What’s something imperfect that still brings you joy?
Christianity here on earth will always be as imperfect as the Christians of whom it is composed - and (especially if you consider yourself among them, you know that) those Christians will always be imperfect. Despite this, there is occasionally a hope or even call for this group of people, referred to as "Christianity," to be a force for something good. The reality, however, is that Christianity isn't meant to be a force. It is not given the tools or mission to be anything that might be described as a force, because it is not given greater power as a collective.
Now that you've answered the Icebreaker, here's another question - this one, about nations and faith.
It may seem overly simple to say that "only a person can be Christian" when things like Christian books, charities, and churches are all common and it seems perfectly sensible to call them Christian because they're meant to help people who follow Jesus. However, even in those examples, the purpose of a book or charity or congregation is to help Christians, not to do their work in their place or to fulfill the mission that Jesus has given to his people when he said, in John 13:34–35:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
It won't be by books or nations or charities or churches. Hopefully that makes enough sense to get you started.
Jesus,
You are the prime example of love:
unadulterated, pure, and unconditional.
May your followers be reflections of that love.
Let your kingdom come
and your name be shown as good
through love and through love alone.
Amen.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
It won't be by books or nations or charities or churches. Hopefully that makes enough sense to get you started.
Jesus,
You are the prime example of love:
unadulterated, pure, and unconditional.
May your followers be reflections of that love.
Let your kingdom come
and your name be shown as good
through love and through love alone.
Amen.
Reflect further on that with a song inspired by Wendell Berry's poem: The Road, the Rocks, and the Weeds by John Mark McMillan.
Not all Christian leaders are helping. Some are loud, influential, and deeply nationalistic. But others are quietly leading with wisdom, humility, and love. How do we find them and help others find them too?
- As a group, brainstorm 3–5 traits that distinguish non-nationalistic Christian leaders from those who blend faith with political force.
- If someone asked you how to find a trustworthy Christian voice today, what would you tell them to look for?
- Who’s one Christian leader, writer, or thinker you’ve found helpful in resisting nationalism?
Pray about This Together
Choose one person to read the non-bolded words.
Everyone else, read the bolded lines together.
Jesus, you came not to dominate, but to dwell among us.
You laid down your power and took up a cross.
You formed a people not to conquer, but to serve.
Shape us into your body, humble and brave.
We confess that we have longed for influence more than faithfulness,
for victory more than mercy,
for control more than compassion.
Forgive us, and teach us the way of love.
You call us your church—
not an empire, but a body;
not a nation, but a holy people;
not a force, but a light.
Let us shine with grace, not glare with power.
You gave us no armies, only the armor of God.
No thrones, only a table.
No weapons, only the Word.
Clothe us in humility, and send us in peace.
We reject the lie that your kingdom comes through coercion.
We renounce the myth that nations can be Christian.
We embrace the truth that your power is made perfect in weakness.
Make us bold in love, patient in suffering, and faithful in witness.
Until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord,
not by force, but by the slow, radiant work of grace—
Make us your people, O Christ.
Not a force, but a family.
Not a power, but a presence.
Not a nation, but a new creation.
Amen.
Everyone else, read the bolded lines together.
Jesus, you came not to dominate, but to dwell among us.
You laid down your power and took up a cross.
You formed a people not to conquer, but to serve.
Shape us into your body, humble and brave.
We confess that we have longed for influence more than faithfulness,
for victory more than mercy,
for control more than compassion.
Forgive us, and teach us the way of love.
You call us your church—
not an empire, but a body;
not a nation, but a holy people;
not a force, but a light.
Let us shine with grace, not glare with power.
You gave us no armies, only the armor of God.
No thrones, only a table.
No weapons, only the Word.
Clothe us in humility, and send us in peace.
We reject the lie that your kingdom comes through coercion.
We renounce the myth that nations can be Christian.
We embrace the truth that your power is made perfect in weakness.
Make us bold in love, patient in suffering, and faithful in witness.
Until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord,
not by force, but by the slow, radiant work of grace—
Make us your people, O Christ.
Not a force, but a family.
Not a power, but a presence.
Not a nation, but a new creation.
Amen.
Spotlights about sensitive topics such as this aren't simple, and it can be easy to give a wrong impression or just plain be off. If you felt like that was the case in this Spotlight, please let us know. Thank you.
How can we improve?
Did something seem incorrect?
Would you like to talk more about this?
How can we improve?
Did something seem incorrect?
Would you like to talk more about this?
No Comments