It has been five hundred years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther's theses called for the reform of the church and served as the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Its impact is still felt today.
This Bible study examines the five core truths that came from the Reformation, now referred to as the
solas. Group members will explore these essential convictions of the faith and emerge more immersed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The
solas include:
Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone)
Sola gratia (by grace alone)
Sola fide (through faith alone)
Solus Christus (through Christ alone)
Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone)
How is the Reformation still relevant today? As political pressure mounts, morality drifts with today's culture, and evangelicalism becomes more and more refined in a post-Christian world, it's even more important to hold the convictions of the great Reformation closer than ever. In short, the
solas point us to vibrant Christian community as well as personal identity in Christ.
As you'll see in this study, the
solas are more than cold Latin terms that academics throw around in church-history books. The five
solas, like the Reformation itself, are intensely practical. They were the DNA of the Reformation and are still the DNA of the church today. They are grounded in a real-life, everyday following of Jesus. They're the most important, basic scriptural truths you can ever believe.
We stand on the shoulders of Christians in the past, and knowing where we came from will help us keep moving forward with passion and biblical clarity.
Echoes of the Reformation Leader Kit contains a
Bible Study Book and 1 DVD with a promotional video and six 15- to 20-minute video sessions featuring authors Kevin DeYoung, Al Mohler, and Trevin Wax. These panel discussions introduce the topic, overview historical significance, explore the theological meanings of the
solas, and include illustrations for applying these key transformative truths.
Features: - Videos featuring authors Kevin DeYoung, Al Mohler, and Trevin Wax
- Biblically rooted and gospel-centered content
- Six small-group sessions that include an introductory session and application of the five
solas - Individual study opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth
- Six-session
Bible Study Book with group and personal components
- Promotional content, including video
- Social-media assets for the group leader
Benefits: - Give group members a better understanding of the Reformation's impact on today's church.
- Understand the weighty importance of the inspired Word of God.
- Help group members discern the theological nuances of grace and its role in the life of a disciple.
- Enhance a believer's understanding of the biblical and historical depth of the Christian faith.
- Realize that Christ alone provides all life's answers.
- Show group members how to live life for the glory of God and renew their commitment to this biblical mandate.
Kevin DeYoung has been the senior pastor of University Reformed Church since August 2004. His three main responsibilities include preaching, leadership, and administration. He is the author of several books, including
Crazy Busy and
The Hole in Your Holiness. Kevin was born outside Chicago in South Holland, Illinois, and from the third grade on, grew up in Jenison, Michigan. He attended Hope College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Prior to serving at URC, Kevin was the associate pastor of First Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have six children.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. serves as the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Recognized as a prominent leader among American evangelicals, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs ("The Briefing" and "Thinking in Public"), writes a popular blog, and is widely sought as a columnist and commentator. He is the author of
Culture Shift, Desire & Deceit, and many other books. Mohler also serves on the boards of several organizations, including Focus on the Family, and is a member of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and a council member of The Gospel Coalition. He is married to Mary, and they have two children.
Trevin Wax is the managing editor of The Gospel Project, a gospel-centered small group curriculum for all ages, published by LifeWay Christian Resources. A contributor to numerous publications, including
Christianity Today and
World, Trevin writes daily at
Kingdom People, a blog hosted by The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of
Gospel-Centered Teaching,
Clear Winter Nights,
Counterfeit Gospels, and
Holy Subversion. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin was recently named by
Christianity Today as one of 33 millennials leading the next generation of evangelicalism. He lives in middle Tennessee with his wife, Corina, and their three children.
Brandon D. Smith works with the Christian Standard Bible and teaches theology at various schools. He's also the author of
Rooted: Theology for Growing Christians and
They Spoke of Me: How Jesus Unlocks the Old Testament, and co-hosts the Word Matters podcast. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Baptist University, an MA in Systematic & Historical Theology from Criswell College, and is pursuing a PhD in Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. He lives near Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Christa, and their two daughters.
