Week 2 - The Message of the Cross to Our Culture

This is our first week diving into the scriptures! Create a safe space for all in their varying journeys of Bible familiarity. Curiosity is good both for Bible beginners and veterans

1 Corinthians 1:10–2:5

Break Bread

Enjoy the company of each other.
Eat together with gratitude.
If possible and/or if no food, take communion together. Ask highs and lows of the week.

Worship

Transition to a space friendly for deep engagement.
Give prayers of thanksgiving


We are going to start a time of worship. Psalm 100 says to enter his courts with

Thanksgiving. Let's host God's presence by starting our time by saying short prayers of Thanksgiving together, one at a time. It it can be as simple as thank you for food. let the spirit guide your mind and heart in the practice of Thanksgiving. I will start and then we can go around

Thank you Jesus for today
Thank you for this house we can meet at
...and so on…


End the time with “Amen”

(*Note: Some groups may choose/be able to do worship with music or a guitar or another form & that’s ok too! But we want to demonstrate that we can worship so simply & powerfully with just our prayers of thanks!)

Reading

Go in a circle and read the passage taking it a few verses at a time 1 Cor. 1:10–2:5

Afterward, leave 30-60 seconds for silent reflection on the reading

Have One Person Read this Background Aloud

However we came into Christian faith, we came into it from another culture––the culture into which we were born. ‘Culture’ is the view of the world that we take to be ‘normal’ or ‘natural.’ The ideas and stories we were raised on, the shared experiences and practices unique to our time and society. The things that we call ‘culture’ shape the way we live our lives whether or not we think about it or even notice it.

Even in a society that has a historic relationship to Christianity, like America, that culture has shaped how we think and respond to everyday life. If you grew up in America, “American Individualism” is second nature to you; If you grew up in church, then it’s “American Christianity” that has shaped your view of life and certainly of what Christianity is or is supposed to be. The message of the cross is a different culture, itwill force you to think differently about the world and the views you have considered ‘normal’ and ‘natural’ throughout most of your life. In Corinth, what was ‘normal’ and ‘natural’ was the hustle-and-bustle of the Greco-Roman world; a culture of power, eloquence, philosophy, beauty, slavery, indulgence, social hierarchy, and brutal displays of force.

After Paul planted the church in Corinth, he noticed very early that the Corinthians were not translating their lives from out of Corinthian culture into the message of the cross. Corinthians struggled with the message of the cross because it confronted things Corinthians held dear, things they felt were deeply important to who they were as people, and the cross’ message conflicted with things that Greco-Roman culture insisted were ‘natural’ and ‘normal.’

The same is true in contemporary America, especially “American Individualism” and “American Christianity.” The message of the cross confronts that culture too, and it conflicts with many of the things Americans feel are deeply important about who they are as a people and the things they hold dear.

Do this Practice Tonight

Go around and try to summarize what is going on in the passage.

Discuss any of the Following Questions:

  1. What word or phrase or idea in the passage caught your attention?

  2. In what ways does the message of the cross challenge our culture today?

  3. In what ways does the message of the cross challenge your life own life

  4. In what ways have you personally modeled the world’s ways of finding value and how does the message of the cross challenge your value system?

  5. How does the message of the cross challenge / reform our sense of identity?

  6. What’s the good news about the message of the cross according to this passage?

Suggestions for Practices for the Week

  1. Journal at the start of the day how the cross should inform how you live this day.

  2. Consider saving a picture of the cross as your phone/computer’s background to let its symbol interrupt your day.

  3. If the Holy Spirit has led you to take action from the passage, live it out faithfully this week.

Leaving Together

Say goodbye!

Consider standing at the door with a blessing and a hug

Exchange contact information to follow up on the