Week 2: Friday | What is Incarnational?

Read: Acts 2:38

As we consider being an incarnational community, we now have to grapple with some pretty sensitive issues. Many small groups do well studying scripture and providing a safe place for other Christians but struggle to see mission occur. The most common reason we hear goes something like this: “I’m afraid to bring a non Christian friend to my small group.”

Why is this? Well, it’s simple. The group hasn’t become incarnational yet. People may be consistent, good- hearted, faithful, and may even want to be missional, but it can still be hard to trust the community to have the right posture together.

Posture is the “attitude of the body.” Normally this refers to physical posture, but think of it in terms of your community. In other words, what is the attitude that people pick up from your entire group? Posture problems can show up when a guest uses language that some consider inappropriate, has a different way of parenting, or expresses an unorthodox belief system. Issues can come up related to basic life values, appropriate activities, or whose perspectives rub off on who. While there aren’t always easy answers to these problems, it’s easier to talk about the tension before situations occur. Your group’s ability to express incarnational community depends on it.

Journal/Text Question: How is posture typically to someone who believes different than you (parenting, politics, lifestyle)?

Prayer Starter: Jesus, I apologize for not always being the best representative of God’s unconditional love. Please forgive me.