YAM eNews Week of June 29, 2003
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
Calendar
Coming Up
[Your Contribution Could Be Here]
The Gathering—No meeting in Torrance today… nearly everyone was at Kamper Kamp
Tuesday Bible Study—Big Rocks—Why do theology? Matthew 22:37-40
=============================
CALENDAR
SUNDAYS
Worship @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
Current Study: Pastor Charlie is teaching through Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: “What is church?” taught by Laura
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
Eating together (most weeks) @ 11:45 am
TUESDAYS
Bible Study @ 8 pm—YAM room
Current Study: Big Rocks, taught by Laura
Coming in July—Song of Songs
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
=============================
COMING UP
SUMMER EVENTS… at least so far (send in your ideas!!)
Sparks games
Baseball
Weekend retreat
Taco Saturday
Magic Mountain
Museums
Huntington Library
Getty
Pool Party
MTA Los Angeles Art Tour
and so much more…
LABOR DAY WEEKEND, August 29 to September 1
COLLEGE BRIEFING
Forest Home
In our world we are often faced with hard and challenging situations.
What do you depend on during these times?
Jesus Alone!
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info
=============================
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
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THE GATHERING—
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
This week was Kamper Kamp—TFB’s all church camp out. Sadly, I was not able to go… for the first time since being at TFB.
Here’s some keywords about Kamper Kamp (courtesy of Lynne Foster): hot, dirt, lots of walking, great people, and a general good time.
See you all next Sunday, July 6, when we start asking, What is church?
- Laura
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
YAM Tuesday—Big Rocks
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
THE MENU
First: Read the passage a few times.
Second: Ask a bunch of questions about the passage—at least 10
Third: Work together to answer your questions.
Fourth: Ask, “So what?” What difference does/should this passage make in our lives?
This Week: Big Rock Ten: Why Do Theology—Matthew 22:37-40
Here’s a few thoughts from Tuesday:
- Heart (kardia): the center of physical and spiritual life; the center and seat of the spiritual life; the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors.
- Soul (psuche): the breath of life; the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions
- Mind (dianoia): the mind as faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring
- The term “like” (“the second is like it”) is means “another of the same kind.” How is the second command like the first command?
Thinking it through:
- So, how does this passage answer the question, “Why do theology?” Theology is not some academic exercise for lofty theologians in seminaries.
- This passage gives the key to theology—love. Theology is about loving God. Theology is about know God as a person—about relationship.
- Theology helps us have a fuller relationship with God and each other.
- Theology is learning about the lover of our souls.
Coming up...
Romance? Sacred? Studying through the Song of Songs
Completed:
Big Rock One: The Word: 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Big Rock Two: God: Psalm 145:17-21; Hebrews 12:4-11
Big Rock Three: Man: Genesis 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4
Big Rock Four: Sin: Genesis 2:25-3:7; Ephesians 2:1-3
Big Rock Five: Christ--Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:14-18
Big Rock Six: Redemption-- Isaiah 53:10-12; John 3:16-21
Big Rock Seven: Spirit--Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 16:5-15
Big Rock Eight: Church--Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 4:11-22
Big Rock Nine: Future--Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 20:11-15
--Laura
YAM eNews Week of June 22, 2003
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
Calendar
Coming Up
[Your Contribution Could Be Here]
Studying Romans With Pastor Charlie: Freedom in Christ, Romans 7:1-13
The Gathering—Welcome Freshmen
Tuesday Bible Study—Big Rocks: Future—Revelation 20:11-15
Soul Work—Get a handle on the Story
=============================
CALENDAR
SUNDAYS
Worship @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
Current Study: Pastor Charlie is teaching through Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: “What is church?” taught by Laura
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
Eating together (most weeks) @ 11:45 am
TUESDAYS
Bible Study @ 8 pm—YAM room
Current Study: Big Rocks, taught by Laura
Coming in July—Song of Songs
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
=============================
COMING UP
SUMMER EVENTS… at least so far (send in your ideas!!)
Sparks games
Baseball
Weekend retreat
Taco Saturday
Magic Mountain
Museums
Huntington Library
Getty
Pool Party
MTA Los Angeles Art Tour
and so much more…
LABOR DAY WEEKEND, August 29 to September 1
COLLEGE BRIEFING
Forest Home
In our world we are often faced with hard and challenging situations.
What do you depend on during these times?
Jesus Alone!
