introduction
Here we come to a crucial part of our worship as Christians. So often, people accuse Christians of being hypocritical. Part of what will make us stand out is that we are not just Sunday Christians, but are people who live out our beliefs every day, even when under pressure and when it would just be easier to conform. In our discussion, let’s go beyond not getting drunk and not sleeping around (as important as they are) to look at how questions of lifestyle involve our attitude towards money, the poor, the environment and so on.
welcome
Think of someone or something that is really important to you. Why is it/are they so important? What do you get from it/them? What would it be like to lose this person/thing? Go round the room taking 1 minute each.
word
Let’s look at four chapters from the book of Romans from the perspective of a life of worship. Romans 12:1 is like a heading with the word ‘therefore’ linking the previous chapters to the following ones. These chapters now unpack what it means to offer up our bodies as sacrifices which is our spiritual act of worship.
groupwork
Divide into four groups and ask each group to read in smaller groups one chapter from Romans 12-15. Look at what a lifestyle of worship involves. Each group nominates a spokesperson who will give a resume of the main points when the group comes back together.
think
When looking at these chapters, focus on what it means to worship God: in our homes, at college, in our Christian community, in our world?
worship
In the light of all the above discussion, use this worship section as an opportunity for people to respond. Are there areas in our lives in which we are not worshipping God? What are our attitudes towards money, possessions, and global issues? Are there any decisions we can make as a group and any action we can take? Spend time talking together and then praying.
witness
Ask each person to share how their friends have reacted to finding out they are a Christian. Pray for one friend per person around the group. Pray that their image of what a Christian is like and what they feel Christianity is about will be changed. Pray that the true nature of God will be revealed to them.
