Raising the Dead
A funny exercise that helps us see the folly of attacking sinful behavior in the spiritually dead.
By Linda McCullough-Moore | posted 8/31/2009
| Topics: | Bondage, Creativity, Discussion starters, Icebreakers, Life-change, Sin |
| Filters: | Group Leader, Lead, Teacher |
| Purpose: | Fellowship |
| References: |  |
| Date Added: | August 31, 2009 |
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Purpose: We all find it difficult to hate the sin, but still love the sinner. It's confusing to know how we should behave! This exercise illustrates that we can't change the bad habits of nonbelievers apart from Christ.
Activity: Start by recruiting a volunteer—for the sake of convenience we'll call him Joe—and then instruct him to play dead. I usually give my volunteer a slouchy hat, a comfortable chair, and instructions to not move or breathe. "Well, breathe if you must," I say, "but keep your eyes closed and don't move a muscle."
"Now," I instruct the group, "I have some sad news. Joe here is a hopeless alcoholic. I want you to convince him to stop drinking." Then invite group members to come and talk with Joe about his behavior. They can do anything they like to convince him to stop drinking.
Usually you will have several group members willing to play along, and the silly futility of their attempts will be more than convincing. Joe is dead! We must first bring him to life (in Christ), and then we can worry about his habits.
This is an excellent way to help people understand that we don't witness by attacking behavior, but by offering the way from death to life.
Discussion questions[Q] Have you ever had someone attempt to argue you away from a specific habit or behavior? How did you feel on the inside? How did you react on the outside?
[Q] Have you ever gained victory over a habitual sin or destructive habit? What processes led to that kind of transformation?
[Q] In what ways do you remember Jesus addressing the sinful behavior of the people he encountered?
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Sam O'Neal(Registered User)
This is some good discussion, here. The nice thing about this illustration is that it can be changed to best fit a group and its members. The point is not the specific lifestyle that needs to be changed, but rather that only the resurrection power of Christ can produce deep and lasting transformation.
Christian
a really good exercise and message, but at the same time be careful to let people know it's still helpful to guide behaviour before people become born-again believers. I know of people who have become Christians AFTER trying to live a Christian lifestyle, and thats what has attracted them to Jesus. Also everyone is on a journey and sometimes pointing behaviour out to people who are weak Christians will help them become stronger. God bless u :)
Dirk
I too have lived a life where use of drugs alcohol and sex were just "normal " behavior. i truly was dead in my tresspasses and sin . Praise be to God he didnt deal with my "symtoms" but took away my sin and made me a new creation with the hope of eternity. its all about grace
Mike
As a recovering alcoholic and Beliver. I am truly offended by the implication that alcoholism is a just a sinful behavior. There is so much research out there regarding the Disease of alcoholism yet your silly little excercise completely ignores the truth about alcoholism. No wonder so many alcoholics find help in AA and not a Religious setting. Shame on you!
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