Lesson 3 The path to House Beautiful

Lesson 3

The Pilgrim Reaches the Place of Deliverance

Pilgrim reaches the cross and his burden is released and rolls down into the tomb.  Three Shining ones came to him and 1) told him his sins were forgiven, 2) clothed him with rich garments 3) marked his forehead and gave him a document with a seal on it. 

Pilgrim continued on his way and meets Simple, Sloth and Presumption.  He offers to remove their leg irons and counsels them but they ignore him so he continues on.

Christian then meets Formality and Hypocrisy who jump the wall (called salvation).  They are from Boasting and are going to Mount Zion for praise (not to offer it).  Christian confronts them and calls them robbers and warns them that they will not be received, but they rely on their established customs for their salvation.

Who are the shining ones who met with Christian after his burden was released?

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Zechariah 3:1-5 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.  The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”  Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.  The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”  Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”  Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”

We know Formality and Hypocrisy were from boasting and were heading to Mount Zion for praise.  What was the reason the two men gave for not coming in as Christian had and who does this represent?  What are they missing and how will they be received by the Lord?

The Pilgrim Climbs the hill of difficulty

Pilgrim reaches the cross road and chooses to climb the Hill of Difficulty.  Formality and Hypocrisy also reach the hill but choose to go down Danger and Destruction respectively.  Christian rests at the pleasant arbor and falls asleep.  When he wakes up he climbs the rest of the way to the top of the hill (minus his scroll) and meets Fearful and Mistrust who tell him about the lions blocking the way.  Christian chooses possible death by going forward verses certain death by going home to the city of destruction.  He then realizes the scroll is missing and has to retrace his steps to get it. 

The hill called Difficulty represents circumstances that require self-denial and exertion.  God provides places and times for rest, but allegorically speaking, there is no time for sleep.  What does sleep represent in our walk with Christ?

Before Pilgrim reaches the house beautiful he encounters two lions.  What do they represent and why were they placed there?

The Pilgrim Meets the Family

The porter named Watchful councils Christian, who does he represent?  What does house Beautiful represent?  Who does Discretion represent and what questions does she ask? Piety, Prudence and Charity also talk to him.  What are they trying to find out through their questioning, what is the purpose?

Lesson 3 Summary

After dinner with the family, Christian lies down in a large upper chamber called Peace.  Peace of conscience and serenity of mind are the results of a true profession of faith, communion with Christ, and fellowship with other believers.  Some of the most peaceful times I have ever experienced were after I confessed sin in my life, and felt forgiveness and restoration.  Each time we celebrate the Lord’s supper should be such an experience.  I used to believe that banks of phones should line the back of every sanctuary so that people could ask forgiveness of friends, family and co-workers they had wronged before taking the Lords Supper.  Now everyone has cell phones but we still don’t make things right and if we can’t do that on the horizontal with each other, how are we ever going to humble ourselves before the Holy God of the universe?  It’s my prayer that you lie in Peace tonight.  God Bless.

Lesson 2 Through the gate to a meeting with the interpreter

Lesson 2

The Pilgrim Enters the gate

1.       When Christian gets to the gate, Mr. Goodwill asks three questions: Who are you, where did you come from and where are you going?  Christian answers: “I’m a poor burdened sinner.  I’ve come from the City of Destruction, but I’m going to Mount Zion so I can be delivered from the wrath to come”.  What are the important implications of his answers?

2.       In discussing Pliable with Goodwill, Christian makes the comment, “it seems there isn’t any difference between him and me”.  What does this statement show about the condition of Christian’s heart?

The Pilgrim Meets the Interpreter

3.       What is represented by the Parlor that Christian is invited into covered in dust?

4.       What is represented by the two little children?

5.       What is represented by the fire burning against the wall with the man pouring water on it?

6.       What is represented by the stately palace?

7.       After illustrating several times in this book that heaven is not gained by good works, what then is the meaning behind the “man of stout countenance”.  Compare with Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”.   Or John 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John.  Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it”.  What are some indications that his was not a works salvation?  How does that match up to Ephesians 6:14-17 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

8.      What is represented by the dark room and the man in the iron cage?

9.      Is repentance something we produce, or is it something God gives us?

Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

2 Timothy 2:24-25 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, …

Acts 11:18 “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.””

