Sunday, July 4, 2010

Holy No’s:  Rightly Focused Protest…Invites

• Begin with a word of prayer asking God to show you how your life needs to be more inviting – even to those you disagree with.
• What are some things that we get invitations to?
• What is the unique nature of an invitation?  (That is – what makes it an "invitation" rather than something different -eg a memo?)
• How is hospitality related to invitation?
• How does an "invitation" make you feel? How about the lack of an "invitation?"
• What are some signs that you are clearly NOT invited somewhere or to something?  How might the church send those signals to others?
• Rightly focussed protest invites others to join us in standing up for a common good – for the love of humanity – for justice for all.
• READ Luke 9:57-62
  • Would you say that Jesus’ words, "Follow me" were invitation or command? Give reasons for your answer
  • Re-read vv57-58  When someone responded to Jesus’ invitation, what was Jesus’ concern?  Why?
  • Re-read vv59-60 What do you think Jesus is doing here?
  • Re-read vv 61-62  What message is Jesus sending?
  • Discuss why Jesus may have invited followers at all.  Why didn’t Jesus just save the world by himself?  Why do you think he invited others with him?
• What are the reasons that prevent us from inviting others to join us in our purposes to help make the world a better place to live?
• How have politics silenced our invitations?  Should they?  If not, how can we prevent that?
• What cause are you involved in that you would be helped in by inviting others?  Why not do so?  (discuss why and look for ways around your reasons so that God’s purposes can be accomplished through you.)
• Luke Eckert reminded us in worship that even contentious issues like "abortion" can be better addressed through hospitality and invitation rather than through conflict and attack.  What are some areas in your life where you might better use invitation and hospitality?
• How can the church better invite people together to "live out God’s revolutionary love?"
• Close with an invitation to the Spirit to make more of you than you can be by yourself.  Then seek God’s wisdom for ways to let God and others join you in bringing about transformation to the world!

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