Focal Points 2010
Living as Citizens of Two Kingdoms

As Christians, we are citizens of two kingdoms - the kingdom of God, and the kingdom nation in which we live. Yet this dual citizenship creates tension for the believer, since our nation, the kingdom of man, does not always align itself with God’s Kingdom. How do we live in the midst of this tension? What are our responsibilities towards the Kingdom of God? What are our responsibilities towards the laws and rulers of the earthly kingdom in which we reside?
Is there a difference in the responsibilities and relationship of the church to the culture and nation, and that of the individual believer to that culture and nation?
This year, by the grace of God we shall delve deeply into God’s Word to discover
answers to these questions, so that we might be equipped to be faithful citizens of both kingdoms, fulfilling our responsibilities and callings, filled with the joy and peace of God as we serve Him and our neighbors. In order to do this, we plan by God’s grace to do the following:

- We will study water baptism, the sacrament given by God as a sign and seal of our status as citizens of His kingdom.

- We will study the book of 1st Peter, which gives instruction to Christians living in a hostile culture.

- We will study the complex relationship between Christ, the Church, the individual Christian, and the cultures of this world.

- We will hold three days of fasting and prayer for our nation.

- We will encourage the members of BRCC to engage our culture, fulfilling our
responsibilities to both the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man (the neighborhood, city,state, and nation in which we live).