site logo
  • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Our History
    • News
  • Contact Us
  • FREE!
    • FREE Digital Mag
    • Weekly Downloads
    • Resources
  • Print Subscriptions
  • NEW! CC Churchlink
Homepage > Bible Study Tools > Application > The Lesson and Life -- for July 27, 2014
July 20, 2014  |  By Mike

The Lesson and Life — for July 27, 2014

Screen Shot 2014-07-05 at 9.42.04 AM
Print

By Melissa Wuske

 

Screen Shot 2014-06-21 at 3.28.53 PMLast year my church started using small group discussion occasionally during Sunday morning worship. Over time it became clear that people had varying views on this format. Some loved it. Others were reluctant to even come to church if they knew there’d be small groups: the interpersonal anxiety was too much or the stress of personal crisis was too overwhelming or it took a lot of energy and didn’t pay off. There was a third group: the people who insisted the non-small groupers needed to tough it out. Of all the responses, this one stung me. 

 

Unity and Change

Fortunately the leaders responded compassionately. They saw that members of the congregation were hurting and alienated. For the health and wholeness of these individuals and the congregation, they reduced the frequency of small group discussion and made sure there were options in place so people could interact in less painful ways. 

When there’s a goal in mind, we sometimes run others over in the name of efficiency or “this is just how we do things.” God wants people to grow beyond where they’re comfortable now, but he doesn’t bulldoze them in the process. 

Certainly decisions need to be made and held to—growth in Christ can be painful, and division is inevitable. But too often the church values conformity more than unity. It’s easier to explain away why we have to leave some people behind than to acknowledge that when we do, we leave behind pieces of the body of Christ. 

 

Seeking Others’ Good

Seeking the good of others isn’t a fluffy, feel-good idea. It’s a countercultural, spiritual reality that we have to be vigilantly committed to. Even in our most benevolent moments, we see an us and them. 

I like to think I help others because I’m able, but a Christ-centered attitude says I help because I need help too. The first attitude assumes I have it together and seeks to validate my reputation; the Christ-centered attitude acknowledges the daily reality of my brokenness. When I look through the eyes of others, through the eyes of Christ, are my actions really for others’ good?

 

Melissa Wuske is a freelance editor, writer, and the communications director for Stop Traffick Fashion
(
melissaannewuske.com). She lives in Boston with her husband, Shawn. 

 

Lesson and Life Melissa Wuske
Previous StoryQuiet Ambition–1 Thessalonians 4:1-13
Next StoryHelping Others Succeed

Comments: no replies

Join in: leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Search

Helpful Resources

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get the latest news, plus links to new posts at LookoutMag.com directly to your inbox every month.





Christian Standard Media

We provide true-to-the-Bible resources that inspire, educate, and motivate people to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. For 150 years we have been serving the Christian community with products that have but one purpose: bringing the Bible to life.

Contact

16965 Pine Lane, Suite 202
Parker, CO 80134
800-543-1353
Lookout@christianstandardmedia.com

[contact-form-7 id=”24009″ title=”Subscribe for Free!_copy”]

Magazine WordPress Theme made by ThemeFuse