The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: Embrace Jesus' Passion for the City
Week's focus: From Athens to Indianapolis
Scriptures: Acts 17:16-34
Week of: March 11, 2007

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
Note these principles from the Word for later recall, reflection & application

FROM ATHENS TO INDIANAPOLIS - 3rd in the series "Embrace Jesus' Passion for the City" based on Acts 17:16-34

1. Get to know the soul of the community

Who lives here and what do they believe? For what do they live?

3 groups in Athens:
- God-fearing faithful (Acts 17:17)
- People in the marketplace (v. 17)
- The philosophers (vv. 18, 21)

2. Let the soul of the city challenge our grasp of the Gospel

How does Jesus desire to convey his truth and love in this place?

Dimensions of the Good News
Intellect
Body
Value
Identity
Purpose/Direction
Significance
Belonging
Relationships
Security
Pleasure
Vocation
Appetites
Community
Culture
Future

3. Speak the truth in love to the heart of the city

How can Jesus use us uniquely to bear his saving, reconciling grace in the places we are led?

What can be built upon?
How does Jesus answer the questions of existence?

Paul acknowledged their spiritual interest (vv. 22-23)
Paul proclaimed one unmade, unseen creator God
He distinguishes God from the gods and ideas of divinity
He speaks to the source of human community
He speaks to divine purpose vs fate of human existence
He speaks to human freedom in response to divine intention
He speaks to God's nearness, imminence, relatedness
He challenges idolatry as outdated and ignorance
He proclaims clarity of God's intention and accessibility in Jesus Christ.
He speaks of final things…justice and judgment

Responses:
- Some sneered
- Some were interested
- Some became followers of Paul and believed (Dionysius, Damaris)

GUIDED JOURNALING / DISCUSSION
Explore these questions in personal devotions or group discussion

1. (a) What different kinds of people live in our metropolitan area? Make as full a list as you can. (b) For each one listed, what do you see these people living for? What do you think motivates them? What are their characteristic values and behaviors? (c) Now, think over your detailed list. What strikes you as common, distinguishing, interesting or challenging about each and all?

2. Using the list of 15 "Dimensions of the Good News" on the opposite side, write corresponding Scripture references, Biblical truths or principles, and applications for each one. What does the Bible say about each? What does Jesus offer in regard to each? Consider how each dimension of the Good News connects or challenges the different kinds of people in our region.

3. Discuss or journal about ways you would/can relate the Good News to the people in the community with whom you converse with on a weekly basis. What shape, form, or expression does the Good News take? What prevents you from sharing it? What empowers you to share it?

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Consider what other believers have reflected about Christ in the city

IDOLATRY TODAY "Do not think that we are free from idolatry, for if a god is that which is the most important thing in your life, that to which you give your time and effort and energy, that which occupies the primary place of importance to you, the thing you live for, then men have many gods even today. Money is a god for some. Fame is a god to others. Your children can be your gods. You yourself can be your own god; you can worship yourself. Many people today who worship America and enthrone it as the highest value in life, the thing for which they would give their lives, the only thing worth living for. These are the false gods that people everywhere worship. They make continual demands upon us. They do nothing for us, but we must work for them." -- Ray Stedman

PRAY TO LOVE YOUR CITY We can look at our cities as sacred because God is present and at work in them. If we are to minister in our cities we must love them--architecture, sewer systems, politics, history, traditions, and neighborhoods. If you feel overpowered by your city, ask God to enable you to love it. That will revolutionize you. - Ray Bakke in The Urban Christian

DON'T SHRINK BACK "Doing justice and living compassionately amid entrenched patterns of fallen organizations and ungodly social norms is the arena of spiritual warfare. Kingdom Christians understand the difficulty of this struggle. Still, they do not shrink back or write off the world or withdraw to illusory subcultures. In the face of spiritual strongholds and structural injustice, Jesus taught his disciples to pray-and live as the answer with their lives- 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" - from Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength by Ev Leadingham

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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