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Generous Orthodoxy

Nov 04
Love0

Week 2

By Generous Orthodoxy, Uncategorized
11.4.18 Preference or Presence
1. Jesus says, “all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” Do you believe that God has all authority? When have you questioned God’s authority?
2. Why do you think it is important for our generosity flow from our orthodoxy instead of the other way around?
3. How has a greater understanding of who God is grown your gratitude for what He has done and, in turn, resulted in you living more generously?
4. Are you motivated by satisfying your preference or by experiencing God’s presence?
5. Os Guinnes writes, “Our modern world has shifted us from a stance under authority to one of preference. Or, expressed more carefully, our modern world tends to undermine all forms of authority other than its own and replaces them with the sense that all responses are merely a matter of preference.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. How have you seen differences in the body lead to divisions in the church?
7. How have you seen the differences in the body Christ work together in a beautiful way to give glory to God?
8. 1 Corinthians 13 comes right after Paul talks about the different parts of the body of Christ. Why is love so important in light of the differences highlighted in 1 Corinthians 12?
9. Do you believe in a world of scarcity or a world of abundance? How does your perspective of the world affect your generosity?
10. Which of the three reasons discussed that can keep us from living out generous orthodoxy resonated with you?
1. Seeking Preferences Instead of Presence
2. Causing Division Because of Differences
3. Believing in Scarcity Rather than Abundance
11. Read Ephesians 3:14-21 and reflect on the incredibly abundant generosity of our God.
Oct 28
Love0

Week 1

By Generous Orthodoxy, Uncategorized

10.28.18 Not about Preference (1 Corinthians 13)

  1. Read 1 Corinthians 13 incarnationally. Where do you find yourself in the text?
  2. In your own words define the Great Commission. In what specific ways is the Great Commission being lived out in your life today?
  3. We have been freed from exile. What’s the greatest temptation in creating your own Promise Land existence? How are you learning to let go of your desire to control your own Promise Land?
  4. Read and reflect Eugene Peterson’s comments about consumeristic Christianity.
    “A consumeristic church is a church without Christ.
     “A consumeristic church is an anti-Christ church.”
    In what ways do you agree with Peterson? How do we ensure Sanctuary doesn’t become consumeristic? Is it a leadership issue, a staff issue, or a people issue, or something else? Describe.
  5. 1 Corinthians 13 is a livable reality. In what relationships do you fully live into the reality of 1 Corinthians 13?
  6. Where do you struggle most in receiving this livable reality of 1 Corinthians 13?
  7. What does Generous Orthodoxy look like in your everyday, ordinary life?
  8. L. Johnson said, “The observance of the truths of this chapter (1 Corinthians 13)….would have solved all their (the Corinthians’) problems.” What’s the hardest part of believing that statement? What do you do with the tension this raises?
  9. D. Walt said, So why do our missional activities in the world lack the irresistible magnetism of Jesus? In a word: love. It’s easy enough to love helping people. It’s another thing to love people…Helping people tends to make us feel worthwhile. Loving people makes them feel worthwhile. We all know we can help people without truly loving them, but it’s impossible to love them without helping them.
    Describe a time when you fell into this kind of dynamic. What was the outcome of helping people vs. loving them? As a first step in loving, what is one belief that you might need to change or let go?
  10. Read Galatians 6.2. How is this text livable reality in your life today? Whose burdens are you carrying? Who is carrying yours? Describe the beauty of the mutuality you are experiencing.
  11. Learn the context of Galatians 5.6 – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. How might your life be enriched of this Biblical love was the only thing that counted?
  12. What’s a next step from working through this study? Where might God be calling you to express His love?

 

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