Campus Bible Study: Bible Talks

"Tim mentioned a couple times how this great king (Jesus) would "be saved" from suffering/affliction. Just wondering how best we can articulate "who" did this work of salvation/resurrection. Acts 10:40 & 13:30 talk about God being the one to raise Christ. So what did Jesus do besides win?" "Why does it switch between Ephraim & Joseph when mentioning the northern/southern tribes?" What's going on with the prisoners in the waterless pit, and prisoners of hope in Ch 9:11-12? Could that be likened to our salvation from hell? "In chapter 9 v 11&12 with the prisoner from waterless pits and prisoners of hope idea - is that likened to our salvation from hell and call to be slaves and obedient (Paul language)? Or is it looking at idea of hell and salvation as Christians?" "You spoke about suffering and then glory as the path of Israel and the Christ. Could you please help us understand a bit more of where you see that in the passage and what that means for us now?"

"What does shaking of heaven mean? v7 treasures of all nations --> Desire of all nations in other translations?" "I wonder of Jesus' ancestry through Zerubbabel since both Luke & Matthew have Zerubbabel and Shealtiel but between Zerubbabel & Jesus and Shealtiel & David they differ. I'm also trying to think if there is any passage that has gentiles as treasures or if this is an interpretation without much precedent?" "On the cross, did Jesus only bear the judgement/sin of his people or everyone (the whole world)?" "Jesus has taken the judgment that we deserve and we are saved from eternal judgement but do we experience judgement like the people did in Haggai 1? How did God keep his promises from Jeremiah 22 of not allowing Josiah's line to rule?" "How does God choose individuals to become prophets? In a modern context, how do we know if it is a true calling from God or what we internally desire?"

"How can we build a true relationship with God?" "How do we know that we have built a genuine relationship instead of a performative relationship with God?" "How does someone begin to incorporate God into our daily lives?" "What are the requirements for someone to call themself a Christian? I have a few friends who are Christians, they believe and may have a relationship with God but don't go to church. How can I encourage them to attend church?" "Do you think that whilst not going to church, not technically being a sin, does it not imply spiritual decay within someone? Under normalcy of course, as there are valid reasons for not attending (e.g. honouring the dead, tending to the sick etc.)" "How can we do anything that pleases God if we always have mixed/sinful/selfish desires and motivations? Can we genuinely do good works that are not stained by sin?" "Can our worship of God ever be completely pure intentioned this side of heaven?" "As someone who prefers more traditional liturgy/worship/sunday services, but also keeps sinning, I often struggle with doubts that I am being hypocritical. How do we wrestle with seeking to be religious for God's glory, not our personal preference, while we still sin?" "Fasting? Is this a valuable thing for us to do? Why/why not? What does it look like?"

"Jeremiah 33 said that the Levitical priests will never lack a sacrifice to offer when the Branch comes. But doesn't Jesus end the Levitical order of priests (Hebrews 7) and end perpetual sacrifices by his once-for-all sacrifice?” "From Jeremiah 33:17-17 "The levitical priests shall never lack a man..." But isn't Jesus explicitly not a levitical priest? Thinking Hebrews vibes. Does the "levitical" bit from God's promise in Jeremiah just not matter, or is it fulfilled in a way I'm not getting yet?" "What's the point of O.T. partial fulfilment when it may have been more practical to only have stand-alone promises/prophecy in relation of Jesus Christ?" "What is the fulfillment of this new temple? The church? The indwelling of the Holy Spirit? God dwelling with his people in the new Jerusalem?" "If Christ was himself the temple (John 2), how can we then be the temple described in Eph 2:17-22?" "Does the process of helping to build the temple of the Lord help build us into it too? Isn't it God who gives us faith + so establishes us in his temple, + so why continual building? Would not all who are in Christ already in the temple?" "Is there any significance/meaning in the different colours of the horses in 6:2-3?" "Is there a link between the 4 horses in Zechariah 6 and the horses in Rev 6? (Same number, similar colours) - is it just a common image of judgement or more connection?" "Why will the prophecy only be fulfilled if Judah diligently obeys God?" "How can we respond rightly to the hope in Jesus (our King and Priest)? Is it spread the message? How can we personally respond? How can we be diligently obedient?"

