The Lords Supper

Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-33.

In light of this passage, what is the purpose of the Lord's Supper?

How does community play into the author's understanding of the Lords Supper?

In what ways does the verse say there should be equality in the meal?

Read verse 33 again. What does this mean to you?

What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church? A Parable.

While this is funny, take a serious look at your interactions with people. Don't judge everyone else you think of as you watch this video, think of your own methods and the things you do. The answer is not to avoid evangelism, but what are some ways it could be better.

Search the World

Find a map or the world or a globe. Pick a country at random and do a little research on its culture and needs. Take time each day for the next 5 days to pray for that country. Pray for the needs you find, pray for their leadership and pray for Christians and non-Christians within their borders.

Pray for Indian Christians

from: http://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSDEL121174

Q+A-Why are Christians under attack in India?

Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:01am EDT

Sept 26 (Reuters) - The government has deployed hundreds more federal police to eastern India after one person was killed and several injured in the latest clashes between Hindus and Christians triggered by religious conversions. More than 20 people, mostly Christians, have been killed and churches burned over the past month.

Below are some questions and answers on why religious clashes have broken out.

WHY ARE CHRISTIANS BEING ATTACKED?

Religious conversion has been the trigger. Hindus in several states in eastern, central and western India have opposed Christian missionaries converting lower caste Hindus in the mainly poor tribal areas. Intolerance has also risen in the last two decades with a revival in Hindu nationalism and its new agenda to fight Christian missionaries.

The latest round of violence first erupted in Orissa state after the killing of a Hindu leader -- known for his opposition to missionaries -- who was linked to the main opposition Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Hindus blamed Christians for his death.

IS THERE ANY POLITICAL IMPACT?

An aggressive "reconversion" drive has seen the BJP widening its voter base in India's tribal belts over the past two decades, helping strengthen its support in some states.

But anti-Christian rhetoric is generally not a vote winner with most Indians more preoccupied with economic issues.

With national elections due by May, hardline Hindu groups could step up their anti-Christian campaign in tribal areas but the BJP is unlikely to make it a countrywide election issue.

It has already striven to dissociate itself from the attacks in Karnataka state, worried about its national image.

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE?

Hindu nationalists say they are trying to stop an evangelist drive to convert the poor under duress or through inducements.

Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert to escape caste discrimination and that Hindu nationalist groups use the spectre of conversion to unite Hindus for votes.

Christian groups accuse the Hindu nationalist state governments of turning a blind eye to the clashes and the federal government of acting too slowly.

IS THE VIOLENCE SPREADING?

Hindu-Christian violence has mostly remained restricted to remote tribal belts, a zone of missionary activities for decades, in the eastern state of Orissa and Gujarat in the west.

But attacks on Christians have been reported over the past month from some urban areas in Karnataka state in the south and the central Madhya Pradesh state as well.

The attacks only affect a minority of Christians in India. About 3 percent of India's 1.1 billion population are Christians.

Hindu nationalists either rule outright or share power in the states so far affected. Some of these states have made religious conversion either unlawful or extremely difficult. (Compiled by Krittivas Mukherjee; Editing by Alistair Scrutton and Sanjeev Miglani)

© Thomson Reuters 2008 All rights reserved

Together

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
-Romans 12:10

Growing up in my church, the word "fellowship" meant some sort of post-worship-service gathering that involved food and coffee. And that was about it. It seemed pointless then; but looking back, I can see how important those times were. A church is a family made up of different types of people. And the only way such a diverse group can become a real family--and not just a crowd--is by spending time together.
This week we'll see the members of the early Church giving money to one another, sharing their possessions, and taking care of each other. This is what a real church family is supposed to look like. But how do we get there?
In every church God wants to build something called "community," the sense that we're all connected in a real way. Serving each other, helping, loving, and giving are all ways we express real community. Believe it or not, this can be the most exciting and life-changing aspect of your church experience. But community isn't easy to come by. It takes a deliberate choice to be a part of the people of God. Once you join, the benefits are endless. This week we're going to look at how to build real community in our own churches.

