The Pilgrim's Progress
By: John Bunyan
A Study on Wednesday Nights
Starting Wednesday evening, January 26, at 6:00, we will be journeying through The Pilgrim's Progress together on Wednesday evenings.
See below for additional resources to aid in your studies.
Resources
Week 1: On the Author, John Bunyan
John Bunyan: The People's Pilgrim
This documentary is a good place to start if you want to learn more about the life of John Bunyan.
Torchlighters: John Bunyan
Voice of the Martyrs produced this DVD in order to bring John Bunyan's biography to children. It is a good resource. Unfortunately, there are a couple of audio drop-outs.
Steven Lawson on John Bunyan
Dr. Steven Lawson gives an interesting talk on Bunyan at the great preacher's grave.
Study Notes for Week 1
Click the button to see a PDF of our notes for week 1, covering the background of John Bunyan and The Pilgrim's Progress
Week 2: The Journey Begins
Christian's Conviction, Setting out and meeting Evangelist
This week, we begin our journey through the text of The Pilgrim's Progress; we do so in the City of Destruction, where a man finds a book and gains a great burden. The book tells him of a great judgment coming upon his city. This message unsettles the man and sets him on a great journey, fleeing the wrath that is to come.
This lesson will cover pages 3-11 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The Author’s Apology for his Book (page 3) • Christian’s Pilgrimage (page 5) • and An Unfriendly Neighbor (page 8)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 2
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 2
Questions (with answers)
Week 3: Through the Wicket Gate
The Slough of Despond, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Morality, and The Wicket Gate
We continue to follow Christian on his journey to the Celestial city. Immediately, we see Christian encounter the Slough of Despond; this event will have an impact on Christian (as well as Pliable). As Christian continues on, he encounters Mr. Worldly Wiseman, who offers the wisdom of the world. This leads Christian to turn away from the Wicket Gate for a time. By God's grace, Christian restarts his journey toward the entrance to the narrow way.
This lesson will cover pages 11-24 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The Slough of Despond (page 11); • Worldly Wiseman’s Advice (page 14)
• and Christian Knock at the Wicket Gate (page 21)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 3
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 3
Questions (with answers)
Week 4: The Interpreter's House
Learning in the house of the interpreter
We continue to follow Christian on his journey to the Celestial city. After passing through the Wicket Gate, Christian is directed along the way to the Interpreter's House. In the Interpreter's House, Christian will be led through a number of rooms, each presenting an important lesson for the Christian on his pilgrimage of faith. As we study this section of The Pilgrim's Progress, I pray that we will recognize that we need to heed the lessons as well.
This lesson will cover pages 25-34 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The House of the Interpreter (page 25);
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 4
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 4
Questions (with answers)
Week 5: At The Cross
Christian at the cross
along with various encounters
Leaving the Interpreter's House, Christian comes to the cross, where his burden rolls away. In this section, we will also see Christian have encounters with various interesting characters- i.e. Simple, Sloth, Presumption, Formalist, and Hypocrisy. Through these encounters, Bunyan prompts us to consider what we believe about journeying on the way.
This lesson will cover pages 34-42 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• Christian at the Cross (page 34); Simple, Sloth, and Presumption (page 35); Formalist and Hypocrisy (page 36); The Hill of Difficulty (page 38).
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 5
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 5
Questions (with answers)
Week 6: The Palace Beautiful
Finding refreshment on the journey
As Christian continues his journey, he finds a place of refreshment in the Palace Beautiful. This palace, Bunyan's picture of the church, offers fellowship, rest, and encouragement to the people of God. Bunyan reminds us that God offers His faithful servants a view of the Celestial City from the Palace Beautiful.
This lesson will cover pages 42-53 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The Palace Beautiful (page 42); About the Lord of the Hill (page 49).
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 6
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 6
Questions (with answers)
Week 7: Two Deadly Valleys
Battling Apollyon and the valley of the shadow of death
Leaving the Palace Beautiful, Christian battles Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation. Afterwards, he must journey through the Valley of the Shadow of Death; for all of the hardships faced in the Valley, God blesses Christian with the meeting of a friend, Faithful.
