THE CHRISTIAN IN A POSTMODERN WORLD. F oundations of the Faith

THE CHRISTIAN IN A POSTMODERN WORLD F oundations of the Faith

GROUP DIRECTORY Pass this Directory around and have your Group Members fill in their names and phone numbers Name Phone

THE CHRISTIAN IN A POSTMODERN WORLD F oundations of the Faith EDITING AND PRODUCTION TEAM: Keith Madsen, James F. Couch, Jr., Katharine Harris, Scott Lee, Gregory C. Benoit N A S H V I L L E, T E N N E S S E E

2003 Serendipity House All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Published by Serendipity House Publishers Nashville, Tennessee International Standard Book Number: 1-57494-108-9 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Nashville, Tennessee 1-800-525-9563 www.serendipityhouse.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS Session Reference Subject Page 1 Hebrews 11:1 16 Looking Beyond the Invisible....... 15 2 James 2:1 13 Looking Beyond the Facades....... 23 3 Acts 10:9 23 Living in a Multi-Cultural World.... 31 4 Acts 17:16 34 Christ and Religious Pluralism...... 39 5 Luke 11:37 54 Christ and Religious Authority..... 47 6 John 8:31 47 Knowing the Truth............... 55 7 Romans 8:18 25 The Future of Creation........... 63

CORE VALUES Community: Group Process: Interactive Bible Study: Developmental Stages: Target Audiences: Mission: The purpose of this curriculum is to build community within the body of believers around Jesus Christ. To build community, the curriculum must be designed to take a group through a step-by-step process of sharing your story with one another. To share your story, the approach to Scripture in the curriculum needs to be open-ended and right brain to level the playing field and encourage everyone to share. To provide a healthy program throughout the four stages of the life cycle of a group, the curriculum needs to offer courses on three levels of commitment: (1) Beginner Level low-level entry, high structure, to level the playing field; (2) Growth Level deeper Bible study, flexible structure, to encourage group accountability; (3) Discipleship Level in-depth Bible study, open structure, to move the group into high gear. To build community throughout the culture of the church, the curriculum needs to be flexible, adaptable and transferable into the structure of the average church. To expand the kingdom of God one person at a time by filling the empty chair. (We add an extra chair to each group session to remind us of our mission.) 6

INTRODUCTION EACH HEALTHY SMALL GROUP WILL MOVE THROUGH VARIOUS STAGES AS IT MATURES. Multiply Stage: The group begins the multiplication process. Members pray about their involvement in new groups. The new groups begin the life cycle again with the Birth Stage. Birth Stage: This is the time in which group members form relationships and begin to develop community. The group will spend more time in ice-breaker exercises, relational Bible study and covenant building. Develop Stage: The inductive Bible study deepens while the group members discover and develop gifts and skills. The group explores ways to invite their neighbors and coworkers to group meetings. Growth Stage: Here the group begins to care for one another as it learns to apply what they learn through Bible study, worship and prayer. Subgrouping: If you have nine or more people at a meeting, Serendipity recommends you divide into subgroups of 3 6 for the Bible study. Ask one person to be the leader of each subgroup and to follow the directions for the Bible study. After 30 minutes, the Group Leader will call time and ask all subgroups to come together for the Caring Time. 7

EACH GROUP MEETING SHOULD INCLUDE ALL PARTS OF THE THREE-PART AGENDA. Ice-Breaker: Fun, history-giving questions are designed to warm the group and to build understanding about the other group members. You can choose to use all of the Ice-Breaker questions, especially if there is a new group member that will need help in feeling comfortable with the group. One of the purposes of this book is to begin a group. Therefore, getting to know one another and bonding together are esstential to the success of this course. The goal is to get acquainted during the Ice-Breaker part of each group session. Bible Study: The heart of each meeting is the reading and examination of the Bible. The questions are open, discover questions that lead to further inquiry. Reference notes are provided to give everyone a level playing field. The emphasis is on understanding what the Bible says and applying the truth to real life. The questions for each session build. There is always at least one going deeper question provided. You should always leave time for the last of the questions for interaction. Should you choose, you can use the optional going deeper question to satisfy the desire for the challenging questions in groups that have been together for a while. To help bond together as a group, it is important for everyone to participate in the Bible Study. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions. The group members should strive to make all of the other group members feel comfortable during the Bible Study time. Because we all have differing levels of biblical knowledge, it is essential that we appreciate the personal context from which answers are given. We don t have to know much about Scripture to bring our own perspectives on the truths contained in the Scriptures. It is vital to keep encouraging all group members to share what they are observing as we work through these important Bible passages. Caring Time: All study should point us to actions. Each session ends with prayer and direction in caring for the needs of the group members. You can choose between several questions. You should always pray for the empty chair. Who do you know that could fill that void in your group? Small groups help the larger body of Christ in many ways: caring for individuals, holding one another up in prayer, providing emotional support and in bringing new people into the body through filling the empty chair. Each week it is important to remember to pray for those who God would bring to fill your empty chair. 8

