Lesson: Developing the Mind of Christ in a Consumer Culture (Part 1 of 2)
Text: Luke 12:13-25
Aim: to consider how to develop the mind of Christ in a consumer society.
ICEBREAKER QUESTION: As we go around the circle and tell our name, I'd also like to know: what is the BIGGEST or NICEST shopping mall you have ever visited? I'll begin: my name is __________, and the biggest/nicest mall I have ever visited is _________________.
The shopping mall has become one of the most prominent symbols of American culture. In fact, it is one of the first things many foreigners want to see when they visit our country. So, just for fun, let's play "Who Wants To Be A Mall-ionaire?"
1. How many times does the average American go to the mall during a month? a. Once a month b. 3 times a month c. 5 times d. 10 times [Answer: b. 3 times a month]
2. What would you guess is the average amount of time spent by the typical shopper in a mall? Is it: a. 32 minutes b. 52 minutes c. 82 minutes d. 3 hours [Answer: c. 82 minutes]
3. Each time the average American goes to the mall, how much does he or she spend? Is it: a. $29 b. $49 c. $69 d. $89 [Answer: c. $69]
4. Who visits malls more often: MEN or WOMEN? Answer: Men.
5. Who stays in the mall longer: MEN or WOMEN? Answer: Women.
6. In 1975 the average American supermarket carried 9,000 different items. By 2010, how many different items did the typical supermarket carry? a. 12,000 different items b. 15,000 different items c. 22,000 d. 38,000 [Answer: d. 38,000 different items]
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why do you suppose American supermarkets carry more than four times as many items now as compared to back in 1975?
7. Fast Company, a business magazine, asked its readers, "If you could have one more hour per day at home OR a $10,000 per year raise, which would you choose?" Which option would you guess the majority of respondents selected – more TIME, or more MONEY? [Answer: MONEY (83%)]
8. The average American consumes 5 times more "stuff" than the average Mexican. How much more do Americans consume in relation to Chinese? a. 3 times more b. 5 times more c. 10 times more d. 20 times more [Answer: c. The average American consumes 10 times more than a Chinese person – and 30 times more than a person in India!]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Are you surprised to learn that Americans consume so much more than people in other cultures? Why or why not? 2. What would you guess people in other cultures think when they see how much Americans consume?
9. How many Americans have reported they are making an effort to consume less and achieve a simpler lifestyle? a. 1 out of every 2 Americans b. 1 out of every 5 c. 1 out of 10 d. 1 out of 30 [Answer: b. One out of every 5 Americans has reported trying to achieve a simpler lifestyle, and 85% of them report being happier as a result.]
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why do you suppose that 85% of those Americans who reported they are trying to achieve a simpler lifestyle also reported being HAPPIER? How could cutting back, and consuming less, make people happier?
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Some people may be trying to scale back, but if television is any guide, most Americans are still fascinated with material items! In fact, how many television programs can you identify that focus on "stuff"?
Possible Answers: The Price is Right; Pawn Stars; Hard Core Pawn; Cajun Pawn Stars; American Pickers; Antiques Roadshow; Storage Wars; Hoarders; Auction Hunters; Auction Kings; etc.
We all realize we are living in one of the wealthiest societies in human history, and we can be thankful for the abundance that we have. The Bible warns us, however, that wealth has the potential to weaken our faith, so in this lesson we want to consider how to develop a Christian worldview in a consumer culture. Jesus had quite a lot to say about our attitude towards possessions.
TURN to the gospel of Luke (the third book of the New Testament), Chapter 12. READ Verses 13-15
DISCUSSION QUESTION: We know that GREED is an unhealthy attitude towards possessions, but: What exactly IS "greed"? What would be your definition of a greedy person?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. We can tell, of course, that this man had a disagreement with his brother about their inheritance, but since the man didn't explain any of the facts in this case, how do you suppose Jesus knew that this individual had a problem with greed? 2. Many a family has broken apart because of squabbles over inheritances, but why is that so? In your opinion, why do you believe families can become so divided over who will inherit what stuff?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Jesus warns us not to believe that we can find fulfillment in an "ABUNDANCE of possessions." Do you feel that the only problem is a person's ATTITUDE toward possessions, or is the Lord indicating it could also be the AMOUNT of possessions that they have? Is it possible to just have too much stuff? 2. Do you think American culture in the 21st century is any worse about believing that getting more "stuff" will make you happy, or do you think materialism was just as bad in the first century as it is today? Why, or why not?
[OPTIONAL – IF TIME PERMITS] DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. All of us have made a purchase at the mall, only to later get home and wish we hadn't bought it. In fact, retailers count on "impulse buying" and use sophisticated psychological techniques to persuade shoppers to purchase things they hadn't intended to buy. What are some of the EMOTIONS that are associated with buying things? Why can it FEEL SO GOOD to purchase something new?
2. If someone had a gambling addiction, he or she would need to avoid casinos, and if people are tempted to overeat, they should stay away from buffets. Suppose, however, that someone was struggling with GREED. What might they need to avoid?
SUMMARY STATEMENT: Americans live in a CONSUMER CULTURE that tells them the key to happiness is having more THINGS. As Christians we can avoid that trap by listening to Jesus when he tells us that life is more than all the "stuff" we can pile up, and that true happiness comes from God.
© Dan Williams El Dorado, Arkansas
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