Introduction.

We all struggle with the distance between what we believe and how we behave. For example, we believe in a forgiving and gracious God, but find forgiveness and graciousness does not come easy to us. We may believe that Jesus is Lord, but it is really difficult for us to obey his commandments.

A proper awareness of this helps us grow in faith and wisdom. Unfortunately, however, there is a tendency in many churches to rightfully emphasise correct beliefs/doctrine without equally emphasising what ought to be the ethical consequences of those beliefs. This can encourage a comfortable (and comforting?)separation between belief and behaviour.

This study concentrates on the ethical implications of our faith and asks the question, “Given our experience of God’s love in Christ, how then should we live?”

(Note: you will need several large sheets of butcher’s paper for this study.)

Praying the Prayer

1. When we pray. “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” what are we in fact praying for? What comes to your mind when you pray these words? What images? Which people? 2. Why do you think the Lord told his disciples to pray this prayer? 3. How would the world be a different place if what we yearn for in this prayer came to pass tomorrow? 4. What do you think our role as Christians is in the answer to this prayer?

Living the Life.

1. Divide into twos or threes for this exercise and, using the following Bible passages, compose a basic “job description” for living a Christian life and write it onto a sheet of butcher’s paper.

Make sure you cover our responsibilities to God, to one another, and to those outside the community of Christians. It may be helpful to divide the description into two sections: responsibilities and qualifications.

Restrict yourselves to a maximum of 60 words. You will probably need about 40 minutes for this. Matthew 28: 18-19 Galatians 5:16-26 Ephesians 4:1-6; 25-32 1 Timothy 6: 11-19 Matthew 23:23-24 1 John 3: 16-18

2. Now compare your job descriptions and try to incorporate their respective strengths into one job description you can all agree upon. You can allow yourselves an extra 20 words if you need them. Copy your final job description onto a sheet of butcher’s paper.

3. If every Christian was living in such a way as to fulfil the requirements of this job description, what impact do you think it would it have on the following: the Christian and non-Christian poor, any anxieties you might have regarding the future, and the growth of the Church.

Conclusion.

Have someone read Romans 11:33 – 12:21 to the group. Allow time for quiet reflection. Then discuss briefly the thoughts that on your hearts and minds as you conclude this study. When you have finished one or more people could close in prayer.