Sharing Your Story: These sessions are designed for members to share a little of their personal lives each time. Through a number of special techniques, each member is encouraged to move from low risk, less personal sharing to higher risk responses. This helps develop the sense of community and facilitates caregiving. Group Covenant: A group covenant is a contract that spells out your expectations and the ground rules for your group. It s very important that your group discuss these issues preferably as part of the first session. GROUND RULES: Priority: While you are in the group, you give the group meeting priority. Participation: Everyone participates and no one dominates. Respect: Everyone is given the right to their own opinion and all questions are encouraged and respected. Confidentiality: Anything that is said in the meeting is never repeated outside the meeting. Empty Chair: The group stays open to new people at every meeting. Support: Permission is given to call upon each other in time of need even in the middle of the night. Advice Giving: Unsolicited advice is not allowed. Mission: We agree to do everything in our power to start a new group as our mission. 9

GOALS: The time and place this group is going to meet is. Refreshments are responsibility. Child care is responsibility. This group will meet until at which time we will decide to split into new groups or continue our sessions together. Our primary purpose for meeting is. 10

OUR SMALL GROUP CONVENANT 1. The facilitator for this group is. 2. The apprentice facilitator for this group is. 3. This group will meet from to on. 4. This group will normally meet at. 5. Child care will be arranged by. 6. Refreshments will be coordinated by. 7. Our primary purpose for meeting is. 8. Our secondary purpose for meeting is. 9. We all agree to follow the ground rules listed below: a. This meeting will be given priority in our schedules. b. Everyone will participate in each meeting and no one will dominate a meeting. c. Each has a right to one s own opinion and all questions will be respected. d. Everything that is said in group meetings is never to be repeated outside of the meeting. e. This group will be open to new people at every meeting. f. Permission is given for all to call on each other in time of need. g. Unsolicited advice is not allowed. h. We agree to fill the empty chair and work toward starting new groups. 10.We are to hold one another accountable to meet any commitments mutually agreed upon by this group. I agree to all of the above date 11

FELT NEED SURVEY Rank the following factors in order of importance to you with 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest: The passage of Scripture that is being studied. The topic or issue that is being discussed. The affinity of group members (age, vocation, interest). The mission of the group (service projects, evangelism, starting groups). Personal encouragement. Rank the following spiritual development needs in order of interest to you with 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest: Learning how to become a follower of Christ. Gaining a basic understanding of the truths of the faith. Improving my disciplines of devotion, prayer, reading Scripture. Gaining a better knowledge of what is in the Bible. Applying the truths of Scripture to my life. Of the various studies below, check the appropriate boxes that indicate: if you would be interested in studying for your personal needs (P), you think would be helpful for your group (G), or you have friends that are not in the group that would come to a study of this subject (F). Growing in Christ Series (7-week studies) P G F Keeping Your Cool: Dealing With Stress Personal Audit: Assessing Your Life Seasons of Growth: Stages of Marriage Checking Your Moral Compass: Personal Morals Women of Faith (8 weeks) Men of Faith Becoming a Disciple (7-week studies) Discovering God s Will Time for a Checkup Learning to Love Foundations of the Faith (7-week studies) Knowing Jesus Foundational Truths Understanding the Savior (13-week studies) Mark 1 8: Jesus, the Early Years Mark 8 16: Jesus, the Final Days John 1 11: God in the Flesh 12

