A Second Chance (Barrett Coffman) 9-17-23

1 He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in number. (NIV 84)

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ABOUT THE LESSON

"The Dechurching of America" - we are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country, as about 40 million formerly regular Christian worshippers have decided they no longer desire to attend church at all. This accounts for around 16 percent of our adult population.  

Definition of spiritual formation - the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others (Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation, Robert Mullholand).

Agape - this is the highest form of love. It is the love modeled by Jesus to his disciples. It is a selfless, sacrificial, and serving love. In the KJV Bible, the word is translated as "charity" when it refers to one Christian showing it to another Christian. 

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WHY GIVE CHURCH A SECOND CHANCE?

• Because of the need for community: give people a second chance. 
• Because of the life of conformity: give the process a second chance.  
• Because of the outcome of charity: give the possibility a second chance. 

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What do you think about this movement in our country that has been called the "dechurching of America?" Have you experienced hurt or had negative experiences in the church? Have you had to give church a second chance? 
2. Humans are created by God with a need for community. How have you seen this to be true in your life? Discuss both the difficulty and the importance of community. 
3. What do you think about the above definition of spiritual formation? Discuss specifically the phrase "for the sake of others." 
4. Jesus says that we should love each other as He has loved us. It is the highest form of love. What are some examples of how you have experienced this kind of love through the church?