SERMON | Myth Busting: Week Four

B-sides

Scripture: Romans 14:7-13

7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.
8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” 12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
13 Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.

The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Questions
What?
1) How’s everyone doing? Check in with the group.
2) What are some of the classic differences that we tend to focus on?
3) Look around your group. What differences exist between each other? Where similarities exist?

So What?
4) When are you able to be vulnerable with what sin you struggle with?
5) How do we balance a “drive to be different/unique” with a realization that “we really aren’t all that different.”

Now What?
6) Do you agree with C.S. Lewis’ statement “comparison is the thief of joy?” Where in your life has comparing your life to someone/something else stolen the joy of being in the present moment?
7) Where might it be helpful to talk about differences between people or groups of people? Are than any instances where it has been helpful?



I know we want to be different because we want to continually change reflecting the reality of our landscape, AND we acknowledge there are some deep similarities that bind us as people following Jesus to those at every other church. We have similarities with those who don’t go to church.
—Rev. Dawn Hyde