Streams (5 of 6) Streams: Embodying the Beliefs & Practices of the Brethren in Christ Small Group Discussion Questions If you missed the worship service, you can follow the sermons online at www.granthamchurch.org or subscribe to the Grantham Church Podcast via iTunes. Sermon Series Overview The Brethren in Christ (BIC) has a rich blend of theological traditions that make us who we are today. Specifically, our beliefs and practices are shaped by four streams within the wider Christian community: Anabaptism, Pietism, Wesleyanism, and more recently, Evangelicalism. And as Luke Keefer Jr., a BIC historian and theologian, once wrote: when we blend multiple traditions, each are impacted by the other. So, like a mixed fruit drink, we must harmonize these streams to create a unique ecclesial flavor. Streams is a series that surveys the theological heritage of the Brethren in Christ and calls us to embody certain beliefs and practices that can guide us in the way of Jesus— empowering us to be the difference the world needs to see in the church today. Join us September 9 – October 14 as we look at how we can adopt a vibrant faith that reflects the heart of Jesus and the beauty of his gospel, for such a time as this. Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group! May God bless your time together as you learn to follow Jesus together in community with other disciples. Streams (5 of 6) Sermon Title: Evangelicalism: The Way of Passion Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:15-16, 9:35-38, 28:18-20; John 3:16-17; 1 Peter 3:15 Sermon Focus: Evangelicalism is the final stream in our heritage, and it is by far the most problematic. The reason for that is because the evangelicalism of today is not the movement that the BIC first embraced in the 1950s. What is evangelicalism and how has it changed? Should we acknowledge it as one of our streams? In Evangelicalism: The Way of Passion (5 of 6), Pastor David helps us to see the best about historic evangelicalism and discard what can’t be synthesized with our other streams. Use the following questions to guide your small group discussion: 1. Pastor David shared how biblical criticism in Europe brought on a Liberal Protestant Christianity in the US (denying the “fundamentals” of the Christian faith), which prompted a response by Christian “fundamentalists” of the late 19th/early 20th century. Neo evangelicalism was then a response to conservative fundamentalists. Neo evangelicals were about growing a gracious Christianity, doing evangelism, lovingly engaging the culture, ecumenicism, etc. Did you know this about historic evangelicalism? Was this helpful? 2. It was Billy Graham and others that attracted the Brethren in Christ to the neo evangelical movement. The BIC saw the need to embrace neo evangelicalism because of the good things that were occurring through it and because of the decline in BIC church membership. Can you see why we accepted this fourth stream? How important is it that we be relevant as a church and that we remain passionately concerned about sharing the good news with the world around us? 3. Read Matthew 9:35-38 together. Pastor David pointed out that Jesus felt “compassion” for the lost in his community. Jesus was burdened for them. Do you feel that way about those who haven’t heard or accepted the gospel? If so, how do you respond. If not, why not? How do we develop a passion for the lost? 4. Pastor David said, “if we deny our connection to historic evangelicalism, then we lose something that evangelicalism uniquely provides the BIC, i.e. a strong conviction that people are lost without Christ and it is incumbent upon the church to passionately share the good news with a great sense of urgency.” Do you agree that evangelicals are passionate about people becoming Christians? Also, what might evangelism look like today in a post-Christian culture? 5. Knowing about historic evangelicalism and how it has changed, are you willing to help “evangelicals” understand the unhelpful shift that has occurred? .