This lesson will cover pages 53-68 in the supplied book.
This includes:
•Christian Fights Apollyon (page 53); The Valley of the Shadow of Death (page 59);
Christian Meets Faithful (page 65).
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 7
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 7
Questions (with answers)
Week 8: Faithful's Testimony
Faithful's Journey & Encountering Talkative
As the journey continues, Faithful shares his testimony and journey, allowing us to consider some important theological points (our legacy in Adam, the judgment of law, etc.). We also meet Talkative whose religion is all talk, with little action.
This lesson will cover pages 68-86 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• Adam the First (page 68); Conversation with Talkative (page 74).
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 8
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 8
Questions (with answers)
Week 9: Vanity Fair
Christian and Faithful Stand in Faith
As Christian and Faithful continue on the way, they come to the town of Vanity and the Fair that constantly continues there. As it becomes apparent that these two men of faith have no interest in the worldly offerings of this town, persecution ensues.
This lesson will cover pages 86-98 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• Vanity Fair (page 86)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 9
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NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 9
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Week 10: Christian and Hopeful
Encountering Mr. By-ends,Hold-the-world,and Demas
Having lost Faithful at Vanity Fair, God blesses Christian with a new traveling companion, Hopeful. Immediately, they encounter Mr. By-Ends and his companions. The religion of Mr. By-Ends is popular in our day, thus we should pay careful to this section. Further, we will see the temptation of earthly riches as highlighted by Demas.
This lesson will cover pages 98-109 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• Mr. By-Ends and His Companions (page 98); Christian Answers Hold-the-world (page 104);
Demas (page 106);
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 10
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 10
Questions (with answers)
Week 11: Christian's Wrong Turn
Entering By-path meadow,encountering Giant Despair, and Doubting Castle
After enjoying the blessing of the River of God, Christian desires to take a short cut through By-Path Meadow. Soon, Christian and Hopeful encounter Giant Despair and become prisoners at Doubting Castle. Soon, they are free and make their way to the Delectable Mountains.
This lesson will cover pages 109-125 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The River of God (page 109); By-Path Meadow (page 111);
Doubting Castle and Giant Despair (page 113); The Key of Promise (page 119);
The Delectable Mountains (page 121)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 11
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 11
Questions (with answers)
Week 12: Talking with the errant
Christian encounters Ignorance, and athiest
Continuing the journey, Christian and Hopeful encounter dangerous men. First, Ignorance from Deceit, who preaches a false Gospel. They also run into Atheist who seeks to convince them that their journey is in vain.
This lesson will cover pages 125-139 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• Ignorance From Deceit (page 125); The Flatterer (page 135); Atheist (page 137).
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 12
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 12
Questions (with answers)
Week 13: Hopeful's Testimony
Christian, Hopeful, and the Enchanted Ground
Entering the Enchanted Ground, Hopeful shares his testimony with Christian in order that they might stay awake. Later, they encounter Ignorance again.
This lesson will cover pages 139-157 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The Enchanted Ground (page 139); Memories of Faithful (page 140);
Ignorance Again (page 146); Fear and Wisdom (page 152)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 13
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 13
Questions (with answers)
Week 14: The Journey's End
The pilgrims enter the
celestial city of the king
Christian and Hopeful come to the Land of Beulah, from which they can see their nearness to the city. Then, they must cross the River of Death if they are to make it home; Hopeful offers Christian great hope and encouragement as they cross. Arriving at the Celestial City, they are finally welcomed into Glory. A glorious ending to a beautiful story!
This lesson will cover pages 157-168 in the supplied book.
This includes:
• The Golden City (page 157); The River of Death (page 160); The Celestial City (page 162); Journey's End (page 165); The Fate of Ignorance (page 167), and The Conclusion (page 168).
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 14
Questions (no answers)
NJCBC Study Sheet for Week 14
Questions (with answers)