A People and Place of GRACE: Connect with Culture-2
Acts 17:16-34: Dr. Kevin D. Glenn – Lead Pastor
Last week, we looked at several ways Christians have engaged cultural and how we’ve understood (or misunderstood) how to see the “world” as described in scripture (the planet, the people, the problematic systems). We left off with a general understanding of why we should care about culture (because Jesus does, calls us to, and sends us out). So, what now?
Today we get practical. We’re going to examine the practical applications of why we’ve been sent and get exposed to examples of how to connect with culture.
Why should we connect with culture and how should we do it?
1. Why? – We’ve been
• God asked Jonah, “should I not have compassion on that great city?” – Jonah 4:11
How? –
• We have more in common now with the exiles than with the Moral Majority.
• The best investment you can make in culture is to pay
2. Why? – Being present opens doors. - Acts 17:19-21
• “Cultural connection/discernment is the new apologetic.” – David Kinnaman
• You are an expert in your story. Expect the opportunities to share it.
How? –
• “You can’t ‘war’ at people and reach them at the same time.” – Ed Stetzer
• “We must identify our conversation partners in a way they would recognize.” - Scot McKnight
Do you recognize the work God is doing in and around you?
Questions to Ponder
• Think through some ways you can pay more attention to what’s going on around you.
• How do you respond to the information about us being in a post-Christian culture? How do you process being on the margins and sidelines of culture?
• Discuss David Kinnaman’s statement, “Cultural connection/discernment is the new apologetic.”
• Do you agree with Ed Stetzer that we as Christians have lost “home-field advantage” and should therefore approach cultural engagement less as guardians and more as missionaries?
• What elements of connecting with culture are the most uncomfortable? What areas present no problem?
• Discuss Ed Stetzer’s statement, “You cannot ‘war’ at someone and reach them at the same time.”
• How do you respond to Paul’s approach in Acts 17 so far? What did you find encouraging, challenging, even troubling?