GOSPEL IN LIFE

[ Group Material ]
A free resource compiled by Terran Williams for
Common Ground Church to accompany Gospel in Life,
which is written by Dr. Tim Keller and published by Zondervan.
 CONTENTS

SESSION 1............................................ CITY: The world that is 2

SESSION 2............................................ HEART: Three ways to live 4

SESSION 3............................................ IDOLATRY: The sin beneath the sin 8

SESSION 4............................................ COMMUNITY: The context for change 12

SESSION 5............................................ WORK: Cultivating the garden 16

SESSION 6............................................ WITNESS: An alternate city 20

SESSION 7............................................ JUSTICE: A people for others 24

SESSION 8............................................ ETERNITY: The world that is to come 26

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 Session 1

CITY: The world that is

‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried
you… Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will
prosper.’ (Jeremiah 29:7)
DVD NOTES:
Going deeper this week:
1. Write down answers to the following questions…
a) Do you see yourself as someone planted here by God, or as someone who
just happens to be here? In what ways have you seen God’s hand at work in
placing you in this city?

b) Ask God by his Holy Spirit to impart his love for the people of your city. Then
write out a prayer for the city.

c) Ask the Holy Spirit to show you specific ways that your life can positively
impact the city of Cape Town.

2. Listen to a talk by Tim Keller where he more fully opens up Jeremiah 29

http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/meaning-city

Reminder: Please bring your Bibles from next week onwards.

In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or
remember?

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 Session 2

HEART: Three ways to live

‘They did not know the righteousness of God but instead sought to Read through the following table which summarizes the difference:
establish their own.’ (Romans 10:3)

Religion The Gospel

DVD NOTES:
I obey-therefore I’m accepted. I’m accepted-therefore I obey.

Motivation is based on fear and Motivation is based on grateful joy.

insecurity.

I obey God in order to get things I obey God to get to God- to delight
from God. and resemble Him.

When circumstances in my life go When circumstances in my life go

wrong, I am angry at God or myself,
since I believe, like Job’s friends,
that anyone who is good deserves a
comfortable life.
wrong, I struggle but I know all
my punishment fell on Jesus and
that while he may allow this for my
training, he will exercise his Fatherly
love within my trial.

When I am criticized I am furious or When I am criticized I struggle, but it

devastated because it is critical that is not critical for me to think of myself
I think of myself as a ‘good person’. as a ‘good person.’ My identity
Threats to that self-image must be is not built on my record or my
destroyed at all costs. performance but on God’s love for
In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or me in Christ. I can take criticism.
remember?
My prayer life consists largely of My prayer life consists of generous
petition and it only heats up when stretches of praise and adoration. My
I am in a time of need. My main main purpose is fellowship with God.
purpose in prayer is control of the
environment.
Going deeper this week:
1. Listen to a talk by Tim Keller where he opens up Luke 15 more fully:
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/prodigal-sons
2. Reflection exercise: The differences between irreligion (rebellious younger
brother) and the gospel are easy to spot. It is often harder to discern the
differences between religion (self-righteous older brother) and the gospel
(grace-motivated obedience).

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 My self-view swings between two
poles. If and when I am living up to
my standards, I feel confident, but
then I am prone to be proud and
unsympathetic to failing people.
If and when I am not living up to
standards, I feel insecure and
inadequate. I’m not confident. I feel
like a failure.
My self-view is not based on a view
of myself as a moral achiever. In
Christ I am “simul iustus et peccator”
- simultaneously sinful and yet
accepted in Christ. I am so bad he
had to die for me and I am so loved
he was glad to die for me. This leads
me to deeper and deeper humility
and confidence at the same time.

My identity and self-worth are My identity and self-worth are

based mainly on how hard I work or
how moral I am, and so I must look
down on those I perceive as lazy or
immoral.
centred on the one who died for His
enemies, who was excluded from
the city for me. I am saved by sheer
grace. So I can’t look down on those
who believe or practice something
different from me. Only by grace I
am what I am.

Source: The Gospel in Life, Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 16

Now prayerfully re-read it, asking the Holy Spirit to identify and remove ‘religion’
from your relationship with God, and replacing it entirely with ‘gospel-joy’.