Read Acts 4:32-37

Sharing isn't natural. No one has to teach a child to be selfish with his toys. That trait just comes naturally to him. But it applies to teenagers and adults as well. So how do you figure 3,000 people voluntarily selling their possessions to help other people? When the Spirit of God moves, we discover how the Spirit provides all we need--including a family of parents, brothers, and sisters to help us through life. Recognizing God's provision, Barnabas gladly chose to sell his land to aid the church. Would you be willing to do the same with your stuff?

Our culture is selfish; it's time we challenged the status quo by loving each other sacrificially.

Do you believe God will provide all you need--even when you help others?

Do you truly love the people in your church?

What are some ways you can serve the people in your church this week?

**
Taken from "Community" Student Life, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

The Fellowship of Believers

Read Acts 2:42-47 (read around it too, for context)

How is this different from your own experience in the Church?
Would it be easy to recognize if it was occurring in the lives of people around you.

How does/should this passage guide our view of what it means to be the Church.

Its amazing to me how focused the Church was on the needs of those around them, even if it meant giving up their own things.

Make a list of things you think it would be really hard for you it give up. Do you know someone who could use one or more of those things? If you sold it/them, what could that money be used for? Consider parting with something meaning full to you as an act of worship. It can be very freeing.

P-Bob's Retirement

Paul's final message to the Ephesian church is found in Acts 21:32. "And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself." This is also the text pastor Bob wishes to leave with us as we are transitioning into the leadership of a new pastor. Paul was making sure the church knew that despite the change that was occurring, it was the message of grace that endures. In what ways are you ACTIVELY carrying the message of God's grace to this world?

Integrity

in·teg·ri·ty
/ɪnˈtɛgrɪti/ - [in-teg-ri-tee] –noun
1.
adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2.
the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.



Its easy to say you are a person of integrity, but how does your life fit within this definition? If adherence to those things you believe in is a qualification for being a person of integrity, how much do you have?

The gap between what we believe and what we do must be closed. If we are to be "whole, entire, or undiminished" then the person that people see must be the person you are.

What are some ways you display integrity?
What are some ways you don't?

Pray

Visit CNN.com and click on the link for World news. Scroll down to the section where the news is broken down by region. Read through some of those stories and spend some time in prayer for the people and the countries.

Communion Community

In your own words, what does it mean to be in community?

In many ways, the community we choose to be a part of becomes part of who we are. We create/absorb pieces of our identity from those we commune with.

What effect does communion with God have in your life?

What is the church's role in community? Have should that guide our participation in communion?

Take some time to look at God's community. Think about the worldwide community that is the Church. Also look at the community present in the triune God.

What do you 'run' by? What are you going to do?

