TheBookendsBook.comThe Bookends of the Christian Life
a collaborative work by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington

Chapter One

The First Bookend: The Righteousness of Christ

 

 

  1. What does the Bible mean by the word righteous? (p. 19)

 

  1. Read Matthew 22:36-40 and I Peter 1:15-16. What is God’s standard for the level of righteousness he requires of us? Why?

 

  1. Read Romans 3:10 and Isaiah 64:6. What does God’s Word say about our righteousness?

 

  1. Read Galatians 3:10-13

 

    1. What happens when we are unable to “abide by all things?”

 

    1. What did Christ do for us?

 

  1. What is the difference between trusting in Christ for our eternal destiny versus trusting Him for our day-to-day standing with God? (21)

 

  1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21.

 

    1. In light of 2 Corinthians 5:21, read 1 Peter 2:22 and Hebrews 4:15. What does God’s Word say about Jesus’ level of obedience here on this earth?

 

    1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that God “made Jesus to be sin.” According to 1 Peter 2:24, how did Jesus do this?

 

    1. Read Matthew 27:46. Explain the significance of the first sentence on page 24 of the book, “The physical pain he endured was nothing compared to the agony of being separated from the Father.”

 

      1. What does this say about Jesus’ relationship with his Father at the time of Jesus’ death?

 

      1. How does Jesus’ relationship with the Father being broken result in ours being restored?

 

    1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

 

      1. At the moment we put our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross, according to Isaiah 61:10, what happens?

 

      1. How are we presented before our God? When he looks at us, who does he see?

 

      1. As a result of this “Great Exchange,” according to Romans 5:1, “By faith” we are __________.

 

  1. Explain the connection between Christ’s righteousness and our justification. (p. 26)

 

  1. Faith involves both a renunciation and a reliance.

 

    1. In terms of the first bookend, what kind of renunciation is required of us? (28)

 

    1. Where must we place our reliance? Be specific.

 

  1. What does it look like when we stand in the present reality of our justification every day? What difference will it make in our day-to-day, moment-to-moment lives? (27-30)

 

  1. The final paragraph on page 30 asks several questions. Try to answer them based on what you have read in chapter one.

© Copyright 2009, Jerry Bridges and Robert Bevington, All Rights Reserved.