Last night’s installment in our series on how the lordship of Christ affects every area of our life was a look at Entertainment. Check out yesterday’s post for an introduction.
Here’s the study notes:
Part One: Thinking about Entertainment
What we use entertainment for:
- To have fun, experience excitement or be amused
- To unwind or relax
- To socialize
- To distract ourselves
Therefore, for much of our culture entertainment is:
- A source of happiness….A reason to get through the day. (Joy)
- A relief from stress. (Peace)
- A center to gather around. A source of unity and community. (Center)
- A diversion from an otherwise boring or unhappy life. (Reality)
Critical question #1: What place does entertainment really have in the lives of Americans? Looking at these four things, isn’t it reasonable to say entertainment has taken the place of a god? (Think about it: What would the average person do if all their entertainment was taken away?)
Critical question #2: Can entertainment actually deliver these things? If it could, then since we live in the culture with the most (and best) entertainment, shouldn
Part Two: Christ is the true version of all these things.
- He is the source of Joy: John 15:11, Ps 16:8-11 (Ps 36:8)
- He is the giver of peace: John 14:27; Phil 4:6-9 (Isaiah 26:3)
- He is the center that creates true community: Mt 18:20
- He gives engagement in reality instead of diversion from it: John 1:14; Mt 28:18-20, (Jn 17:15, 18). The Gospel gives Mission and Purpose instead of diversion.
Part Three: Getting Practical
- What should I watch/play? What kinds of things entertain Christians? (Mk 7:17-23)
- How much time is OK to spend on entertainment? What do I have time for? (Eph 5:3-16)
Finishing up: Do we have an inner source of life? Jeremiah 2:12-13
There is a glorious, infinite God to get to know. He offers Himself as a fountain of life for all our issues. There is a world He created inhabited by real people who have real destinies. There is a message about God’s restoration of this real world, through the sacrificial act of the Messiah. There is a commission to know it and proclaim it, and to live it out in real community with others. Those who’s sin is forgiven are now reconnected with the Source of life and set free to live the fullest, most meaningful lives possible—forever.