References:Introduction: Religious organizations have been known to use various tactics to motivate individuals to contribute time and money. Among these tactics are group dynamics, emotional appeal, charismatic leadership, and a sense of purpose. This Study Group will explore these mechanisms and how they are used in religious organizations.
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 12:12-14: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Matthew 13:3-9: "And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Discussion:
Group Dynamics: In what ways does being part of a community or group influence our decision to contribute time and money? How can this sense of belonging be both positive and negative? How can we ensure that our involvement in a community is healthy and not manipulative?
Emotional Appeal: How do stories and personal testimonies impact our emotions and decision-making process? How can we discern when emotional appeals are being used in a manipulative way?
Charismatic Leadership: How do charismatic leaders influence our decision to contribute time and money? What is the role of authority in religious organizations? How can we ensure that we are not blindly following a charismatic leader?
Sense of Purpose: In what ways can having a sense of purpose and meaning motivate us to contribute time and money? How can we discern when our sense of purpose is being manipulated? How can we ensure that our sense of purpose is aligned with our values and beliefs?
Conclusion: While religious organizations may use similar tactics to motivate individuals to contribute time and money, it is important to examine these mechanisms critically and ensure that our involvement is healthy and not manipulative. As we navigate these dynamics, we can seek guidance from Scripture and prayer to discern our actions and motivations.
Group Dynamics:
Acts 2:44-46 describes how the early Christian community was devoted to one another, sharing their possessions and breaking bread together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 uses the analogy of the body to describe how each member of the church is important and has a role to play in the community.
Emotional Appeal:
John 11:35-38 tells the story of Jesus weeping after his friend Lazarus died, showing his emotional connection and compassion for his followers.
2 Corinthians 2:4 describes how Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians "out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears," demonstrating his emotional investment in their spiritual well-being.
Charismatic Leadership:
Matthew 4:19-20 describes how Jesus called his disciples to follow him, and they immediately left their fishing nets to do so.
Acts 14:12-14 tells the story of how the people of Lystra mistook Paul and Barnabas for gods because of the miraculous healings they had performed.
Sense of Purpose:
Matthew 28:19-20 records Jesus' command to his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, giving them a clear sense of purpose and mission.
Acts 20:24 describes how Paul saw his own life as a mission to spread the gospel, saying "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
