Chapter 3 “The Son” Part I Discussion Questions

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Small Group Discussion Questions

Part A: Understanding the Core Principles

  1. Bishop Barron calls the Creed’s profession of faith in Jesus the “watershed” or “point of demarcation.” What does he mean by this, and why is this section so central to the Christian faith?
  2. The Creed begins by calling Jesus “one Lord Jesus Christ.” Based on the summary, break down the theological significance of each of these three names/titles. What does each one reveal about who Jesus is?
  3. A major focus of this section of the Creed was to counter the Arian heresy. What was the core teaching of Arianism, and how do the phrases “born of the Father before all ages” and “begotten, not made” directly refute it?
  4. Explain the crucial distinction between something being “begotten” and something being “made.” Why is this distinction so critical for our understanding of salvation?
  5. What is the meaning of the Greek term homoousios (“consubstantial”), and why was it so important and controversial? According to Barron, what does this term reveal about the very nature of God?
  6. The summary states that the Incarnation was the work of two agents: the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. What is the theological significance of each of their roles in this event?
  7. What does the phrase “and became man” tell us about the nature of Jesus Christ? What does it not mean?

Part B: Growing in Intimacy with Jesus

  1. The name “Jesus” means “Yahweh saves.” How does reflecting on the meaning of His personal name change the way you pray to Him or think about His role in your life?
  2. To call Jesus “Lord” (Kyrios) was a radical declaration of his divinity. What areas of your life are easy to surrender to His lordship? What areas are more difficult?
  3. Barron explains that because the Son is homoousios with the Father, we learn that God’s very essence is relational—a “play of relationality” and a “being toward another”.1 How does knowing that God is an eternal communion of self-giving love affect your personal prayer and relationship with Him?
  4. Mary’s “yes” represented humanity’s faith-filled cooperation with God’s divine initiative.1 In what specific area of your life might God be inviting you to give your “yes” and cooperate with His grace right now?

The Incarnation means the eternal Son of God took on a full human nature—He “became man”.1 How does the reality that God knows human existence from the inside—with its joys, sorrows, and struggles—deepen your trust in Him?

When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings

Sharing

Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age

Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post

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