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Welcome back to the Update. There are a few things to cover before we get into this past Sunday's recap...
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The ladies of Life Answers enjoyed a great brunch this past Saturday. I got to sample some of the food before I took off with Lincoln, and it was all pretty good! The report afterward was that they all had a great time with each other, I'm suspicious that there will be more to come. |
Haley and Jessica took a break from the kids to join Aynsley and others for
a fun morning. |
Important information regarding the IFC Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 22nd from 6-9: Because of an overwhelming response from the international student community at Kent State, there are nearly more students coming than there are seats to give them. So while we were previously asking for Table Hosts, IFC is now asking that only host families attend with their students. If you do not personally have a student and had planned on giving your time this evening, God bless you, but the needs have changed.
Now since there are so many students who want to be a part of the Thanksgiving dinner, there is great need for desserts to be donated as well as mums and/or pumpkins for decoration. This is an area for those of us at Life Answers to step up and contribute. If you signed up this past Sunday for one of these items, or even if you didn't, you can drop of your prepared dessert or decoration items at the Welcome Center at HCC on Sunday morning (refrigeration is available until the evening).
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Postponed:
Guys' Night: Friday, November 13, at 7:00 at Tony's place.
Bring a snack to share. |
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| Ladies Night w/ Robin will take place on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at Robin's place. |
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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:13-18 (New International Version) |
Last Sunday's ABF Recap
It's hard to write a summary of a big discussion with lots of input from the group, but I'll do my best. We basically observed Matthew 28:18-20, and then observed, observed, and observed some more.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
After determining the "Who?" "What?" "Where?" "When?" etc., and after covering the Genre and the Grammatical Structure, the momentum really kicked up a notch when we began investigating the atmosphere around the passage. Consider this: These guys had spend three years with Jesus, but just a short time prior to this event, these eleven disciples had bailed on Jesus and split. They were then told by Mary and Mary that Jesus (a.k.a. God in the flesh, the guy who had just been crucified, and the guy they deserted and denied) wanted to meet them on a mountain in Galilee. This is the mood hanging over this section of scripture.
It was about at this point in our group conversation that, around 10:40, Emmanuel leaned over to me and said, "This is fun!"
The key words/concepts cannot be overlooked in this passage:
- Then - sets the context, read Matthew 28:1-17 for the immediate background
- And - there are a couple of series that are worth our attention
- go, make disciples, baptize, teach
- I'm in charge, you go, I'll be with you
- Therefore - a cause & effect is described here
- All - the biggie!
- authority
- nations
- aspects of the Trinity
- Jesus promises that He'll be with them for all of eternity
- teach them everything (all things)
- go - as opposed to follow...
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22, NIV |
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20, NIV |
Emmanuel was right, it was a fun morning at ABF. Who would have thought that Bible study could be so fun?
 Click here, then print this week's worksheet. |
To prepare for this coming Sunday:
Taking the lessons that we've learned over the past weeks, and after seeing the "Reading the Word for Maximum Impact" techniques in action, observe James 3:13-18. |
We're in the midst of Tony's "Reading the Word for Maximum Impact" series, and with a little insight from the Fourteenth Centry we welcome...
READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
The Imitation of Christ, Book One: Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul, The Fifth Chapter
Thomas à Kempis
TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction.
Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many ways without regard for persons.
Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read and pass by.
If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for they were not made without purpose.
The writers and staff at the Life Answers Update will be out of town for the next two Sundays, so the Updates will take a vacation, too. Any big news will be posted on facebook.
Enjoy your week. Send an encouraging e-mail to a friend.
RG
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