The Bridge
Main idea:
Our goal for the series is to understand where other folks may come from and what, in general, they may believe. We will use a simple four point structure to help guide our conversation.
What is believed about God/the world?
What is believed about humanities problem?
What is believed about the solution to that problem?
What is believed about how we achieve the solution?
What is believed about the outcome of the solution?
This week we looked at Mormonism (the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints)
We opened this Sunday night with Galatians 1.8 in which the apostle Paul reminds us that if anyone, even himself or an angel, gives us a different gospel than what he preached then let them be accursed. Strong language! But Paul is being very clear and very serious. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved and Paul wants to protect Christ followers. Mormonism preaches that its founder Joseph Smith received God true good news and revelation by an angel one day in the 19th century. Not only that, they claim to be Christians. What they believe, though, is far from the gospel. Check out the video below to learn more about Mormonism.
Click Here for a great video of the Mormonism religion and worldview from the Radical.net
Click Here for a great summary of the Hindu religion and worldview from the CS Lewis Institute
Click Here for a great summary of Islam and the Muslim’s worldview from the CS Lewis Institute
Here are some good questions to talk about as a family when it comes to welcoming folks from other nations and religions into our community as we work to reach the nations here at home:
1. What are some ways you have seen or experienced prejudice in the church today? What do you think are some of the causes and cures of these prejudices?
2. What is the common attitude toward immigrants and refugees you see expressed by Christians around you? Is the attitude expressed more political or Biblical (Acts 17.26-27) Explain
3. How would it might feel to move to a new country when you know very little of the language or culture.
4. What are some of the possible difficulties you might face or have faced in sharing Christ with the nations in your city?
Prayer points for Making Christ Known:
1. Pray for the hearts of the people who don’t know nor have believed in the gospel: that God would cultivate their hearts to received the seeds of the gospel
2. Pray for Christians to be bold to tell them the good news.
3. Pray that they would get connected with a local group of believers at church or if there isn’t a church that the Lord would establish one.
Resources for Your Family:
What Happens to Those Who Never Hear the Gospel? Answering Your Teenager’s Questions About Faith – Rooted Ministries
Justification and the Teen Identity Crisis – Rooted Ministries
Social Media Isn’t Your Teen’s Biggest Problem – The Gospel Coalition
The Story of the Bible – Bible Project
Gospel Catechism Questions:
1) What is the gospel?
Good News
2) What is the good news?
Jesus died for my sins
3) Why did Jesus die for your sins?
So I can have an abundant life with him now and forever
4) What is grace?
God’s love for undeserving sinners