{"product_id":"church-culture","title":"Church Culture","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur final verses for this week continue in the same vein regarding status. John asks Jesus about someone they saw casting out demons in Jesus’s name who they didn’t recognize as part of the group (v. 49). Here the disciples seem to be emulating the wild world of teen girlhood. Like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W8_POt2KlfQ\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ethis scene from \u003cem\u003eMean Girls\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, when Regina is kicked out of the table group for wearing sweatpants on a Monday, the disciples were eager to keep the circle closed to protect their status. (If playing the clip, it is best to cut it off at the 27-second mark to avoid some language and problematic body shaming.) Self-importance has little place in the good work of the kingdom. “The reasoning of Jesus’ reply totally inverts the thinking that lies behind the disciples’ stand. They would secure their own position by keeping others out of what they see as their own exclusive domain; Jesus suggests that, on the contrary, they should be grateful for the degree of recognition of their cause implied in the exorcist’s activity” (John Nolland,\u003cem\u003e Luke 9:21–18:34, \u003c\/em\u003eWord Biblical Commentary 35B [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993], 524, Kindle). What does your church culture look like? Does it disparage other churches in your area, who may have different doctrinal stances on certain things, but are serving the body of Christ and the community? Or are you generous toward your fellow believers, recognizing that kingdom work is diverse, with a common goal?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ministry Pass","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53185072628028,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0852\/9874\/1564\/files\/Screenshot2026-07-05171523.png?v=1783289743","url":"https:\/\/app.ministrypass.com\/products\/church-culture","provider":"Ministry Pass","version":"1.0","type":"link"}