Acts 5:31 “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

10.   What is represented by the man rising out of bed?

Week 2 Summary

For today’s summary I will read an excerpt from the writings of Alexander Whyte on the Narrow way:

There are many wide ways to hell, and many there be who crowd them, but there is only one way to heaven, and you will sometimes think you must have gone off it, there are so few companions; sometimes there will be only one footprint, with here and there a stream of blood, and always as you proceed, it becomes more and more narrow, till it strips a man bare, and sometimes threatens to close upon him and crush him to the earth altogether.  Our Lord in as many words tells us all that.  Strive, He says, strive every day.  For many shall seek to enter into the way of salvation, but because they do not early enough, and long enough, and painfully enough strive, they come short, and are shut out.  Have you, then, anything in your religious life that Christ will at last accept as the striving He intended and demanded?  Does your religion cause you any real effort – Christ calls it agony?  Have you ever had, do you ever have, anything that He would so describe?  What cross do you every day take up?  In what thing do you every day deny yourself?  Name it.  Put your finger on it.  Write it in cipher on the margin of your Bible.  Would the most liberal judgment be able to say of you that you have any fear and trembling in the work of your salvation?  If not, I am afraid there must be some mistake somewhere.  Christ has made it plain to a proverb, and John Bunyan has made it a nursery and schoolboy story, that the way to heaven is steep and narrow and lonely and perilous. (First Series, p 70)

Lesson 1 Introduction and chapters 1-3

Introduction Week 1

John Bunyan was born in Elstow, England in 1628.  He was from a poor family and had limited opportunity for education. His spiritual life seems to have begun around the age of twenty-five.  He was baptized and joined a Baptist church.  Three years later he was encouraged to preach at this same church.  Bunyan preached for six years before he was arrested and placed in prison for not conforming to worship as prescribed by the Church of England and for preaching the gospel without a license.  Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress  during the twelve years he was in prison.  Upon being released from prison, he continued writing and became the pastor of a church in Bedford.

John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress as an allegory, which is the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence or experience. 

Questions for discussion on Chapters 1

1.       Is there a favorite part or quote from the first chapter that you particularly enjoyed?[i]

2.       When Graceless meets Evangelist and is asked “Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?” the man shows himself to be under the conviction of the Spirit of God as he feels the insupportable burden of sin upon his back and the dread of God’s wrath against sin.  Do you believe that these two elements are often absent in today’s presentations of the gospel in evangelistic efforts?  Explain.

3.       What do you believe the shining light represents?

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”

2 Peter 1:19 “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Note that right after Evangelist points our Pilgrim to the light Obstinate and Pliable catch up with him and he is now called Christian.  We find out later that his name up to this point was Graceless.

Questions for discussion on Chapter 2

4.       What does the Slough of Despond represent?  Is passing through it a natural part of Christian Maturity? Or to phrase it another way, can a Christian mature without this kind of struggle?

5.       Note that Pliable had no burden on his back.  What does the burden represent and did that have any bearing on Pliable’s reaction to the Slough?

6.       Help rescues Christian from the Slough of Despond.  Who is he?

Reference Psalm 40:1-2

Questions for discussion on Chapter 3

7.       What belief system does Mr. Worldly Wiseman represent?  Can you give some examples?

8.       Mr. Worldly Wiseman does not like that Christian has been reading the Bible. Where does he send Christian and what view of salvation does this represent?

Week 1 Summary

As Christians we need to examine our lives daily by the light of the Scriptures to see if there is any part of the spirit of this world hiding in our hearts.  All of creation points to the existence of a Creator, but an understanding of who he is and of his plan of salvation can only be gained through the special revelation contained in the Bible.  Without the written Word to show us an absolute standard of right and wrong, we are lost in a sea of relativism.  I think it’s interesting that Evangelist does not try to persuade the man that his fears are groundless by presenting a view of God that is unbalanced, a view that presents the love and mercy of God but leaves out his holiness and justice (Exodus 34:7).  We must approach God on Christ’s merit and not in any part on our own merit.  I pray that you take an honest look at what is central in your life right now and ask if it is Christ on his throne, or something else.  Are you spending time in the word to know what that perfect will is, or are you traveling the way of Mr. Worldly Wiseman?  If a change needs to be made, what is stopping you from making it now?

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[i] The Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide by Maureen L. Bradley.  Published in 1994 by the Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company.