Toxic Christianity –Tribalism – September 10, 2023

Welcome, Introduction, and Opening Prayer

SHARE – Icebreaker – In this sermon series, we are exploring some of the toxic behaviors that we experience in the church. This Sunday we are looking at tribalism. Do you belong to a group that you consider to be your tribe? Why or why not?

STUDY - Text: Galatians 2:15-21 (NRSV): 23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Paul claims that the Galatians are all children of God through faith. How does this understanding change the way you view yourself and others?

Where do you find your identity in your life? (Work, school, family, sports, church, etc.) What would it mean for you to claim your ultimate identity in Christ? Would anything need to change in your life?

What does it mean to be clothed in Christ?

In this text, we are told that there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. What are other divisions in our society need to be equalized in order to find freedom in Christ?

Where do you see glimpses in the world or in the church of the unity in which we all share together through faith in Christ?

SUPPORT - Blessings and Burdens: What has been life-giving for you this week? What has been life-draining for you?

Closing Prayer