Study of "And" - Week 2 Discussion Questions

Study of And: The Gathered and Scattered Church

Week 2: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Consumerless Church

Quote:

The authors define consumerism in the church as

“the self-focused drive to get as much as I can get with the least amount of effort.  It coercively shifts the church away from its true call, from valuing giving to getting.  It compels us to protect what we already have and only to give away what has become useless to us.  It erodes our sense of duty, honor, loyalty and chivalry to live for the right things and the best things.  It gets in the way of leaving a legacy for those behind us because it waters down our present understanding of what it means to follow Christ today.  It pushes responsibility and expectations onto others instead of self and exchanges true spiritual growth for ankle-deep personal devotions and self-help measures.”  (p 73-74)

The authors suggest that the church’s goal, instead, should be “developing people so that they become like Jesus” (top of page 79), that is, to “inspire them toward the life of Christ”  (bottom of page 81 – 82), to lead them “toward real growth.”

Question 1.  Give some concrete examples of what you think the authors mean by “consumerism in the church.”

Question 2.  Give some concrete examples of what you think the authors mean by “developing people so that they become like Jesus.”

Question 3. What aspect of your church inspires you to a life of Christ or leads you toward real growth? 

Question 4. What aspect of your church makes you feel more like a ‘consumer’ than a disciple?

Study of "And" - Week 1 Discussion Questions

Study of And: The Gathered and Scattered Church

Week 1: Chapters 1 and 2

Question 1.  Why are we studying this book?

- a starting point for a discussion.

- part of the SEED process. 

Seeking God’s wisdom and will,

Energizing us with the power of the Holy Spirit,

Engaging us in God’s mission, and

Discovering God’s plan for Hiland’s future.

As we read, acknowledge these aspects of this book:

a) it is directed at pastors and church planters.

b) some of the vocabulary is unfamiliar to us.

c) you do not have to agree with everything it says.

Chapter 1: The Beautifully Sent Church

Quote:

 On page 31, the authors say that many people think church is “outdated, boring, worthless, archaic, self-serving, and out of touch, a waste of time and a poor use of money.”  But on page 33, the authors say, “There’s just something about this thing called church that captures our hearts … it’s giving ourselves away so that others can know God – that keeps us all in the game, playing our hearts out.”

Question 2

What is your opinion of churches in general, and your church in particular?  What is it about your church that keeps you ‘in the game’?   Or, if you are not involved in church, what is it about church that keeps you away?

Vocabulary definition:

The authors make up the word sentness (page33) and define it as “giving ourselves away so that others can know God.”  They liken “sentness” to people releasing their pet lion into the wild, or a father giving away his daughter as a bride.

Question 3

a) How does Jesus exhibit “sentness?”  (see pages 42-43)

b) How does The Church (in general) exhibit “sentness?” (see pages 43-45)

c) Do you feel your church exhibits “sentness”?  Why or why not?

Chapter 2: Starting the AND wherever you are

Vocabulary definition:

Another term the authors use is missional, which they define as follows:

l  “a community that is sent and given away for God’s purposes; a church that sees itself as part of a larger story of God’s mission.” (page 48)

l "thinking and acting like a missionary” (page 52)

l  “modeling the life, activities, and words of Jesus” (page 52)

Question 4: Give some examples of what you might expect to find at a missional church.

Study of "And" - weekly reading assignments

I was not able to find an already-published study guide for the book And: The Gathered and Scattered Church by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay.  I have attempted to devise my own study guide. The questions are divided up by week in the next few posts.

Below are the specific pages we will be focusing on in our discussion.


For Feb 9

In Chapter 1, pp 29-33 and 40-49. 

Specifically:

From p. 29 to bottom of pg 33;

and the sections Jesus the Sent One and The Sent Church on pages 40-49.

In Chapter 2, pp 50-53.

Specifically:

The opening section (pg 50 to middle of pg 53).

For Feb 16

In Chapter 3, read pp 72-82.

Specifically:

The opening section, and the following three sections,

Do I Have to Stay on the Wheel,

The Heart of the Matter is a Matter of the Heart, and

Weaning People Off the Wrong Things

For Feb 23

In Chapter 4, read pp 93-96; p. 101 – 108; p. 114; bottom of p. 115 – middle of p. 118.   Specifically

“The New Opportunity of Spiritual Formation” - from bottom of pg 93 to the top of pg 96.

The sections Spiritual Formation Framework – middle of pg 101 to p. 108

Creating a Nonconsumer Process of Apprenticeship

Observance

Jesus on Observance

Hearing your Story

Hearing Their Story

Page 114 (starting with “Whereas a time of observance purifies motives…”).

Bottom of Page 115 to middle of pg 118, Section on Participation

Skip Chapter 5.