Willamette Students » Jeff

Summer happenings

Jeff — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:52:17 +0000

A look-ahead at the next month:

The Story of God: Rebellion

Jeff — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:33:10 +0000

We’re continuing The Story of God. After a good and perfect Creation comes the Fall and then Rebellion. Tonight we began in Genesis 4 as Chris Nye taught us this main ‘chapter’ of the Big Story. It traces all of humanity from the Fall through the coming of Christ, and up to this broken, rebellious world today. Here’s a little summary:

REBELLION | God’s good creation did not just doubt His great goodness once, but rather, after the Fall of man the entirety of human history has been rebelling against God. Adam & Eve committed sins that showed their distrust in God, but it didn’t stop there. In fact, their two sons would continue in this preference of other things over God. This rebellion against the goodness of God manifests itself through timeless sins of pride, idolatry, and immorality, just to name of few. These are strong words that describe the simple reality that we so often prefer our own way as opposed to God’s way. Deeply rooted in our own hearts, these tendencies exist and do nothing good for us. What is God to do with a creation that is working against Him? He certainly won’t just take it – no, He intervenes. Though we still sin the same timeless sins, God is still the same timeless God: Good, Perfect, and unbelievably Loving.

Discussion Questions:

Which of the “timeless sins” do you find yourself falling into most (pride, idolatry, immorality)?
How does your sin (rebellion) affect how you relate to God?
Do you trust that living for Jesus, in His way and not rebelling against it, is the way that leads to abundant life? Why?
How can you begin to take steps of obedience towards a life that reflects trust in Jesus?

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The Story of God God’s Word (the Bible) and God’s world follow the same storyline:

Creation → Fall & Rebellion → Redemption → Restoration (Glory)

Next week: Redemption!

The Story of God: The Fall

Jeff — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 03:50:41 +0000

We’re continuing The Story of God. After Creation comes the Fall. Tonight we looked at Genesis 3 as Kari Patterson taught us this second ‘chapter’ of the Big Story. Here’s a little summary:

FALL | The good God set this good Story in motion, with a good & perfect creation. At the center were man & woman, created in God’s image, as very good, and meant to love, know and enjoy God and cultivate His good creation. Even with all this goodness, they were prone to doubt God’s goodness, and were tempted to forsake knowing and enjoying God as the primary source of their life and happiness. Now comes the Fall, from grace, from godly desires, from dominion over creation, from life, and the beginning of death. Everyone, everywhere, now feels the effects of the Fall, and are co-conspirators with Adam & Eve following Satan in rebelling against our Good Father.

Genesis 3 Discussion Questions:

What are ways that Satan tries to make people discontent? How does he sow seeds of doubt about God’s goodness? How does our culture chase after selfish desires? In what ways do you see that people around you are deceived? Do you see any of these slippery slopes in your own life?
Consider the claim that every act of sin or disobedience has consequences. What consequences of sin do you see around you? In what areas are you tempted to think that your actions won’t have consequences?
[separate for men and women, based on the Curse]

GUYS: In what ways do guys exploit, or take advantage, of girls’ weaknesses? How can you accept God’s call on your life to protect the girls around you? How will you do that this week?

GIRLS: In what ways do girls use the way they dress or act to get attention from guys? How is that selfish exploitation? How can you accept God’s call on your life to protect the guys around you? How will you do that this week?

—

The Story of God God’s Word (the Bible) and God’s world follow the same storyline:

Creation → Fall & Rebellion → Redemption → Restoration (Glory)

Next week: Rebellion.

Living today with echoes of the Beginning

Jeff — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:28:29 +0000

Genesis is a book all about ‘beginnings’ — and in Genesis 1-2 we saw the beginning of everything. Every but God. He has always been and will always be self-sufficient.

As Aaron taught us on CREATION, the beginning of The Story of God, we see the main character — the Hero of the Story, God — speaking this universe into existence. Effortlessly, with infinite creative beauty. It wasn’t … and then it was!

On Wednesday night we concluded with three thoughts:

This world is good, and
Human life is very good, and
God is truly good.

Consider these questions [from the Ask & Explore]:

How many of you feel confident you could summarize the Bible? Not just the story of Jesus’ life, but the entire Bible?
[After seeing amazing photos and considering the staggering immensity and beautiful design of space and this earth] Looking at the universe like this … does it make you feel small?
What were we made for? What is our ‘chief end?’ (“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” —Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Next week: The Fall (Genesis 3). Read ahead.