"Why is wickedness built a house? Why is it moved and hidden away and not judged/destroyed? Does this hint at a greater wickedness to befall Babylon/Persia, or indicate Judgement to come on them?" "Built house for the basket? -> wickedness & sin. Our iniquities?" "Could the olive trees in Zechariah relate to Elijah and Moses on the transfiguration (and how does it relate to Rev 11?)?" "If the two olive trees are referring to Joshua & Zerubbabel, does this point to Jesus' priesthood and kingship?" "Is this Zerubbabel the same Zerubabbel who is in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1? Does that mean that the prophecy in Zechariah 4 is related to kingship?"

"Why does the Lord say "The Lord rebuke you Satan"? Is that Him rebuking Satan or is the Lord still waiting for when the Lord will later rebuke Satan?" "3:9 says 'single day' and Jesus was dead for three days & three nights. Is this still a single day that removes iniquity or inclusive of his death and resurrection that removes iniquity rather than just his death singularly?" "Is Jesus being considered as high priest and king related to being in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews)? And what is the significance of being in this order when Melchizedek is only mentioned twice in the Bible?" "Is this image of Joshua the high priest related to Melchizedek? What about Melchizedek? i.e. Why specifically the image of Joshua as priest?" "You mentioned that the existence of the day of atonement sacrifices indicated that the daily (or periodic) sacrifices of the people weren't sufficient. What did these daily sacrifices achieve?"

"Why does God say v3 'return to me and I'll return to you' if He intends to return to them before they return to Him?" "I think it's cool that vs16 God says he has returned even though the temple wasn't rebuilt. So was the temple truly symbolic as his dwelling place? Where is God dwelling then?" "Where do we get the idea that the Angel of the LORD, while being seen to be God, is in some way distinct from God? Is it reading too much into the OT to say that the Angel of the LORD is the pre-incarnate Jesus?" "Is the angel of the LORD distinct from God the Farther, Son and Spirit? If so how are they related?" "What is the measuring line in Zech 1:16? When it is used in other prophets, it is often used as an image for God's judgement, but hasn't God's judgement already fallen on Israel in the exile?" "Was the vision in part prophetic to Jesus? (as a carpenter)" "Is there a connection between the carpenters in Ezra 3, Zechariah 1, and Jesus being a carpenter?" "I don't understand the 4 craftsmen images?” "Is repentance a once off thing or something we need to keep doing as Christians?"

"Why did Jesus initially disagree that he is worthy of worship only until he is able to perform miracles when he's technically an extension of God, doesn't that always make him worthy? Who exactly is Jesus? Does he evolve?" "Is Jesus' authority only given after his death and resurrection, or simply "fully revealed" by it? John 1:1" "Matthew 26:64 "Son of Man is seated at right hand" and in Daniel 7-8, is Jesus the ruler of the new kingdom? (i.e. does he pass judgement or does God judge people i.e. opening books of life?) I understand Jesus is raised as new ruler but who judges in the final resurrection?" "Later in Daniel 7, it says the court will sit. Who is the judge of the living and the dead? Is it Jesus interceding so we don't experience God's wrath + judgement, or is Jesus the judge and then what is the role of the Father then. Finally, what is this court?" "Since the resurrection is so central to the Christian faith, how do we deal with the inconsistencies between the accounts of Jesus' resurrection in the four gospels?" "What is 'everything I have commanded you'? (vs 20). Does this mean that everything Jesus taught to pre-cross Israelites is reiterated here for all Christians?" "Interesting take on Jesus' words and when heaven and earth pass away. In Matthew 5:17-18, how do you reconcile the law being God's word and Jesus saying he has not come to abolish it vs his words enduring and the law passing away?"  "So the kingdom of God has been brought to Earth. That means heaven is now accessible to us because of Jesus' resurrection?" "Throughout the series and this week we've heard Jesus' resurrection marks the "new age". Is this language actually present in scripture in reference to his death and resurrection? (Because in 28:20 it clearly is post-resurrection, referring to his 2nd coming)." "The bible says we are allowed to doubt and question in our faith but how "bad or deep" can we fall before our salvation is at risk?" "When Jesus says, "I am with you always," does that mean the same thing that God did when He promised He'd be with the Israelites? Or is He foreshadowing pentecost and the Spirit?"

