This is a substitute practicum. On Sunday nights, a small group gathers in my suite in the East Lodge. Nathan Miller taught and these are my observations from this night.
A. Time commitment
- 1 hour during the time and half an hour response
B. Class this week
- Nathan Miller, my R.A. and suitemate, taught out of a book called Crazy Love. He talked about how God is love and his love is so immense and deep that it is His character. His main points were that we as humans have been made in the likeness of God. So we should share this love that God has. However the conversation veered quickly when I spoke this phrase, “The bad thing is: Christians are no longer known for what they do. They are known for what they don’t do.” Here is the problem. Chris Collins pushed back and realized he had seen this in his own life throughout high school and since we have been in college. We are accustomed to living our life by a set of rules and viewing God as a ‘cosmic-kill-joy.’ As a group we decided that we must change this. Nathan continued and talked about his personal testimony and how he needs to change his motives. This was a powerful week.
C. Questions
1. What can Christians do about this identity that has come about?
2. Is it feasible to ask Christians in a class setting to embrace this “Crazy Love” and go out and actually give off “Crazy Love?”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Joey,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great group discussion and bible study! Thanks for the discussion. As to what we can do about this identity, I believe it begins by loving everyone. Not picking people based on their looks or “stuff”, but really loving on people for who they are. We as Christians often look at people who may be a little different in a way that is not so inviting. One thing that comes to mind is a song by Todd Agnew called “My Jesus.” This song talks about this issue perfectly. One line in that song says, “Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despised the proud…” This line really I believe hits our problem on the head. Would we even accept Jesus into our own churches if he showed up? Or are we placing too much emphasis on the material things in this world, like our church buildings?
I would definitely challenge Christians in a class setting to embrace this “Crazy Love” and go live it out. Why not? Even if only one person carries it out, the number of lives it could touch would be numerous! Will it work on all people or in all settings, no. It will depend on the people and how it is delivered to them. But, it is definitely feasible to challenge them to do it!
God bless,
Chris