HOLINESS: STUDY GUIDE--CHAPTER SEVEN, ASSURANCE

STUDY GUIDE
HOLINESS
J. C. Ryle
CHAPTER 7: ASSURANCE

1. Read 2 Tim. 4:6-8. In what three ways did the Apostle Paul look as he expressed his assurance in God? What attitude characterized each of these three (p.1-2)?
2. Where does assurance of salvation come from (p.2)?
3. What do the Scriptures teach with regards to a man’s ability to have assurance with regards to his salvation (p.3; Job 19:25-26; Psa. 23:4; Isa. 26:3, 32:17; Rom. 8:38-39; 2 Cor. 5:1; 2 Cor. 5:6; 2 Tim. 1:12; Col. 2:2; Heb. 10:22, 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:10; 1 John 3:14, 5:13, 5:19)?
4. For what reasons do people argue against the doctrine of the assurance of the believer (p.3)?
5. What was the basis for the Apostle Paul’s assurance (p.5; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 7:24; Eph. 3:8; John 10:28; Heb. 6:19)?
6. Is it possible for a person to be saved and to still lack assurance (p.5-6)?
7. What analogy does the author use to distinguish between saving faith and assurance (p.6)?
8. What scriptural examples does the author use to distinguish between saving faith and assurance (p.7; Mark 5:25 vs. Acts 7:56; Luke 23:42 vs. Job 19:25 & 13:15; Mark 14:30 vs. Acts 4:11; Mark 9:24 vs. Rom. 8:33-34; Acts 9:11 vs. 2 Tim. 1:12 & 4:8)?
9. Why is assurance of salvation to be much desired? Four reasons (p.7-10).
10. How does assurance afford comfort and peace to us (p.8-9)? In what respects (Hab. 3:17-18; Heb. 13:8; 2 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 1:23)?
11. How does assurance work to make a believer active in service (p.9-10)? How analogy does the author use to illustrate this truth (p.9-10)? What does he mean by the statement "undivided attention will always attain the greatest success"?
12. How does assurance work to make a believer a "decided" believer (p.10-11)?
13. How does assurance work to increase a believer’s holiness (p.11; 1 John 3:3)?
14. Why do so many believers lack assurance? Three reasons (p.12-13)?
15. What counsel does the author give to those who lack assurance because they have never trusted in Christ for salvation (p.14-15)? What counsel does the author give to believers who lack assurance (p.15-16)?

Pastor Jerry