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 Session 3
IDOLATRY: The Sin beneath The Sin
‘My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the
spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken
cisterns that cannot hold water.’ (Jeremiah 2:13)
DVD NOTES:
In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or
remember?
Going deeper this week:
1. Listen to a talk by Tim Keller on the theme of idols:
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/world-idols
2. Reflection and prayer exercise: Take out an hour to get free of your idols in a
three-step process: Identify your idols. Repent of your idols. Rejoice in Christ.
First, identify your idols.
Do this by considering which of the statements you most resonate with….
“I have the life I most deeply want when…
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… people are dependent on me and need me.” (Helping Idolatry)
… someone is there to protect me and keep me safe.” (Dependence idolatry)
… I am completely free from obligations or responsibilities to take care of
someone.” (Independence idolatry)
… I am highly productive and getting a lot done.” (Work idolatry)
… I am being recognized for my accomplishments, and I am excelling in my work.”
(Achievement idolatry)
… I have a certain level of wealth, financial freedom, and very nice
possessions.” (Materialism idolatry)
… I am adhering to my religion’s moral codes and accomplished in its
activities.” (Religion idolatry)
… this one person is in my life and happy to be there, and/or happy with me.”
(Individual person idolatry)
… I feel I am totally independent of organized religion and am living by a self-made
morality.” (Irreligion idolatry)
… my race and culture is ascendant and recognized as superior.” (Racial/
cultural idolatry)
… a particular social grouping or professional grouping or other group lets me in.”
(Inner ring idolatry)
… my children and/or my parents are happy and happy with me.” (Family idolatry)
… Mr. or Ms. ‘Right’ is in love with me.” (Relationship Idolatry)
… am hurting, in a problem; only then do I feel worthy of love or able to deal
with guilt.” (Suffering idolatry)
… my political or social cause is making progress and ascending in influence or
power.” (Ideology idolatry)
… I have a particular kind of look or body image.” (Image idolatry)
… I have power and influence over others.” (Power Idolatry)
… I am loved and respected by ” (Approval Idolatry)
… I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.”
(Comfort idolatry)
… I am able to get mastery over my life in the area of ”
(Control idolatry)
The final 4 idols in the list above are, according to Alfred Adler, the most basic This is not my righteousness and worthiness. You are! It cannot give me that – but
idols of the heart, so they deserve extra comment: you can and have. Lord, I now see how dangerous and repulsive idolizing this good
thing really is. In yearning after this, I have been trampling on your love for me.’
If you seek POWER (success, winning, influence):
• Your greatest nightmare: Humiliation Source: The Gospel in Life, Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 47-48
• People around you often feel: Used
• Your problem emotion: Anger Third, rejoice in Christ.
Prayerfully read and ponder this excerpt from Thomas Chalmers:
If you seek APPROVAL (affirmation, love, relationships): ‘It is seldom that any of our bad habits disappear by natural extinction. It is seldom
done through reasoning or by determination. But what cannot be destroyed can
• Your greatest nightmare: Rejection
be dispossessed – one taste may give way to another. For a reigning affection to
• People around you often feel: Smothered lose its power it must be replaced by the expulsive power of a new affection
• Your problem emotion: Cowardice (passion). It is through faith in Jesus Christ, as the Spirit of adoption is freshly
poured into us – it is then that the heart, brought under the mastery of one great
and predominant affection, is delivered from the tyranny of is former desires.
If you seek COMFORT (privacy, lack of stress, freedom): It’s the only way in which deliverance is possible.’
• Your greatest nightmare: Stress, demands Source: The Gospel in Life, Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 46-47
• People around you often feel: Neglected
• Your problem emotion: Boredom Pray this faith-declaring prayer aloud:
‘Jesus Christ you are enough for me! By your death, you have accepted me. By your
If you seek CONTROL (self-discipline, certainty, standards): resurrection, you have made me your own. By your Spirit, you have loved me.
You are supremely worthy of my one and only life. Only you can truly satisfy me,
• Your greatest nightmare: Uncertainty forgive me, free me and carry me. Only you will never forsake or abandon me.
• People around you often feel: Condemned You are my life, my treasure, my all. I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit
you would become the central passion of my heart. Come and expel every idol
• Your problem emotion: Worry
from my heart. Let me find my happiness, my meaning and my identity in you
Source: The Gospel in Life, Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 43-44 ultimately. Let every other desire of my life be secondary to you. And as you sit
upon the throne of my life, keep this good thing that I have made an ultimate thing
in its proper place. Amen.’
Second, repent of your idols.
Name your idol(s) and then pray:
This can be done in a time of solitude, but it is also important to do this the moment
‘Lord, I confess I have treated as a counterfeit god, a you catch yourself turning to an idol.
functional saviour. It is a good thing, yet why have I made it ultimate? What is this
compared to you? If I have you, I don’t need to have this. This cannot love me and
help me and forgive me as you do. This is not my life – Jesus, you are my life.