“Joseph of Arimathea could roll the stone, doesn't that mean other people could also roll the stone & take Jesus away? I've heard the argument that the stone was impossible to roll but Joseph did it." “Could you explain why the Psalm 22 quote is written out in the original language?" “Why do the Jews think Jesus is calling to Elijah?" "Does the field of Blood contradict Acts saying Judas bought the field himself?" "1 John 2:2 -> Sins of the whole world. Does Jesus die for the whole world or only for those that trust him?" “How do you become a saint? Why are they so important in catholicism and not in protestantism?" "Why are bodies of saints raised in Matt 27:52? What is the purpose of this and who were they?” "Matthew is the only gospel that talked about the saints rising from the dead 27:52-53. Isn't this significant enough to be talked about in other gospels and non-christian texts?" "Why in v44 did it say that the robbers reviled him & similarly in Mark but in Luke it talks about the criminal that gets told "today you will be with me in paradise"? Did this happen?”

"Is it sinful to not give all our money to God/mission? Is it selfish to pay for nice accommodation or own a car? I was chatting to a first year and realised I didn't have a solid answer." "Why do the disciples fall away? Is it something about their understanding of Jesus or something about the Spirit? Or is it just to fulfil the Scriptures?" "I'm a little unclear about the imagery in Zechariah 13:8-9. What does it symbolise and how does it relate to Jesus' death?" "Why does Jesus call Judas "friend" in v.50? Was Judas ever a true believer then?" "How do we know that Jesus' death & resurrection is what the exodus points to? How do we know it doesn't go backwards? Bible quote?"

"Is it proven and known that Jesus actually died on Friday 3rd April AD? Or was that simply said because this year, Good Friday falls on 3rd April!" "How are the wicked raised (for judgement)? Is it in some seme sense an overcoming of death for them even though not in Christ?" "How do I explain hell to someone who doesn't believe in the afterlife or in God, if the idea of a Godless existence does not mean anything to them so hell is an immaterial thing Christians just throw at non-believers?" "Should we seek death?" "Is it wrong for us to attempt to prolong life in this world e.g. medical interventions?" "Why did Jesus have to die?"

“Aren't most of vv3-14 things that occur after the cross?” “If Jesus is speaking about his crucifixion, why does he say to pray it doesn't happen in winter, and cry alas for women nursing infants? Does this not suggest that the 'great tribulation' (v21) is one which is experienced by the people and not by him? Why is seeing his crucifixion (if it is the abomination of desolation) a sign to flee (v15)?” "If the abomination of desolation was Jesus' death, how do we interpret v20, v23-38? Wouldn't those verses point towards a time after Jesus?" "If the abomination here is Jesus' death on the cross, then why are there all the fleeing instructions in Matthew 24:16-20? Is not Jesus the only one who suffers the tribulation?" "If we take the 'abomination that causes desolation' to be tied to Jesus' death/resurrection, how does the more general tribulation and fleeing in v16-20 fit in? Seems more AD70-like, would seem strange if it were sandwiched by AD33 stuff." "I'm curious about 24:16-20, and how this fits with Jesus' death or the final judgement? It feels very practical, and I'm confused about what the "flight" is (v.20) in either of these contexts." “I wonder if the coming in v30 is different from v36-44 since the first seem to have signs and nearness or if they are just the same coming spanning the age?” “The third servant seems to get thrown into hell because of his actions. How do we reconcile this with salvation through faith alone?” "Is there still a balance in serving in ministry with endurance? I think burn out is still very real?"

