This is a companion Bible Study for the Kuiil chapter from Faith & Fandom Book 7.
Kuiil: He has spoken
Integrity of Speech
Kuiil has a repetitious catchphrase “I have spoken”
“Again you have heard what it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord’, but I say to you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes” be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37
In a larger context, where does this teaching of Jesus about swearing oaths take place? What teaching is included around it? Why do you think the teaching of oathmaking finds its importance here?
How do you imagine the Old Testament teaching of ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord’ had been misused? Why is it important for Jesus to set the record straight?
How does Jesus use imagery to reinforce his point on the futility of swearing oaths?
DIG DEEPER: Deuteronomy 5:11, Leviticus 19:12, Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 6:13, Jeremiah 4:2, James 5:12
Look at the other passages about speaking, telling the truth, and swearing oaths. How do they increase your understanding of what God expects of us in this space?
Integrity of Action
“Do you trust me? Then you will trust my work.”
Review the following scriptures: 2 Corinthians 8:21, Proverbs 11:3 and Psalm 41:12
What do these verses tell you about integrity? Can you say with confidence that your integrity has earned you a place in God’s presence forever?
DIG DEEPER: Read James 2:14-26
How does this passage in James illustrate the relationship between who you are, what you believe and what you do?
Advocate of Redemption
Reread the first full paragraph on page 12 where Kuiil talks about reconstructing the droid.
Review the following scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:5-8, Ephesians 4:21-24, Philippians 1:6
What does it mean to be a new creation? How do you spend time with God in order to have him imprint on you?
If we are now free from sin, how does that change our actions? And our perception?
Have you acted in a way where you reverted to the old self? Do you know someone who has? What types of disciplines or behaviors help you to continue to live as the new self?
Have you invested the time to be an advocate for redemption? How is Kaiil’s example of “patience, repetition, day after day” an example for us in discipleship in ourselves, as well as in others?
Compare the scriptures above on integrity of speech and integrity of actions. How do they help you understand what it is to be a new creation? What connections or parallels do you see between the two?
DIG DEEPER: Read Philippians 2:1-11
How does this description of Christ and his relationship to God inform us as we strive to fulfill our place as a new creation in Christ?