Breaking Ground
What was your favorite & least favorite food as a kid? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Why by tackling several questions that centered around political topics at the center of the “culture wars” in America & the incorrect assumption that we must take certain positions on them in order to be “true Christians.” More broadly, we explored how our political culture has pushed a dualistic, either-or, all-or-nothing, black-&-white approach to these topics that can lead us to miss their complexity & engage them without Christlike compassion.
With this in mind, begin by reflecting on these topics broadly.
Why do you think it’s so easy to create simplistic, black-&-white connections between issues in our political world & our identity as Christians? What part of our human nature creates these sorts of “ideological purity tests” & how can they lead us to miss the heart of the Gospel?
Why do you think we naturally lean towards embracing dualistic, either-or, black-&-white thinking? How can this lead us to misunderstand or engage complex issues without Christlike compassion?
Next, reflect on the cultural conversation around these complicated topics & the danger of embracing dualistic thinking in our engagement of them.
What political or cultural positions do you often see associated with being a faithful Christian? Why do you think that is?
Where do you see a dualistic worldview present in the topics you’ve identified? How has dualism shaped the way that Christians think about, discuss, & interact with these topics in America?
How have both of the above trends negatively impacted the Christian witness in the broader culture of America? How has it led Christians to think & act in ways that are contrary to the example & teachings of Jesus?
How does Jesus offer us a more non-dualistic, both-and, & gray vision of thinking about & interacting with these complex topics? How would this make us better witnesses to Christ’s Gospel & make us more open-minded, gracious, & compassionate in our approach to interacting with such issues?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Where have you been taught to associate political positions with following Jesus? How has this impacted the way that you think about both discipleship & American politics?
- Consider your answers to the previous question. Where do you see dualism & oversimplication at play in what you were taught? How has it impacted the way you think about & act towards those who hold a different opinion than you on the topic you identified?
- How might embracing a non-dualistic & more open-minded approach to these topics help us be more like Jesus in the world?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, September 13th: Join us next week as we continue answering YOUR questions in our Why series!
* Please see mye3.org for details.