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 Session 4

COMMUNITY: the context for change

Jesus’ praying: ‘I have given my disciples the glory that you gave me, PRACTICE 1: Affirm one another’s strengths, abilities and gifts
that they may be one as we are one— so that they may be brought to Romans 12:10: Honour one another.
complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have James 5:9: Don’t grumble against each other.
loved them.’ (John 17:22-23) Romans 12:3-8: Confirm the gifts of one another.

PRACTICE 2: Affirm one another’s equal importance to Christ

DVD NOTES: Romans 15:7: Accept one another as Christ accepted you.
1 Corinthians 12:25: Have equal concern for each other.
1 Peter 5:5: Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.
James 2:1: Don’t show favouritism.

PRACTICE 3: Affirm one another through visible affection

Romans 16:16: Greet one another with a holy kiss.
James 1:16: Be quick to listen, slow to speak.
Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate toward one another.
1 Thessalonians 3:2: Your love increase and overflow for each other.

PRACTICE 4: Share one another’s space, goods and time

1 Peter 4:9: Offer hospitality to one another.
Galatians 6:9: As we have opportunity, let us do good, especially to the family of God.

PRACTICE 5: Share one another’s needs and problems

In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or Galatians 6:2: Carry each other’s burdens.
remember? 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Encourage one another and build each other up.
Hebrews 3:13: Encourage one another daily.

PRACTICE 6: Share one another’s beliefs, thinking and spirituality

Colossians 3:16: Teach and admonish one another.
Going deeper this week:
Ephesians 5:19: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
1. Listen to a sermon by Tim Keller on the theme of community: Romans 12:16: Live in harmony with one another.
http://download.redeemer.com/rpcsermons/vision2005/ 1 Corinthians 1:10: Agree with one another.
Community_-_10-09-05.mp3
2. Prayerfully work through the ‘one another’ texts of the New Testament.
Tim Keller divides them up into 9 Practices:

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PRACTICE 7: Serve one another through accountability
Practice: Rating:
James 5:16: Confess yours sins to each other and pray for each other.
Romans 15:14: Instruct one another. Affirm one another’s strengths, abilities
Ephesians 4:25: Speak truthfully. 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
and gifts

Affirm one another’s equal importance to

PRACTICE 8: Serve one another through forgiveness and reconciliation 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
Christ.
Ephesians 4:2: Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one
another in love. Affirm one another through visible affection 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
Colossians 3:13: Forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.
Galatians 5:26: Don’t provoke or envy one another. Share one another’s space, goods and time 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
James 4:11: Do not slander one another.
Matthew 5:23-24, 18:15: Re-establish broken relationships with one another. Share one another’s needs and problems 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10

Serve one another through accountability 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10

PRACTICE 9: Serve one another’s interests rather than your own
Hebrews 10:24: Spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Share one another’s beliefs, thinking and
1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
Romans 15:1-2: Don’t please yourself, but please others. spirituality
Galatians 5:13: Serve one another.
Serve one another through forgiveness
1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
and reconciliation
Source: The Gospel in Life, Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 58-72
Serve one another’s interests rather than
1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 10
your own
Now, evaluate your current relating to community. In each of the 9 Practices,
rate out of 10, your current relating to those Christians you’re most tightly connected
to. Then take the areas where you’re weakest, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you
grow stronger in them. Perhaps jot down a single step you can take to do better in
that area.

