What difference does it make to see God at work somehow,
mysteriously, in the acts of giving and receiving?
How can you discern your full capacity for giving to Local
and World Ministries?
Do you give to Local and World Ministries on a consistent
basis? If not, what tools or practices might help you respond to God’s
generosity in this way? If you do, how do you continue to evaluate the
potential for your capacity to grow?
Why is sharing equally with Local and World Ministries
important for the church to fulfill its divinely mandated mission to herald
God’s peaceable kingdom on earth?
Brainstorm a variety of ways to teach the principles of A
Disciple’s Generous Response in the congregation so it is relevant to all
age groups.
List some practical behaviors you can employ to model the
principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response in your daily life.
How can we embody the principles of 1) saving wisely, 2)
spending responsibly, and 3) sharing generously through Local and World
Ministries Mission Tithes as individuals? As a congregation?
What would it look like and mean for your congregation if
the genuine spirit of generosity became part of its identity? For the
worldwide church?
Chapter 2: We Share:
Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs
MORE QUESTIONS
How can we share the peace of Jesus Christ in all of its
personal, interpersonal, and worldwide dimensions?
What behaviors will exemplify that we have been captured by
the vision and direction that God has graciously provided us through the
insights of our worldwide church family?
How can you share the “Basic Beliefs of Community of Christ”
with someone who is not familiar with Community of Christ?
Write a brief explanation (approximately 5 sentences that
can be shared in 30 seconds or less) about Community of Christ. Memorize it
for use next time someone asks you about your church.
Chapter 4: Deepening
Our Understanding of Scripture
MORE QUESTIONS
Read
Affirmation Two
of the Statement on Scripture. How have you discovered Christ “in and
through scripture”? What do you think is the difference between “believing
in” scripture and “believing through” scripture?
Read
Affirmation Four
of the Statement on Scripture. How can you better use and understand
scripture as servant, after the model of Jesus?
What do you think often makes the use of scripture
problematic for many people in the church today? For yourself?
In what way is your congregation’s life together a “visible
interpretation of scripture”?
Why is our belief in continuing revelation so important?
RESOURCES
Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants
Chapter 5: Discerning
Conditions of Membership MORE QUESTIONS
What is your testimony about your own baptismal experience?
Because discernment is not limited to individual practice
and effort, what steps would you take to use the process in a congregation?
If you have ever been involved in that kind of formal discernment effort,
share your experience.
Chapter 6: Pursuing
Christ’s Mission MORE QUESTIONS
How does your congregation uphold the vision and mission of
Jesus Christ in your community?
In what ways does/could your congregation mobilize to
provide pastoral care and tangible help to individuals and families that are
barely surviving because of economic pressures?
How do you respond to the increasing hatred and violence
toward immigrants and ethnic minorities because others want to make them
scapegoats for our common difficulties?
How does a congregation promote communities of economic
justice and peace?
