← Back to Resources
Small Groups · Personal Study · Sunday School
Study Guides
Discussion questions, study templates, and reading group plans designed for small groups, Sunday school classes, and personal devotion — all keyed to the doctrines of grace.
How to Use These Guides
Each study guide is designed for a 45-60 minute group discussion. Read the linked page together beforehand (or have members read it individually), then work through the discussion questions. The questions move from observation ("What does the text say?") to interpretation ("What does it mean?") to application ("How does this change how I live?").
TULIP Study Series (5 Weeks)
A five-week study through each petal of the TULIP, using the deep-dive pages on this site as primary reading. Ideal for a small group new to Reformed theology.
Week 1: Total Depravity — Dead, Not Sick
Reading: question-depravity.html · 45-60 min discussion
The foundation of everything. If we are merely sick, we need medicine. If we are dead, we need resurrection. This week establishes why grace must be sovereign.
- Read Romans 3:10-18. How many categories of goodness does Paul deny to fallen humanity? What is the cumulative effect of this list?
- What is the difference between saying humans are "as bad as they could be" and saying humans are "totally depraved"? Why does this distinction matter?
- Read Ephesians 2:1-3. Paul says we were "dead in trespasses and sins." What can a dead person do? What does this imply about our ability to choose God?
- How does Genesis 6:5 describe the human heart before the flood? Is there any qualification or exception in the text?
- If total depravity is true, what kind of grace does salvation require? Why is "prevenient grace" (Arminianism's answer) insufficient?
- How does understanding your own total depravity increase your gratitude for grace? How does it change the way you pray?
- Closing reflection: Read Ezekiel 36:26. What is God's answer to the problem of the human heart?
Read the full article →
Week 2: Unconditional Election — Chosen Before the Foundation
Reading: question-chosen.html · 45-60 min discussion
If we are dead in sin, then the initiative must come from God. This week examines the Bible's clearest statements about God's sovereign choice.
- Read Ephesians 1:3-6 slowly. Who is the subject of every verb? What does this tell you about the source of salvation?
- According to verse 4, when did God choose us? What does "before the foundation of the world" do to the idea that God chose us based on foreseen faith?
- Read Romans 9:11-13. Why does Paul emphasize that God's choice of Jacob over Esau was made "before they had done anything good or bad"?
- What is the purpose of election according to Ephesians 1:5-6? Is the goal our comfort, or something greater?
- How do you respond emotionally to the doctrine of election? What is the difference between an emotional reaction and a biblical response?
- If election is unconditional, does it make evangelism pointless? Why or why not? (Hint: Acts 18:9-10)
- Closing reflection: How does knowing that God chose you before creation change the way you worship?
Read the full article →
Week 3: Definite Atonement — My Sheep Hear My Voice
Reading: question-john10.html · 45-60 min discussion
For whom did Christ die? This week examines whether the atonement merely makes salvation possible or actually accomplishes it.
- Read John 10:11, 14-15, 26-28. Who does Jesus say He lays down His life for? Does He say "all people" or "my sheep"?
- In John 10:26, Jesus tells certain people "you do not believe because you are not among my sheep." Does this say they are not sheep because they don't believe, or they don't believe because they are not sheep? Why does the order matter?
- Consider John Owen's "triple choice": Christ died for all the sins of all people, all the sins of some people, or some of the sins of all people. What are the implications of each option?
- Read Ephesians 5:25 — Christ "loved the church and gave himself up for her." How does this language of particularity shape our understanding of the atonement?
- If Christ's death actually accomplished redemption (not merely made it possible), how does this affect your assurance of salvation?
- How would you explain definite atonement to a friend who objects that it makes God seem unloving?
- Closing reflection: Read Isaiah 53:10-12. What does it mean that Christ "shall see his offspring" and "shall see and be satisfied"?
Read the full article →
Week 4: Irresistible Grace — Drawn, Not Dragged
Reading: question-irresistible.html · 45-60 min discussion
How does God bring the elect to faith? Not by overriding their wills, but by giving them new hearts that willingly and joyfully come to Christ.
- Read John 6:37. What two things does Jesus promise in this verse? How do they work together?
- Read John 6:44. What does Jesus say is necessary before anyone "can" come to Him? What does this tell us about natural human ability?
- Read Acts 16:14 — the conversion of Lydia. Who opened her heart? Did she open it, or did God open it? What happened after God opened it?
- What is the difference between the "general call" (the gospel preached to all) and the "effectual call" (the Holy Spirit's inward work in the elect)?
- Does "irresistible grace" mean God forces people to believe against their will? What does Ezekiel 36:26-27 reveal about how God changes the will?
- How does the doctrine of effectual calling affect the way you pray for unbelieving loved ones?
- Closing reflection: Read Philippians 1:29. What two things have been "granted" to believers? What does this do to human boasting?
Read the full article →
Week 5: Perseverance of the Saints — Kept by God
Reading: question-perseverance.html · 45-60 min discussion
Those whom God saves, He keeps. This week shows why the elect can never finally fall away — and why this is not a license to sin but the deepest comfort in the universe.
- Read John 10:27-30. How many hands are holding the believer? Who would have to be overcome for a sheep to be lost?
- Read Romans 8:29-30. How many people who are "foreknown" end up being "glorified"? Is there any dropout between the links of this chain?
- Read Romans 8:35-39. Paul lists every category of threat — tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, rulers, things present, things to come, powers, height, depth, anything else. What is his conclusion?
- How is Reformed "perseverance" different from shallow "once saved, always saved"? Why does the distinction matter?