Beginning The Story of God

Jeff — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 21:43:28 +0000

Yes, we’ve begun studying (and enjoying!) The Story of God God’s Word (the Bible) and God’s world follow the same storyline:

Creation → Fall & Rebellion → Redemption → Restoration (Glory)

This Wednesday Aaron enjoyed preaching on Creation. We were created by God (in the triune God’s image), and for God (for His glory, to worship Him at all times, in everything). We looked at Genesis 1-2, in this first ‘chapter’ of the Big Story. Here’s a little summary of it:

CREATION | The story does not begin with a God in hiding. God initiates the story by creating all that exists, including His prized creation – human beings – whom He pursued in relationship. What God created in the beginning was not just good, but perfect, whole, complete, lacking in nothing. He designed the Earth as an ideal environment for His creation to flourish.

Next week? The FALL. (Read ahead: Genesis 3.)

The Story of God: Creation, Fall, Rebellion, Redemption, Glory

Questions:

How many of you feel confident you could summarize the Bible? Not just the story of Jesus’ life, but the entire Bible?
[After seeing amazing photos and considering the staggering immensity and beautiful design of space and this earth] Looking at the universe like this … does it make you feel small?
What were we made for? What is our ‘chief end?’ (“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” —Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Q’s from Ruth 2

Jeff — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:30:52 +0000

After studying Ruth 2:14-23 this Wednesday night, we gave thought to some questions getting at our true motives. (Included in the Ask & Explore.)

Questions for the WOMEN:

What do you do just so guys will notice you physically? How much of the way you dress / your behavior is motivated by this?
What kind of guy do you think you’ll attract by just attracting in a physical way?
How would you dress / act to impress / attract / honor Jesus?
Why is it hard to act / live this way?
What did Ruth do, specifically, in this story, that you can imitate in your own life?

Questions for the MEN:

What attracts you to a woman? (be honest!)
Physical attraction is fine / wonderful / God-given. It’s a part of who we are. But it, by itself, is not lasting.
Have you ever been physically attracted to a girl, and then once you found out about her / got to know her, been less attracted to her?
Why do you think this is?
Can any of you honestly say that all you want in a wife is that she’s hot?
What are some qualities that are lastingly attractive in a woman? What kind of woman do you really want to spend your life with?’
(The point: be aware of this! Don’t just obsess over hot girls.)
We can learn from Boaz. Boaz was attracted to Ruth. What was his reaction? Did he “go after her”? What did he do to show that he was attracted to her?

Question for EVERYONE:
The entirety of the Bible points to Jesus. Where do we see the Gospel (the good news about Jesus) in this story?

GreenBox of Hope (June 12)

Jeff — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:19:03 +0000

GreenBox is donating one of their innovative, environmentally friendly, portable pre-fabricated buildings for a dwelling place at Dignity Village. On Saturday, June 12th we get to build it!

Dignity Village is a city-recognized encampment of homeless people in Portland. Homeless folks in Portland who were tired of sleeping under bridges and in door ways started “tent city”; after being recognized by the city it was deemed Dignity Village.

The village is registered as a 501(c)3. Its really impressive as they have a general civic structure, basic rules of order and community gardens as well as revenue generation opportunity. there is an office and community restroom. other than that residents build small structures to live in.

Calling all Graduates!

Jeff — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:44:06 +0000

High School Seniors! We would love to help launch you into the next season of life, and want to recognize this accomplishment as you turn the page.

On the weekend of June 5/6 we will honor graduates. We need some info and photos from you.

Check it out here.

Tonight: Ruth 2:1-13

Jeff — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:09:54 +0000

Tonight we continue studying the book of Ruth. We’ll be in chapter 2, looking at the first 13 verses:

1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. 4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.” 5 Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

(Ruth 2:1-13, ESV)

We ended by singing, “From the Inside Out”:

How teens use cellphones

Jeff — Wed, 05 May 2010 23:40:23 +0000

[From Mashable] Flowtown has posted an infographic illustrating cellphone use among teens. The data, which is sourced from Pew Internet Research, visually underscores something we’ve known for a long time: Teens love to text.

At this point, 75% of teens have cellphones, up from 45% back in 2004. Thirty-three percent of teens send more than 100 texts per day. Teenage boys send an average of 30 text messages per day and girls send an average of 80.

Click on the image below to see a larger version…

[img credit: Carissa GoodNCrazy]