Sunday, April 29, 2007

Suburband Legends: No Doubting

Series: Suburban Legends

No Doubting by Ted Beasley, April 29, 2007

This week’s message is for skeptics… those with doubts. And as Ted points out, we all fall in that category. (Just think about the quote from Madeline L’Engle:
“Those who believe they believe in God without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even times without despair, believe only in the idea of God and not God himself.”)

So, do you believe in God… or the idea of God? For this Second Helping… we’ll assume that it’s God and not an idea of Him: even real seekers are surely checking out something more than an idea.

1. Let’s start by taking a look at our personal experiences with doubt. This exercise will take a bit of personal thought before any discussion:
Think about some time in your life when you were dealing with spiritual doubt and then answer these questions: (jot down some notes for yourself on these questions). (5 minutes)
- What was the doubt?
- Did you feel free to talk about it with people, particularly people from a church?
- What about with other people?
- What happened?… were you ever able to resolve that doubt? If so, how? If not, what did you do with the doubts?

Now take some time in the group for everyone who wants to share their experiences (you don’t have to talk about the details of the doubts – but do focus on the general experience of “doubting”. ) As everyone shares – keep track of what “works” and what doesn’t , in terms of getting doubt resolved in a positive way. Finally, discuss your observations about what does and doesn’t work. (10 – 15 minutes)

2. Next let’s talk about specific doubts. What sort of doubts are serious questions for you right now – or if not right now, have been the typical types of issues you’ve had in your spiritual life? Take a look at some common doubts below and check as many as apply… – or add your own.
____ Whether God exists
____ Whether Jesus is who He claimed to be
____ Whether science is compatible with Christianity
____ Whether a loving God can allow the hatred, sickness and evil in the world
____ How a being who created the universe can love and care for one person - you
____ How a loving God can let such hard things happen to you or to those you love
____ How a real God or a loving God can ignore your prayers for so long
____ Other (_____________________)

Pick one of the doubts you noted – ideally the most important to you right now. Pair off, and take about 5 minutes each to explain what troubles you about that issue (or has troubled you in the past) to a discussion partner. (Note – the purpose of this is NOT to help each other resolve the doubt… it’s to be honest about what your doubts are.) (10 minutes)

3. While still in pairs, take a look at Ted’s list of the “Dips” that can help us deal with our doubts (see below).

Dip #1: Put Your Faith in Doubt (Are you stuffing your doubts?)
Dip #2: Want to Believe (Do you really want to resolve them?)
Dip #3: Ask God to Reveal Himself (Have you brought God into the process?)
Dip #4: Name your Specific Questions (Have you made your questions about God clear?)
Dip #5: Go Where Faith Is (Have you sought answers from people who could have answers?)
Dip #6: Decide Based on Corroborating Evidence (Have you set a realistic test that balances faith and total evidence?)
Dip #7: Mark Your Decision (Have you made a public commitment of any decision you’ve come to… maybe Baptism if that’s relevant?)

Think about each “Dip” above and ask yourself whether it could be relevant to the doubt you have been discussing. If you see any “Dip” as relevant, (pick one and) think about what you can do to take that Dip – in terms of specific action. Brainstorm together and come up with ideas on how you might deal with each of your doubts. (10 minutes)

4. Now, in the group as a whole, develop a list of the different ways/steps that can be used to deal with doubts. (10 minutes)

5. A good place to end is by reflecting again on Ted’s initial message that God WANTS us to question and to seek, and that He is thrilled with honest searching for answers (see the verses below). Take a couple of minutes for each person to reflect on the doubt they identified. Ask yourself whether there are any steps from the group’s list that you can commit to starting this week. If so, write down that step and ask for God’s support in taking that step. (3 minutes)


Bible verses from this message:

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 34:8

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:1-2

Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Come! And let him who hears say ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Revelation 22:17 –

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.”
Jeremiah 29: 13-14

Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
John 12: 37

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
Mark 9:24

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you.”
Acts 2:37-38


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Monday, April 23, 2007

Suburban Legends: Christians are Hypocrites

Series: Suburban Legends:
Christians are Hypocrites by Ted Beasley - April 22, 2007

We continue in the series, “Suburban Legends: Myths, Facts, and Half-Truths about God.” Ted acknowledged that some of us have been burned by clergy and their secret lives, spiritual leaders who didn’t practice what they preached, judgmental Christians who condemned the beliefs or behavior of others, or ‘religious’ parents who lived much different lives the other six days of the week.

