This is a follow up from yesterday's post on the privilege we have in helping people move into the fullness of maturity as followers of Jesus.
This post is a number of practical suggestions for conversation starters. If you have any suggestions, click the comment button and share them.
ONE: Do a lectio divina reading with some friends on 2 Peter 1:5-11. This is a rich passage full of stimulating thoughts on character.
TWO: If you are a regular reader of this blog, I think it is safe to assume that you aren't into a legalistic approach to the Christian life. Okay, great, neither am I. But, what does holiness of life look like for those of us who are deeply, desperately grateful for grace? It is a lot easier for us to deconstruct what we don't like in some more restrictive versions of fundamentalism, than it is for us to construct a strong, good, beautiful alternative of Christ-likeness. So, have a go at it.
THREE: If legalism wasn't the way of Christ, neither is the mindset that seeks to "dance as close to the edge of moral license" as we can. Maybe this is the error of some of us today. We have been turned off to legalism and so now "Christian coolness" is measured by how close I can skirt to and maybe dart over into the realm of the wrong.
That's not the way of Christ either. After Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you" to the woman caught in adultery, he didn't say, "Now go back and do more of what you've been doing!" His words were, "Go and sin no more." I think we need some conversations as to why we want to see how much darkness we can flirt with instead of how much light we can live in. The errors of one age (legalism) are not the excuse for the opposite errors of our age (license).
FOUR: What would be a short list (and a longer one as well) of CHIEF VIRTUES? What are the greatest virtues you would have on your list and why? Why are those virtues attractive? What will it look like to pursue hard after those virtues?
My short list has faith, hope and love; humility, gratitude, courage and wisdom.
And in light of a recent post, we should ask about each of our lists - what difference do these virtues make?
FIVE: Get Gary Thomas' book, The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtue of Christ.
Okay, just a few ideas to get started on some important conversations. If you have some other good ones, throw them into the mix.
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
