Christian Atheist
Week Two – Custom Christianity
Leader Guide
Pastor and author Craig Groeschel has defined a Christian Atheist as “someone who calls themselves a Christian but lives like God doesn’t exist.” This week, we are reminded that there is a huge difference in "having it our own way" and living life in full surrender to God and His Word.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What menu item do you always customize? Tell us how to “have it your way.”
2. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Do these verses describe culture today? What about verse 5? Where do you see an appearance of evil, but not the power of God? Do you think the Western perspective of Christianity is any different from a biblical perspective? Explain how it is or isn’t.
Leader Note: We see people claiming to be on God’s side in every denomination (and cult), every cause, and every political party. But if we are not wholeheartedly following the Spirit, it is just empty words and noise. “When we customize Christianity to make it all about us – our tastes and our preferences, it might look attractive, but it’s empty and has no substance. If we’re not careful, we’ll treat being a Christian like it’s just something we stack on top of everything else in our life. But following Jesus isn’t a supplement you take; it’s a sacrifice you make.”
3. Forsake to follow. Read Matthew 16:24. How does this verse go against Western culture? Have you ever treated the Word of God as a book of suggestions?
Have you ever customized to what extent you obey God? Share a story. How did it work out? Or share a verse or command that really would be easier for you to disregard? How does Isaiah 55:8-9 speak to those feelings?
Leader Note: If we treat the Bible as something where we can pick and choose which verses we will obey, we miss the point. Obey, deny, sacrifice your ways and thoughts for God’s ways and thoughts. His path and plan may not make sense to us, but He will make your paths straight and bring about His good purposes once you deny yourself, lay down your plans, your successes, or your failures. Submit and humble yourself and He will lift you up (James 4:10).
4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and Matthew 6:33. What does the Timothy passage say about the Word of God? In what area of your life are you not fearing and not obeying God? What are you going to do about it? How can you choose to apply the words of Jesus about seeking God first?
Leader Note: If everything in the Bible of God is truly His Word to us, it should be treated as holy and important. It should not be taken lightly or changed and twisted to fit our preferences. Urge group members to (at least privately!) acknowledge an area of the Word of God that they disregard, ignore, or push back upon. Ask for practical ways to make changes: spend time with God and studying His Bible, repenting if we are sinning, getting counsel of a trusted believer and friend, asking for prayer, etc.
5. Start Praying: Be bold and pray specifically. In what area of your life are you not hearing and obeying God? What are you going to do about it?
Lord, help us to know You as Father, Friend, and Consuming Fire. Holy Spirit, reveal my broken places and give me the strength to submit them for to You for healing. I want to surrender it all to You. Thank You, Jesus, for making this possible. Amen.
6. Commit: Where do you want your faith to be? What about your actions? What are some life changes that could help you get there? Try these: Grow your love + respect for God by reading this Psalms and Proverbs Bible Plan. Write down two or three action steps you’ll take to fear the Lord in a way you haven’t been. Share them with the group and begin living them out.
Leader Note: Ask your group members to commit to either of the two suggested action steps.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
The Sacrifice of Isaac takes place in Genesis 22. Let’s look closely at this pivotal event in Abraham’s life.
7. Genesis 22:1-2: What does God know and acknowledge to Abraham about Isaac? LN: He is the beloved, only son. We also know that he was the promised son (Genesis 21:1-2, Hebrews 11:17-18).
8. Genesis 22:3-4: What did Abraham do immediately? If you heard this command from God today, what would you do? LN: God had not yet told Moses and the people of Israel His law: “Do not sacrifice your children” (Leviticus 18:21). It was a custom among the local pagan people, so maybe Abraham thought God would desire the same thing. In any event, he heard and obeyed without question, not knowing God’s plan, but he also made assumptions that God is good and would work it out for good (Hebrews 11:19, Isaiah 55:8-9).
9. Read the rest of the story: Genesis 22:5-18. What do you notice about “the rest of the story”? How does this story and these promises foreshadow Jesus? How do these promises give you courage?
10. Finally: What impossible sacrifice has God been asking of you? What can you always trust God to do? Can you imagine the provision and promises for obeying? If not, begin to pray for faith to see and trust God as Abraham did.