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info
=============================
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
=============================
STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE
The Christian View of Life, part 16
FREEDOM IN CHRIST
Romans 7:1-13
BEING SET FREE
- WE ARE SET FREE FROM THE LAW BY DIEING TO SELF. (v.1,2)
Romans 6:22
Luke 9:23-25
- WE ARE SET FREE FROM THE LAW BY UNITING WITH CHRIST. (v.4)
Romans 7:4
Galatians 2:20
THE RESULTS OF BEING UNITED WITH CHRIST
- WE HAVE A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. (v.4): there are two Greek words translated “another.” One word means “another of the same kind.” This is the word Jesus used when he told the disciples that he would send another Comforter—the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was another of the same kind—God. The other word means “another of a different kind.” This is the term used in verse four. When we trust Christ, we are dead to the law so that we may belong to another of a different kind—Jesus. The law is a task-master. Jesus is savior.
- WE HAVE A NEW PURPOSE FOR LIVING. (v.4)
Romans 7:4
Ephesians 2:10
Galatians 5:19-23
What is our purpose?
1. I was planned for God’s pleasure, so I will use this day to get to know and love God better.
2. I was formed for God’s family, so I will use this day to show love to other believers.
3. I was created to become like Christ, so I will use this day to grow in Godly character.
4. I was shaped to serve God, so I will use this day to serve God by serving others.
5. I was made for a mission, so I will use this day to share the Good News.
- WE HAVE A NEW MOTIVATION. (v.6)
Romans 7:6
John 21:15-17
- Notice that when Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me…feed my sheep,” that Jesus NEVER asks Peter if he likes sheep or if he wants to be around sheep. Jesus commands Peter to serve the sheep.
THE PLACE FOR LAW IN OUR WORLD OF GRACE
- THE LAW STILL DEFINES SIN. (v.7)
- THE LAW STILL REVEALS SINFUL DESIRES. (8,9)
- THE LAW STILL JUDGES SINNERS (v.10.11)
- THE LAW STILL SHOWS US HOW BAD SIN REALLY IS. (v.13)
Galatians 3:23-24
Romans 6:22-23
WANT TO GO DEEPER? SEE “SOUL WORK” BELOW
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THE GATHERING—
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
Well they have arrived. We searched, we seized, and once again a new season arrives. I’d write more, but my brain is running on five hours sleep…
Next Sunday is Kamper Kamp weekend, so we’ll be casual—in fact, how about making breakfast?? Starting Sunday, July 6, we begin unpacking the vision:
We are not this building.
We are this community.
We are part of Baby Lambs, Little Lambs, Preschool, Beginners, Juniors, FW Friends, Salt, Vision, Young Marrieds, Home Builders, Sonseekers, Explorers, King’s Class, Friends in Christ, Fellowship Class, Super Seniors, Choir, Band, Share and Care, ABW, Loaves and Fishes, Committees, Officers, Leaders, Staff, and Pastors, and they are a part of us.
We choose to be part of this community.
We choose to love this community.
We choose to serve this community.
We choose to learn from this community.
We choose to teach this community.
We choose to be this community.
I have a vision for YAM—that when people around here want to see what church looks like, they will look at YAM and say, “That’s church.” So here’s the question: what is church? What does it look like? The next few months—at the very least—will be exploration. Some of the things we’ll try will be a perfect fit. Other things we try will fail miserably. That’s ok. The direction is clear. I challenge you to be revolutionary. I challenge you to live against the grain. I challenge you to be church.
- Laura
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
YAM Tuesday—Big Rocks
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
[A "Big Rocks" guide will be available sometime in June. This guide can be used to lead communal manuscript studies on your campus. Send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com if you're interested.]
THE MENU
First: Read the passage a few times.
Second: Ask a bunch of questions about the passage—at least 10
Third: Work together to answer your questions.
Fourth: Ask, “So what?” What difference does/should this passage make in our lives?
This Week: Big Rock Nine: Future--Revelation 20:11-15
Here’s a few thoughts from Tuesday:
- The apostle John had these visions and recorded the Revelation while exiled on the Island of Patmos. The church was undergoing persecution the time, and Jesus gave the Revelation to give his people assurance that everything was in his control.
- The dead are those who have not trusted in Jesus. The dead in this passage are judged and condemned, but the Bible says the one who trusts in Christ is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son (John 3:18).
- Though the dead are judged based on their works—they claim their works as evidence in their favor—not only do their works not save they, but they are sentenced to the Lake of Fire because their names are not written in the Book of Life.
- People have their names in the Book of life because they Jesus to take away the punishment for rebellion against God—sin—and to make a loving relationship with God possible.
- The sea, death, and Hades appear to be holding cells, as it were. Basically, death row for those who continue to rebel against God and do not trust him or love him.
Thinking it through:
- Something to think about: Does God send people to the Lake of Fire, or do people choose to go? In either case, would/could someone change their mind once they arrive in the Lake of Fire? If they did, what SHOULD happen? Offer proof.
- Calvinism and Arminianism—two theologies concerning salvation—came up in our discussion. Here are some resources for those who would like to do more reading and thinking on the subject of predestination and eternal condemnation. No matter which theology you find more comfortable, the real test is Scripture.
