Uncivilized

Uncivilized
by Vince Antonucci, August 10, 2008

1. Our guest speaker, Vince Antonucci, came to faith in God by simply reading the Bible. In fact, he said, he hadn’t even known any Christians before he came to faith in God. But as he began to meet believers, these people seemed different from people he had read about in the Bible. What was it? .....These people were civilized! Vince shared his early observations of the Old Testament. Isaiah, for example, was asked to warn of God’s coming judgment, but he was to do it while walking around naked! And, God told Ezekiel to speak out boldly about the consequences of sin. While doing this, he was to lie down on his right side for 390 days and on his left side for 40 days. Vince concluded that God called uncivilized people to do uncivilized things. Biblical people were crazy, strange, foolish…ridiculous!Vince turned our attention to the New Testament,1 Corinthians 4:9-12 (see below). Please read and share your observations about the believers described in these verses. (10 minutes)

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it. 1 Corinthians 4:9-12

2. Consider other Biblical passages/stories where people were asked by God to do unusual, uncivilized things. What were they asked to do? Discuss why you think God asked them to do these things and in such strange ways? (15 minutes)

3. Vince said we have a problem. We have gotten civilized! We are trying to live respectful lives. What did he mean by that? What are the consequences of believers living respectful lives? (10 minutes)

4. Vince said, “If it seems crazy, that is likely what God is asking you to do.” One Sunday when told the homeless needed shoes, Vince asked everyone in the church to take off their shoes and leave them for the poor. They all did it! What would you be thinking if you were there that day? (5 minutes)

5. Vince challenged us. If we believe in and follow an uncivilized God, it is time to take back our rightful place. It is time to join the uncivilized revolution of God! Talk about what an uncivilized revolution would look like and why you would like to join. (10 minutes)

6. What crazy, big, wild thing is God calling you to do? When are you going to do it? Maybe it’s crazy enough to be God! Share with others how God may be speaking to you. Pray together about the ideas that have surfaced. (5 minutes)

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