Luke 2:21-40

We concluded our look at Advent and the people within the story with a look at Simeon and Anna. Here are the discussion points that we talked about:

God confirmed His plan for Jesus’ life through the words of others. Are you willing to use your words to share Jesus with those around you?

Again Mary is confronted with the reality of the Lord’s favor also including heartbreak. Are you willing to take the bad with the good as it relates to God’s plan and favor on your life?

Jesus grew, was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Beyond these, what is your prayer for the coming year?

Thoughts?

What a difference a year makes

Today marks one year since we stood in a courtroom in Dontesk, Ukraine and were told that we were able to adopt "Mykola Gagarin." It marks one year since Cole Michael was officially ours. What a nerve-wracking day that was. What a joyous occasion. What a pivotal time in our lives.

One year later we can't imagine life without Cole. He came home officially on January 12th, but he became ours on December 28th. What a difference a year makes...

Luke 1:26-38

Tonight we talked about the classic Christmas text of Angel Gabriel bringing news to Mary of the coming of Jesus. Give the podcast a listen. Here are the talk points that we discussed tonight based on that text...

Jesus means “Savior.” Immanuel means “God with us.” What does it mean to you to know that the Savior comes “to us” rather than saving us “out of” the world?

Just as we saw the Apostle Paul trust God in the worst of circumstances, here we see Mary display complete trust and faith in God. Are you prepared to walk with God through whatever He has for you?

What gift does God have for you to open this season?

Discussion was great at church tonight. What else might you add to the topic? Share your thoughts here. Merry Christmas!!

Speaking of daughters

Congratulations to Ryan and Andrea who just found out they're having a girl! Speaking of daughters, I have to relate a story that my wife, Lori, shared with me from this morning.

Emma stood in the hallway playing with her hair, which has been growing longer and longer b/c she wants to be like Rapunzel. Emma said, "Mommy, when my hair gets long like Rapunzel's, I'm gonna cut it off and send it to a kid in Africa that has no hair."

Lori successfully kept herself from laughing at the sincerity of our daughter. She wants to help others. She's knows about Locks of Love and donating hair to kids (a great cause!!). B/c of our work through Journey with Blood:Water Mission (another great cause!!) she also knows about kids in Africa who don't have medicine and clean water and food . Somehow the details mixed . Somehow there is an African kid out there whose greatest need in life is a long blond wig. Precious!!!

Acts 28

Acts 28. Tonight we finished our walk through the book of Acts. We saw the development of the early church. We saw the conversion of Paul. We saw hardships and persecution. In this chapter Paul finally gets to Rome like he's been hoping for. He is able to fulfill the mission of Acts 1:8 in Rome. Listen to the podcast if you'd like. Here are the discussion points that we used in worship this evening:

The islanders of Malta misinterpreted God at work. Are we looking for God at work in the happenings around us? How can we better filter events with the eyes of God?

The unity and support of the Christian community both on the road and in Rome is a great example to us. Are we seeking to bring unity to the church?

Paul remains faithful to God’s mission regardless of circumstance. He continues to use all situations to share the message of Jesus with others. Are we doing this?

What have we learned from our walk through the book of Acts over the last 7 months? What has been an encouragement or turning point in your spiritual life?

Other thoughts? Insights? Etc.

In the new year we will visit Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and others.

Acts 27

Acts 27. Give this chapter a read through. Just when you think that nothing more could happen to Paul, here he ends up in a storm at sea that threatens to shipwreck he and the crew. Here are the points that we talked about after the teaching time:

Paul spoke wisdom and experience to the crew. Foolishness prevailed. Do you blame God, or ask God why things are happening after having failed to listen to wisdom? Do you seek out wisdom from the right places?

Are you able to give thanks in all circumstance? Do you remember in all circumstances that you are God’s and that is who you serve?

Are we a voice of encouragement and a vessel of God’s message to the people around us?

God could have calmed the storm but didn’t. Still, God kept His promise. Often our experiences are the result of our choices or the choices of the people around us.

Please chime in and continue the conversation here.

Acts 25 & 26

Tonight we bit off two chapters instead of one, mostly because chapter 25 doesn't make much ssense to stand alone without 26. So we took a look at both chapters. The short version...Paul has to give account for his actions to Festus and hisbuddies. Paul used it as a great opportunity to share the message of Jesus. Listen to the podcast if you like. Here are the discussion topics that we started with. Please join in and share in the discussion...

Have we dealt with our past? Have we learned from Paul that God can forgive and redeem our past choices and use them for his purposes?