- What about Hebrews 6:4-6? Does this passage teach that true believers can lose their salvation? Read Hebrews 6:9 — what does the author say next?
- If you know you cannot lose your salvation, how does this motivate holiness rather than laziness? (See Romans 6:1-2; 1 John 3:9)
- Closing reflection: Read Jude 24-25. Who is able to keep you from stumbling? Whose ability is your security resting on?
Read the full article →
Scripture Deep-Dive Studies
Focused studies on specific passages. Each guide walks through the text verse by verse with observation, interpretation, and application questions.
Romans 8:28-39 — The Unbreakable Chain
Reading: question-goldchain.html · 60 min discussion
- Read Romans 8:28. Who are the "all things" working together for? What qualifier does Paul add?
- In verse 29, what is the relationship between "foreknew" and "predestined"? Does foreknowledge here mean God simply knew in advance who would believe?
- Trace the chain in verses 29-30: foreknew → predestined → called → justified → glorified. Why does Paul use the past tense for "glorified" even though it hasn't happened yet?
- In verses 31-34, Paul asks four rhetorical questions. What is the implied answer to each one?
- How does the golden chain of Romans 8 connect to the doctrine of perseverance? If God has already "glorified" us in His decree, can anything undo it?
Read the full article →
John 6:35-65 — The Father's Drawing
Reading: question-john6.html · 60 min discussion
- Read John 6:37. What two groups does Jesus distinguish? What promise does He make to each?
- In verse 44, what does Jesus say must happen before anyone "can" come to Him? Is "can" about permission or ability?
- Read verse 65: "no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." How is this different from saying "everyone can come if they want to"?
- How did the crowd respond to this teaching? (vv. 60, 66) Why is this teaching offensive to natural human pride?
- How does this passage shape the way you understand evangelism? If no one can come unless the Father draws them, what role does preaching play?
Read the full article →
Ephesians 2:1-10 — Dead Made Alive
Reading: question-depravity.html + question-boasting.html · 60 min discussion
- Read verses 1-3. List every description of humanity's condition before grace. How severe is the diagnosis?
- "But God" (v. 4) — why are these two words among the most important in all of Scripture? What do they signal?
- In verses 4-6, who acts and who is acted upon? Count the verbs that have God as the subject.
- Read verses 8-9. What is "not of yourselves"? What is "the gift of God"? Why did Paul add "not a result of works"?
- Verse 10 says we are God's "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." How does this verse hold together grace and holiness?
Read the full articles →
Reading Group Plans
Multi-week plans for reading classic Reformed books together. Each plan includes weekly readings, discussion starters, and connections to Scripture.
12-Week Plan: "Chosen by God" by R.C. Sproul
Best for: Beginners · 1 chapter/week + discussion
The ideal group read for people new to Reformed theology. Sproul is warm, clear, and compelling. Pair each chapter with the corresponding page on this site for a deep, two-source study experience.
- Weeks 1-2: Chapters 1-2 (The Sovereignty of God). Pair with: start-here-phase1.html
- Weeks 3-4: Chapters 3-4 (Radical Corruption / Total Depravity). Pair with: question-depravity.html
- Weeks 5-6: Chapters 5-6 (Unconditional Election). Pair with: question-chosen.html
- Weeks 7-8: Chapter 7 (Limited Atonement). Pair with: question-john10.html
- Weeks 9-10: Chapter 8 (Irresistible Grace). Pair with: question-irresistible.html
- Weeks 11-12: Chapter 9 (Perseverance of the Saints). Pair with: question-perseverance.html
8-Week Plan: "Knowing God" by J.I. Packer
Best for: All levels · 3 chapters/week
Packer's masterpiece on knowing the God who is sovereign, holy, and gracious. Each week covers three short chapters, building from God's attributes to the practical implications of knowing Him.
- Week 1: Chapters 1-3 (The Study of God / Knowing and Being Known). Why does theology matter?
- Week 2: Chapters 4-6 (The Only True God / God Incarnate / He Shall Testify)
- Week 3: Chapters 7-9 (God Unchanging / The Majesty of God / God Only Wise)
- Week 4: Chapters 10-12 (God's Wisdom and Ours / Thy Word Is Truth / The Love of God)
- Week 5: Chapters 13-15 (The Grace of God / God the Judge / The Wrath of God)
- Week 6: Chapters 16-18 (Goodness and Severity / The Jealous God / God's Heart Revealed)
- Week 7: Chapters 19-20 (Sons of God / Thou Art There — Guidance). What does adoption mean?
- Week 8: Chapters 21-22 (Adequacy / Conclusion). How does knowing God change everything?
6-Week Plan: "The Bondage of the Will" by Martin Luther
Best for: Intermediate-Advanced · Dense but essential
Luther's most important theological work. This is demanding but transformative. Take it slowly, discuss each section thoroughly, and let Luther's arguments do their work on your mind.
- Week 1: Introduction and sections on the necessity of assertions. Why does Luther say this debate matters more than any other?
- Week 2: Luther's treatment of Erasmus's "moderation." Why does Luther reject the middle ground on free will?
- Week 3: The Old Testament evidence for the bondage of the will. Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9.
- Week 4: The New Testament evidence. Romans 3, 9; John 6; Ephesians 2. Luther's exegesis.
- Week 5: God's sovereignty in hardening hearts. Pharaoh, Esau, and Romans 9.
- Week 6: Luther's conclusion — why the bondage of the will is a comforting doctrine, not a terrifying one.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
— Colossians 3:16 (ESV)