Sermon Study Guide Week of Sunday, January 15, 2006Questions from the StreetCan You Show Me A True Christian? In his religion classes at Oregon State University, Dr. Marcus Borg says that the students who have had no religious background describe Christians as “literalistic, anti intellectual, self righteous, judgmental and bigoted”. Why do you think this would be their perception? Whom would you name as persons who exemplify Christian values and who live by the teachings and example of Christ? Whom would you name who is a “bad example” of Christianity and why? What behaviors would you most expect to see in yourself and anyone else who wants to follow Christ? The late Johnny Cash said that there are three kinds of Christians: preaching Christians, church playing Christians, and practicing Christians; he said he was trying to be a practicing Christian. What do you think of those different categories? Would you add any? Cash also said that he found that to be a fully practicing Christian he needed to be active and involved in a congregation/community of faith with others who wanted to be practicing Christians also. What has your experience been? What has the experience of others over the centuries been about the importance of being involved in a community of faith? What other examples of generosity and humility and integrity have you seen from people who may or may not identify themselves as “Christian”? How will you act this week when you remember that you and I are the only Bible that many people will ever read and that they will form opinions about churches and Christians based on what they see in us? |