P G F John 12 21: The Passion of the Son The Miracles of Jesus The Life of Christ The Parables of Jesus The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the Teacher The Message of Paul Romans 1 7: Who We Really Are (13 weeks) Romans 8 16: Being a Part of God s Plan (13 weeks) 1 Corinthians: Taking on Tough Issues (13 weeks) Galatians: Living by Grace (13 weeks) Ephesians: Together in Christ (12 weeks) Philippians: Running the Race (7 weeks) Words of Faith Acts 1 14: The Church on Fire (13 weeks) Acts 15 28: The Irrepressible Witness (13 weeks) Hebrews: Jesus Through the Eyes of Hebrew Faith (13 weeks) James: Faith at Work (12 weeks) 1 Peter: Staying the Course (10 weeks) 1 John: Walking in the Light (11 weeks) Revelation 1 12: End of Time (13 weeks) Revelation 13 22: The New Jerusalem (13 weeks) 301 Bible Studies with Homework Assignments (13-week studies) Ephesians: Our Riches in Christ James: Walking the Talk Life of Christ: Behold the Man Miracles: Signs and Wonders Parables: Virtual Reality Philippians: Joy Under Stress Sermon on the Mount: Examining Your Life 1 John: The Test of Faith Felt Need Series (7-week studies) Stress Management: Finding the Balance 12 Steps: The Path to Wholeness Divorce Recovery: Picking Up the Pieces Parenting Adolescents: Easing the Way to Adulthood Blended Families: Yours, Mine, Ours Dealing with Grief and Loss: Hope in the Midst of Pain Healthy Relationships: Living Within Defined Boundaries Marriage Enrichment: Making a Good Marriage Better 13

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D S E S S I O N 1 LOOKING BEYOND THE VISIBLE S C R I P T U R E H E B R E W S 1 1 : 1 1 6 F oundations of the Faith

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D WELCOME WELCOME TO THIS STUDY ON BEING A CHRISTIAN IN A POSTMODERN WORLD. IN THIS STUDY WE WILL BE LOOKING AT WHAT THE GOSPEL HAS TO SAY TO SUCH A WORLD, AND HOW WE CAN MAKE SENSE OF WHAT WE EXPERIENCE. IN THIS STUDY WE WILL EXAMINE MANY OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED TODAY ABOUT WHAT LIFE IN THIS WORLD IS ABOUT, AND WE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO FIND WHAT SCRIPTURE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS. We live today in what has been called a postmodern world. The term postmodern cannot be precisely defined, but for our purposes it will refer to an attitude of openness and exploration of all aspects of life and thought. This openness and questioning is an attitude which has grown to be very prevalent in our world today, especially among younger people. We have come to question and re-examine many beliefs and attitudes that were once taken for granted. These include: The assumption that the world can be understood empirically. People today most often don t feel limited to the undiluted rationalism that held sway over the secular world for much of the Twentieth Century. Instead we watch television shows like X- Files, Roswell, Touched by an Angel, and even Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, all of which assume a paranormal world. This will be dealt with in this first session. The assumption that the authorities know the answers better than we do. The authorities are the ones who hide what really happened at Roswell. They are the ones that keep the people in The Matrix in the dark about the nature of reality. They are the ones who try to control crime as in Minority Report, only to have it all blow up in their faces. (See Session 5.) The assumption that science and the rational powers of mankind will save us. Science is just one more questionable authority claiming special knowledge that it does not have. (See Sessions 6 and 7.) The assumption that there is an objective reality we can call truth. For many today truth is relative and subjective. There is my truth and your truth. But people despair of finding any absolute truth. The X-Files declared The truth is out there, but many of this generation wonder about that. (See Session 6.) The assumption that the world is heading somewhere and that progress can be assumed. This results in a questioning of both the old scientific concepts of progress and the more religious views of a kingdom of God. (See Session 7.) The assumption that Western Culture is superior. During the modern era, people looked down on Native Americans, natives of Africa, and aboriginal peoples as F oundations of the Faith 16

