Welcome to the Leader Resource Page.
Being a small group leader isn’t always easy, but it is always worth the effort. We hope this page helps you in your ministry. If you have a question that isn’t addressed here, let us know.
FIRST PRINCIPLES RESOURCES
Please note that nearly every book listed below is probably on the bookshelf (or spare Kindle) of our elders or other members. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to borrow something rather than buy it.
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith:
“Why Do You Need a Confession of Faith?” (podcast episode)
“Confessional Subscription with James Renihan” (podcast episode)
To the Judicious and Impartial Reader by James Renihan
This is a thorough exposition of the confession. Really well done with an emphasis on historical circumstances. Highly recommended, but definitely optional (but you should probably get it).Online (Free) Exposition by Simon Wartanian
A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 by Rob Ventura
Another solid exposition. This is an edited book, so each chapter is addressed a little differently.The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman
This book provides a broader introduction to the use of creeds and confessions in the church.
Intro Week
Lesson 1: The Scriptures
“The Role of the Church in Testifying to Scripture” (podcast episode)
Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible, edited by Don Kistler
God’s Word Alone- The Authority of Scripture: What the Reformers Thought and Why it Still Matters, by Matthew Barrett
Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible's Accuracy, Authority and Authenticity, by James R. White
Can We Still Believe the Bible?: An Evangelical Engagement with Contemporary Questions, by Craig Blomberg
Why I Trust the Bible: Answers to Real Questions and Doubts People Have about the Bible, by William D. Mounce
Can We Trust the Gospels, by Peter J. Williams
Who Chose the Gospels? by C. E. Hill
Basic Bible Interpretation, by Roy B. Zuck
How to Read the Bible as Literature, by Leland Ryken
40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, by Robert L. Plummer
Lesson 2: God and the Holy Trinity
“Communicable Attributes of God in the Confession” (podcast episode)
The Attributes of God, by A.W. Pink
Knowing God, by J.I. Packer
Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith, by Michael Reeves
Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit, by Matthew Barrett
The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything, by Fred Sanders
Lesson 3: God’s Decree
“God’s Decree” (podcast episode)
What Does It Mean That God Is Sovereign? by R.C. Sproul
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer
Does Prayer Change Things? by R.C. Sproul
Chosen by God, by R.C. Sproul
Humble Calvinism by J.A. Medders
Lesson 4: Creation
Answers in Genesis (website)
The Christian View of Man, by J. Gresham Machen
A Different Shade of Green: A Biblical Approach to Environmentalism and the Dominion Mandate, by Gordon Wilson
Lesson 5: Providence
The Invisible Hand, by R.C. Sproul
The Mystery of Providence, by John Flavel
All Things for Good, by Thomas Watson
What is Providence? by Derek Thomas
Lesson 6: The Fall of Mankind, and Sin and Its Punishment
With Willful Intent: A Theology of Sin, by David Smith
Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, by Cornelius Plantinga Jr.
Defeating Evil: How God Glorifies Himself in a Dark World, by Scott Christensen
Lesson 7: God’s Covenant
1689 Federalism (website)
The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant & His Kingdom, by Samuel Renihan
Reformed Baptist Covenant Theology, by Phillip D.R. Griffiths
Covenant Theology: A Baptist Distinctive, by Earl M. Blackburn
The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology, by Pascal Denault
Lesson 8: Of Christ the Mediator (Part 1)
For Us and for Our Salvation: The Doctrine of Christ in the Early Church, by Stephen Nichols
God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ, by Stephen J. Wellum
The Trinitarian Controversy, ed. by William G. Rusch
Lesson 9: Of Christ the Mediator (Part 2)
Prophet, Priest, and King: The Roles of Christ in the Bible and Our Roles Today, by Richard P. Belcher
Lesson 10: Free Will
What About Free Will? by Scott Christensen
Discourse on Free Will, by Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther
The Bondage of the Will, by Martin Luther
Lesson 11: Effectual Calling
Proof: Finding Freedom through the Intoxicating Joy of Irresistible Grace, by
Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones
What is Reformed Theology? by R.C. Sproul (Emphasis on Ch.9)
Drawn by the Father, by James White
Lesson 12: Justification
Justification by Faith, by John Calvin
Faith Alone, by R.C. Sproul
Lesson 13: Adoption & Sanctification
Children of the Living God, by Sinclair Ferguson
Adopted by God, by Robert Peterson
Holiness, by J.C. Ryle
Sanctification: God’s Passion for His People, by John MacArthur
Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners, by Dane Ortlund
Lesson 14: Saving Faith & Repentance
What is Faith? by Guy Richard
What is Saving Faith? by Christopher Osterbrock
The Doctrine of Repentance, by Thomas Watson
Repentance, by J.C. Ryle
Lesson 15: Good Works
Lesson 16: Perseverance and Assurance
Infallible Assurance (podcast)
The Certainty of Perseverance (article)
Lesson 17: The Law
The Threefold Division of the Law with Richard Barcellos (podcast)
By This Standard, by Greg Bahnsen
The Law of God (article)
Lesson 18: The Gospel and Christian Liberty
Liberty of Conscience (podcast)
Liberty of Conscience (Tabletalk article)
Lesson 19: Worship and Sabbath
The Regulative Principle of Worship (article)
The Sabbath as Positive and Moral Law (podcast)
There Remains a Sabbath Rest for the People of God by Jon English Lee (also available as audiobook)
Lesson 20: Oaths, Vows, and Government
Lawful Oaths and Vows (article)
Oaths and Vows in Worship (article)
A Baptist Confession: The Role of Civil Government (article)
Masks and a Lesson in Narnian Civics (article)
Lesson 21: Marriage
Of Marriage: The 1689 Baptist Confession (article)
Reforming Marriage, by Douglas Wilson
Lesson 22: The Church (Part 1)
Is the Pope the Antichrist? (article)
Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church, by Gregg R. Allison
Lesson 23: The Church (Part 2)
1689 Confession Outline - Chapter 26 (article)
The Value of Church Authority and Polity (article)
Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology, by John S. Hammett
The Deacon Ministry Handbook, edited by Alan Witham
Lesson 24: Communion of the Saints & Ordinances
Lesson 25: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
A Picture Worth A Thousand Words: The Beauty of Believer’s Baptism (article)
A Case for Credobaptism (article)
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith: Appendix on Baptism (primary source)
The Battle for the Table (article)
Lesson 26: Last Things