The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Week 9: Chapter 9 — Holiness and Our Wills
Read Chapter 9 of The Pursuit of Holiness. Primary Scripture: Philippians 2:12–13; Romans 6:12–14.
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Bridges tackles one of the most important — and most misunderstood — questions in the Christian life: what exactly is my role, and what is God's role, in my sanctification? Come ready to think carefully about the relationship between divine grace and human effort.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Bridges cites Philippians 2:12–13 as the key passage: 'Work out your salvation... for it is God who works in you.' How do you hold together the 'work out' of verse 12 and the 'God who works' of verse 13? Where does your thinking tend to overemphasize one at the expense of the other?
2.Bridges rejects both 'Let go and let God' passivism and proud self-reliance. Why are both errors dangerous? What does the Spirit-empowered middle ground actually look like in practice?
3.The chapter argues that God works through our wills rather than around them — he is not a puppet-master overriding our choices but a transforming presence changing our desires and inclinations. How does that understanding change how you pray about sin and holiness?
a.Do you tend to pray as though God will do it all while you wait? Or do you act as though it's all up to you and forget to pray?
b.What would a more integrated prayer life — one that combines earnest asking with earnest effort — look like for you?
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