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D primitive people who needed to be enlightened by modern knowledge. Postmodern people affirm cultural diversity and are often drawn by some of the spiritual perspectives of non-industrialized people. Those with a spiritual interest are often spiritually eclectic. (See Sessions 3 and 4.) We have chosen some Scriptures that address these issues. Some of these Scriptural passages will reinforce the perspectives of postmodernism, and some will challenge them. But in looking at these passages, our aim is to understand postmodernism in the context of historic Christianity and, in the process, to see what we can all learn. ICE-BREAKER 15 min LEADER Be sure to read the introductory material in the front of this book prior to the first session. To help your group members get acquainted, have each person introduce him or herself and then take turns answering one or two of the Ice-Breaker questions. If time allows, you may want to discuss all three questions. Hope is one of the most spiritually essential things in life. It is the light at the end of the tunnel that keeps us going. Where have you looked to maintain your hope in your life? Share something about your hope history by answering the following questions. 1. When you were in school, what would you say was the most important thing you hoped for? To be a singer or sports star when I grew up. To just get through school. That my parents would get back together. That a certain boy or girl would notice me. Other. 2. Where would you say that your hope is focused right now as an adult? Getting a better job. Finding the man or woman of my dreams. Gaining a more mature understanding of myself and my problems. Learning more about God and God s will. Other. F oundations of the Faith 17

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D 3. If your level of hope were a gas gauge, what would your gauge be reading right now? Full and with a spare tank! Maybe ⁶ of a tank. About half full (or half empty, depending on my mood). Down to a quarter of a tank and looking for refueling. Below the E level and running on fumes. BIBLE STUDY 30 min LEADER Select a member of the group ahead of time to read aloud the Scripture passage. Then discuss the Questions for Interaction, dividing into subgroups of three to six. Be sure to save time at the end for the Caring Time. Is there another world, another reality beyond the one which we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell? If so, do we really have a sixth sense like Haley Joel Osment that can put us in touch with this reality? The book of Hebrews says yes, and the author of that book tells us that this sixth sense is in fact faith. Faith helps us to see aspects of the world that no other sense can alert us to. This chapter of Hebrews gives us examples of people who showed this kind of faith, and in so doing, it challenges us to have this faith ourselves. Read Hebrews 11:1 16, and learn more about this sixth sense. 11 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For by it our ancestors were approved. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By this he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through this. 5 By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his transformation he was approved, having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. F oundations of the Faith 18

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D 7 By faith Noah, after being warned about what was not yet seen, in reverence built an ark to deliver his family. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was barren, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful. 12 And therefore from one man in fact, from one as good as dead came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been remembering that land they came from, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But they now aspire to a better land a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:1 16 LEADER QUESTIONS FOR INTERACTION Refer to the Summary and Study Notes at the end of this section as needed. If 30 minutes is not enough time to answer all of the questions in this section, conclude the Bible Study by answering questions 6 and 7. 1. Of the people mentioned by the author, whose faith has the most significance to you? Who might you add to this list from your own personal spiritual history? 2. How does this passage relate to the postmodern perspective that there is more to the world than we can learn through scientific study? What tool does it say we need in order to grasp reality? 3. How does the author define faith? How do the people listed demonstrate faith? F oundations of the Faith 19

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D 4. What two truths does a person who is seeking God need to believe (V. 6)? Have there been times in your life when you doubted either one of these truths? What, if anything, has helped you deal with that doubt? 5. How did these people of faith look upon their status on earth (V. 13)? What does this say about where they viewed their true home to be? 6. How do you feel about relying on the existence of things that you do not see? When have you found unseen things playing an important role in your life? 7. What better land (or better world ) do you find yourself longing for? What role do you see yourself having in bringing about such a world? What role do you see God taking? GOING DEEPER If your group has time and/or wants a challenge, go on to these questions: 8. Scientific inquiry has much to say about how the world was made, while Christian faith asserts that the universe was created by God s Word. Are these perspectives compatible? How do you balance faith and knowledge in deciding this? 9. People of faith often feel like foreigners and temporary residents (or as some versions say, aliens and strangers on earth ). Why might this be, according to this passage? How can this be a healthy perspective to have? What dangers might this attitude present? CARING TIME 15 min LEADER This very important time is to develop and express your concern for each other as group members by praying for one another. In this first session it is also important to discuss the rules that the group will follow. 1. Have your group agree on a group covenant and ground rules (see the front of this book). F oundations of the Faith 20

