Money, Sex & Power: Power Play | Rachel Riddall at 11am | 31 October 2021

At our morning services in October our series is looking at Money, Sex & Power.

31 October 2021 - 11am Service

Money, Sex & Power Series

This month, we’re taking time to look at how Money, Sex & Power can affect our lives.

You might be wondering, why these three? In the Bible, these ingredients are dealt with completely counter culturally by Jesus, yet His Church has a really bad track record with all three. However, money, sex and power can be great gifts for the blessing of others when surrendered to God.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Matthew 23:1-12 and Luke 22:24-30.

Power and control are powerful inducements for people. Is it true that ‘power corrupts’?

Jesus confronted power, especially in the last week of his life where the ‘powers’ were gathered and focused in Jerusalem where Jesus embraced the vulnerability and power of the Cross.

His teaching speaks of an upside-down relationship with power. Why is it so hard for his followers to obey his teachings and live them out?

1. How come a humble title like ‘minister’ (which means servant) becomes a power and status word?

1. How does power flow in a typical organisation around leadership, promotion and seniority?

2. How does power flow in the life of Jesus?

3. What powers does Jesus confront in the last week of his life?

4. What should power look like in the Church, the community of the Kingdom of God?

5. What are the best motives for seeking power? How can power holders avoid the dangers of being ‘corrupted’ by power or abusing it in some way?

6. How should the Church challenge ‘secular’ power today?

Richard Foster wrote a book called Money, Sex and Power which might be helpful as a follow up read.