Paul has kept his eye on the mission and shared the message of Jesus with his ever-changing audience. Do we look at our circumstances as an opportunity to share Jesus with others?

Paul saw with a different set of lenses than we typically do. He saw his true identity in spite of his circumstances. What do we learn from this and how do we move forward with new eyes?

What other questions does this raise?

Acts 24

We continued with the walk through the book of Acts. tonight. Paul seems to always find trouble or trouble always seems to find him. This chapter is no different. Give it a read. Here were our starting points for discussion:

As in chapter 23, we see God using the Romans to provide protection from the Jews and move Paul closer to Rome. Is God using unlikely people and circumstances around you to further His plan. Is God using you in the lives of others and are you willing?

In the midst of all of this conflict, Paul continues to share the message of Jesus with others. Are you continuing to share that message in your times of conflict and in your routine living?

Felix puts off the hearing of Paul’s message. “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.” He puts off God. Are you doing this?

What other questions does this raise?

Good discussion. Let's continue it here...

Acts 23

Acts 23 was the text this week. Paul is carrying out his mission with the help of some unlikely sources. Read the chapter, check out these thoughts, and continue the conversation here:

Paul is the picture of courage in the face of adversity. How do we deal with adversity and what can we learn from Paul and his experiences?

Do we sometimes get caught up in quarrels over lesser topics to the detriment of the more important? Why is that and how do we overcome this?

God continues to use unlikely people and circumstances to further his plans. Are we open to these unlikely people and circumstances as God works around us?

What other questions does this raise?

Acts 21:37-22:30

Acts 21:37-22:30. We're straddling two chapters here. We continued the story of Paul's arrest in Jerusalem which we saw in the first part of chapter 21. Here Paul addresses the crowd and incites another riot. In the midst of this we see the Jews get ticked off. It all stems from verse 21. Listen to the podcast for more background on the story. Here's what we talked about:

How have we neglected our mission as followers of Jesus? Does this cause us to resent those who fulfill the mission?

What “word” might set us off like the Jews? Where do we ungraciously draw the line?

What other questions or insights does this raise?

Great discussion tonight. Let's continue our thoughts here...

Acts 21:1-36

We continued our walk through the book of Acts with "most of" the 21st chapter. We talked about how we often misinterpret God's message when we filter it thorough our own lenses. We talked about how we hope that God's will is comfortable for us to swallow. Etc. Here are the talk points that we began with. Please chime in...

Many of us are not able to discern God’s will to the extent that Paul was able. What would it take to move closer to that?

Do we usually equate being in God’s will with everything working out happily?

Have we ever been dissuaded from doing God’s will by someone else? Have we dissuaded others?

The misunderstanding and ensuing riot was the result of gossip and misinformation about Paul on the part of “church folks.” What do we learn from this?

What other questions does this raise?

Great discussion last night. Let's continue that discussion here. Have a great week!!

online discussion

Okay, due to the parade and trick or treating and whatnot, our weekly Bible discussion had to be cancelled. So, let's share thoughts online in preparation for this coming Sunday. The text is Acts 21:1-36...ready, set, comment!

Acts 20

There are a few miscellaneous portions to this chapter...a little "mapquest" action with point by point detail on their travels. ..an account of "Lucky" falling out a window...and then Paul's farewell message to his dear friends. Give the podcast a listen if you'd like. Here are the starting points from our discussion on Sunday night. Please share your insights and thoughts...

What would you share with others if you knew it were the last time you would see them?

Paul’s task and instruction is as true today as it was at the time he gave them. How do we live that out in our time and place? (vs. 24, 27, 28...)

What other questions or topics does this passage raise?

new favorite!!!

Okay, so this isn't a post about Journey in any way, but I have got to share a new favorite. Tonight we had some ice cream that Lori picked up at the store. Toft's brand. Graham Junction Station. It's graham flavored ice cream with chocolate pieces that have crunchy graham cracker inside. Whoa! Incredible! It's like a smore in a bowl.

Acts 19:21-41

We closed out the second half of chapter 19 on Sunday night. Great discussion again. Here are the questions and topics of discussion that we started with...

A major theme in this chapter is “reaction.” In the first half we saw a positive reaction to the message of Jesus. In the second half we see a negative reaction to the same message. What does that teach us? How have we reacted to this message of Jesus?

We saw people burn their valuable possessions and give up their livelihood. We saw people fight to defend their livelihood. Do we see ourselves in this story? Do we see this in our world? What is our “Artemis”?

What is our role in all of this?

What other questions does this raise in your mind?

Please add to the mix of thoughts, questions, and comments.