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- At 5 a.m. on any given day, Anne Mahlum could be found running the dark streets of Philadelphia -- with homeless men cheering her on as she passed their shelter. But one morning last spring, she stopped in her tracks.
"Why am I running past these guys?" recalls Mahlum, 27. "I'm moving my life forward every day -- and these guys are standing in the same spot."
Instead of continuing to pass them by, the veteran marathoner sprang into action so they could join her.
She contacted the shelter, got donations of running gear, and in July 2007 the "Back On My Feet" running club hit the streets.
The first day, Mahlum led nine shelter residents in a mile-long run. Today, Back on My Feet has teams in three Philadelphia shelters, including 54 homeless members and more than 250 volunteers. The group has logged more than 5,000 miles.
Requirements for shelter residents to join are simple -- they must live in an affiliated facility and be clean and sober for 30 days. Members receive new shoes and running clothes, and teams run together three times a week between 5:30 and 6 a.m.
The runners are diverse -- doctors, janitors, students and shelter residents -- but such distinctions aren't apparent.
"All you can tell is who's the fastest," says Mahlum. "You can't tell who's homeless and who's not."
For Mahlum and others, Back On My Feet is more than a running club.
"We're a community of support, love, respect," she says. Runners greet each other with hugs and words of encouragement. While members say they've lost weight, quit smoking and have more energy, Mahlum believes they're also learning important life skills such as discipline and goal-setting that can help them get on the road to self-sufficiency.
"Running really is a metaphor for life," she says. "There is always another mile. You just have to take it one step at a time."
That's something Mahlum herself has learned over the past 10 years as she's dealt with her father's alcoholism. Running has been her therapy, she says.
"I'm learning more about my life through all of this."Back On My Feet also has a job training program for a partner. Three members are taking classes, learning computer and interview skills, while three others have found jobs.
Mike Solomon, an original member, is one of the group's success stories. A former crack user who spent his youth in and out of trouble on the streets of Wilmington, Delaware, Solomon is employed, in school and training to run a marathon in his hometown. He considers Back on My Feet part of his support group. "Anne is helping people see the hero in themselves," says Solomon. Mahlum aims to have Back On My Feet in 10 local shelters by the end of the year and expand beyond Philadelphia in 2009. She believes her approach could be part of a solution to homelessness. "Do we need homes? Yes. We need jobs? Yes," she says. "But imagine if you didn't have anybody in your life who said, 'I'm really proud of you.' Back On My Feet does just that."

Service

"In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility: it is nobility." ~T.W. Manson


In what ways are you currently serving?

If you're not, find somewhere to do it.

Romans 6 - 7

I find Romans 6 to be one the most powerful statements concerning the nature of our relationship to God now that we have Jesus.

Romans 6:4 is commonly recited during baptisms. Our life in Christ is an entirely new one. Its not just about forgiveness, its about a whole new life. Verse 5 explains it even further by telling us that as we join together in Jesus' sufferings we also get to join Him in conquering death.

v. 11 "Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

The end of ch 6 uses slavery a number of times to describe the nature of our relationship to sin and eventually righteousness. Given this countries history of slavery our idea of slavery is a bit skewed. Here is a description of what Roman slavery was like (http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/Romans/slavery/slavery2.html).

While it is death we are owed for our sin, we are given the gift of grace.


Ch 7.

Our faithfulness to Him is what God desires. Pursuing both our sinful nature and God is adultery. Are you cheating on Him? When I was in high school I used to tell people I was a Christian. I even made up a church that I went to. The problem is that while I was talking good about church I had no place in my life for God. Going to camps, youth group. Sunday mornings, Sunday School and more are great way to be in community, but if that your whole relationship with God, you may need to evaluate your priorities. We are told in Romans that we cannot serve 2 masters. Who is your master? I know that early in my Christian life I could talk the Christian talk quite well. What I've learned is that God is very real, and my relationship with Him is one that requires commitment.

Paul then goes on to describe the nature of the laws God as given us. The way Paul explains the law is brilliant. Read through it as many times as it takes to follow whats being said. While Romans can be tough to follow at times, it is very rich in theology and the lessons you are given through will stick with you forever.


We'll do Ch's 8-9 Monday. Re-read 1-7 this weekend and see if there is anything new that stands out.

Look around

It can be really difficult at times to pray for others. Too often my prayers are all about me. Here is something I use to get my focus on the world around me.

Scroll down to the bottom left of this blog and look at some of the links under the heading "The Church Universal". Read some of those short articles and spend time in prayer for those affected. Take some time to pray for those around you. Write down the names of the people who come to mind. Continue to pray for that person or persons throughout the week.

