We used to consider ourselves “One nation, under God,” and christians had an influential voice in our culture. But, today our culture seems to be increasingly anti-christian, and the church seems to be dying off. There is definitely something different about our culture… But the real question is, is there something different about you?
Lifegroup Discussion Questions after the jump!
What did you think of the description of the “1950’s normal” in America? Was that your personal experience?
It is tempting to think that the increasingly anti-christian culture is happening elsewhere, and that we are insulated here in North Georgia… But check out this article about Chestatee High School, which is between Ellijay and Gainesville, GA.
What other ways has culture changed between your childhood years and now?
With government and culture changing so much, how should we interpret these important scriptures regarding our role in a society?
Romans 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
1 Peter 2:13-15
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Does that mean we should disengage from the political discourse? Why or why not?
The election season is once again in full swing. The candidates are debating, and America is choosing. Elections are usually all about the current issues. As believers, we should definitely care about the issues, but there is one singular issue that stands out far and above everything else. It is the only issue that Jesus fought for. Is that our fight?
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
What is that one issue that we are to be fighting for?
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Anything else is not our fight.
Maybe a small group of people up in the hills of North Georgia will have little to no say in the upcoming election. It is true that our voice is very small, and we have very little influence on the course of our nation’s future.
But, what if we approached every area of our life with the mission of Jesus, as he described it in John 10:10?
- Instead of having to win the argument with your relative, what if your objective was to bring life into the relationship
- Instead of proving your point with your spouse, what if your objective was to bring life into that relationship?
- Instead of beating the other guy out for that promotion, what if you instead brought life?
- Instead of ignoring the guy with the sign near Walmart, what if you brought life?
- Instead of “going with the cultural flow” at school, what if you brought life?
If we believers would just remember this, how would we then influence the course of our nation’s future