Resources:

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church.

Opening:

1. The Enlightenment ushered the world into the climate of skepticism, believing we have come of age and we don't have to believe in God anymore. Because of this many people are embarrassed to suggest that Jesus' resurrection really happened. That it's not just some pseudohistorical event meant to describe what is nothing more than an interior experience. What goes on in you as you share your belief in Jesus' physical resurrection, with your secular friends?

2. Think about this term: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. It is a term that describes a large group of North American "Christians" belief or understanding of God. These points describe in essence what they believe about who God is and what it means for their life.

~ A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.

~ God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.

~ The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

~ God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.

~ Good people go to heaven when they die.

Talk about this set of beliefs. Where does it differ with your understanding of Jesus and what it means to follow Jesus? Where does it coincide with your set of beliefs? Do you understand why the 3,000 teenagers and young adults surveyed in North America came to this understanding of God? Try to be honest and extend grace.

3. Keep this definition of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism in your mind and then read the quote below by Brennan Manning.

“The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus meaningless unless we believe that he lived, died and rose again with one purpose in mind: to make brand new creation. Not to make people with better morals but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the centre of the flames that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and extravagant, furious love. This my friend, is what it really means to be a Christian.”

Do you see the difference in beliefs between this and Moralistic Therapeutic Deism? Does Brennan Manning's quote stir something in you? A deep longing? Does it affirm your core beliefs? Challenge them? 

4. Fact is, our behaviours always match up with our core beliefs. Our behaviours in a way give us away. So how do we live lives that actually line up with what the scriptures teach about who Jesus is? 

Talk and pray together.