Across the aisle
At a time of heightened political polarization, there are a lot of emotions surrounding our elections. The divide is deep and there are strong emotions across the political spectrum. Even within the church there are strong disagreements. So how can we live lives of allegiance to Jesus in a culture governed by people with different beliefs and priorities? How do we think, participate in, respond to a divisive political society as followers of Jesus?
Those are the questions we will look to answer over the next several weeks as the United States, Missouri and Jefferson City navigate an election and the strong feelings that follow.
Don't forget to click the "Practices & Conversations" link below to get prompts and questions that will help you process each week's message.
“Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ he asked him. Jesus replied, ‘Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?’ “‘Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. ‘Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?’ “Jesus answered, ‘My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight, to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.’”
John 18: 33-36 (NLT).
Frank launches this series by looking at the political landscape during Jesus' time on Earth, demonstrating both that politics was as divided and volatile, probably more so, as we are today, but Jesus never made it a part of his ministry to endorse any official or political ideology. But the Bible still has plenty to say about the issue we should be passionate about, and those issues aren't on one side or the other, but spread across the aisle.
Luke 10: 25-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
This famous parable, taught by Jesus after being questioned about inheriting eternal life by a religious leader, is the basis of Frank's message. As we navigate a post-2024-election America, we continue to ask a very timely question: How can we live lives of allegiance to Jesus in a culture governed by people with different beliefs and priorities?
Be sure to click the "Practices and Conversations" link above, and use those cues this week to let this lesson and teaching from Jesus guide you, your family and/or small group deeper into an effort to be like Jesus during this season.