Acts 19:1-20

Tonight we talked about the first half of Acts 19. What a great portion of text that challenges us and whether we know the true Jesus and the Spirit at work in our lives. Here are the thoughts that we used as a starting point:

Do we know Jesus as Messiah and Savior, or are we living instead in John’s baptism?

Do we know Jesus and the presence of His Spirit, or are we invoking the power of someone we don’t truly know?

The believers in Ephesus came forward and burned the prized possessions of their former life. Are there things in our lives that we need to get rid of in order to follow Jesus more faithfully?

What other questions does this passage raise?

During our discussion time we spent a lot of time on the third question and the stuff in oiur live. Kristy had a great thought afterward which I hope she'll share here. Other thoughts that anyone would like to add?

Acts 18

Acts 18 tonight. We looked at the last leg of Paul's second missionary journey. We had great conversation tonight, so let's continue that here. Here are the thoughts that we discussed:

When Paul tried really hard, he often didn’t have the best results. When he allowed God to take over, the results were usually enormous. Are we seeking control, or are we allowing God to guide us in His plan?

It appeared that Paul would be persecuted in spite of God’s promise of protection. Have we doubted God’s promises in our own lives? When will we learn that His promises always stand?

What do we learn from the encounter between Apollos and Priscilla & Aquila regarding confrontation and correction?

There were great thoughts and sharing on the first two points. I'm sure there are other ideas on those. We never really got to the last point, though. Thoughts???

Acts 17

As we continue our walk through the book of Acts, we pick up in chapter 17 with the continuation of Paul's second missionary journey. In this chapter we see Paul share the story of Jesus with three different groups in three different ways, yet it's the same message. Here are some of the jumping off points that we opened up for discussion:

Some view faith as a nice and neat packaged faith as compared with real life with doubt, question, and struggle. Paul writes the additional letters in the NT b/c it’s not all roses for the churches. The Lord is adding to their number in the midst of conflict and trouble and yet there is still faith.

The Jews were “neat and tidy.” Greeks were “don’t know don’t care”. Our world is predominantly similar to this, and yet God is calling us to live in the tension between these two just as Paul & Co.

The Epics and Stoics and Jews essentially cloistered themselves so that their debates only went so far. Evaluate your own experience of church to see if there are places where there is cloistering and whether we have contributed to it.

Are we going and sharing as the example that we are given by Paul?

There were some good comments during the dialogue time tonight. If you have more thoughts, please share them with us all...

Acts 16

Last night we looked at Acts 16 which begins the second missionary of Paul & Co. Give it a read...good stuff. Here are the discussion points that we talked about last night:

Are we being led by the Spirit in our day-to-day interactions as Paul & Co. were?

Have we experienced times where doors seemed to close, yet God was creating a different way for us all the while? What has been our reaction and what should our reaction be?

As we have talked about in past discussions, our reaction to circumstance is often more important than the circumstance itself. Taking the example of Paul and Silas in prison, after wrongful arrest and beating, what is our reaction when bad things happen to good people? Are we able to keep proper perspective? Are we able to pray and sing in the midst of persecution.

What other questions does this raise for you?

Awesome discussion last night! Let's continue that conversation here...

Acts 15

Our text on Sunday night was Acts 15. It's a bit of an odd text that doesn't get much teaching in church, but it's a hugely pivotal part of the development of the church as recorded in the book of Acts. The snippet (but I recommend reading the real deal instead of the Trevor paraphrase) is that there are Jews who have become followers of Jesus. There are now also Gentiles (non-Jews) who have become followers of Jesus. Some Jews thought that the Gentiles should have to become a Jew in order to become a Christian. The Apostle Paul says, "nope." Pharisees who are Christians say, "yep." Thus the controversy. Enter the church council in Jerusalem. They put their heads together. They come up with a compromise that entails a few requirements but forgoes the circumcision issue.

All of this was really an attempt at church unity so that the family of God could be expanded. It also made it possible for people of differing cultures to gather at the same table without too much controversy or argument. Here are the jumping off points of our discussion from Sunday:

Here is great good news for us: this is a gospel that recognizes diversity yet enables harmonious living based on a higher unity, our identity in Christ.

What “do’s and don’ts” do we unjustly enforce on others for entrance to the kingdom of God?

James's proposal teaches us three things about life together in a culturally diverse church: 1) We must say no to any form of cultural imperialism that demands others' conformity to our cultural standards before we will accept them and their spiritual experience; 2) We must say yes to mutual respect for our differences; and 3) We must live out that respect by using our freedom to forgo what is permissible for us in light of the needs or struggles of others.

So that's where we started our conversation. Please share some thoughts with us...