In the book of Esther, we see people of God responding in different ways to culture. In an ever increasing secular culture, how should the church respond to things going on around them? Are there ways to take a stand that don’t include dying on every single hill? Mordecai sets a good example for us when it comes to responding to cultural norms that are trending away from holiness and godliness.
ICEBREAKER:
1- What are some of the "causes" that people are standing for today? (Don't forget about the funny or weird ones!)
2- Have you ever been put in a position where you had to choose between a command (maybe from a boss, employee, or culture) and your beliefs in God? What was it and how did you handle it?
TRANSITION:
The decisions we make today have consequences. How we handle and address a secular culture either helps others see Jesus or prevents people from seeing Jesus. There is so much at stake in our response, so let's learn how to live lives that accomplish the purpose that God has given us to help others find and follow Jesus.
STUDY:
3- In your response to culture, ask yourself these questions:
a- Am I trying to make a DIFFERENCE or just interested in making a POINT?
b- In my response, do I just want to be RIGHT or is my response about making an IMPACT?
c- Do you want to be known for what you are AGAINST or the things you stand FOR?
4- If we asked your friends what you stood for, what do you think they would say?
5- Can you name a time when Jesus protested, boycotted, or took a stand against something?
6- READ Esther 3:8-11.
Haman tries to persuade the King to make a decision based on 3 big themes: fear, being different, and self-interest. How are these 3 things still in place today to motivate people to respond to the culture around them?
7- READ Esther 3:13-15
People worry when they have a heightened sense of vulnerability and a diminished sense of power. What makes you worry, confused, or nervous about the world around us?
8- We shared three categories to put cultural issues in: Preferences, beliefs, and convictions. Can you give an example of each one of those in your life?
9- We shared four different responses to culture issues: I would die for this, I would take a stand for this (even if it means losing a relationship), I would talk about this (have a healthy debate), and It's not worth it. Can you give an example from each category of how you've responded? (Except the first one, since you've avoided dying up until this point)
NEXT STEPS:
10- When something goes "viral" or seems like an outrage in culture, how should Christians respond? How do you determine if you should post about it, talk about it, ignore it, take a stand, etc?
11- When faced with a secular culture, remember these 3 things:
a- Stop worrying about what you can't control
b- pray about what you're really concerned about
c- turn towards God
How similar is your approach and response to culture?
FURTHER STUDY:
Read Acts 13:45-52.
12- Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel and were well received by some, but also persecuted by others. How did they respond? What do you think their response means?
Shaking dust off of your feet in the first century is a symbolic gesture that means the same as the modern saying "I wash my hands of it." In other words, Paul and Barnabas have done what they were supposed to and now they are moving on, allowing God to deal with those who rejected them.
13- Reread verses 45-46. How could the response of Paul and Barnabas be an example for us in the face of cultural criticism?
14- Read Matthew 10:5-15 as a group to be encouraged by the sufficiency and supremacy of Scripture.
Neither Paul nor Barnabas were disciples of Jesus when he gave these instructions in Matthew. How cool is it that they somehow knew exactly how to respond to rejection!? The Holy Spirit is awesome for instructing them in their moment of rejection and for including these details in the Bible. Praise God!
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