Ten Killed, Churches and Homes Burned December 21, 2007
NIGERIA – On December 11, ten people were killed, several Christians injured seriously and churches, businesses and homes burned, when Muslim extremists went on a rampage in Yelwa Tudu, Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria.
According to Compass Direct News, the violence occurred after unidentified people pulled out two bricks from the foundation of a mosque under construction at the Baba Tank secondary school in Kagadama shortly after construction began on December 2.
Compass Direct added,” Muslim extremists believed Christians were responsible for the damage and threatened to attack local believers. Area Muslims joined the attacking students, resulting in the deaths and damages in the city, including the burning of dozens of homes belonging to Christians. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Assemblies of God Church and Elim Church were set on fire and damaged. At least a dozen Christian homes were destroyed in the attack.”
Only one of those killed has been identified as a Christian. The identities of the other nine were reportedly kept a secret by the government and their bodies were hurriedly buried in one grave. Pray the Lord will fill Christians with His peace and strength as they recover from this attack. Ask God to comfort those who have lost loved ones. Pray Christ will be exalted through this tragedy and that people in this area will continue to be drawn to Him.

Style

"Fundamentally, the rituals of our worship teach us. In fact, all rituals have a primary teaching function. Whether our personal rituals involve brushing our teeth before bedtime or after every meal, whether we raise our hand during worship or kneel on little benches under a pew, every little ritual teaches and reinforces."1 Liturgy (or order of service) literally means 'the service of the people.' At times certain styles of service (notice I didn't say style of worship) can seem repetitive or boring. I have been frustrated at various times in my life with different aspects of a service; yet it is important to remember what worship is. Worship is your joining with the global church in adoration of God. That can happen anywhere. If you find yourself frustrated by a style issue, think about those who may connect deeply with God as a result of the thing you don't connect with. It is out of love for those people and love for our Savior that we must worship in spite of ourselves. Worship isn't about you or me, it's about God. Do you come to worship to be blessed, or to be a blessing?

"The glory of God is {people} fully alive"
-St Irenaeus

1. "Facing the Music: Where is Worship taking students?" by Brad Griffin and Kara Powell. The Journal of Student Ministries; January/February 2007. p42 - 46.

Purpose

This weekend at Winterfest, I became very aware how lucky I am to have the students I do. The level of respect those who went showed for others, themselves, and Christ was remarkable.

The imagery that was used throughout the weekend was how God is molding and shaping us as clay is shaped by a potter. Looking at all the various people around it's clear our potter is very creative. And yet it doesn't matter how polished some of us may look we are all far from complete. I was challenged this weekend to look at what else I'm allowing to get thrown into my life that takes away from the purity if the clay. What else do thrown in there?

In looking towards Jesus we get a picture of a man who accepted people despite their flaws, and upon them He built the church. Your role is significant in that. There's a place in the church that is tailor made for you, the question is, are you willing to accept that role?

"The world will never take God seriously until the church does first."- Mark Moore

"The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community [even if their intentions are ever so ernest], but the person who loves those around them will create community." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (my dog's namesake!)

Perception

"Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for."
-Youth Worker Journal "Has Christianity Become Un-Christian?"
November/December 2007. p29

What are the things you are for? I know I too often think of the things I am against. I know it makes be bitter at times. What are some things other people might say you are against? What would they say you are for? How do we, as the Church, tear down the reputation of being against things and build one of being for things. This doesn't mean we have to give up morality. Its all in the process.

"And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of people, but on the power of God." -1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I was sitting in the backseat of a van on a trip to Colorado a few years back and heard a conversation that has stuck with me ever since. It was between the man who introduced me to Jesus (Tim) and another friend named Ryan. Ryan asked Tim if it ever worried him that students (like me) might place more faith in him than in God. I remember thinking it was kind of a silly question at the time, but it really was a great one. It the same question Paul is addressing in this letter to the Corinthian church. He wanted to make it very clear who the object of our faith should be. I don't remember much else about that conversation in the van; however, when I read this scripture I am reminded of the faith we share. I am reminded that while people come and go, Jesus stays the same. When I think of those people who impacted my faith deeply, I must admit I don't give Jesus near enough credit. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for those amazing sisters and brothers...yet Paul's reminder to the Corinthian church serves as a reminder for me that the Church, with all its many parts, must constantly be pointing to the Head. Jesus should be the most recognizable part of our lives.