Chapters
On one side of the chasm are those who advocate abortion as a fundamental human
right. On the other side are those who assert that abortion is a moral evil. In a relativistic
society sanitized of any objective standards of right and wrong, . . . the two
sides are doing nothing more than expressing feelings. There is no rational way to
choose between them. When moral judgments are based on feelings alone, compromise
becomes impossible.
—Charles Colson
right. On the other side are those who assert that abortion is a moral evil. In a relativistic
society sanitized of any objective standards of right and wrong, . . . the two
sides are doing nothing more than expressing feelings. There is no rational way to
choose between them. When moral judgments are based on feelings alone, compromise
becomes impossible.
—Charles Colson
PREPARATION
1. Think of someone you know who is actively involved on either side of the abortion debate. As far as you can tell, what motivated him or her to become personally involved in this struggle?
2. Some issues are resolved relatively quickly in public debate. What do you think makes the ongoing debate about abortion in our nation so intense and lengthy? Throughout the series, R.C. makes reference to the following words, at times without definition. It will prove helpful to define and distinguish these words before R.C. begins teaching.
• Ovum: the unfertilized female reproductive cell, which after fertilization is termed a zygote, and is capable of developing into a new individual.
• Zygote: the cell produced by the union of the mature male sperm and the female egg cell.
• Embryo: a developing human individual from the time of implantation on the wall of the uterus up to the eighth week after conception.
• Fetus: the developing human in the womb, from the third month after conception until the time of birth.
AUDIO/VIDEO LECTURE NOTES
1. What are some issues that have seriously threatened national unity in the past?
2. What issues make the abortion controversy so complex and volatile?
3. What are the key questions behind the pivotal issues in this controversy?
4. What are the major sources of authority that provide answers for the fundamental questions dividing us? What difficulties do we encounter with each source?
DISCUSSION
1. Can you think of any recent news events that illustrate the “spirit of tolerance” in our nation? Name one or two.
2. Why is there often “more heat than light” when abortion is discussed among friends or debated in public?
3. If the abortion controversy is so multifaceted, why do you suppose people argue about it so simplistically?
4. What insights did you gain by considering the abortion controversy as a massive collision of rights?
5. Biblical authority alone is usually sufficient in the church. Why, then, are additional sources of authority used for attempting to resolve this debate?
6. What makes it difficult for people to honestly examine their position and determine why they are pro-abortion, pro-choice, or pro-life?
7. What’s attractive about remaining undecided or “sitting on the fence”?
IMPLICATIONS
1. How would you describe your current feelings about the abortion debate?
a. Passionately angry at pro-life advocates
b. Passionately angry at pro-choice or pro-abortion supporters
c. Exasperated with all sides
d. Pleased with what is happening
e. Indifferent
f. Other _________________________________________________
2. What barriers could hold you back from examining your position and reasons for it?
3. Other people often have a powerful influence on our values and convictions. Who would become disappointed or angry with you for changing your mind? Strengthening your convictions? Getting off the fence? Staying on the fence?
BIBLE STUDY
1. Read Acts 19:23–41.
a. What parallels do you notice between the abortion controversy and the one focused on in this passage?
b. To what motives did Demetrius appeal to incite the workers to action? What tactics are used by either side to influence people to become actively involved in the public debate on abortion?
c. What underlying issues contributed to the Ephesian riot? Which of the issues could ignite rioting in the abortion controversy?
2. What might keep leaders in local congregations from acting on their convictions? (John 12:42–43)
3. Why is remaining undecided about abortion an unacceptable alternative for Christians? (Luke 11:42)
4. Why should a believer carefully examine his or her position on abortion? (2 Tim. 2:15)
5. What help is available to believers to think through the abortion issue and come to a reasoned decision?
(James 1:5–8)
1. Think of someone you know who is actively involved on either side of the abortion debate. As far as you can tell, what motivated him or her to become personally involved in this struggle?
2. Some issues are resolved relatively quickly in public debate. What do you think makes the ongoing debate about abortion in our nation so intense and lengthy? Throughout the series, R.C. makes reference to the following words, at times without definition. It will prove helpful to define and distinguish these words before R.C. begins teaching.
• Ovum: the unfertilized female reproductive cell, which after fertilization is termed a zygote, and is capable of developing into a new individual.
• Zygote: the cell produced by the union of the mature male sperm and the female egg cell.
• Embryo: a developing human individual from the time of implantation on the wall of the uterus up to the eighth week after conception.
• Fetus: the developing human in the womb, from the third month after conception until the time of birth.
AUDIO/VIDEO LECTURE NOTES
1. What are some issues that have seriously threatened national unity in the past?
2. What issues make the abortion controversy so complex and volatile?
3. What are the key questions behind the pivotal issues in this controversy?
4. What are the major sources of authority that provide answers for the fundamental questions dividing us? What difficulties do we encounter with each source?
DISCUSSION
1. Can you think of any recent news events that illustrate the “spirit of tolerance” in our nation? Name one or two.
2. Why is there often “more heat than light” when abortion is discussed among friends or debated in public?
3. If the abortion controversy is so multifaceted, why do you suppose people argue about it so simplistically?
4. What insights did you gain by considering the abortion controversy as a massive collision of rights?
5. Biblical authority alone is usually sufficient in the church. Why, then, are additional sources of authority used for attempting to resolve this debate?
6. What makes it difficult for people to honestly examine their position and determine why they are pro-abortion, pro-choice, or pro-life?
7. What’s attractive about remaining undecided or “sitting on the fence”?
IMPLICATIONS
1. How would you describe your current feelings about the abortion debate?
a. Passionately angry at pro-life advocates
b. Passionately angry at pro-choice or pro-abortion supporters
c. Exasperated with all sides
d. Pleased with what is happening
e. Indifferent
f. Other _________________________________________________
2. What barriers could hold you back from examining your position and reasons for it?
3. Other people often have a powerful influence on our values and convictions. Who would become disappointed or angry with you for changing your mind? Strengthening your convictions? Getting off the fence? Staying on the fence?
BIBLE STUDY
1. Read Acts 19:23–41.
a. What parallels do you notice between the abortion controversy and the one focused on in this passage?
b. To what motives did Demetrius appeal to incite the workers to action? What tactics are used by either side to influence people to become actively involved in the public debate on abortion?
c. What underlying issues contributed to the Ephesian riot? Which of the issues could ignite rioting in the abortion controversy?
2. What might keep leaders in local congregations from acting on their convictions? (John 12:42–43)
3. Why is remaining undecided about abortion an unacceptable alternative for Christians? (Luke 11:42)
4. Why should a believer carefully examine his or her position on abortion? (2 Tim. 2:15)
5. What help is available to believers to think through the abortion issue and come to a reasoned decision?
(James 1:5–8)