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D 2. What can this group do to help you feel less of an alien and a stranger in this group? 3. What would help you to restore your hope level (Ice-Breaker question 3), and how can this group help? 4. Pray specifically for God to lead you to someone to bring next week to fill the empty chair. P.S. At the closing pass around your books and have everyone sign the Group Directory in the front of this book. NEXT WEEK Today we began by looking at what Hebrews says about faith and its role in a world of unseen realities. In the coming week, ask the Lord to help you believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Next week we will consider some of the facades that people put up, and in particular the facade of clothing. The dress of many postmodern people is a statement against the dress suit world that modernity assumed was necessary for respectability. We will look at what James says about this, and the relationship between the external factor of clothing and the internal factor of spirituality. NOTES ON HEBREWS 11:1 16 Summary: In the previous chapter, the author began focusing on what we should do in response to who Christ is and what he has done, and he continues that focus in this most famous of chapters in the book of Hebrews. We are above all called to a response of faith. But some might ask, What do you mean by faith? The author responds with some concrete examples of what faith is, going through the Bible in historical order, telling how various people gave living examples of faith. It includes a prostitute (V. 31), and Barak (V. 32), who refused to go into battle unless Deborah was with him (Judg. 4:8,9). The author is saying, These were people just like you, and look how their faith saw them through the most difficult experiences. But there is another point he is making as well. These people showed faith even though God was not ready to reward them with the fullness of the hope that later became available through Jesus Christ. People who knew of this hope, specifically the readers of this letter, should all the more be willing to follow in the faithful footsteps of those who had gone before them. F oundations of the Faith 21

T H E C H R I S T I A N I N A P O S T M O D E R N W O R L D 11:1 The call to live by faith (10:37 39) leads into a collection of stories of faithful people in the past designed to encourage the readers to be faithful in the present (12:1). the proof of what is not seen. The essence of the modern secular perspective is, What is real is what can be perceived by one of our five senses. But this passage declares quite the opposite, and more and more people have started to understand why. First of all, not all that our senses tell us reflects reality. If you put a pencil in a glass of water, it will appear to be broken, even though it is not. Also, not all that is real can be sensed with one of our five senses. Modern science is built on what cannot be seen directly black holes and electrons are good examples from the opposite ends of the size spectrum. We do not see God directly, but (as with black holes and electrons) only his effect on the world. Paul also affirms this perspective on things not seen in Romans 8:24 25. 11:3 The stories of faith begin with creation, which in itself dramatically exemplifies how God brought into being things that were unseen. Faith is as certain as God s creation. 11:4 Abel. Abel s faith is not mentioned in Genesis, but the contrast between the sacrifices Cain and Abel presented to the Lord show the contrast in their spiritual states. Abel knew what God wanted and obeyed, while Cain thought that he had a better way. (Gen. 4:4 7). 11:5 Enoch. The main facts about Enoch were his mysterious disappearance and that he walked with God (Gen. 5:21 24). Enoch was a popular figure in Jewish legends, which taught that his purity was such that God took him because he had no sin. Another biblical character taken directly to heaven in a similar way was Elijah (2 Kings 2:1 14). 11:6 This is the core passage of the chapter. The second part which says that God rewards those who seek Him is vital. Some interpret the idea of predestination as meaning that some people are born without any hope of finding God. But here we learn that the person who earnestly seeks God can find him. This is a passage of hope that assures seekers that God is not playing hide and seek with them, and that he will reward their efforts. 11:7 Noah. Noah s faith is seen in his obedience to God (Gen. 6:9; 9:17). not yet seen. Acting upon that which God promises (or warns), even when unseen, is the essence of faith (V. 1). in reverence. Faith lives in recognition of the awesome power of God. condemned the world. In that he acted in obedience to God while others did not. 11:13 These all died. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob had all since died. None of them saw the fulfillment of God s promise regarding the land of the vast nation Abraham would father. foreigners and temporary residents. Both terms describe how believers are to view their life in the world (John 17:14). F oundations of the Faith 22