What is your Manifesto?

INTRODUCTION: What is your Declaration Of Beliefs, or your Manifesto? Not sure? Here are a few questions to guide you.

What are your core beliefs? What beliefs do you hold in your heart and know to be true? We’re not talking about beliefs like, “If I let go of something in my hand, it will hit the ground.” Gravitational pull is proven and takes no faith to believe in.

What beliefs would you be willing to declare to the masses, even though many would not affirm them? Write down three of your core beliefs that you’d be willing to declare to anyone to be true, regardless of their affirmation of those beliefs. Another word for this declaration of your beliefs would be your Manifesto

1. ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________

VIDEO: We’re going to check out a Christian pop-rock band named The City Harmonic and their song titled Manifesto. Listen carefully and pay attention to their lyrics. These guys have put together a song that accurately, yet beautifully states a Christian’s manifesto or declaration of beliefs.

We believe in the one true God,
We believe in Father Spirit Son.
We believe that good has won,
And all of the people of God sang along, Amen…

We are free He died and lives again,
We will be a people free from sin.
We’ll be free a kingdom with no end,
And all of the people of God sang along, Amen…

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who have trespassed against us.
Lord lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
power and the glory forever.
We’re singing Amen, Amen…

Small Group Discussion:

1. What initial comments can you give about tonight’s theme video?

2. The City Harmonic makes some bold statements in this song. Do you agree with them all? If not, which statements do you struggle with?

3. As Christians, we state that we believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit eternally existing as God. Do you believe this? Why or why not?

4. Read Matthew 28:16-20. Does this change or affirm your belief in the Trinity that is God?

5. In the second verse, this song speaks of freedom in Christ. What does this mean to you? How would you describe freedom in Christ?

6. Read Romans 8:1-2. How do these verses fit into your view of freedom in Christ? Do you struggle with these verses? If so, why?

7. Does anyone know what “Amen” means? Why do we say it after we pray? Why do you think it’s such an important word in prayer?

8. Is there anything you’d like to add or change in your manifesto?

PRAYER: Pray that God would give us the strength to stand strong, as we daily declare our beliefs as followers of Christ.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• What would you be willing to include in your declaration of beliefs?