John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678)

SUNDAY SCHOOL MODULE

John Paul Arceno on Living the Christian Life

Synopsis:

Characters: Christian – the main character

Evangelist – the guide who saved Christian several times (preacher/ pastor)
Faithful and Hopeful – Christian’s friends along the journey
Apollyon – main antagonist

Setting: City of Destruction – this is where Christian, his family, and friends live.
A place that is full of hardships, sorrow, fear, corruption, and heavy labor.

Celestial City – this is the place beyond the border of the City of Destruction.
A place that is full of joy, peace, and love. This is where Christian seeks to be at.

John Bunyan wrote this allegorical novel during his 12-year imprisonment (1660-1672). It was
about a person, Christian, who seeks salvation from the imminent devastation of the City of Destruction.
A conversion story of Christian and his journey in his Christian life. Christian followed the straight path,
keeping an eye on the light, towards the Wicket Gate, as told by Evangelist. As Christian journeyed the
king’s path, he stumbled upon different trials and afflictions. One of which was sinking on the Slough of
Despond. A swamp-like of despair that caused him to tremble. But by just crying out for help, a man
named Help saved him. Some trials were difficult enough for Christian to lose hope and give up, like his
battle with Apollyon. Another concern was the increasing bag of burden on his back. It started when he
read the Book, which is the Bible, and increases throughout his journey. It was only when Christian stood
before the Cross that his burden was freed. He was freed and forgiven. Then his ragged clothing was
stripped, and he received new garments of life. He also received a mark on his forehead and a seal that
identified Him as the gracious King’s son that he must show on the Celestial gate.

Despite of the trials, he had been courageous. He also had several friends who accompanied him
along his journey. These friends reminded him to be prudent, charitable, and become a pietist. One of
his friends, Faithful, died as a martyr during their imprisonment at the Vanity Fair. Another person that
he met was Hopeful. It was true enough that it was Hopeful who gives hope to Christian despite being
locked in a cage at the Doubting-Castle of Giant Despair.

Throughout Christian’s journey, he was never alone. Help, Evangelist, the Interpreter, and even
the Shepherds were always there for him. On his last testing, Christian saw the gate of the Celestial
kingdom, but it is only by crossing through the Water that a person can go there. He went into the
Water and started sinking. Alas, Christian was saved as it is by believing to the King of the Place of the
Celestial city that a person can pass only through it, and not by one’s personal righteousness. It was only
by and through the blood of Christ that a person can enter this kingdom.
Major lessons are divided into three topics Following the King’s Path, Freed and Forgiven by
King’s Promise, and Focusing on the King’s Kingdom. Each lesson has subtopics that are paralleled with
passages in its proper context. There will be questions and practical applications included in each
subtopic. This curriculum stretches to four months if done weekly.

THE KING’S PATH

Theme: Following Christ’s Way

1. The Book (Bible)

At the start of The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian was holding and reading a book. Many
times, he recognized that the truth which he knows came from the Book. He kept using the Book
as his reference about the Celestial city. He even told Pliable that what the Book states are true
and cannot lie. It is the Book that showed Christian about his burden. In the animated version by
Revelation Media, the narrator also said, “No one just finds the book but rather the Book finds
them.” This meant that Christian was predestined to know about the Celestial truth.

Verses: Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 15:16; Romans 8:29-30

Questions: Is reading the Word of God has been part of your daily life? How often do you
meditate or devote yourself to reading the Bible?

Application: The more you read the Bible, the more you tend to know God. It shows your
obvious and subtle sins that you have in your heart. God has called you and intends you to
desire His true, inerrant, and infallible Word.

*Advance Lesson: The leader can present the canonicity of the Bible or the doctrine of inerrancy
and infallibility of the Scriptures.

2. The Word Proclaimed

Evangelist had been essential in the journey of Christian. The proclamation of the Word
of God as a guide towards those who seek and gives light to the path of salvation. Several times
Christian seek the help and counsel of Evangelist. Evangelist alludes our pastor in our church.

Verses: Psalm 119:105; Romans 1:16-17

Questions: Do you listen seriously every sermon preaching of your pastor? Do you seek help or
guidance from your pastor when you need help?

