NEXT STEP 2017
NE
XT STEP 2017
SERIES: LOVE YOU MORE SERIES MESSAGE: (than the color of your skin) PASSAGE: Galatians 3:28 FIRST STEP: 1. Please define the following terms; racism, sexism and ageism. In what ways, whether intentionally or unintentionally, has the church in American been guilty of these “isms”? 2. Is there a group of people or type of individual that might feel “invisible” at our church? How do you think that makes them feel? Where might “invisible” individuals or groups sit in church? 3. Why is America divided today? How can the gospel bring hope and healing to our nation?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Galatians 3:28 (see also 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 3:11) 1. Galatians 3:23-29: What does Paul want the church in Galatia to know about their faith in Christ and how to do life together as a church? What was God’s design for loving those who are different than us and those we might not even like? Which people groups struggled the most with this new design for equality (Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female)? Which is the hardest for you to love more, someone from a different ethnic group, social status or opposite sex? 2. A TYPICAL HOME CHURCH IN GALATIA: The host home had a successful craftsman, his wife, male and female slaves, dependent relatives, tenants mixed with all types of slaves, nonbelieving extended family members, freed slaves, homeless people living off the scraps of the community, migrant workers, male and female prostitutes either enslaved or by trade. What if anything do you think they agreed on? What might have been some of their core struggles when they met? What specifically did Paul want them to do, to appreciate and to accept their differences? 3. Matthew 6:12, Matthew 22:39: List a few practical changes we need to make at HCC in order to love each other and our community more. Who are the invisible people we need to love more? 4. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 14:1: What is the significance of one baptism, one Spirit and one body (see John 17:23 also)? What role then does love play in making life together work? 90% to 95% of churches are segregated today according to ethnic group and according to their own affinity. Why is that? What changes do you need to make and what changes do we need to make? 5. Galatians 5:13-15: Based upon the typical home church above, what did love mean to them when they read Paul’s challenges? How did love inspire them to transcend, honor and enjoy their obvious differences? What hurdles do you face when it comes to loving those who are different? 6. Galatians 5:22-23: What if the fruit of the Spirit was not meant to be individual fruit but relational fruit? What do these descriptors of the fruit of the Spirit say about the obstacles of diversity today in our culture? What then is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and “Love You More”? FINAL STEP: Make a list of people missing from your table (your relational community) and our table (our church’s relational community). Create a plan to become more intentional to love those who are different.
XT STEP 2017
SERIES: LOVE YOU MORE SERIES MESSAGE: (than the color of your skin) PASSAGE: Galatians 3:28 FIRST STEP: 1. Please define the following terms; racism, sexism and ageism. In what ways, whether intentionally or unintentionally, has the church in American been guilty of these “isms”? 2. Is there a group of people or type of individual that might feel “invisible” at our church? How do you think that makes them feel? Where might “invisible” individuals or groups sit in church? 3. Why is America divided today? How can the gospel bring hope and healing to our nation?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Galatians 3:28 (see also 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 3:11) 1. Galatians 3:23-29: What does Paul want the church in Galatia to know about their faith in Christ and how to do life together as a church? What was God’s design for loving those who are different than us and those we might not even like? Which people groups struggled the most with this new design for equality (Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female)? Which is the hardest for you to love more, someone from a different ethnic group, social status or opposite sex? 2. A TYPICAL HOME CHURCH IN GALATIA: The host home had a successful craftsman, his wife, male and female slaves, dependent relatives, tenants mixed with all types of slaves, nonbelieving extended family members, freed slaves, homeless people living off the scraps of the community, migrant workers, male and female prostitutes either enslaved or by trade. What if anything do you think they agreed on? What might have been some of their core struggles when they met? What specifically did Paul want them to do, to appreciate and to accept their differences? 3. Matthew 6:12, Matthew 22:39: List a few practical changes we need to make at HCC in order to love each other and our community more. Who are the invisible people we need to love more? 4. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 14:1: What is the significance of one baptism, one Spirit and one body (see John 17:23 also)? What role then does love play in making life together work? 90% to 95% of churches are segregated today according to ethnic group and according to their own affinity. Why is that? What changes do you need to make and what changes do we need to make? 5. Galatians 5:13-15: Based upon the typical home church above, what did love mean to them when they read Paul’s challenges? How did love inspire them to transcend, honor and enjoy their obvious differences? What hurdles do you face when it comes to loving those who are different? 6. Galatians 5:22-23: What if the fruit of the Spirit was not meant to be individual fruit but relational fruit? What do these descriptors of the fruit of the Spirit say about the obstacles of diversity today in our culture? What then is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and “Love You More”? FINAL STEP: Make a list of people missing from your table (your relational community) and our table (our church’s relational community). Create a plan to become more intentional to love those who are different.
