"Going Further - Week 4"

 GOING FURTHER

Week 4 - HOW DO WE, AS CHRISTIANS, SEE THE WORLD?

This week we're going to examine how we, as Christians, see the world. In relation to this, we will briefly look at why God created the world, how we see the world from a missionary context, as well as exploring how we can be lights for Christ in the world. Also we will examine some of the standards that Christians are called to live by in the world.

Day 1. Genesis 1:26-31

"God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good." (Gen.1:31)

1. Do you see the world that God has created as being "very good"?
If you see the world as very good, why do you see it as very good, and if you do not see it as
very good, why not?

2. "Then God said, 'let us make humankind in our own image, according to our likeness; and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air ' " (Gen.1:26)
Some people would argue that humankind has had too much domination over the world
that God has created, and as a result, the world has lost some of its goodness. Do you
believe this is the case? Why/why not?
If you believe that there has been too much domination, how can this situation be redressed?

Day 2. Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world". (Matt.5:14)

1. Jesus said, "you are the light of the world". This raises the question, am I a light for Christ in the various worlds that I associate with and work in? How easy is it to be a light for Christ, at work, at home, at the various sports in which I may be involved or during social activities?

2. Do you, (or does your parish), hide your light under a lampstand, or a bushel? How can we make our light more radiant so that it gives glory to God?

Day 3. Matthew 28:16-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations " (Matt.28:19)

1. The nations make up the people of the world. In this particular verse Jesus is exhorting His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. What does it mean for us as individuals and as a parish, "to go into all the world and to make disciples"? What are the locations for us in living out our faith at the start of a new century and a new millennium?

2. In this particular passage we have that wonderful promise " and I am with you until the end of the age". Christians certainly believe that God is always present. I can remember once, a lecturer at divinity school saying that the question for the Christian is not where is God, but where am I in relation to God?
What does this quotation say to you? How can we wait on God, and enjoy His presence?

Day 4. James 1:19-27

" and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James.1:27)

This particular passage addresses the matter of hearing and living out the word of God in the world. It's often been said that actions speak louder than words.

1. Do you agree with the expression that actions speak louder than words?
One of the challenges for the Christian is to live in the world but not necessarily to be of the
world in terms of its standards and other demands. How can we keep ourselves "unstained
by the world" in living out the Gospel?

2. What are some of the challenges we need to address in living out the word of God in the world today? What does this passage have to say to us?

Day 5. John 3:17

"Indeed, God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him."

This particular verse follows the verse which is basis for the main chapter for this week, "For God so loved the world". In verse sixteen we're told that God loved the world; and in this particular verse we're told that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world.

1. There are people who see the world as negative, who see the world as evil and who condemn the world. In this particular verse we're told that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn it, but that it might be saved through Him. When we talk of salvation we often talk of it in terms of the individual, but here we're told that God sent His Son to save the world.
What do you believe this verse has to say to us, both as individuals and as a Church?

2. In the prayer attributed to Teresa of Avila we have these wonderful words which has often been used as a prayer.

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
You are the eyes through which to look out Christ's compassion to the world,
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good,
yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now." Amen

How can we be the hands, the feet and the eyes for Christ in helping to save the world?
What are some of the issues before us in living out this challenge?

Day 6. Acts 17: 22-28

"The God who made the world and everything in it " (Acts 17: 24)

Paul is in Athens. As he's wandering through the city, he finds there an inscription, "To an unknown god". Paul then goes on to tell them about the God of the world. It has been said that there are many people in society today who are not sure who or what to worship. They are looking for "a god". How can we take the approach that Paul took and tell them about the God who made the world?

1. Do you think that there are people who worship unknown gods? Does this disturb or challenge you? Why/Why not?

2. In this particular passage Paul states that God who made the world is greater than what humans can do. So often it's very easy to try and bring God down to our own level. What are the dangers when we do this? What are the challenges that we need to address when this happens? How can the Church take God out to the world so that He is both known and lived?