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 Session 5
WORK: cultivating the garden
‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for human masters.’ (Colossians 3:23)
DVD NOTES:
In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or
remember?
Going deeper this week:
1. Listen to a sermon by Tim Keller on the theme of cultural renewal:
http://download.redeemer.com/rpcsermons/vision2005/Culture_-_10-30-05.
mp3
2. Explore the following website, looking through some of its numerous articles
that seek to integrate work and faith:
http://www.intheworkplace.com
3. Become deeply motivated in your work by prayerfully reading the following
article — which gives seven reasons God designed work. After each of its
seven points ask yourself: 1. Is this a motivation for my work? 2. What prayer
can I pray right now that will help me absorb this insight into my approach to
work?
WHY WORK? Tragically Christians often find it difficult to make meaning of work.
Yet the Bible gives seven strong motivations for why God designed work.
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1. We work as an expression of worship to God.
All of life should be conducted as a form of worship. When the Olympic runner
Eric Liddell described his gift of running to his sister in the classic film, Chariots
of Fire, he said, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” We, too, should feel His pleasure
when we work unto Him. We work ‘as unto the Lord’. Colossians 3:23 says that we
should ‘work with all our hearts as working for the Lord, not for human masters’.
When we work diligently, and for his glory, it brings a smile to his face.
2. We work to lovingly serve others.
He gave everyone a unique DNA to pursue a vocation that would meet a human
need. In this sense ‘all work is love made visible’. We should seek work that
intersects both the way we’re wired by God and the needs in our world. Work
usually involves serving others. Interestingly the Greek word for ‘service’ is the
same word as ‘ministry’. We are to use our work as a platform to demonstrate
the love of God as we serve them with a humble spirit, a spirit that Christ
demonstrated in his sacrificial death on the cross.
3. We work because we’re made in the image of a God who works.
God’s work is the work of creation and redemption. As Creator, God creates;
either something from nothing (only God can do this!) but also something orderly
out of something disorderly. In fact, the latter is something Adam and Eve were
asked to do - take care of the garden, to maintain its order (Genesis 2:15). As
Redeemer, God undoes the effects of the fall. The fall of humanity led to several
new problems - separation of people from God (Genesis 3:8), conflict between
people (Genesis 3:12), conflict between people and nature (Genesis 3:17-18),
and disintegration of creation - pain and death (Genesis 3:16, 19). Since the fall,
God’s work is now to undo the effect of the fall - bring people back to him, back to
each other, restore the creation, in short to ‘re-Eden’ the world. We’re His image
bearers (Genesis 1:28). In other words, our work is a reflection of God’s own work.
Like God, we’re also creators (small ‘c’) and redeemers (small ‘r’). If this is what
work is for (creating and redeeming) - except for criminal work, there is no such
thing as good or bad work. Yes, we often view full time church ministry, helping
the poor or disadvantaged, and counselling as more “Christian” or more useful
to God. But all work should be seen as a kind of full-time ministry since it all
reflects God’s image. For example, working in the financial industry helps to bring
order into our economical dealing with each other. Insurance helps us to pool the
risks and hence deal with difficult situations in life, like disease or a loss of family
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provider. Creating music is about bringing beauty out of chaos of sounds and
allows us to better understand the beauty of God’s creation. The doctor’s job is to
bring a falling apart physical body back into unity. Like God, we work toward the
flourishing of all humanity, and all creation. We create. We redeem. Oh, the dignity
of being an image-bearer!
4. We work in order to earn money to survive, to advance God’s
kingdom and to benefit others.
For most of us, work will be the primary means of supplying our needs for food
and clothing. But Deuteronomy 8:18 tells us that God gives us the ability to create
wealth in order to establish His covenant upon the earth. For starters, this means
we underwrote kingdom ventures with our money. For example, the book of Acts
tells story after story of the church putting their money at the feet of’ the leaders,
entrusting to them to most effective use of that money for the advance of God’s
kingdom through the church. Without the consistent generous provision of God’s
people, the church would be greatly crippled in its attempts at advancing the
gospel. In addition to giving money to the church, we give some of our hard earned
cash to help dependents, and the poor. Ephesians 4:28 says, ‘Anyone who has
been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with
their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.’
5. We work to create and transform culture.
The first instruction given to humankind has been called ‘the cultural mandate.’
In Genesis 1:28, God instructs us to create civilization. In Genesis 2:15, we’re
instructed to ‘cultivate’ the earth. The root word for cultivate is the root word
for culture. From the beginning, God intended that man would reflect His glory
through man’s work, that it might affect all of culture. God cares about our cities
and nations and wants to see every person influenced for Jesus Christ. Jesus
echoes this cultural mandate in Matthew 5:13-16 where he urges us to be the
salt of the earth, and the light of the world. We are to bring out God’s colours
and God’s flavour in the workplaces and spheres of industry we find ourselves in.
High levels of excellence, thoughtfulness, integrity, humility, working in team, and
courageous entrepreneurship are all ways that we renew the culture. So doing
we raise the bar, calling even unbelievers to do their very best to promote human
flourishing and godly cultural progress. One key aspect of a godly culture is that
the strong look out for the weak. For example, when Boaz allowed the gleanings
to be left behind from his harvest, he was establishing a kingdom principle for
those of us in business. He allowed the poor to come and collect what was left.
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They still had to work, but the owner of the field intentionally left the gleanings for
the poor (Ruth 2:16). Businesses should think of how this principle applies to how
we benefit the poor.
6. We work because it is the environment in which our
character is formed.
The great destiny of every believer is not ultimately what they accomplish, but
rather what they become. Romans 8:29 says we’re destined to be conformed
to the image of God’s Son. And it’s the hustle and bustle, the pressures and
challenges, the dealings with friends and strangers, enemies and colleagues
that happens in daily life that is the raw material with which God fashions our
character. Since work takes up the largest share of our daily lives, it is also the
number one environment God uses to make us more ‘loving, joyful, peaceful,
patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
7. We work because work exposes us to people who need Christ’s
salvation.
God is in the habit of placing his children in the presence of people whom he
intends to adopt into his family. For example Acts 18:2-3 tells us how he placed
Paul in the same industry and work place as a couple, which then opened
up the opportunity for him to share the gospel with them: ‘There Paul met
a Jew named Aquila with his wife Priscilla, because he was a tentmaker as
they were. He then stayed and worked with them.’ The amount of hours spent
with co-workers provides the ideal environment for relationship to form. And
those relationships in turn become natural bridges for sharing our faith. For
example, Zachary Levi, an actor says, “My job on my set, I believe, is to first
just love people and gain that trust with people where they know that I really do
love them and care about their well-being, so that when they are running into
problems, they will hopefully, at some point, come to me and ask me, ‘What is
your peace all about? What is your comfort all about? Where do you get your
love? Where do you get your talents?’ And I can turn to them and say without
blinking, ‘Jesus Christ.’”
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 SESSION 6

