A Brave New World Sermon Study - Part 01
Maybe We Can Cancel "Cancel Culture"
Part of A Brave New World Sermon Study
March 29, 2021

A Brave New World - Sermon Study Part 1:

Maybe We Can Cancel “Cancel Culture”

BIG IDEA
How do we deal with people who think differently than us?

MAIN SCRIPTURE
Colossians 3:13–14 (NLT) – “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

ICEBREAKER
1. Which celebrity do you pay too much attention to?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

OFFENSE

2. Jesus warned against offense. Why are we tempted to take offense? How does offense trap us?

In 2 Timothy 4:14–15 the apostle Paul writes: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said” (NLT). Forgiveness does not mean pretending that evil or harm has not been done to you, but it does mean that you leave the judgement to God and it can mean that you need to be wise as you interact.

3. How do we leave judgement to God and be wise in these kinds of situations?

Romans 12:14–19 (NLT) – “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord.”

4. Given the instructions in Romans 12:14–19 above, what is the way forward for the church in a culture that wants to “cancel” those who disagree?

5. Does Jesus’ way of giving grace offend your way of seeing the world?

LOVE IS GREATER THAN TOLERANCE

6. Take a moment to review Colossians 3:13-14 again (our Main Scripture above on page 1). What kinds of attitudes and adjustments are necessary for us to allow for each other’s faults? (e.g. humility, understanding we all have blind spots, etc.)

7. Think of the depth of forgiveness that Jesus has extended to you. How does remembering that Jesus forgives you unconditionally help you forgive others?

8. Love is greater than tolerance because it actually requires more. What does it mean to “clothe yourself with love”? What might you need to give up? What might you need to improve about how you interact with others? (see Romans 12:14–19 above, also Ephesians 4:29–32)

9. Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (NLT). God is building unity in His church, binding us together in perfect harmony. How do we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to keep this unity? Give examples.

ACTIVATION

Think of one person with whom you disagree. Share with your group so they can pray for you to have God’s perspective of that person.

THIS WEEK

Where are you choosing judgement instead of forgiveness? (Consider your family, your workplace, other acquaintances, etc.) Use the principles that were discussed this week to move toward forgiveness.