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DAY 1: When you think about cities, what are some of the first things that come to your mind? List 4 positive things List 4 negative things What things have led to the stereotypes people have of the city? What are some specific ways that your stereotypes of the city have been shaped? Stereotypes of the city are usually entwined and closely linked with racial stereotypes. Throughout this week make observations of ways the media (tv, movies, newspapers, magazines, commercials, etc.) fosters racial stereotypes and urban stereotypes. Write down some of these observations to share in your group — you may also clip out advertisements and articles as examples to show the group. ! ” JONAH & Nineveh Read Jonah 1:1-3, 3:10-4:3 Describe the condition of Nineveh. Read Nehemiah 1:3-4 Describe the condition of Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH & Jerusalem What was God’s desire for Nineveh? What was God’s desire for Jerusalem? How did Jonah view Nineveh? How did Nehemiah view Jerusalem? What did Jonah’s attitude lead him to do? What did Nehemiah’s attitude lead him to do? Both Jonah and Nehemiah loved God, it was out of this love relationship that He was able to call them to specific cities for a specific task. But Nehemiah not only loved God, he also loved Jerusalem. And as a result of this love, he was far more available and effective in the ministry that God called him to. Our negative stereotypes will hinder our service for God, it is crucial that we learn to see cities through God’s eyes and to love the city He calls us to. DAY 2: )* Does God love the city? If He does, then shouldn’t I? # * “‘ + ,$ % !# ” $ % What are some reasons that Jesus might have been weeping over the city of Jerusalem? Why do you think God was concerned for the great city of Nineveh? Read the introductory paragraphs of the article “Reading the Bible with Urban Eyes” and scan the 23 categories that are listed. Write several observations about God’s attitude toward cities that you learned from this list of categories. God uses cities as strategic areas to take the Gospel to ‘all the world’. Acts 2:5-11, 41 Acts 13:44 Acts 16:12, 37-40 Acts 17:16 Acts 19:26-28, 35; 40:1 In the book of Acts we see the Apostles going from city to city to preach. Take a look at a few of these cities by looking up the verse and matching them with the appropriate city. Athens: Paul was distressed because the city was full of idols; he preached in the synagogue and in the marketplace and to the philosophers of the city. Ephesus: The silversmiths of the city rioted because there were so many converts to Christ that they were losing business. Jerusalem: during Pentecost God fearing Jews from every nation and language made pilgrimage here; about 3,000 believed in one day. Pisidian Antioch: almost the whole city gathered to hear Paul and Barnabas preach. Philippi: a Roman colony, a leading city in Macedonia; Paul and Barnabas were arrested and imprisoned here; Lydia was one of first believers here. # & ‘(% * $(‘( & , -$. ((” $% ) + Why are cities still strategic in evangelism? DAY 3: Read Hebrews 11:10 and Revelation 21. What are some characteristics of heaven that are described in these verses? & ‘ ” ( ‘ ‘ LEADER’S DISCUSSION GUIDE: “PASSION FOR THE CITY” Review of Day 1: Our View of the City • • • Did you see any examples from the media this week that reinforced or fostered stereotypes of urban living or cities? What were some similarities & differences between Jonah and Nehemiah? What do you think it takes to love a city? What makes it easy to love a city? What makes it hard to love a city? Review of Day 2: God’s View of the City • What were some observations about God’s view of cities that you learned from the article “Reading the Bible with Urban Eyes”? (What was/is God’s purpose for cities? Does He view them as evil? Does He favor them? Does He view all cities the same? How did He use cities in the lives of His people? How does He expect His people to interact and respond to cities? Etc.) What were some evangelistic opportunities that Paul encountered in his travels to the cities you read about in Acts? (he went to the synagogues; he preached in the marketplaces; he was invited to speak to the Areopagus — to the philosophers of the city; he took time to share with Lydia when he met her and then to others in her home; he spoke to the jailer and his family; he wanted to go before the crowd that was rioting in Ephesus; he trained other men and women to carry on the work of evangelism and discipleship; etc.) • • Why are cities a strategic target for evangelism today? (Large numbers of people; many different races and cultures; many people in the city still have connection to their family members that are still living in rural areas; all classes in the city—reach the poor and the rich; people in the city are open to new ideas; many are coming to the city looking for opportunity, many get to the city and lose hope — the gospel gives hope ; major trends tend to start in the cities; advanced technology assists mass communication and creative evangelism techniques; etc.) Review of Day 3: Our Urban Future • • • • Which verses in Revelation 21 stood out to you the most? Why do you think God chose a city as our future home in heaven? What were some of your observations about this heavenly city? What are ways that it will be different from the earthly cities that we are used to now? What kind of emotional response comes to you as you think about this heavenly city? Application: Our Response to the City • • • • Pass out the “Application” page and go through it together as a group. Spend some time discussing some of the questions that are raised. If time permits, have each person share at least one of their ‘Practical Actions’ for both sections. Encourage them to make ’Practical Actions’ within the next two days and to tell them to someone else as a source of accountability. APPLICATION: What are practical steps that I can take toward loving the city? GET TO KNOW THE CITY — (Psalm 48:12-14) • • • Find the unique beauty and style in it by exploring it, by walking its streets, by meeting the people, by learning about its cultures, traditions, neighborhoods Take time to experience God’s presence and His work in the city Study the Bible to learn God’s heart for the city GET INVOLVED IN THE CITY • • • Ask God how He wants you to pray for the city. — (Genesis 18:22-23; Jeremiah 29:7) Begin interceding for a specific city, or neighborhood, or people group, or ministry. Use the newspaper as a resource for your intercessions Use newsletters from urban ministries or urban missionaries as a resource for your intercessions. Ask God how He wants you to use your gifts on behalf of the city. — (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) When Jerusalem was destroyed and the Israelites were exiled, God raised up three individuals to help transform it back into a great city. Ezra was the spiritual leader, the pastor. He helped usher in revival meetings and tried to renew the spiritual aspect of the community. Nehemiah was the community activist who worked directly to meet the structural and physical needs of the people in the city. Esther got involved in the political / governmental arena and sought to influence the community from the top down. • Why are all three segments of ministry important to community development? Is one more important than the other? Which area do you think you would be best suited for? • What are some ways you can get involved in the community where God has planted you? Are there some ‘urban’ areas to your community where you can become involved? • What resources are available to you that you can help redistribute to the city? Ask God if He wants you to live in the city. All throughout Scripture, God called particular people to go to a city, to minister in a city, or to warn a city. Examples include people like Abraham, Jonah, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Joseph, Paul. • What are the biggest barriers that would hinder you from choosing to live and work fulltime in a city? • Is it fearful to think that God may be calling you to relocate to an inner-city community to live and minister for 15+ years? List three Practical Actions you will do this summer to ‘fall in love with’ Chicago. 1) 2) 3) List three Practical Actions you will do after this summer to continue to deepen your involvement in the city (not necessarily Chicago). 1) 2) 3)