Scripture

Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 17:14, Mark 1:15

Bible Discussion

1. This last year has been a challenging one, and in our church, we want to model good conversations even when we disagree. On a scale of 1 – 10, with one being super uncomfortable and ten being totally at ease, how comfortable are you discussing a topic with another person with whom you disagree?
2. Since we all have different comfort levels around controversial topics, let’s look at COMMUNITY’s Rules of Engagement for having conversations on challenging issues before watching today’s video. What do you think of these rules of engagement?
3. Watch the video interview with Dave Ferguson and Scot McKnight at comunitychristian.org/media
4. What stuck out to you about this video? What did you like? What didn’t you like?
5. Read Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 17:14, Mark 1:15. What are the “political” statements being made about Jesus in these verses?
6. One idea that emerged from this conversation was that “We have a unity in Christ that transcends political parties, and because of that we can work toward peace.” In what ways can you imagine that happening?
7. How would you answer Scot’s challenge: How do you live in the United States as a follower of Jesus? How do we witness to Jesus as King in everything we say and do?
8. At the end of the video, Scot said, “We have fallen for the media’s game and it’s controlling our conversation that we spend so much time talking about politics and we have lost our opportunity to talk about Jesus, to witness to his grace, and to his saving power, and we need to call ourselves back to Gospel realities and to the significance of the Church in the world today.” What call to action do you sense after reading this statement?

COMMUNITY’s Rules of Engagement

1. Listen Well. We don’t listen in anticipation of our turn to talk. We listen to understand. We are also not listening to place blame on a group of people when there is disagreement. When we listen to understand, we absorb and diffuse negative emotions.
2. Ask Anything. What if your first response to someone’s challenging statement was a question and not a rebuttal. By asking questions and seeking to understand how people have arrived at their opinions and perspectives, we create a safe place where people can belong and be known. Listening is one of the most practical ways we love people.
3. Disagree Freely. We have to help people become more comfortable with disagreement. This is like a muscle – a community muscle that needs to grow and develop, and it grows stronger as we come together and get more comfortable living in a diverse community.
4. Love Anyway. Loving well doesn’t mean we will all agree or that we should expect uniformity. It does mean giving space and freedom to others to be who they are and where they are on their spiritual journey. As a leader, you are helping people to grow and take steps they wouldn’t have taken on their own, so we want to love people right where they are in their journey by challenging them and supporting them.