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Engage

We must hold on to the unchanging truth of the Bible and be faithful to engage others in a continually changing cultural context.

[quote]For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. – Romans 1:16[/quote]


[expand title=”People Of Faith”]

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS

  • Take a moment to read Hebrew 11 – 13. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these chapters? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply in your life?
  • When it comes to Christians relating to the culture, which of following philosophies best describes your approach?
    • Syncretism (faith and culture blend seamlessly)
    • Isolation (staying separate for the sake of protection)
    • Zealousy (direct, passionate, confrontational)
    • Engagement (no retreat from culture, no Gospel compromise)
  • What are some things that you have never seen but have strong convictions about?
  • God could have chosen to fast track each person directly to heaven at the moment of their salvation. Instead, we’re still here. How would you describe your purpose here on earth “in the meantime,” from now until you pass from this life to the next?

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[expand title=”Politics”]

Life Group Questions

  • Take a moment to read I Timothy 2:1-4 and Romans 13:1-7. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these passages? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply to your life?
  • Jesus is the number one loyalty in our lives. Where have you felt conflicted in your desire to be loyal to Jesus and at the same time to submit to the governing authorities?
  • Consider these five responsibilities we have as Christians as we engage in the culture of politics:
    • Pray
    • Submit
    • Honor
    • Support
    • Keep a good reputation

    Which of these is most challenging for you? What changes are you considering in attitude or action?

  • Take a few minutes to pray for our government leaders, for the political process in our country, and for wisdom and grace as we engage the culture in this area.

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[expand title=”Religion”]

Life Group Questions

  • Take a few minutes to review the Scripture: Acts 4:11-12, John 14:6, John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 7:12-14. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these passages? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply to your life?
  • Consider these five views regarding whether or not people will go to heaven after they die:
    • Everyone will
    • No one will
    • Some may
    • Some will (we don’t know how it works, but you’re in for sure!)
    • Some will (and we know how it works)

    Which of the above best describes your position?

  • Briefly state what the Bible says about what happens to people after they die.
  • Do you engage others with the Gospel: the truth of the Christian faith? What does that look like? What opportunities are there for you to do more of this?

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[expand title=”Morality”]

Life Group Questions

  • Take some time to read through the Scripture: John 3:17-18, John 17:14-19, Romans 1:18-20, Romans 2:14-15, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. What do these Scriptures say regarding morality?
  • Discuss Moral Relativism vs Moral Absolutism (if you don’t remember what these are, Google them). How does your stance on morality change how you live and what you believe?
  • How can we, as followers of Christ, be IN the world but not OF the world? What does this look like in your life?
  • The goal of this series is to train ourselves in engaging culture with the Gospel. Take some time to discuss how you would engage someone who believes that morality is relative with the message of Jesus.

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[expand title=”Culture”]

Life Group Questions

  • Take some time to read through the Scripture: John 17:14-19, Acts 17:16-34, 1 Corinthians 13:4-13, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Hebrews 4:12. What do these Scriptures say regarding culture?
  • Make a list of what our culture values. How do these line up with what you value in your Christian faith? Where are there similarities/differences?
  • Every day we have things we encounter that we can receive, reject, or repurpose. Take time to think through examples of each of these and discuss them as a group.
  • It is often challenging to engage culture with our faith. Where is this the most challenging to do? What questions are the hardest to answer? Take time as a life group to pray and help one another answer these questions that come up with people we know in our lives.

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