Application: Your pastor is called by God to minister to your church. They are gifts of God to the
body of Christ to faithfully proclaim the Word and shepherd Christ’s flock.

3. The Wicket Gate and the Cross

Evangelist pointed Christian towards the Wicket Gate. When Christian arrived at the
Wicket Gate, Goodwill pointed him to the Cross. Only Jesus is the means and end for your
salvation. There are no other ways to go to the Celestial City.
Verses: Acts 4:12; John 14:6

Questions: Do you believe in Christ? Is He reigning on the throne of your heart? How do you
cultivate your life towards conforming to Christlikeness?

Application: Jesus is the only way to the Father, there are no other means to be saved. Trust in
Jesus. Depend on His finished work on the Cross.

*Advance Lesson: The leader can teach the doctrine of Justification.

4. Trials and Afflictions

Christian stumbled upon various trials and encountered different adversaries. These
sufferings and afflictions did not even stop when Christian was freed from his burden. Likewise,
after defeating Apollyon in a battle, the Evangelist told Christian to expect more sufferings to
come along his journey. Who were these adversaries in the journey of Christian?
- Worldly Wiseman, with his persuasive skills, tempted Christian to follow the worldly
ways. Worldly Wiseman offered an alternative remedy to ease Christian’s burden which
led him to Morality village.
- Legality of Morality Village only caused Christian to tremble more by imposing more
rules and to follow these laws strictly. Moral laws can never save us.
- Apollyon and his legion followed Christian to deceive him to return to his former place,
the City of Destruction. The tempter, Satan, devil, or killer will always eye you and bring
more sufferings in your journey, yet God’s Will is all-powerful.
- Vanity Fair people such as the Judge, Cruelty, Superstition, Liar, Envy, and many more
arrested Christian and Faithful for not participating in the pleasures of their world.
Instead, Christian and Faithful stood under the foundation of Truth and spoke about the
eternal love and peace in the kingdom they seek. The world will offer you material
things that can satisfy and please you in this world, but only God’s truth will triumph.
- Giant of Despair caged Hopeful and Christian at the Doubting Castle. The Giant plans to
bring sorrow in Christian’s life to feel hopeless and give up on life. Yet with God, there is
hope. Indeed, hope is the key to defeat the Giant of Despair.

Verses: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 1 Peter 4:12-13

Questions: How do you handle trials and afflictions? How do these trials and testing shape your
spiritual life? How do you anchor yourself and yield to God’s Will during these times?

Application: God did not promise you that life will be easy when you became a Christian.
Rather, He promised that even amidst suffering you can rejoice and cling to Him as your hope
and peace.

5. Interpreter’s Illumination
Christian encountered Interpreter after entering the Wicket Gate. Interpreter showed
Christian various places and persons while explaining the meaning of each instance. Interpreter
helped Christian to understand the things that he was looking at. Interpreter portrays the Spirit
of God applying the grace and truth in the life of Christian. The more the Spirit illuminates the
events and the Word, the more Christian has been enlightened.

Verses: John 16:13-15; Ephesians 1:17-18

Questions: Was there a time when you were not a Christian that you cannot understand
passages in the Bible? Or even those preaching you hear from pastors? Or still now, as a
Christian, do you depend on the illumination of the Spirit?

Application: Same with the heart of a depraved person full of dust, your thoughts cannot
perceive the truth about God unless the Spirit works in you.

*Advance Lesson: The leader can teach the doctrine of Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

6. Hopeful’s Hope
Hopeful became Christian’s sojourner after escaping from Vanity Fair. Hopeful
encourages Christian in times of despair. His hope is rooted in the Living Hope, Christ.

Verses: 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 5:3-5, 15:13

Questions: What incident in your life that you felt giving up? What made you hopeful that you
were able to surpass that incident?

Applications: As a Christian, you will still feel weak, sad, despair, and even grieve. But unlike
other people, you have hope. Your hope is grounded in the finished work of Christ.

*Advance Lesson: The leader can show the significance of the resurrection of Christ.

