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| "WHAT DO WE DO WITH RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS?" by Bruce Hostetler | ||||||||||||
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YOUTH GROUP LESSON 81
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| FAITH STORY Acts 15: 1-35 FAITH FOCUS: The first century followers of Christ were faced with assimilating the Gentiles, who were non-Jewish believers in Christ, into the church. The Pharisees, the “Religious legal purists”, wanted the Gentile believers to conform to the Jewish law. They were insistent that circumcision of all males, as commanded by the Mosaic Law, be practiced in order for them to experience salvation. This narrative shows us the difference between the Mosaic Law, with a high emphasis on exterior physical rites, and the Gospel message of grace through faith, which focuses on a transformed inner life. We also see in this text the art of compromise to encourage believers from different cultures to accept change as a positive part of church growth. Even though they did not fully understand exactly what God was doing at that point in time, they followed a new direction, led by the Holy Spirit. SESSION GOAL: To help students understand how religious customs can sometimes help and sometimes hinder the main goal of helping new believers experience acceptance and fellowship in the church community. SESSION OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this session the students will have had the opportunity to learn: • People matter more than religious customs • It is the Holy Spirit alone who transforms every believer’s life • See how customs in your church can “get in the way” of church growth • How to make it easier for new people to join our faith groups. Continued... |
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