Romans 8:18-30 | Cynicism
Opening Conversation
As
you reflect on your life up until now, think about the things that have
happened to you that you didn’t see coming. This could have been either a
positive or challenging situation. Jot down some that come to mind.
E.g. Unexpected career change or break, illness
Share some of your unexpected life changes with the group.
Introduction
In this series we’re exploring 6 places in our lives that can be described as
‘didn’t see it coming’ places and the way these impact us. We’re drawing on the
Carey Nieuwhof book of the same title. Chances are you won’t necessarily relate
to all of these situations, but it would be surprising if you didn’t relate to
some. The weekly topics are confronting – cynicism, compromise, disconnection,
irrelevance, pride and emptiness. Nieuwhof has another section on ‘burnout’,
which we will also touch on.
Cynicism
The following are a range of questions about cynicism. You probably won’t have time to talk about all of them and that’s okay!
How would you describe cynicism?
How cynical do you think you are?
How
do you react to people who are cynics?
In our western culture there is an epidemic of scepticism/cynicism at present. What do you think is driving this?
How do we become cynical?
Can we even become cynical about God, the church, ministers, the whole thing about being a person of faith?
Does cynicism have a dark side?
Cynicism and the human heart
How
we can become cynical?
1. You know too much
Ecclesiastes 3.18
‘For with much
wisdom comes much sorrow;
The more knowledge,
the more grief.’
In life, we each face disappointments and with each one we gain more knowledge. The longer we live we see life for what it really is and that can involve disappointment and failures.
2. You project the past onto the future
We can project our past disappointments onto the future and become protective and distant.
3. You decide to stop trusting, hoping and believing
You decide to trust less and become a grump to be around. You close yourself off to people and you close yourself off to God.
Discuss the consequences of this progression.
Are we born cynical, is it a disease we catch or is it a choice we (intentionally
or unintentionally) make?
If we have become a cynic we don’t have to stay as one!
Kicking
cynicism in the teeth
How
does the story of Jesus death and resurrection fly in the face of cynicism? How
does he help us to face fear and failure?
Have a look at Romans 8.18-30 ( you can go on to verse 39 if you like)and reflect on how God is at work in our struggles and our weaknesses.
Rediscovering Curiosity
Five suggestions
1. Set aside more
thinking time
2. Ask open ended
questions
3. Give fewer
answers
4. Dream more
5. Ask two
pivotal questions – ‘why’ and ‘why not’
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