The Pilgrim’s Progress: Week Four

For Further Reading

Spurgeon’s One Qualm with Pilgrim’s Progress This one I found interesting, and it expressed well some of my own thoughts on Christian’s burden.

Christian’s Guide to the Classics: Pilgrim’s Progress My own companion guide for the book was set up in such a way that children and adults could use it and learn something in a casual fashion during summer vacation, it was not intended for literary analysis or academic benefit. If you are looking for something a bit deeper and more structured, this would be well worth looking into.

Week Four Recap

Reading for this week included Chapter Five: Proceeds to the Cross and Chapter Six: Christian Saluted by the Three Shining Ones. Below are discussion questions for both chapters.

Discussion Questions

1. Christian rejoices in the beginning of chapter five, “He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.” Then it tells us, “he stood still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden.” Have you ever stood still awhile to look and wonder at the salvation Christ offers us through His death and resurrection?
2. This month’s hymn is “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.” The fourth verse sings, “O
   Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be.” How does this verse apply to Christian’s wonder at the cross?
3. On page 43, Christian tells Formalist and Hypocrisy, “By laws and ordinances you will
   not be saved, since you came in not by the door. And as for this coat on my back, it was given me by the Lord of the place whither I go; and that, as you say, to cover my nakedness with.” What does Christian’s coat symbolize?

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

-1 Thessalonians 5: 8-11 ESV