Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 9

The lesson says that for the first 300 years, Christians believed Kingdom citizenship meant they “couldn’t go to war or occupy high positions” in government, and that the New Covenant’s commands surpass the Old (love enemies, turn the other cheek, no oaths, stricter divorce teaching); which of these early-Christian assumptions feels most unrealistic or threatening today, and what would obedience look like for someone whose career, patriotism, or safety instincts are tied to the opposite?

Another way to ask: Which early Christian belief feels hardest today—like not going to war, not holding high government office, or obeying Jesus’ stricter commands (love enemies, turn the other cheek, no oaths, etc.)? What would real obedience look like for someone whose job, patriotism, or safety depends on the opposite?

Direct Answer Bercot’s lesson implies the most threatening assumptions today are often nonviolence and refusing high state power, because they collide with careers, patriotism, and security instincts; obedience would look like choosing allegiance to Christ’s kingdom ethics over retaliation, coercion, and oath-bound loyalties.

Support from Transcript:

He states historically: “for the first 300 years… being a citizen of God’s kingdom meant that we couldn’t go to war or occupy high positions in an earthly government.”
He contrasts kingdom values with worldly ones: the kingdom “doesn’t work through earthly might,” and doesn’t reward “earthly powers and earthly riches.”
He lists New Covenant commands surpassing the Old: “love [enemies]… pray for them,” “turn the other cheek,” “no longer to take oaths,” stricter teaching on divorce.
He connects confusion here to seeing “no contradiction between Jesus… and the violent… state of Israel today.”
He frames the kingdom as present: “Jesus instituted His kingdom while He was here on earth… If we aren’t citizens… now, we’re not going to be given the opportunity after He returns.”

Discussion Follow-ups The transcript doesn’t pick one command as “most unrealistic,” but it presses the cost: what would it mean to refuse violence or power when you feel responsible to protect others? How do we stay connected to Christ (John 15 image) so kingdom fruit is even possible?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10