Shaping a New Church Culture to Impact the World – Erwin McManus

Last week we heard an incredible message by pastor Erwin McManus on living out your greatness. Do you believe that you were created to be great? That you are no ordinary child just like Stephen described Moses in Acts 7? Isn’t it a tragedy that all of us were born with infinite imaginations yet most of us live a very ordinary life, worse yet die of a very ordinary life? I believe when we place our faith in Christ we unlock the wisdom that has been placed inside of us by God. And when we continue to seek that wisdom, God will take us places only God can, while unleashing that potential of greatness in the process. I pray you will continue to strive for that this year.

Today, we are going to continue with our second message with pastor Erwin and we are going to talk about the church a little bit. If you have visited or been a part of a few churches, you might have noticed that churches tend to struggle with keeping traditions and keeping up with culture. Have you ever wonder why that is? Why do we have the tendency to stick with the same old even when we know we must change in order to reach new people for Christ? What must we do so that the church will still be relevant today? Today’s message will be an important one for you and for our church as we continue to seek to fulfill God’s mission of reaching the unchurched.

Moving Forward

It’s human nature to be attracted to people just like us while resisting people that are different from us, yet God loves them all. Would you ask God today to help you move in the direction of those that are different from you, so you could love them into God’s kingdom?

Discussion Questions

1. Do you consider yourself more of a person of tradition or imagination? In other words, do you feel more comfortable with the same routines or do you find yourself excited about new possibilities? Please explain.

2. Read Acts 17:16-17a. Pastor Erwin explained that Paul first went to the synagogue because that’s where he was most comfortable and he called it the First Space. What are some of the things that we are doing that makes you feel comfortable at this church?

3. Read Acts 17:17b. Pastor Erwin called the market place, a place where we all live the Second Space. How comfortable are you in sharing about God in your Second Space? What would make you more comfortable in talking about God in your Second Space?

4. Read Acts 17:18-19. Pastor Erwin said when we earn the credibility to be invited to someone’s space he calls it the Third Space. Have you ever been invited by a non-believer to talk about God? What was that experience like? If not, would you be willing to pray and ask God to give you this opportunity?