"In Matt 22:1-14 the garment is the important qualifier for being at the feast or not, so why are some of them called "good"? Does it mean anything, or is it one of those "it's a parable don't worry about it too much" situations?" "What are the implications for us with the men with no garment? Are there still extra things that we need to be given once we enter the "wedding"/kingdom of God? (Is salvation a multi-step process?)" "How should we think about tax when the government spends on things against God (e.g. abortion) (or idol worship in Rome)?” "What does Jesus mean in "god of the living"?" "What 'resurrection' is Jesus talking about? Our being raised to eternal life or his?" "Jesus condemns the Sadducees' question for not knowing the scriptures. Does the OT say there is no marriage in heaven?" "How do we then approach earthly law if we are hypocritical if we try to keep all of God's law?" "How can you reconcile trying not to be "performative" and making yourself seem more obedient than you actually are, with being a good role model/avoiding being a stumbling block for others/living above reproach?"

"How is God not fair and yet the Bible says God is perfectly just?" "Who is the daughter of Zion mentioned in Matthew 21:5 - what relevance does it have to the passage?" "How does 21:20-22 fit into the understanding of the fig tree as an analogy?" "Why did you skip v21-22 (ch 21)" "How do we repent genuinely when we know we are prone to sin + may continue in sin?"

"How do we read Matthew 18:35? Does it not imply that God's forgiveness is conditional on our actions?" “Does someone need to be sorry in order for you to forgive them?” "In Matthew 18 with the parable of an unforgiving servant, when the master forgives the servant of debt what is this supposed to metaphorically represent (as Jesus has not yet died?)?" "Why did the first servant say "Have patience, I will pay you everything" if he knew he could not pay the impossibly large debt? Why did he not ask for the debt to be cleared and admit he could not pay it on his own? Does this imply that we can approach God in this way and attain salvation without complete reliance on him?" "What is the church Jesus refers to in Matthew 18:17?" “Some claim 18:20 is about church. Is it? Does the context (of witnesses and prayer) shape how we understand it?" "What does Jesus mean when he says to treat an unrepentant brother/sister as "a Gentile + tax collector"?” "Is Jesus saying in Mathew 19:9 that if you divorce because of sexual immorality, then you are not committing adultery?" "What about abuse within marriage as a case for divorce?" "How should we view/talk about marriage between people who are not Christians? Is it more just a legal thing, not model? Is it still possible to model unity? Should we be encouraging (or not) our non-Christian friends to get married? Do we accept the "secularisation" of marriage and just use it as a talking point for the gospel?"

"If faith was only provided once Jesus sent the Spirit after his ascension, was the Spirit at work at all in the OT?" "When other people come to Jesus with "great faith" i.e. Canaanite woman & Roman official, did they have the Holy Spirit before Pentecost?" "If faith is either you have 100% or not, why does Jesus tell his disciples "you of little faith"?" "If John the Baptist is the Elijah figure, what does he restore?" "In Matt 16:23 - is Satan speaking/working through Peter to tempt Jesus?" "If we have been given that faith why can we not move mountains?" "If God gives us "100%" of faith, why do we doubt and lose it?"

“How do we know that 14:1-12 is a flashback?” "How do we know definitely that Matthew's placement of the story of John the Baptist's death before Jesus feeding 5000 and walking on water was a deliberate choice? Modern readers of course can see the contrast between the kings but are we certain this was intentional and not just a coincidence? Or forgot to write it earlier?” “At what point does the flashback end?” "If food laws don't help our spiritual problem why did God institute them in the law?" “Matthew 15: 24-28. What does it mean that the "lost sheep" is only the people of Israel and the outsiders are the "dogs"?"

I don't quite get the logic in 13:13. If the reason he speaks in parables is because the people will not perceive or understand, doesn't that mean would be free to speak plainly (given the crowd would not understand either way?).  I think it is interesting in v15 that God could clearly present the secrets of the kingdom yet deliberately obfuscate it, yet in v18-23, he reveals it to us. I wonder if this has implication of how we proclaim the gospel, that there seems to have been some difference between Jesus teaching crowds and the apostles teaching where the latter is more clear as per v52. Perhaps the question is why does he obfuscate his message and then why does this change? I have heard it said that the parable of the 4 soils is different after the cross and we now only have those that accept and don't, and Tim said there will be 4 types. Is the parable of the sower consistent with our certainty of salvation? How can we be sure what type of 'soil' we are - that we won't initially respond favourably before the world chokes the faith out of us? (like the thorns, or the rocky ground) Is it weird to use hell/weeping and gnashing of teeth as a motivator to trust Jesus? Do we want to focus on God's grace where possible?

