Jesus' personality. What about His physical attributes in comparison to those around Him?
2. Read Matthew 23:25-26 in a more modern translation or paraphrase. Do you think Jesus was too frank in His appraisal? Where does frankness end and rudeness begin?
3. Have you ever had to forgive someone who had wronged you?
4. Do you need to extend forgiveness to someone even now?
5. Review and discuss the four attributes of God listed on pp. 104 through 106.
6. Review and discuss the three great "omnis" of Jesus (and God) listed on pp. 106 through 108.
7. Discuss the concluding statement in this chapter (p. 111): "It is simple. Jesus is God. Our earthly lives and eternal destinies depend on our belief in that fact."

8. What Happened at the Cross

1. What does the cross of Jesus mean (p. 113)?
2. Reread the third paragraph on p. 115: "To an outsider the cross must appear . . . ridiculous. But to those who have experienced its transforming power, it has become the only remedy for the ills of each person, and of the world." In what ways is the cross "the only remedy"?
3. What happened at the cross?
4. What did the cross cost God?
5. Discuss the significance of and the reason for communion (p. 121).

9. The King's Courtroom

1. In the light of God's forgiveness to those who sin, how should we then live?
2. Are we really free to go on sinning?
3. Review and discuss the concept of "responsibility" Mr. Graham offers on p. 131.
4. Review and discuss the four conclusions Mr. Graham draws from his contemplation of the death of Christ beginning on p. 130.
5. Discuss the three questions at the end of this chapter: "Why can't I seem to solve my problems?" "I feel so guilty—how can I find relief?" "Do I have to understand all this about Christ's death?" Have you ever asked yourself these questions?

10. Jesus Christ Is Alive

1. What is the basis of our belief in Jesus Christ (p. 143)?
2. What are the implications of Wilbur Smith's statement at the bottom of p. 146: "Let it simply be said that we know more about the details of the hours immediately before, and the actual death of Jesus, in and near Jerusalem, than we know about the death of any other man in all the ancient world"?
3. Review the three points Mr. Graham makes on pp. 146-148: Jesus was buried . . . the empty tomb . . . the bodily resurrection. What more do we need to know?
4. What does the Resurrection mean to us today?

11. The New Birth Is for Now

1. How can we change human nature?
2. Ultimately, how can we bring about change in society (p. 159)?
3. Evaluate John Hunter's statement on p. 164: "Nicodemus began by 'knowing,' but he continued by believing and receiving."
4. Mr. Graham says on p. 166: "The new birth is not just being reformed, it's being transformed." What does he mean by that? Put the concept in your own words.
5. On p. 169 the writer of the letter said: "He has made me new." Explore the implications of that statement.

12. The New Birth Is Not Just a "Feeling"

1. Read the "elephant" story on pp. 171 and 172. Do you think many people make the same mistake about the Christian life that this man did?
2. Define "repentance." Do you think many people today take this step in our modern fast-paced world?
3. Mr. Graham says that Jesus became "the cosmic scapegoat for the entire world" (p. 175). Explore the meaning of this definition.
4. What is the connection between "repentance" and "restitution"?
5. "Faith is first of all belief (in) Christ (p. 178) . . . faith in Christ is also voluntary" (p. 180). Explore the meaning of these definitions.
6. Faith is also experiential. Discuss that aspect.
7. Review the four steps on pp. 187 and 188.

13. Alive and Growing

1. Using a topical Bible or concordance, explore the various facets of forgiveness.
2. Discuss the "adoption" process as a picture of what happens when we join God's family.
3. How long does the Holy Spirit live in the heart of a believer? When does He start doing so?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping the believer overcome temptation?
5. What three vital steps does Mr. Graham recommend for "growing" Christians on p. 202ff.?