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Reality Check

Reality Check. What a new generation really thinks about Christianity … and why it matters. Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com PowerPoint download , www.cordovachurch.com/reality. Judgmental. Current perception

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Reality Check

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  1. Reality Check What a new generation really thinks about Christianity … and why it matters Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality

  2. Judgmental • Current perception • Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others. • Goal perception • Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.

  3. One of “the big three” • Near the top of bad perceptions • Between anti-homosexual and hypocritical • Tough bullet for Mosaics and Busters to bite • They’re very insightful to people’s motives, they have been advertised to since birth, and they immediately wonder what's in it for you. • They’re resistant to simple black and white views, they believe nothing is simple.

  4. Errors in judgment • Wrong verdict • We can be misguided by our personal stereotypes and biases. • Wrong timing • Although we might have good advise, it might not be the right time for the person to hear it. • Wrong motivation • Our motivation cannot be vindictive, self-righteous or condemning. • Playing favorites • We cannot write people off because we see them as a lost cause.

  5. It’s a love issue Do Christian churches accept and love people unconditionally, regardless of how people look or what they do? • Their perception is their reality

  6. Video

  7. Bible on judgment • Romans 2:1-4 • God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance • 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 • God will expose everyone’s hearts • John 12:46-48 • Jesus came to be a light, not to judge

  8. Relationship 101 • Mosaic and Busters, in general, see the following as basic elements in friendships: • Listen to each other • Don’t label each other • Lost, pagans, unbelievers • Don’t pretend like you know it all • Put themselves in each other’s place • They are genuine • Shared common interests • They are friends without motives • Not just trying to get them to come to church

  9. Virtue vs. Grace • We are missing the mark when we try to “teach” virtue because it sets us up to be judgmental. • Move beyond making people behave to our expectations, instead try to lovethem likeChrist. • Jesus can always make up the difference!

  10. Calls to action • Love others even if you do not approve of all they do. • It is not our job to change them or judge them, it is our job to love them • Embrace relationships • Godly advice can be appreciated and accepted under the right circumstances • Humility • We rely on God’s grace not on our own merit • Embrace don’t abandon • Recognize that Christians also find themselves struggling with sticky situations.

  11. Next week • Last class (Sheltered) • Have a happy Thanksgiving! • Feedback & resources • Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com • Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com • PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality

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