wITness: an alTernaTe CITY

‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 2. Read this adapted article which explains the meaning of ‘oikos’ and then list
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they six people in your ‘oikos’.
put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone. Let your light shine (Source: 1. www.thedisciplemakers.com/?p=42 and 2. Source: The Gospel in Life,
before others.’ (Matthew 5:14-16) Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 81)

The book of Acts details the amazing spread of the gospel. The main method we
dVd notes: find there is what could be called ‘household’ evangelism. Underline the word
‘household’ in each of these verses:

Acts 10:24: The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting
them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 16:15: 15 When Lydia and the members of her household were baptized,
she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said,
“come and stay at my house.”
Acts 16:31: They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you
and your household.”
Acts 18:8: Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the
Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

In each case, the Greek word translated ‘household’ is ‘oikos’. ‘Oikos’ means
much more than ‘household’. It refers to one’s primary relational connections. An
‘oikos’ tended to include relatives, neighbours, co-workers and just plain friends.
Still today, the average person has an ‘oikos’ of 8 to 15 people with whom they
In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or have deep bonds of connection, and therefore people over whom they have the
remember? capacity for influence.

GoinG deeper this week:
1. Listen to a talk by Stephen Van Rhyn (Jubilee Church) on how the book of
Jonah sends us out on a mission.
http://media.jubilee.org.za/Jubilee/Sermons/Stephen-GiL-witness.mp3
In this ‘oikos’ evangelism we see God saving one person, and then reaching that
person’s entire ‘oikos’ through them. God’s plan is not just to save individuals,
but to then save that person’s entire ‘oikos’. For example, throughout the New
Testament, when God’s Spirit changed a life, a world-changer was born. Whether
it was a demon-possessed man, a swindler named Zacchaeus, a royal official
with a dying son, a tax collector named Matthew, a Centurion named Cornelius, a
businesswoman named Lydia, or a recently unemployed Philippian jailor, they all
were sent back home to their ‘oikos’.

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‘Oikos’, the Greek word for ‘extended family’, encompasses our relational worlds—
whom God has strategically placed in our spheres of influence. And, if those
relationships frame our primary evangelistic targets, then that reality must frame
our primary ministry strategies for the church.
In ‘oikos’ evangelism, because this person will be around for much time, we can
pace the process of reaching them. They get to ask questions and determine the
speed of the process. The other person is in the driver’s seat. Sometimes people
in your ‘oikos’ respond to the gospel immediately, other times they take many
years to come to faith.