Ted asked us, “Have you ever been betrayed by a Christian hypocrite? What did that do to your faith?”

With this question in mind, let’s review a few points about hypocrisy.

The word, hypocrite from the Greek word literally means, “One who stands under the judgment of another.” Ted explained that hypocrites were actors. Greek actors simply switched masks in order to play various roles. So a hypocrite is someone who wears a mask, who preaches one thing, but does another.

Jesus said, Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:22-23) Jesus is describing a scene that Scripture describes as the Day of Judgment, the final reckoning. And Jesus says on that day, some really well-dressed, well-behaved people who know their Bibles backwards and forwards will say to me on that day, “We checked off all the boxes on the list. We were good upstanding churchgoers.”

And Jesus will reply, “And you are?”

1.Why do you think Jesus says, “I never knew you.” And why does He label them, ‘evil doers’? Is Jesus is shunning them for not being morally perfect? Turn to another person and share your ideas for 2 minutes.

2. Ted said, we’d all be doomed if Jesus pronounces a death sentence on all sinners. Seventeen times in the gospels, however, Jesus speaks against hypocrites. Why is Jesus so tough on hypocrites, the ‘mask wearers’? Take 2-3 minutes and talk this over with another person.

3. People often say, “I won’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites.” On the other hand, many of us participate in politics, send our kids to schools, or run businesses that are often hypocritical. Our challenge: Why, then, do we determine to avoid church because we see hypocrisy in the church? Discuss with another person your reaction to this argument.

Ted’s point, “Hypocrisy is a human condition, and so is the need to judge other people’s hypocrisy. Because when we can catch people living a lie, it gives us temporary amnesia about how we fall short of our own standards. Hypocrisy – it’s a human thing. It’s human to have strongly held beliefs and not be able to live up to them.”

Jesus cried, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matthew 23:37)

4. Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? How have the religious and their rules and regulations hijacked authentic faith? Please take a few minutes and discuss.

5. With these thoughts as a backdrop, talk about your own experience of Christian hypocrisy. Ted said we often react in one of three ways when confronted with hypocrisy: We run away. We are judgmental. We develop a hunger for truth inside us. How do you react when confronted with hypocrisy?
In the CS Lewis series, Chronicles of Narnia, and the book, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace, the very selfish boy, finds himself trapped inside of a dragon. He begins to see the error of his ways, but he can’t get out of the dragon skin by himself. The lion helps Eustace free himself of the dragon scales, and he becomes a boy again.

6. How do you relate to Eustace? Why did Eustace need the lion to be freed?
Can you free yourself, or do you need the power of Jesus Christ to be freed of an area where you are stuck in hypocrisy. You just can’t do what you know is right, and what you want to do. Share your need for freedom with another person and consider praying for each other this week. It is encouraging to remember we can approach God with absolute confidence when we are authentic with Him.


Bible Verses from the Message

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. (Titus 1:7)

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done.

You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. (Romans 2:1-4)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

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Check out more information about Christianity at Knowing God available at Gateway's Way of Christ Next-Steps Website


Prior Sunday message on date (audio available at Gateway's Sunday Message Archive) (the most recent Sunday message is usually available by the following Tuesday at this site)

    (Note - today's blog was done by guest blogger Jan Shurtz - Thanks Jan!)

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posted by Linda Gerber @ 7:34 AM   0 Comments

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Suburban Legends: God Puts the Kabash on Fun

Series: Suburban Legends
God Puts the Kabash on Fun by John Burke, April 15, 2008

This week, John continued the Suburban Legends series by attacking the notion that God wants you to have a dreary life.