7. Faithful’s Testimony
Influenced by John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, John Bunyan included the martyrdom of
Faithful in the novel. Faithful was put to death as a seal of testimony to the gospel of truth.
Throughout history, persecutions and martyrdoms ignite the faith of Christians.

Verses: Philippians 1:21; Hebrews 12:1-2

Questions: How did you feel about Faithful’s martyrdom? Do you know any Christian who died
as a martyr?

Application: Hebrews 12 states that present Christians are surrounded by “clouds of witnesses”
or the past Christians. This includes the martyrs of the Christian faith. Learn their stories and
reflect on it.

*Advance Reading: The leader can encourage or lead about John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs or
research on how the twelve apostles died.
THE KING’S PROMISE
Theme: Freed from the slavery of sin and Forgiven from sin.

1. Knock and it shall be opened

Evangelist told Christian to go to the Wicket Gate, “knock and it shall be opened to you.”
Indeed, Good Will said that an open door is set before him and no one can shut it. A promise
that whoever knocks on the door will be opened because it is set for that person. For those who
cry out to God will be heard, that is the promise of the King.

Verses: Luke 11:9-10; 1 John 5:14-15; Romans 8:26-27

Questions: How do you feel when someone promises to listen to you and help you in times of
need? Do you know someone that is like that, maybe a friend or partner?

Application: The context of the passage is about prayer. God listens to his children. Pray, knock,
and you will see His beautiful promises.

2. You are not alone; God is with you.

From the very beginning to the end of the novel, God’s presence is there. When
Christian cried for help several times, Help was there by God’s grace. When he needed guidance,
Evangelist was there by God’s appointment. God promised that He will always be with His
children in any circumstances.

Verses: Matthew 28:20; Rom 8:38-39; Hebrews 13:5-6

Questions: Can you share an instance in your life where you know and felt God’s presence is
with you? How do you acknowledge that God is present in your life in all circumstances?

Application: God’s presence is everywhere. In His providence that everything flows. God works
even it seems like He is silent. Recognize God’s presence in your daily life.

3. Freedom from Burden

This burden of sin, feeling of unworthiness, and shame started to build up on Christian’s
back when he read the Book. As it grew, the more hardships, and difficulty in his walk that he
experienced. Only by the time where he stood before the Cross of Christ that this huge bag of
burden fell from his back and freed him from that weight. In Christ, Christian was forgiven, no
longer condemned, and freed from the slavery of sin.

Verses: Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:22; 1 Peter 2:16

Questions: Did you feel the same weight of burden when you started your Christian walk? Or
even before it? How about now, do you still feel it?

Application: The burden caused by sin no longer controls you. You are forgiven in Christ. You are
wearing Christ’s righteousness. You are no longer condemned but accepted. Therefore, live
according to the righteousness of Christ.
4. Whoever Seeks will Endure
The Interpreter told Christian that it is Christ who continually ignites the fire fueled with
oil of His grace, who maintains the work already begun, in the heart of His children. God calls a
person to faith, gives faith, and sustains it. Christ will finish what he started in a person’s life.

Verses: Philippians 1:6; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Ezekiel 36:27

Questions: Are there times when you feel like you are not growing in your spiritual life? Do you
think is it because you depend on yourself rather on God’s work in your life? How can you let
the Spirit work in your spiritual life?

Application: Faith is a gift of God. But this is should not be a dead faith. Faith is active and
manifests inwardly and outwardly. Cultivate your faith practices through prayer, devoting to the
Word, participating in the ordinances, and communing with your local church for worship and
fellowship.

5. The Shepherd’s Way is by His blood

Jesus Christ’s sacrificial act, atoning for the sins of humanity is the only way to appease
God’s wrath and reconcile us to Him. God’s redemptive plan, becoming flesh to die on behalf of
his elect is the only way to fulfill the covenant. His gracious act to save the unworthy creation for
his own glory is an act his unconditional love. Salvation is made possible because of the life
substituted by Christ for humanity.

Verses: Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2

Questions: How do you explain to others this gospel story? Do you think that you deserve this?

