The problem with egocentric religion

iWorship

Joel 1:1-3 The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel.

[2] Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything

like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your

forefathers?

[3] Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children,

and their children to the next generation.

1 : concerned with the individual rather than society

2 : taking the ego as the starting point in philosophy

3 : a - limited in outlook or concern to one's own activities or

needs

b - self-centered, selfish

ego·cen·tric

Exodus 10:1-2 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have

hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these

miraculous signs of mine among them [2] that you may tell your children and

grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my

signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord."

Baby Boom Generation

is a term which describes individuals born during the middle part of

the 20th century. In general, baby boomers are associated with a

rejection or redefinition of traditional values; however, many have

disputed that idea, noting the widespread continuity of values with

older and younger generations. In Europe and North America

boomers are widely associated with privilege, as many grew up in a

time of affluence. As a group, they were the healthiest, and wealthiest

generation to that time, and amongst the first to grow up genuinely

expecting the world to improve with time.

mid 1940s to the early 1960s.

Baby Boom Generation

One of the features of Boomers was that they tended to think of

themselves as a special generation, very different from those that had

come before them. In the 1960s, as the relatively large numbers of

young people became teenagers and young adults, they, and those

around them, created a very specific rhetoric around their cohort, and

the change they were bringing about. This rhetoric had an important

impact in the self perceptions of the boomers, as well as their

tendency to define the world in terms of generations.

By the sheer force of its numbers, the boomers were a demographic

bulge which remodeled society as they passed through it.

mid 1940s to the early 1960s.

Generation X

The term Generation X has been used in demography, the social

sciences, and marketing, though it is most often used in popular

culture. In the U.S. Generation X was originally referred to as the

"baby bust" generation because of the drop in the birth rate

following the baby boom.

early 1960s to the late 1970s.

Generation Y

also known as the Millennial Generation or Generation Next or

Net Generation describes the demographic cohort following

Generation X. Its members are often referred to as Millennials or

Echo Boomers. As there are no precise dates for when the

Millennial generation starts and ends, commentators have used

birth dates ranging somewhere from the mid 1970s to the late

1990s. This generation generally represents an increase in births

from the 1960s and 70s, not because of a significant increase in

birthrates, but because the large cohort of baby boomers began

to have children.

mid 1970s to the late 1990s.

Generation Y

The 20th century trend toward smaller families in the West

continued, however, so the relative impact of the "baby boom

echo" was generally less pronounced than the original boom.

Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on

social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked

by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media,

and digital technologies.

mid 1970s to the late 1990s.

Generation Z

is one of the names used for the First World of Western generation of

people born between the early 1990s to late 2000s. it is hard to

describe its characteristics without speculating because they are still

forming.

Following Generation Y, they are typically the children of Generation

X; their parents also include the youngest Baby Boomers and some of

the oldest Gen Y'ers.

early 1990s to the late 2000s.

Generation Me

describes anyone born in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s, (Gen X, Y, or

Z). In 2009, this means people between the ages of 10 and 39. These

are today's young people, those who take it for granted that the self

comes first. I'm a member of this generation myself, born in 1971.

What does it look What does it look like. . .like. . .

Why is this

•It is vital to remember the historic world while living in

the current.

•Jesus’ teaching remains relevant regardless of cultural

change.

•The enemy is tricky and we must keep an eye on the

unobvious.

•Closing our eyes to a monster only makes it harder to

kill when it reaches us.

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

Ecclesiastes 11:2-6 Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not

know what disaster may come upon the land. [3] If clouds are full of

water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south

or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. [4] Whoever

watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not

reap. [5] As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is

formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of

God, the Maker of all things. [6] Sow your seed in the morning, and at

evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will

succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that

those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and

their high officials exercise authority over them. [43] Not so with you.

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your

servant, [44] and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. [45]

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and

to give his life as a ransom for many."

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship

in spirit and in truth."

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

Joshua 7:15, 19-21He who is caught with the devoted things shall be

destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated

the covenant of the Lord and has done a disgraceful thing in Israel!' "

[19] Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the Lord, the

God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do

not hide it from me." [20] Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned

against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: [21] When

I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred

shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted

them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with

the silver underneath."

Matthew 20:17-21 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took

the twelve disciples aside and said to them, [18] "We are going up to

Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and

the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death [19] and will

turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.

On the third day he will be raised to life!" [20] Then the mother of

Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down,

asked a favor of him. [21] "What is it you want?" he asked. She said,

"Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the

other at your left in your kingdom."

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

Matthew 16:23-26 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me,

Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the

things of God, but the things of men." [24] Then Jesus said to his

disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and

take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save his

life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. [26] What

good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his

soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

Romans 12:1-3 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy,

to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this

is your spiritual act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the

pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his

good, pleasing and perfect will. [3] For by the grace given me I say to

every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,

but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with

the measure of faith God has given you.

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus

said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my

disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the

truth will set you free."

What does the bible say about Egocentrism?

The Challenge . . .

1.Examine the reality of your own relationship with Jesus

2.Examine how self centered your religion is

3.Share your findings with a trusted believer

4.Make plans to eliminate any selfish notions

5.Ask the friend to hold you accountable

6.Plan a 3 review dates (1 month, 3 months, 6 months)