Unfiltered

 These questions are meant to be a choose-your-own-adventure. That is, use what you like. Skip what you don’t. And add to it in any way you see fit.

1. Intro Questions: There are lots to participate in with our Commonway family. What are you looking forward to?

1. • Lent starting Wednesday: Season, series, and blog
   • Connect on March 1
   • Griefshare on March 2
   • Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Discussion on March 12
   • Baptism March 15
   • Imprinted Women’s retreat in April
   • Impact 2818 Summer camps for kids
   • Other? Kairos prison ministry, Christian Ministries Food Pantry, Stripped Love, Good Friday service
2. We are taught not to bring up politics or religion. That they are personal and devisive. But within a church family we should be able to talk about personal issues. Especially if Jesus talks about it. What is your comfort level in talking about politics? Why do you think that is?
3. In Jesus’ time. different Jewish groups reacted to Roman occupation differently.  Recognizing this isn’t a perfect comparison to today and is oversimplified, which group do you tend to relate to best in regards to divisive issues?
   • Resist by fighting back like Zealots
   • Resist by protesting like Pharisees
   • Resist by withdrawing like Essenes
   • Collaborate and try to change from within like tax collectors, sinners, Sadducees, or Sanhedrin
4. Know your group dynamics for this next one. If you doubt this at all, just skip it. If everyone agrees, have individuals list (or think) their top 3-5 values or concerns that are linked to national politics. Just share them for now without explanation or defensiveness.  Why do you think priority lists differ so much? Or are so similar? In light of these lists, and also looking back to historical examples, what are the chances one party has it all correct?
5. Jesus entered a very divisive political world. And then chose 12 disciples that couldn’t be more diverse politically. What advantages did this have during his life on earth? Where do you actively seek out diversity?
6. Read John 17:11 “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.”
   • This is a part of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. What advantages did having diversity in his disciples have after Jesus ascends into heaven?
7. Read John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
   • This is a part of Jesus’ prayer for his followers today. What are some advantages of having present day diversity within the followers of Jesus?
8. Read Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
   • Jesus (and Paul) keep talking about unity and being one.  Why is this so important? How can this be applied?
9. Respond to the following Andy Stanley quote ““Your candidate will win or lose based on how American citizens vote on a Tuesday in November. The Church will win or lose based on our behavior every single day between now and then.”
   • Matt gave 3 applications:
     • Learn from someone with whom you disagree politically.  Disagreeing respectfully is not hate. Love is not avoidance.
     • Know when to take a time out. If you start to get worked up or defensive, take a timeout. This can prevent regret.
     • Pray for unity.
   • Which of these do you do well?  Which would you like to do better?
10. We ended Sunday’s service with communion.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus follows by washing his disciple’s feet.  Why was this so fitting?
11. Bonus Points (or something to at least consider): Share communion as a group or wash each other’s feet (physically not symbolically).