Application: Christ is fully God and fully man. The perfect representative of God and humanity.
In his death, humanity’s sin was paid. And in his resurrection, humanity’s hope was founded.
Christians share this life with Christ, both the death of sin and resurrecting to new life.
Remember always that there are no other ways to please God but by putting our faith in Christ
and living this faith by His grace. Live a Christ-centered life.
THE KING’S KINGDOM (Celestial City)
Theme: Focusing on the Kingdom of God.

In Colossians 3:1-42, Christians are called to focus on the things above. To think and
seek heavenly thoughts of the kingdom of God. Desiring to be in the presence of God in the Celestial
City. In the novel, after entering the Wicket Gate, Christian was able to enjoy partly the benefits of
the kingdom of God already. The fruits of the Holy Spirit and the dialogue with Piety, Charity, and
Prudence. Also, equipped with the armor of salvation to resist the devil. Rest and comfort from the
King and more. Sufferings, as told in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, are temporary in this world and to look
on eternal things. Thus, Christians must long also for the coming King’s kingdom, the Celestial City.
Let us enjoy both the “already and not here” kingdom of God as God’s children.

1. No more sorrow

Verses: Revelation 21:3-4

Reflection: In the coming Kingdom, there are no sorrows. But do not be like Pliable who only
wishes to seek for this kingdom out of curiosity, wherein when he experienced the Slough of
Despondence, he left and return to his wicked ways. The right attitude is to seek the King of that
kingdom, and that is Christ.

2. Life Unending

Verses: John 3:16-17; 1 John 5:11-13

Reflection: Life that never ends is what others long for in this world. But this is a corrupt and
fallen world. The presence of pain, melancholy, sickness, and groaning of a person sometimes
do not wish to live anymore. Yet, the coming kingdom of God is much greater than what it is
now. And in there, everyone lives eternally with the presence of King Jesus.

3. Unspeakable Joy

Verses: Psalm 16:11; Revelation 19:7-9

Reflection: Joy is possible here in this world when you are a Christian. But what the King offers
in the Celestial is something that words cannot express. An unspeakable joy where your heart
smiles to the extent of liberty from sin, conflicts, and corruption. True joy is in Christ.

4. Eternal peace and love

Verses: John 14:27, 16:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 13:13; John 3:16
Reflection: Peace in Hebrew thought means wholeness or completeness. As you pursue peace in
your heart from the struggles of life. God is shaping you fully as His child. True peace can be
found in Christ, the prince of peace. Other than peace, love lasts. In the coming kingdom of God,
you will not need hope because there are no sorrows and struggles. You do not need faith
because there is no sin and shame. But love is there because God is love. Eternal love will be
there manifesting over all his kingdom.
Instructions:

1. For adults, it is encouraged to read the whole part 1 of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrims Progress
before, or during, taking these lessons.

2. For family, it will be better for parents to guide their kid/s with Helen Taylor’s version for kids,
Little Pilgrim's Progress: From John Bunyan's Classic (2006) or watch the animated version by
Revelation Media directed by Robert Fernandez,
(https://www.revelationmedia.com/christianbook-watchpilgrims/cbook1/).

3. For groups, read the whole part 1 of the book and follow the T.R.I.P. procedure.

Teach – The leader will instruct the lesson/ topic. Then let everyone in the group explain
how they can apply it in their specific situation or in their daily living. (10-15 minutes)

Reflect – Choose one (or two) from the group to share their spiritual reflection about
the lesson that was recently discussed. Focus on their spiritual growth. (5-7 minutes)

Inspire – Ask someone (or two) to share a recent thanksgiving. The leader can assign
them weekly. This is a good exercise to be grateful for our blessings. (5 minutes)

Pray – Ask each one for their prayer requests. You can pray as a group or choose one to
pray for everyone. I encourage you to pick one accountable partner for the whole lesson
series. This can help each one to track their progress in their prayer life. (10 minutes)

* Total = 30 to 37 minutes

4. For the church, the same with groups but the pastor, or elders, can decide to make a topical
series for four months about:

Month 1 – God’s Kingdom,

Month 2 – God’s Path of Salvation,
Month 3 – God’s Presence, and
Month 4 – God’s Promises.

Louisville, KY © 2020 John Paul Arceno

SOLI DEO GLORIA!