Andy Crouch - Where Faith and Culture Meet Participants Guide: Six Sessions on How You Can Engage Your Culture

ZONDERVAN

WHERE FAITH AND CULTURE MEET
Copyright 2007 by Christianity Today International

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CONTENTS

God calls the church to be a counterculture for the common good.

When we live closely with others, we find new opportunities to minister

We serve more effectively and joyfully when we serve together.

God wants to heal our racial and ethnic divisions, especially in and through his church.

Transforming entire communities begins when we give ourselves to people, one by one.

Spiritual disciplines help us to abide in Christ so we can serve faithfully.

Welcome to Where Faith and Culture Meet! This resource was born out of the prayers and passions of people who love the body of Christ and want to see the church flourish in our culture. As your group watches the accompanying DVD, you will be inspired by five stories of people who have responded to Gods call to serve him in bold ways. As you engage in Bible study and discussion, you will discover Gods challenge to all of us to minister to our culture and what that means for you.

It is our prayer that Where Faith and Culture Meet will change your life and the lives of your group members, just as it has transformed the lives of those of us who have enjoyed working on the Christian Vision Project (for more information, see www.christianvisionproject.com). May the Holy Spirit work in and through your group as you challenge each other to see where faith and culture meet.

SESSION 1
BEGIN

1 Peter 2:9 17

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

KEY ISSUE

God calls the church to be a counterculture for the common good.

Culture is how we understand the world around us. Its about language and values, the common understanding of beauty, the media we share, and its even about coffee. A coffee shop is a place where you meet your friends, where you bring your kids. Its a place where people read and write, Andy Crouch says. Food, friend-ships, creativity, architecture, politics, commerce its all here. In other words, its culture.

Culture is a creation of people made in Gods image. And, as Crouch explains, its also the scene of rebellion against God. These created people break Gods law in every way in every place. Yet God calls his people to live counter to the culture, to live in Gods counterculture. Its called the church. And the most distinctively countercultural activity of that community is worship, where we honor not the false idols of this world (money, sex, and power mostly) but the Lord of Lords. Worship is where heaven meets earth so that our eyes can see beyond the horizon of history and death.

After God calls us into this counterculture, he begins transforming us. He does this so we, like Abraham, may become a blessing to the world. He calls us not to be a counterculture for our own salvation, but a counterculture for the common good. We tend whats beautiful. We mend whats broken. Using the means provided us by God, we show people where to find forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

OPENING (1 min.)

Its often said that Christians are to live in this world but not of it. This is not an easy or comfortable tension. The winds of culture sometimes blow at the churchs back, urging Christians toward love and good deeds. Yet sometimes the winds shift and fly right in the face of Gods people. No matter the situation, Gods calling remains the same for his church to be a counterculture for the common good.

DVD TEACHING AND DISCUSSION (20 min.)

DVD Notes

Culture is...

The darker story...

Jesus and culture...

Asking the questions...

DVD Group Discussion

What is culture, according to Andy Crouch?

What is a counterculture? Name a few historical countercultures.

What is a counterculture for the common good?

I think every Christian effort to contribute to culture, to participate in culture, should begin by under-standing that Jesus is already present, working in every human culture.

We belong to a variety of overlapping cultures generation, nation, local community, common interests, and so on. Describe the cultures you find yourself in.

What makes Christians countercultural?

Where do you see the hand of God in your culture?

BIBLE EXPLORATION AND APPLICATION
(15 20 min.)

Read 1 Peter 2:9 17 together.

How does Peter describe the church? How is this different from any other human institution?

How should Christians live, according to Peter? What is the point of doing good deeds?

What, according to Peter, should be the Christians relationship to cultural institutions?

Are Christians already a counterculture? Or do they need to become a counterculture? Explain your answer.

What happens when Christians do not live distinct from culture?

How does Gods counterculture attract outsiders?

What is broken about your church your counterculture that prevents it from working more effectively for the common good?

How does your church creatively engage its culture?