Citizens of Hope Leader Guide: Basics of Christian Identity

By Clayton Oliphint and Mary Brooke Casad

Hope is central to our identity as Christians. Just as our bodies need food, our souls need hope, and the supreme hope is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. How does that relationship become real to us? In this book and 4-week study, readers are guided on a formative path of understanding who God is and who they are as God’s children.

This Leader Guide includes everything a group leader needs to plan and facilitate the four sessions, helping participants to explore what they have read and to discuss the reading with the group. The guide walks leaders through the study format and provides options for tailoring sessions to the time-frame and style of each group.

Citizens of Hope is part of The Basics Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Release date: Feb 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781501813122

Clayton Oliphint

Since 2001, Clayton Oliphint has served as senior pastor at the 6,000-member First United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas. Dr. Oliphint received a B.A. in History and Religion from Austin College and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity degrees from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Clayton and his wife, Lori, both “preacher’s kids,” are the parents of three children.

Book preview

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Title Page

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Copyright Page

Citizens of Hope

Basics of Christian Identity

Leader Guide

Copyright © 2016 by Abingdon Press

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Permissions, The United Methodist Publishing House, 2222 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, P.O. Box 280988, Nashville, TN 37228-0988; or e-mailed to [e-mail].

ISBN 978-1-5018-1312-2

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996–2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved.

Contents

Contents

Introduction

Tips for Facilitating a Small Group

Session 1: Identity Crisis: Hope in Tough Times

Session 2: A Vision of Hope

Session 3: Fed by Hope

Session 4: Second Line Living

Introduction

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You are a child of God living in a state of grace, a full-fledged citizen of hope!

In Citizens of Hope, one of three studies in The Basics series, our purpose is to help us grow as followers of Jesus by reminding us of our true identity as people of hope. Throughout the centuries Christians have been citizens of hope, standing in the dark places of life and proclaiming that God is still alive and working in the world. We, too, are called to be citizens of hope in our world today. There are those predicting the end of the church and those predicting the end of the world, but as citizens of hope, we know the story is not over. God is a God of resurrection, and God is about the work of bringing new life to the church and the world. Our role is to point to the God of resurrection, to proclaim the mighty acts of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

In focusing on the basics of Christian identity, group members will be reminded of their identity as beloved children of God and the difference that identity makes when confronting life’s challenges. They will be challenged to adopt a hopeful perspective through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The study also highlights the meaning of Holy Communion by which citizens of hope are fed. And finally there is an exploration of how citizens of hope live and proclaim the resurrection faith daily, even in the midst of grief.

This four-session study is ideal for discussion groups, such as Sunday school classes and other small groups. Before the first session, each participant will need a copy of the Citizens of Hope participant book and should read the Introduction, How to Use This Book, and Chapter 1: Identity Crisis: Hope in Tough Times. Because not all participants will have an