God's Will for Your Life - MSQ
Part of True North
September 3, 2023

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God’s Will for Your Life - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. Calvinism and Arminianism are two classical examples of this and attempt to explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in the matter of salvation.

Classical Calvinism focuses on God’s sovereignty (complete control of everything and events) and the unconditional election of believers. Calvinism has biblical support but also has its problems. If God is the all-powerful, then how is God not the author of evil? Are people truly responsible for their sin if everything is predestined? If God controls all things, why does he make us suffer?

Classical Arminianism focuses on human free will and the fact that God desires all people to be saved. Ariminianism also has biblical support, but again problems. Is God omnipotent if he doesn’t stop suffering? If God can’t force things to happen, then is he really all powerful? Is God limited by free-will? Arminians would argue that everything depends on us, while Calvinists argue that everything is ordained by God.

Open Theism is another, newer, system of theology that further limits God’s omniscience, sovereignty and omnipotence. But God isn’t limited by the constraints of human freedom or the complexities of the world he made. And His omniscience is absolute.
Human systems of theology have much value. However, they try to force deep and sometimes unknowable facts into a system. But God can’t be put in a box.
On the other hand, Biblical theology shows the unfolding of God’s revelation as it progressed through history. Biblical theology helps us see the Bible as a unified whole, rather than as a collection of unrelated doctrinal points. In turn, that helps us see that our lives, hopes, and plans for the future are all rooted in a much bigger story.

Our story is part of the larger story of redemption–the story of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. This helps us understand the bible as God’s story and how our story fits within the Word of God.

Biblical theology leaves room for the mystery of God. So, until the Lord returns, we need to live in the tension of free will is God’s will; you can’t put God in a box, and we will never fully understand God.

  1. Do you think God controls all things? Why or why not?

  2. Does God know every possible answer to every possible question?

  3. Does prayer work if God already knows the answer?

Consider This

Both Calvinists and Arminians believe that only God can enable people to come to faith (John 6:65). Calvinists believe that grace is selective and irresistible. Armenians believe God enables everyone (prevenient grace), leaving the choice to them.

  1. Consider 1 Tim. 2:3-4, Titus 2:11 and John 6:37. Will God turn anyone away?

  2. Read Psalm 139:2-6, 16. Does God know what you will do in the future? What was the Psalmist’s reaction to that knowledge (v 6)? How does that affect your attitude about the future? Why?

  3. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10). If God knows and controls the future, how do the following verses fit into your prayer life?

    • Matt 21:22
    • Philip. 4:6-7
    • 1 John 5:14

  4. Read Ephes 1:4-5. What does it mean to be chosen and predestined by God to be His children? Who decides?

  5. Since God is beyond time, and knows the future, many Christians believe He knows who will respond to His love and who will not. He then provides grace to believe and orchestrates events to bring about that person’s salvation (predestination). Read Romans 8: 29. What do you think?

  6. Read Philippians 1:6. Who saves and sustains believers? How does that affect your attitude and actions?

  7. Scripture teaches that the Apostles Peter, Paul and John knew for sure they were going to heaven (see 2 Tim 1:12, 1 Peter 1:3-4) Consider 1 John 5:13. Can you know for sure that you are going to heaven? Why?

  8. Consider John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17. Who created everything? Who holds it together? Read Ephesians 1:11 and Philip. 3:20-21. Do you think God absolutely controls everything?

Moving Forward – Application

God is absolutely sovereign and knows all. Yes, human beings are called to make a genuine decision to place faith in Christ for salvation. These two facts seem contradictory to us, but in the mind of God, they make perfect sense.

  1. Do you think God controls every detail of your life, or do you believe you have real choices that can change the future? Or do you believe both? If so, how can you hold these two ideas together in your mind and apply them to your daily life this week?

  2. How are you at recognizing when you don’t know, or can’t know something? Is there something in this category that is facing you this week?

  3. What are some things you would be willing to die for this week? Are you prepared to articulate them?

  4. What are some things you are willing to debate this week? Pray about them and ask for God’s wisdom. Read and apply Colossians 4:6.

  5. What are some things that you’d be willing to discuss this week? Read Proverbs 12:15, 18:13, 29:23 and apply.