The Didache 1

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 1-4

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Happiness, Providence, Community, Justice

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. According to the didache, how many ways of life are there and to what do they lead?

2. What two commandments define the first way mentioned by the Didache?

3. Who is “happy” according to the Didache?

4. According to the text, who should “receive” and who should not?

5. What does the text say Christians should do concerning magic and witchcraft?

6. What does the Didache teach concerning unborn children and recently born children?

7. The Didache teaches that Christians “shall not hate any man”, but what does it say that they should do?

8. By what does the text say “thefts are engendered”?

9. What are Christians supposed to do for the one “who speaks the word of God” to them?

10. According to the text, how are Christians supposed to treat any “bondman or maidservant” they may have?

11. The Didache says Christians are to “keep what [they] have received”. What are they not to do concerning the commandments of the Lord?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What does the text mean when it says, “But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy”?

2. What is meant by the saying, “Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give”?

3. The text says, “Be not a liar, since a lie leads to theft.” What is the causal connection between lying and theft?

4. What principle of Justice is stated in chapter four? Why is it important for real justice?

5. What does it mean when the text tells servants,“be subject to your masters as to a type of God”?

6. According to what is said in Chapter One and in Chapter Four, what does this Didache seem to teach about who should and should not receive some sort of financial help from believers?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. In thinking about the issue of abortion, what are the implications of the fact that there is an early Christian document (immediately following the era of the New Testament) which clearly teaches against the practice of abortion and the killing of newborn children? How might this help modern Christians who oppose the practice of abortion? 

2. The text states “Do not turn away from him who is in want; rather, share all things with you brother, and do not say that they are your own.” The language of the text seems to indicate that our giving to the poor (or sharing of what we have) should be directed towards our “brother” in Christ. Do you agree that we should prioritize our giving in this way? Do you think Christians have the responsibility to care for all of the poor in the world or just those within the church? Explain your answer carefully.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. The Didache says, “do not do to another what you would not want done to you.” This is obviously a reference to Jesus’ teaching which is often called “the Golden Rule” found in Matthew 7:12. Is The Didache’s rendering of this rule the same as what Jesus said? Why or why not? If you think it is substantively different, explain why that difference matters.  

2. Read Exodus 21:22-23 and Psalm 139:13-16. What bearing does this passage have on the subject of abortion and the value of unborn children?

3. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Does this passage agree with The Didache’s teaching on giving to the poor? Why or why not?