1. There are so many different ideas about what makes life enjoyable… maybe a good place to start is to trade some ideas about enjoyment: Try to spend about 5 minutes each discussing the following questions:

A. Is having fun a bad thing? Why or why not?
B. Do you think God wants you to stop having fun? If not, why do so many people think that?
C. Is there a difference between “joy” and “fun”? If so, what is it?
D. What are some of the main things people think are sources of happiness… or at least paths to the source – their “happy pills”? How well does each one seem to work?

Now, think for a minute about whether any of the things noted in the last question are a main part of your own “happy pill”… and how well they work for you. Briefly write down any thoughts you have on this to think about later. (20 minutes)

2. Let’s see whether anyone in the group has any experiences of being on the wrong path to happiness. To use John’s expression, have you ever banged your head on a dead-end wall at the end of a path your were following for enjoyment? What did it FEEL like? What did you DO when you hit that dead-end? Take some time for people to share about this. (Note – you do NOT need to talk about the "path" you took… just what it felt like to realize it was a dead-end – and what you did about it). (10 minutes)

3. John talked about how we all (almost?) have had some great moments in our lives – and asked us to think about them. So let’s do that. Take a couple of minutes to:
- Picture a moment that was completely fulfilling
- Picture the most beautiful scene you’ve ever looked at
- Picture a moment when you were at your happiest

Now, pick one and remember what it felt like… think of some words you would use to describe that? Pair off and tell your discussion partner about your moment – and use your words. Did the two of you have any of the same words? In the larger group –collect a list of words that fit these moments? (15 minutes)

4. Now staying on topic, but changing gears a bit: John talked about watching his kids play while the adults acted serious. When was the last time you played/had fun like a kid does… with total focus on the enjoyment – but without any of our adult “crutches” – (i.e., alcohol, drugs, or many even food splurges)? Think about what you were doing then and the whole experience. What words would you use for that? Are they any of the same words noted in the list above? Jesus said we were supposed to be like little children to enter His kingdom: does that give you any ideas about God's view of fun or at least "en-joy-ment"? Discuss any observations. (10 minutes)

5. As always, let’s wrap up with some personal application time. The “next step” applications are less clear on this message, but there are probably a couple of questions worth laying out before God. Did you get any sense that you might be trying to find your “enjoyment” in the things that are dead-ends? Or to use John’s analogy… what is the sandbox you are playing in? If so, what could you do about that (do you see any road to Disneyland?) ? Next, John mentioned that our sandbox might have some things that are only hurting and enslaving us. Is God talking to you about anything that started out as fun and are now enslaving us? Take 5 minutes to do two things: Write down any initial thoughts you have on these two questions, and then write down when you will spend at least 10 minutes more on your own talking to God about those things in the next week.

Bible verses from this message:

“I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.”…I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world. I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks…I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire…Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.””
Ecclesiastes 12:1

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11

“Father, I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:13

“The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea…The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!”
Psalm 104:24-26, 31

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights."
James 1:17

[Trust] in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment."
Timothy 6:17

“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
John 4:10

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."”
John 7:37-38

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
Proverbs 14:12

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1

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Monday, April 09, 2007

Suburban Legends: Why do I need Easter?

Series: Suburban Legends
Why do I need Easter?
by John Burke - April 8,2007

What could be a better question on the topic of legends than to ask whether the Christian message is a myth or THE Truth with a capital T... and what we might lose or gain to accept the story? (Note there is a “bonus” question at the end of this list that deals with the specific myths. You can either work this into your discussion, or you can jump into it at the end if you have time.)

