The Alignment Problem

Sweet001

Some Christians are “sweet,” while others are “sour.”  You know the difference. But can you see it in your own life?  Why do we struggle with this “Christian schizophrenia?”

Lifegroup Discussion Questions after the link

If you are the discussion leader, have everyone in your group open to this page on their mobile device.  Take turns reading the questions and discussing.  Remember, this is a discussion GUIDE, not an absolute path, so feel free to go where your group needs to go… But keep it on track.  We are being transformed together.

Before continuing into the discussion, watch this brief video from me first.

 

The pre-message video for this series is just footage of different people actually cooking Sweet & Sour Chicken.  Did you like that?  Or did it irritate you, because it made you hungry?

I started off describing what I’m calling “Christian schizophrenia…” This duality of the believer.  We all have it to some degree, but it isn’t always apparent.  Why is that?

Specifically, Jesus describes this schizophrenia when talking about money.  He says that we are to “Give by faith,” and to “Spend by wisdom.”  I say most of us get that completely backwards and give by wisdom because we’ve spent by faith.  What did you think about that ?  Is that true?

Are there other areas of our lives where this schizophrenia is evident?  Can you name one or two?

What about in the area of conflict resolution?  Jesus was pretty clear about how to deal with someone who has offended you…

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
-Matthew 18:15-17

Do we follow Jesus in this?  How do Christians typically handle conflict?

Is it possible that my disobedience makes me sour?  How?

According to Jesus, what is the basic solution to aligning our lives around Christ? (see Mark 8, below)

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
-Mark 8:34-35

What is the ultimate goal of aligning my life with Christ?

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything
-Colossians 1:18

What in my life needs to come into alignment with Him?