Large Group - Maturity and the Rag Program

Hi CCFers,

In our final Large Group of term, we will be talking about Christian maturity. To contextualize this conversation, we will examine a “coming-of-age” program (called the YMCA Rag Program) involving different stages that one will encounter as a maturing Christian.  In the early 1990s CCF adopted the Rag Program and modified it slightly to suit the needs of our fellowship (although, like many things we do, it is a purely optional program designed only as a tool and a framework for personal growth as a Christian). Through the lens of the Rag Program, we will examine seven different ‘steps’ of growth to maturity as a Christian and emulating Jesus more and more (although, again, there are clearly other ways of thinking about it!). Jonathan Gardner, a CCF alumnus will be joining us to share his perspective on “The Rag.”

May you know faith, hope, and love,

Peter

P.S. Here are the discussion topics:

1. Do all mature Christians look the same? Recall our discussions of 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 and Ephesians 4:1-6. Are unity and uniformity different?

2. The Rag Program divides up the path to maturity into seven different colors, with each step building on the lessons learned and growth in the early steps. The ‘goal’ of dividing it into different steps is to allow one to focus on particular areas of growth. My personal experience (and of many ‘Raggers’ I have talked to) is that this works. In general, for each step, one chooses a mentor (someone who has already taken the challenge to grow in the ways defined by that particular color), and creates 3ish personal goals related to the general theme of the color, and then asks for God’s help to grow generally in the theme of that color and specifically for those personal struggles. As many of us know, asking God to grow us can be quite scary! The mentor is often a good way to start a discipleship and to help guide us as we grow.

The colors (very briefly):

1. Blue, “Leaving.” The general theme can be summed up as making a commitment to Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  That is, to take a first step into devoting your life to God and to trusting Him. What are some of the things that stand in our way of making this commitment?

2. Silver, “Finding.” The theme of the Silver Rag is to commit to finding out more about who God is—a servant God—and to commit to emulate him, as well as to finding out more about who you yourself are. Philippians 2:5-11 and Luke 10:27 touch on this idea. What are some ways we can understand who God is (scripture, prayer?)? How can we better understand who we are (perhaps in community with others?)?

3. Brown, “Service.” The commitment to the brown rag is the commitment to grow in service and the building of a servant’s heart. Matthew 25:34-36 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 introduce these concepts nicely. In what ways can we serve individually, as a group? How can we develop and grow a servant’s heart (maybe asking God, or choosing to act in a particular way even when we don’t feel like it)?

4. Gold, “Understanding.” The gold rag is the commitment to take service to an even deeper level, more than just providing for the general needs that we all have. This commitment is to grow to a level of understanding of those around you that you can serve them personally and know how to build them up, even when they are different than you. Ephesians 4:29 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 generally describe the commitment of the gold rag. How can we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes; how can we love one another personally?

5. Red, “Sacrifice.” Taking the red rag means that you are committing to sacrifice of your time, talents, and personal will and to submit fully to God. This is a hefty commitment. The challenge of the red rag is well summed up in Isaiah 6:8 and Matthew 26:39.

6. Purple, “Deepening.” For n raggers, there exist > n+1descriptions of the purple rag. To me, the mood of Psalm 139 comes closest to capturing the feeling of the purple rag, that of deepening in understanding of the five commitments that have come before the commitment to the purple rag.

7. White, “Standing (A Lifetime Commitment to Christian Service).” Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” The white rag is the commitment to be a disciple of Jesus, through-and-through, that to be a Christian is the defining characteristic of who you are.