Dangerous Church

 

Because of their special heritage as God's chosen people, the Jewish Christians in Rome were tempted to judge the Gentiles. They were tempted to think that there were two types of people in the world: sinners and Jews. But the Jewish Christians sinned just like the Gentiles; and they especially faced the danger of becoming hardened and unrepentant in their sin.

 

…or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. (v.4-5)

 

Exposure to God through their heritage and the Old Testament law caused many to grow numb to God's kindness, to take it for granted. The same danger is present for Bible-belt Christians.  

 

For many, the blessing of growing up with the Bible and a knowledge of God through Sunday school and VBS and all kinds of churchiness causes us to think lightly of God's kindness. As a result, we become stubborn. Like the sun baking dry ground, our exposure to the things of God just hardens our preconceived notions of how good we are, causing no growth and a lack of change.

 

The danger of church is that we can think we're holy because we hear the Bible a lot. We can judge others instead of judging ourselves. We can attend church for decades without noticing our sin and need for a savior. And we can live our entire lives in churchy unrepentance.

 

The Opportunity of Church
But it doesn't have to be this way. By the grace of God, our exposure to His word in the Bible and church can be like rain soaking our hearts, making us soft, bringing about growth and change through repentance.

 

At a longstanding church you'll find two types of people: those who are soft-hearted and humble, worshipping God and loving people. And those who are hard-hearted and stubborn, expecting from God and judging people.

 

Which will it be for Dulins Grove?

 

Discussion Starters
1. Have you ever felt judged by another person? If so, describe the situation and your reaction. How did you feel toward the person?

2. In your opinion, would an outsider living a sinful lifestyle feel judged when visiting Dulins Grove (or whatever church you attend)? Why or why not?

3. Read verse 4. Why does the kindness of God lead to repentance? How should this influence our efforts to love those around us?

4. What practical things can we do to guard against taking God's kindness lightly as a church? As individuals? As families? As H2H groups?

5. Read verses 6-10. How can these verses be true if we are saved purely by faith and not by works? (See Matthew 13:24-30 and James 2:14-24)

6. How can we love those around us in light of this passage?

7. How can your group pray for you this week?