Hey, sports fans! What does love of sports have to do with how you act in a crowd?

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Overview

CHRISTIANITY TODAY columnist Stephen L. Carter is a diehard sports fan. You might think such a dedicated fan would enthusiastically embrace all aspects of the experience in the stands. After all, boos from the crowd come as naturally as cheers. Unfortunately, so does other potentially offensive behavior, and that’s why Carter bares his troubled soul.

In this study, we’ll look at the mysterious phenomenon of crowd behavior. What makes us act in a crowd in ways we wouldn’t individually? How can we find the strength to go against the grain when we need to? And when can crowd behavior be a positive thing?

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 23:2; Matthew 26:69–74; Romans 14:15-19; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 1 Corinthian 15:33; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 4:12

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • Identify the Current Issue

    • Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: Crowd pressure does not lessen personal responsibility.

—Teaching point two: Wherever we are and whatever we do, we are Christ’s representatives.

—Teaching point three: We are to encourage righteousness in others.

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