Vice Versa
Many Christians are told to avoid sin but are rarely pushed to embrace a new kind of life marked by freedom, joy, and constant newness. The world needs Christians who do more than avoid sin - it needs Christians who are breaking through from old to new.
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THE HEARTBEAT OF VICE VERSA
Why Vice Versa?
Because no one ever spoke openly about the struggle of sin with us. Sure, we were told to avoid sin, but we were rarely pushed to embrace a new kind of life or to allow ourselves to be transformed into the people God has always intended us to be. Why Vice Versa? Because too many of us as Christians find ourselves more enslaved to sin than free in Christ, and because the world needs Christians who do more than avoid sin – it needs Christians who discover real life and live it to the full. Why Vice Versa? Because your freedom may depend on it. This study doesn’t try to hand you seven steps to a sin-free life; instead, we have tried to be honest about the struggle with sin and to present a picture of the freedom God offers. We believe the best way to break free of sin is to whet your appetite for something different, something deeper, something so profound that you will never be the same again. ABOUT THE ART
Unfortunately there can be no doubt that man is, on the whole, less good than he imagines himself or wants to be. Everyone carries a Shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is. At all events, it forms an unconscious snag, thwarting our most well-meant intentions.
--Carl Gustav Jung, "On the Psychology of the Unconscious" (1912). In CW 7: Two Essays on Analytical Psychology. P.35
Illustrating virtues and vices as sheep and goats comes from a surprising story Jesus told about the scales of judgment in Mathew 25. As I munch on the ruffage of Jesus’ words it lead me to reflect . . . I want love. I want respect. I want to make a difference. We all have these God given desires, but the point at which our desires become reality there is a space between good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, sheep and goat (bleat). Hindsight is 20/20 (mostly), so it is usually (occasionally) after the fact that I realize exactly (ballpark) where between good and evil I engage my desire. I always strive for my sheep to shine (bleat). I get flufffy and cute. I get loved. I get respected. I make a difference. Other times, my goat grows. My beard (which I really have) gets longer and my hair gets scruffier and I want to chew on cans. I feel loved (cheating). I feel respected (fleeting). I make a difference (bleating). And so I’m left with my traveling companion Hindsight, plotting points between good and evil – steady, holdfast; sheep is on the horizon (bleat).  SESSION OUTLINE
Session One
From Selfish to Selfless
Numbers 12:1-16
We begin the Vice Versa journey by talking about moving from selfishness to selflessness. This journey is designed to help us break free from pride and envy by commiting to turn from me and toward we.
Session Two
From Too Much to Enough
Exodus 16:1-21
In this lesson, we learn how to turn from all in and move to all out. We'll see how the vices of greed and gluttony tempt us to rely on ourselves and what we want rather than on what God knows and gives.
Session Three
From Reaction to Interaction
Luke 7:36-50
When we are confronted with circumstances that haven't gone our way, we have a choice. We can react in anger or apathy, or we can choose to interact with Jesus. When we take our frustrations and confusion to Jesus, we can then see a life of true passion and gentleness, as we move despair and toward repair.
Session Four
From Lust to Love
Romans 13:9-14
Lust is a devastating force of sinful desire, and love is the only weapon to battle it. Love frees us from false expectations and empty lies, allowing us to move from expecting and turn toward respecting the people around us. As we take off our dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of right living, love works through us and in us to create a place where we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves.
TEACHING GUIDES and LESSON SAMPLES
Master Teacher's Guide [ view sample ]
The Master Teacher's Guide is designed for use in large-group settings such as Wednesday night gatherings, combined Sunday School classes, summer camps, and other worship gatherings. It contains background information, explanation and application points, opening illustrations and stories, prompts for personal stories, and life-changing Turning Point activities. Leader's Guide [ view sample ] The Small Group Leaders Guide is perfect for use in Disciple Now settings, in-home small groups, individual Sunday School classes, and other settings with one leader and 10-15 students. It contains background information, explanation and application points, group activities, discussion questions, and life-changing Turning Point activities. Gathering Tool The Gathering Tool is designed to provide an opening illustration for groups that meet together in a large group before dividing into small groups or Sunday School classes. This will allow small groups to experience the series video and will add to the overall experience of going through the series. Supply List |
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