Does the Church Need to Change?

Questions for Our Times
Written By Drew Kizer

OPENING THOUGHT

Crews working to contain forest fires have learned that fire creates its own wind, and that wind can cause the fire to jump ahead much more quickly than anyone can anticipate.

Change is like fire. It creates its own wind. If the change is good, the momentum will carry us quickly into new, exciting directions. But if the change is bad, we will be carried just as quickly in the wrong direction.

The church’s mission carries high stakes because it deals with eternal matters. Therefore we should approach change cautiously, knowing how forceful and possibly unalterable its effects may be.

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD

Matthew 18:1-5

  • What kind of change does Jesus call for?

  • What does it mean to “become like children”?

  • Is this change good or bad?

  • Discuss other similar passages, such as Acts 3:19-21 and Romans 12:2.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

  • What kind of changes did Paul make? Why did he make these changes?

  • Did he change the law of Christ to stay relevant?

Mark 7:1-13

  • What is a “tradition”? How are traditions different from necessary practices?

  • What tradition were the scribes debating with Jesus?

  • Why did Jesus say this tradition needed to change?

  • When might churches need to change traditions?

Matthew 28:18-20

  • Who is our authority?

  • How does Jesus authorize? (see John 12:48; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

  • Sometimes he gives general commands which require our discretion, such as the command to “go” (v. 19). He does not specify how we are to go. That being said, what are some of our options?

Colossians 3:16-17

  • What does it mean to do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus”?

  • Why do we call Jesus “Lord”? What does the title imply?

  • Sometimes we are given specific commands which require exactness, such as the instruction to “sing” (v. 16). How does this guide our music in worship?

2 Timothy 4:1-5

  • What does Paul mean when he tells Timothy, “Be ready in season and out of season”?

  • Should the church always change with the “season”?

  • Paul describes an “out of season” time in vv. 3-4. What does he say his readers should prepare for?

  • Discuss the “season” we live in. What conditions are favorable or unfavorable to the preaching of the gospel?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

  • Should we change just to be like the world?

  • What does it mean for the church to be a “temple”?

  • Who is our fellowship with?

Drew Kizer
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