ABC’s of Culture The Web of Lies Darrow L. Miller Disciple Nations Alliance

2 Introduction Images of our World  What do each of these images have in common?  What is wrong with these images?

3 Ephesians 6:12 What is our struggle not against? What is our struggle not against? What is our struggle against? What is our struggle against? Describe in your own words who the enemy is. Describe in your own words who the enemy is.

4 Satan and His Strategies John 8:44 John 8:44 Revelation 20:3, 7-8 Revelation 20:3, 7-8

5 Foundations of a Community Foundations for Destruction Ignorance Ignorance Lies Lies Foundations for Development Knowledge Knowledge Truth Truth

6 Galatians 4:3-10 and Colossians 2:6-8,15,20 1. How does Paul characterize the believer’s past? 2. Who has enslaved the believer? 3. What did Christ do? 4. How did He do it? 5. What are the present consequences for the believer? 6. What is the future choice for the believer? 7. What do the principalities and powers use to enslave us?

7 Question #1 - How does Paul characterize the believer’s past? Galatians 4:3 – So, also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. Colossians 2:6 – See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,

8 Question #2 Who has enslaved the believer? Galatians 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods... Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

9 Question #3 What did Christ do? Galatians 4:5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

10 Question #4 How did He do it? Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

11 Question #5 What are the present consequences for the believer? Galatians 4:5-7 Galatians 4:5-7 … that we might receive the full rights of sons… So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir… Colossians 2:6 – 7a Colossians 2:6 – 7a So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, …

12 Question #6 What is the future choice for the believer? Galatians 4:9b – But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Colossians 2:20 – Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules?

13 Question #7 What do the principalities and powers use to enslave us? Galatians 4:3 – So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than on Christ...

14 Satan’s Two Weapons of Enslavement Man-centered Philosophy Man-centered Philosophy –Colossians 2:8 –I Peter 1:18-19 Basic Principles of the World Basic Principles of the World –Galatians 4:9 –Colossians 2:8

15 What does the term “basic principles of the world” mean? The Greek word stoicheion (n) = first principles, the ABC’s of culture From stoicheo (v) we get to walk in an orderly fashion, to proceed in a row, as marching soldiers

16 Spiritual Warfare’s Systemic Impact Through Culture “…the systemic view [of spiritual warfare] sees the powers as personal spiritual beings who are actively impacting the socio-economic and political structure of societies...

17 Spiritual Warfare’s Systemic Impact Through Culture “…These powers have established their own rules and regulations that pull cultures away from God. Stoicheia are literally the rudimentary principles, the ABC’s of culture...

18 Spiritual Warfare’s Systemic Impact Through Culture “These are the directives through which the powers have established legalistic control of society. Stoicheia within these contexts are the demonic contortions of human society...

19 Spiritual Warfare’s Systemic Impact Through Culture “The powers, although personal spiritual beings, have invaded the very fabric of society. Thus even Christian institutions reflect these demonic influences when the powers invade human institutions.” Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen Communicating Christ in Animistic Contexts, 1991

20 Foundations for Community Development Knowledge Knowledge Truth Truth

21 Foundations for Community Destruction Ignorance Ignorance Lies Lies

22 Growing Healthy Cultures Lies a culture holds to be true Truth the culture embraces Principles of the Development Ethic

23 Ideas Have Consequences The Roots Produce the Fruit Fruit = Consequences Branches = Behavior Trunk = Values Roots = Belief System Roots = Belief System

24 Group Exercise: Evaluating a Lie Clearly identify the “value” in the lie. Clearly identify the “value” in the lie. How is this value transmitted from generation to generation? Give examples! How is this value transmitted from generation to generation? Give examples! What behavior does this value produce? What behavior does this value produce? What are the consequences of this behavior? What are the consequences of this behavior? What is the sacred belief that underlies this value? What is the sacred belief that underlies this value?

25 Quality of Life Example Value – convenience, self- advancement, comfort vs. moral value Value – convenience, self- advancement, comfort vs. moral value Passed – Redefining of family, unborn, marriage, commercials, movies, music Passed – Redefining of family, unborn, marriage, commercials, movies, music Behavior – increased abortions, assisted suicide, fewer marriages, rising divorce rates Behavior – increased abortions, assisted suicide, fewer marriages, rising divorce rates

26 Quality of Life Example Consequence – broken individuals, families, decreasing population rate, broken churches with no identifiable difference, deteriorating moral bases. Consequence – broken individuals, families, decreasing population rate, broken churches with no identifiable difference, deteriorating moral bases. Root – Spirit of pilgrims to gain a quality of life was distorted, cultural shift to believing there is no God and no moral standard, human rights without a definite moral framework. Root – Spirit of pilgrims to gain a quality of life was distorted, cultural shift to believing there is no God and no moral standard, human rights without a definite moral framework.

27 Group Exercise Identify one value from your culture. Identify one value from your culture.

28 What Is the Value? Language Language Cultural Stories Cultural Stories Jokes Jokes Proverbs Proverbs Songs Songs Etc. Etc. How Is This Value Passed Down?

29 What Are the Behaviors? What behaviors are seen in day to day life that reflects this value? What behaviors are seen in day to day life that reflects this value? What is done / not done? What is done / not done? What is said / not said? What is said / not said? What Behavior Does This Produce?

30 What Are the Consequences? For the individual? For the individual? For the family? For the family? For the church? For the church? For the society? For the society? Personal – heart testimony! Personal – heart testimony!

31 What Is the Root? Where did this idea come from? Where did this idea come from? What are the religious / philosophical roots? What are the religious / philosophical roots? Look at your culture’s history! What national events / milestones brought this value into current “culture”? Look at your culture’s history! What national events / milestones brought this value into current “culture”? What are the ancient mythologies? What are the ancient mythologies?

32 What Are We Doing?

33 What Did You Learn? As a group, discuss the insights you have gained from doing this activity. Then choose one to share with the larger group.

34 Application What one thing will you do in the next week to address this lie? What one thing will you do in the next week to address this lie? What is one thing your church will do to address this lie? What is one thing your church will do to address this lie?

ABC’s of Culture The Web of Lies Trainer Name Ministry

36 ABC’s of Culture Review What does, “Ideas Have Consequences” mean? What does, “Ideas Have Consequences” mean? What is Satan’s strategy to enslave others? What is Satan’s strategy to enslave others? What insight did you gain from looking at a lie in your culture? What insight did you gain from looking at a lie in your culture?

Worldview Shift Darrow L. Miller Disciple Nations Alliance

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