Engaging Culture

Paul at Mars Hill

John Stonestreet was with us today and challenged us to engage our culture with the gospel. He spoke from Acts 17 and how Paul communicated with the Athenians at Mars Hill.

When confronted by culture, we react in one of three ways:

• We are offended and withdraw from culture
• We are distracted and we assimilate into culture
• We are distressed and we engage culture

John challenged us to become worldview wise and students of our culture so that we can engage it as followers of Christ. We have what the world needs. The church, the body of Christ, is the hope of the world.

John gave us six questions that we can use to engage people to help discover their worldviews:

• What do you mean by that?
• How do you know that is true?
• Where do you get your information?
• How did you come to that conclusion?
• What happens if you are wrong?
• Have you ever considered an alternative?

What a way to launch our Impact spiritual journey! We are called to go and impact our culture. Over 80 Impact Groups will be meeting this week throughout the Cedar Rapids area to pray, care, and share for those who are far from God. It all begins with a heart that is distressed for those without Christ.

Jesus, give us your heart for people. Help us to see our city from your perspective. And when we become distressed by what we see, teach us how to engage our culture so that we can connect our community to Christ.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:16-17