No, that wasn't the topic of discussion today; but it is what happened. During today's worship service, I was convicted to put away the lesson I had prepared and hold an open discussion about the message. There was so much to think about and to process that I felt the Spirit leading me to completely change the focus. So, for about 40 minutes we did just that. I wondered if I would need to "prime the pump" so to speak to get the discussion going; but that wasn't necessary at all. I appreciated the sincerity and honesty of the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that were shared.
For those of you who may have missed worship this morning, Merle began a message series that shows us the perceptions young adults (both inside and outside of the church) have of Christians. The perceptions and statistics are startling to say the least. The statistics used in this series come from the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman, who is associated with the Barna Research Group. The book is available in the PV bookstore and I would highly recommend that you read it.
As a result of this morning's service, I will put off the study of Revelation that we had scheduled to begin in September. Our "study" for the next four weeks will actually be a discussion of the information shared in the morning services. I realize this is a an "out of the box" experience, but I believe it is at the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, follow-up questions or concerns in the comment box. The more processing, we do the more we will be able to identify the truths we are learning and understand how to apply them to our lives. Let me know what you are thinking.
Read the book of 1 Peter to expand your thinking on this subject and to prepare for the rest of the sermon series.
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So I've been processing the sermon and discussion and reading this week's "Time Alone" Daily Devotionals, and realize that once again, the teacher of Proverbs is correct, there is nothing new under the sun.
ReplyDeleteAren't we once again dealing with a generational issue that is compounded by the fact that since the WWII generation, each following generation has been slipping farther away from traditional orthodox Christianity to a worldview of religious practices? I recall the days of the beatniks followed by the hippies and the frantic call to escape the establishment. (Yes, I was just a kid, but I have a LONG memory or maybe that as I'm getting older the old memories are getting stronger as the short-term memory fails!)
I admit, I really haven't been keeping up with all of the younger generations fads, which like those of old appear to try to out-do the last generation in the ability to shock those older than they. (Which again takes a bit of doing when you recall the hippies, Woodstock, communes & free-love.) But remember, Ghandi was affected by a similar attitude after living through the British occupation of India -- liked our Christ, but not our Christians because we are so unlike our Christ.
So from my initial emotional reaction, I'm ready to step back, gather some more information about how best to communicate with those that have chosen not to be Christ-followers because of the Christians' un-Christian behavior, and continue to do my best to walk in the footsteps of Christ so I can be more like Christ to those around me.
Sounds like you have done some serious processing...I thought it was pretty quiet out there...hadn't heard from anyone on this. Your last paragraph sums up exactly what 1 Peter 2:12 is saying. We need to know what young unbelievers are saying so that they know we value them and their ideas and needs. The purpose of that is so we can do a better job of loving them and drawing them back to God.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the recommended book, unChristian on Monday, but have just read the first couple of pages. I'm getting a few too many books going at the same time. I'm conflicted on whether to start this or finish the Hal Lindsey read.
ReplyDeleteIt's your choice but my recommendation would be do "UnChristian" first. I think it will be a quicker read and you'll have that background for the series the next few weeks.
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