Episode 2

As Christians, the story of Scripture and the person of Jesus shape the whole of who we are. Still, we often experience tensions within our culture that provide alternate answers to this question. We are told we must choose who we want to be rather than receive our identity as a gift given by God. This session discusses some of the ways our culture shapes us and why this so often leads to a crisis of identity.
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Episode Outline

Dislocation: Tradition is treated with skepticism, which creates a break with the past. We’re cut off both from our history and from the future.

Invention: Individuals have the right to choose who they want to be. We exercise this choice through consumption—buying and selling our identity.

Fluidity: Our identities are constantly changing in line with cultural trends and fashions. We constantly ask the question, “Who am I now?”

Constraint: Infinite choice at the personal level is held together by conformity at the public level. Our private and public lives are divided, creating a conflict between them.
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Lecturer: 
Sarah C. Williams

Interviews:
Krish Kandiah
Christine Lee Buchholz
Paul Stevens
Rod Wilson
 

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Discussion Questions

Reflection

  • What has God been saying to me through this episode (encouragement, challenge)?
  • What was significant or new? What questions did it raise?

Discussion

  • What was Christine struggling with in how her identity was being shaped?
  • What are the cultural messages that try to shape who we are?
  • What does culture tell us makes a happy and full life?
  • Where do you feel cultural pressures in your life?
  • What activities help you, or could help you, remember that your identity is rooted in Christ?

Activity

We’re surrounded by cultural messages that are trying􀀁to shape our identity (e.g. advertising, movies, workplaces). These messages have an underlying story about what it means to be a person—defined by what you do, or have, or feel. Part of connecting faith to all of life involves being aware of the patterns of the world around us, and in our own lives.

Discuss an example of something in your week that represents a cultural story about identity—positive or negative. This could be an advertisement, article, song, product, place, conversation or experience you had.

Prayer

This prayer was written by Augustine (354–430), a pastor, theologian, and bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria). 

Lord, to be turned from you is to fall, to be turned to you is to rise, and to stand in you is to abide forever. Grant us in all our duties your help, in all our perplexities your guidance, in all our dangers your protection, and in all our sorrow your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

Additional Resources

Episode List

Download Leader Guide (PDF, 4.4 MB)

Download Participant Guide (PDF, 4.3 MB)

Subtitles: Spanish | French | Korean | Traditional Chinese | Brazilian Portuguese