1. John started the message by asking what’s the risk in giving Christian claims about Christ a try. So maybe a good place for us to start is to take a look at our “risk attitude”: Have you ever risked something important and “lost it all”? Or maybe you hit the jackpot – or something in between. Think of something you’ve risked before (usually it's money.. but it could certainly be something else…), and then identify of the outcome. Did the experience change your attitude toward taking risks? Pair off spend about 5 minutes talking about your “risk” experience. (If you think you’ve never really taken a big risk.. then talk about why instead.). (10 minutes)

2. Now, lets focus our “risk attitude” on the question of checking out Christ. What seems/seemed like the greatest risk to you about Christianity? Think about this for a minute or two and then write down the type of risks you see. (Note, even if you ARE a Christ-follower… you probably see some risks in going further in your walk with Jesus – so think about those). If you don’t have any ideas, maybe the list below can stimulate some thinking even if they don’t nail your risk.

- I could look stupid
- I’ll have to stop having fun and doing thing s I like
- I’d have to give up my control of my life
- I could fail at it – and I hate to start something I can’t finish
- God might want to send me to Africa… or want me to do something else I don’t want to do.
- My friends will think I’m a geek

With your discussion partner, take about 5 minutes more to talk about what you think the biggest risks of following Christ are. Now, in the larger group, try to come up with a list of as many risks as you can. (15 minutes)

3. We've talked about some common “risks” of following Jesus, but there are “possible” upsides too. Let’s identify some of the “rewards”. What would make someone WANT to believe Jesus is who Christians say He is: What’s the “payoff”? Take 5 – 10 minutes to brainstorm in the group and come up with as many upsides as you can – think in terms of both new things you gain and freedom from old things you can leave behind. You can use both personal experience, hopes, or promises from the Bible. Now, pause for a minutes and think about the list: Which of those are/would be the most important rewards for YOU? (10 minutes)

4. Now that we’ve covered both the risks and the rewards of following Christ, let’s compare the two. Take a minute to fix on the risks you noted before. Now look at the rewards. What do you think? Which is “bigger”? If the “rewards “ seem bigger… what does that mean for you? Now just take a minute to sit and pray/think about this right now. End up by doing two things: First, write down an appointment with yourself and God during the week when you will come back to YOUR risks and rewards to ask God what you should DO. Then, right now, write down one step. Maybe you need to take some specific action, maybe you need to commit to reading or learning more, maybe the most important thing is just to take the first, main risk and grab the reward of a new life for yourself: to put yourself in God’s care. Whatever it is, write down the appointment and the step. Consider sharing any major steps with others – just to help you commit to doing what you want to do. Be sure to take your paper with you. (5 minutes)

Bonus question: (If time permits for some more involved discussion)
Let’s switch gears a bit. We are focused on Suburban Legends, and John talked about how even in Jesus’ time, there were a lot of “Jerusalem Legends” about the Messiah. Let’s identify some of the current thoughts about Jesus, which could be myths of our own time. Look at the list below and check off any of the items that you think or have thought about Jesus at some point. Feel free to modify or add others to the list.

- Seems like a nice guy
- A fictitious person that was made up to keep people from thinking for themselves
- Probably a real guy that folks just “make out” to be God for their own purposes
- A great teacher – along the same vein Buddha or Mohammed
- God in the flesh
- Other ______________________________

John talked about the British lawyer Sir Lionel Luckhoo who investigated the claims of Christianity and changed his mind about Jesus. Now look at the items you checked: like Luckhoo – have you ever changed your think abut any of these items? If so, pick ONE and take about three minutes to write down what caused you to change your thinking about that. If not, write down why not? This next discussion could go quickly or could take some time if there is a lot to share. For those willing – go around and read what you wrote down about your change of thinking. After everyone who wants has read their comments, spend a few minutes talking about any questions that come up. (If there are some more involved questions try to just move on at the end of the time period and look to the “Next Steps” at the end of this blog for where to get more information.) (15 minutes)

Scripture verses from the message:

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Deuteronomy 4:29

"Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? Here [Jesus] is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from."
John 7:25-27

“In the future [God] will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne.”
Isaiah 9:1-7

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:5-6

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?...all my bones are out of joint…a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”
Psalm 22:1, 14-18

“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.”
Isaiah 53:11

“You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”
Psalm 16:10

“God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:8-12

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all it’s fullness.”
John 10:10

“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
John 15:10-12

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