When believers, representing any generation or culture, come to understand

their specific evangelistic assignment, ‘oikos’ becomes the great equalizer in any In light of the above article, list 6 people in your ‘oikos’ who don’t yet know Christ.
church—the simplest, yet most important common denominator in any ministry. It Pray for them often. Thank God that he has placed them within his reach through
doesn’t matter how good-looking or unattractive you think you might be. It doesn’t you. Ask God to give you opportunities to naturally share your faith with them.
matter how tall you are or how short you are. It doesn’t matter if you have money
or if you’re flat broke. Your ethnicity, theological background, language, and
age don’t matter either. We all have 8 to 15 people whom God has placed in our 1.
relational worlds. We are all Christ’s partners in world-change. 2.
3.
‘Oikos’ is not an evangelism program. It is essentially a worldview, a paradigm 4.
through which a Christ-follower evaluates life, its purpose and events. Not only is
the ‘oikos’ formula not new to the Church, it’s not new to yours. The overwhelming 5.
majority of the people in any local church came to Christ through an ‘oikos’ 6.
relationship. If you were to ask the average Christian in the average church how
it is that they came to faith, they would refer to someone in their ‘oikos’ who
introduced them to faith.

The profound conclusion to draw from this simple exercise is that the ‘oikos’
paradigm is already alive and well in every ministry. Embracing the ‘oikos’
phenomenon is not about introducing a new idea to any local church; it’s about
accelerating it through intentionality. For example, imagine a church of 100 people.
If someone were to ask a member of this church, ‘How large is your church?’
an appropriate answer would be ‘About 1500 people.’ After the questioner reels
back, this person could then add: ‘Oh, but 1400 of them don’t come yet.’ That’s
intentionality. It is for the 1400 that the 100 have been asked to live another day.

In ‘oikos’ evangelism our life is under observation by those who don’t yet believe.
Our life is the attractor and evidence for the truth of the faith. The humbling
nature of the gospel leads us to approach people in our ‘oikos’ without superiority,
and with deep respect.

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 SESSION 7
JUsTICe: a PeoPle for oThers
‘Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the
cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.’ (Isaiah 1:17)
dVd notes:
In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or
remember?
GoinG deeper this week:
1. On YouTube watch Bono’s 2006 speech at the USA President’s National
Breakfast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJihFEDoLA4
Alternatively, read the script from his speech here…
Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will
agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor
are where God lives.
Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone. I mean, God may well
be with us in our mansions on the hill. I hope so. He may well be with us as in all
manner of controversial stuff. Maybe, maybe not. But the one thing we can all
agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.
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God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is
in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end
both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the
debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.
“If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking
wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of
the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become
like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in
scorched places.”
It’s not a coincidence that in the scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100
times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. (You know, the
only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.) ‘As you have done it
unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40).
As I say, good news to the poor.
And finally, it’s not about charity after all, is it? It’s about justice. Let me repeat
that: It’s not about charity, it’s about justice. But justice is a higher standard.
Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality.
It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment.
A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways,
large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know,
I have a new song, look after it? I have a family, please look after them? I have
this crazy idea... And this wise man said: stop. He said, stop asking God to bless
what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing – because it’s already
blessed. Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is
doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do.
Anything in his speech that most impacts you?
2. Listen to a talk by David Adams of Jubilee church, Cape Town. Go to
http://www.jubilee.org.za/sermons.html
and scroll down to the Gospel in Life series. Download ‘Gospel in Life –
Justice: A People For Others’ (10 Apr 2011).
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 Session 8

ETERNITY: The world that is to come

‘No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of
the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.’ City: The world that is
(Revelations 22:3)
Heart: Three ways to live

DVD NOTES: Idolatry: The sin

beneath the sin

Community: The context

for change

Work: Cultivating the

garden

Witness: An alternate
city

Justice: A people for

others

Eternity: The world that

is to come

In light of the DVD and conversation, what is one thing you want to change or
remember?

Going deeper this week:

1. Listen to a talk by Keller on how life in our city now can be shaped by the
promise of the future city:
http://redeemercitytocity.com/resources/library.jsp?Library_item_
param=361
2. Think of the 8 topics we’ve explored. Jot down next to each the primary
insight or lasting impression that you gained from it:

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