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?