Invite Culture
Sunday, September 12th – September 26th
As you follow along with our Invite Culture series, here are some questions for you to consider. You may find it helpful to journal about these questions, to discuss them with your spouse or family, or to chat about them with your small group.
Week 1 (September 12th) – Invite Culture: Our Gospel is Too Small
1. Josh talked about four different “gospels” that are often taught in the United States: 1) the evangelical gospel 2) the social justice gospel 3) the political gospel and 4) the prosperity gospel. If you grew up in the church, in one or two sentences, what would you say the gospel you were taught? If you did not grow up in the church, in one or two sentences, what would you say you thought the gospel was?
2. If your understanding of the gospel has changed, in one or two sentences, how would you define the gospel now?
3. If you had to guess, why do you think people and churches have different understandings of the gospel?
4. Why does it matter that we have the right understanding of the gospel?
5. John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news (gospel) of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15 NIV) Whether it’s a new movie coming out or someone getting a new job, we love sharing good news. Why do you think the gospel isn’t something most Christians share a lot?
Week 2 (September 19th) – Invite Culture: Why You Need Jesus
Josh talked about several common narratives that we may believe about God. Examine the following set of questions related to some of the narratives that resonate personally for you.
1. From a Jesus standpoint, what is true about this narrative?
2. From a Jesus standpoint, what is mistaken, harmful, or misleading about this narrative?
3. How has this narrative shaped you and your behavior?
4. What does it look like to take this narrative captive to Christ; to think about it differently than our culture does because of the teachings and example of Jesus?
Week 3 (September 26th) – Invite Culture: How People Become Christians
1. What do these verses tell us about evangelism?
2. Why do you think our culture has such a negative perception of the word “evangelism?”
3. What excites you about sharing your faith? What makes you nervous about sharing your faith?
4. Josh discussed the fact that Jesus‘s method of evangelism often centered around sharing meals with people. Can you think of a time when you were inspired by the hospitality of someone else?
5. How can we practice the art of hospitality more frequently and effectively in our context?
6. Have you made it a practice to invite others to share in the goodness of God within the community of Inland Hills Church? Why or why not? If you answered yes, what are practical ways you’ve done so?