Conversation Starters help us dig deeper, connecting Sunday’s sermons with our Monday lives. These prompts have been designed to help Community Groups grow in their relationship with God, with one another, and with their neighbors. Please know that these questions are meant to be a resource to you. You do not have to follow them verbatim or get through them all. We trust you to know your group and to ask the questions based on your group needs.

1) What stood out to you from the sermon?

2) Does it seem foreign to think of economics as a moral issue? Were money issues taught to you that way?

3) Read Revelation 17:1-4. This prostitute is a picture of Rome - or any empire - and its allure of financial prosperity and luxury. She is depicted as opulent and greedy, but why do you think the sexual descriptions are included as well?

4) What’s your answer to the challenge of simplicity? Can you pause or cancel one subscription or buying practice for one month? What might you gain by trying it?

5) Read Malachi 3:10-12. God challenges us in tithing and generosity to depend on Him alone. How does this passage speak to you re: your practices of giving?

Note that starting December 6, Brookside Campus will return to our two regular service times: 9:00am and 10:45am with registration required, and all COVID safety precautions still in place. Two services will help allow all who would like to attend church have a reserved place. Pray for this transition and that more people would be able to come experience Jesus and His church for the first time! Last, consider how you can help serve on a Sunday, where there are many opportunities to help. Contact Holly Justice with questions.

Title: The Prostitute and the Bride

Scripture: Revelation 17-19:10

Speaker: Bill Gorman, BillG@ChristCommunityKC.org

“The lesson that God would judge a city for its economic practices is a sobering thought. Economics is clearly a moral issue in the book of Revelation. The fact that much of the condemnation appears to stem from self indulgence should hit with particular force at modern consumer culture… But the most worrisome thing of all is that Babylon looks so close to the New Jerusalem. God did create a good world; we are meant to enjoy life; God does delight in the beautiful things of earth. If the world system were a self-evident cesspool, the temptation for Christians to fall to its allures would be small. It is precisely the genuine benefits of technological advance and extensive trading networks that constitute danger. Babylon promises all the glories of Eden, without the intrusive presence of God. It slowly but inexorably twists the good gifts of God--economic exchange, agricultural abundance, diligent craftsmanship--into the service of false gods.” - Theology of Work Commentary

“Racism would not exist apart from the sin of greed… greed is the fuel that drove racism. Greed was dominant driving force that justified slavery in our country.” - Crawford Loritts, “Setting the Stage for a Conversation on Race and Justice,” As In Heaven podcast

- Simplicity

- Intentionality

- Generosity