Still wondering why Jesus changed "me" to "you" in quoting Malachi 3:1 passage What is meant by the end of Matthew 11:19; "Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds"? How should we understand 11:22,24? Does Jesus mean that those who hear and reject the gospel will be judged and punished more harshly than those who reject it without ever hearing it? What were the cities about from 11:20-24? Is the rest we get from Jesus a knowledge thing? Or is there an actual tangible 'experience' of rest Jesus offers? E.g. we rest knowing we are part of Jesus' family. But does this change our exhaustion now? Is blaspheming against the holy spirit a continual sin? Is someone blasphemous when they are young, is that just the end for them? How do we know if we have committed the unforgivable sin or not? Are some people unforgivable?

How does this being said pre-cross change its meaning for us relative to the disciples if it all? If not why does it not change? Central truth? I wonder if V16-25 is about future generations since v 1, 23 seem very specific to now. Perhaps v21-22 seems to be the future (after Jesus' death & resurrection) but perhaps it makes more sense if it is his death. I wonder also if there is a needed step to associate Jesus' commands to his apostles with us, particularly because James 3. Given Jesus had not yet been crucified, what connotations did taking up one's cross have in 10:38? Would it have still indicated crucifixion to his disciples at the time? v 33 What about Paul? Why can we have the conclusion Tim came to? v 41 What are the prophets reward and righteous person's reward? Can a Christian live through life on earth desiring peace? Perhaps not - because peace alludes a sentiment of contentment and with the (illegible) inward and outward. Maybe the better word is reassurance. 1. How can we take accountability for our poor sharing? Is it our problem or just the truth being hard? 2. Lots of my friends say that many people die in vain, how can we know that Christians aren't just mistaken? 3. Why does the world oppose us? Is it a balance of shocking and confronting truth but also we can tell the gospel badly and hurt people? Sometimes people decide to not go on overseas mission to care for family members (might be sick or elderly). What does vs 35-37 mean for how we consider the needs of others we may be leaving behind (elderly parents) or will be impacted by our going (children)?

"When it says "This was to fulfil what was spoken..." does that mean Jesus did that only for that reason?" "Why does Jesus describe the apostles as being of little faith? Don't they believe that Jesus can save them from the storm? Why would they ask him to save them if this is not the case?" "Why is it two men in Mathew 8:28-34 but only one man in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39? Even though the rest of the story matches the other two stories." "What's going on with the wineskins and the unshrunk cloth in ch 9:16-17? What is the old and new thing that is being combined?" "What are we to think about modern-day healings and miracles - especially when teachings around these don't seem biblical? Was the paralysed man saved by this first forgiveness despite it being pre-cross?"

What would be the "speck" in Jesus' eye? Throughout the sermon on the mount, we've seen that everything is about Jesus. But how can we have other applications from other than just "we need Jesus because he fulfills it, he's the only that's righteous."? Mat 7:21-23 how does this go with Romans 10:9 if you declare Jesus is Lord and believe God raised him from the dead you will be saved? Do the false prophets not believe the second part? Can Matt 7:21-23 be applied to Christians now? I have heard many preachers express anxiety at these verses that people may not be true followers? Is this a valid thing to feel or is it only applicable to the OT? How can non Christians find wisdom in the Christian cliches if the Bible is foolishness and folly to the NC? How do they understand without the Holy Spirit? Is it helpful for us to ask, seek and knock if we are already saved? If there is one faith (Eph 4:4-6), are pre-cross Jews the same as Christians? How does this relate to Romans 11? Can we ever apply the gospel straight to us? e.g. wise as serpents, innocent as doves