Basic Christianity by John Stott
Week 7: Part Three — The Work of Christ (The Death of Christ)
Read Part Three, Chapter 6 of Basic Christianity by John Stott. Key passages: Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Want the full guide for Basic Christianity?
Free Week 1 sample in 5 min · $24.99 for all 10 weeks · 7-day refund
The cross stands at the very center of Christianity — but what exactly happened there? Stott's explanation of Christ's death is the heart of the entire book.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Stott argues that the death of Christ was not a martyrdom, not merely a moral example, and not an accident of history — but a substitutionary sacrifice planned from eternity. How does each of these alternative views fall short of explaining what the New Testament actually claims?
2.The concept of substitution — that Christ took the place of sinners and bore in himself the judgment they deserved — is central to Stott's account. In plain terms, what does this mean? How does Stott use Isaiah 53 ('the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all') to illuminate it?
3.Stott addresses the question of why God could not simply forgive sin without the cross — why punishment was necessary at all. His answer involves the nature of God's justice and holiness. In your own words, how would you explain why forgiveness without atonement would compromise God's character?
a.How does the cross demonstrate both God's justice and God's love simultaneously?
b.Why is a God who simply overlooks sin actually less comforting, not more?
You're on Week 7 of 10
Don't lose momentum — get the rest of Basic Christianity
All 71 questions across 10 weeks, with closing prayers and a downloadable PDF for your group.
One-time purchase · 7-day refund · Covers your whole group