Calvinism-Arminianism Comparison
About Arminianism
About Calvinism
God’s Choice or Ours (online resource from the Radio Bible Class)
Coming up...
Big Rock Ten: Why Do Theology—Matthew 22:37-40
Starting June 30: Romance? Sacred? Studying through the Song of Songs
Completed:
Big Rock One: The Word: 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Big Rock Two: God: Psalm 145:17-21; Hebrews 12:4-11
Big Rock Three: Man: Genesis 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4
Big Rock Four: Sin: Genesis 2:25-3:7; Ephesians 2:1-3
Big Rock Five: Christ--Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:14-18
Big Rock Six: Redemption-- Isaiah 53:10-12; John 3:16-21
Big Rock Seven: Spirit--Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 16:5-15
Big Rock Eight: Church--Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 4:11-22
Big Rock Nine: Future--Daniel 7:13-14
--Laura
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SOUL WORK—Get a handle on the Story
Read the story—read it like a story—you may be surprised at what you find (if you were in Ann’s Sunday School class, you probably already know some of the weird stories in the bible).
HISTORY OF THE O.T.
(4000+ years)
Genesis--Creation to Joseph
Exodus--Deliverance to Sinai
Numbers--Life in Wilderness
Deuteronomy--Preparation
Joshua--Conquest of the land
Judges--Cycles of trouble
1 Samuel--Saul
2 Samuel--David
1 Kings--Solomon and division
2 Kings--Kings and decline
(Captivity to Babylon)
Ezra--Rebuilding of temple
Nehemiah--Rebuilding of walls
HISTORY OF THE N.T.
(70+ years)
The Gospels--Life of Jesus
Acts--Work of the apostles
Reading through the storyline books will give you a good framework for understanding the other books. All the other books—poetry, prophecy, letters—fit into the story. The story gives the context.
Find out more about the storyline, and lots more, by clicking “Knowing God through the Whole Bible.”
As always, read the web with wisdom, and when in doubt check it out.
YAM eNews Week of June 15, 2003
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
Calendar
Coming Up
Service Opportunity—Summer Sunday School Volunteer
[Your Contribution Could Be Here]
Studying Romans With Pastor Charlie: Living Under The Law, Romans 6:14
The Gathering—Oh my God, you’re God, Part 3—Lord of warfare
Soul Work—Lectio Divina on Psalm 103: 8-14
=============================
CALENDAR
SUNDAYS
Worship @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
Current Study: Pastor Charlie is teaching through Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: “Oh my god, you’re God!” taught by Laura
Coming Up: Orientation… yup, Orientation :)
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
Eating together (most weeks) @ 11:45 am
TUESDAYS
Bible Study @ 8 pm—YAM room
Current Study: Big Rocks, taught by Laura
Coming in July—Song of Songs
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
=============================
COMING UP
SATURDAY, June 21
8:00 to 10:00 pm
EXPERIENCE
Consuming Fire
alt.worship event
TFB Youth Room
SUNDAY, June 22
10:00 am
“They’re here…”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FRESHMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUMMER EVENTS… at least so far (send in your ideas!!)
Sparks games
Baseball
Weekend retreat
Taco Saturday
Pool Party
MTA Los Angeles Art Tour
LABOR DAY WEEKEND, August 29 to September 1
COLLEGE BRIEFING
Forest Home
In our world we are often faced with hard and challenging situations.
What do you depend on during these times?
Jesus Alone!
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info
=============================
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY—SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
Helpers needed urgently for the Preschool Sunday School class beginning June 8th, one Sunday a month on a rotation with other volunteers. Both guys and girls needed.
Contact Lynne Foster ASAP if you can help:
tfbce@pacbell.net
=============================
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
=============================
STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE: LIVING UNDER THE LAW, ROMANS 6:14
BASIC CONCEPT OF GRACE
G – God’s
R - Riches
A - at
C – Christ’s
E - Expense
The above definition is good, but it does not capture the heart of grace. Grace is kindness, generosity, and love that is undeserved and unearned.
Grace teaches that God’s attitude toward us is one of acceptance and love
Grace is a statement that says each person is helpless, trapped in sin and incapable of pleasing God or winning His favor.
Grace is a proclamation that God in Christ has acted and has come to the aid of all who will trust Him for their eternal salvation.
Grace is a way of living; relying totally on Jesus to work within us, enabling us to live truly good lives.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF GRACE
GRACE IS AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD—This is part of God’s DNA; it is the way he is wired.
Psalm 145:8
GRACE COMES THROUGH A PERSON - JESUS CHRIST—Grace is about relationship.
John 1:17
Romans 5:15
GRACE IS ETERNAL
2 Timothy 1:9
GRACE IS FREE—It can’t be earned; you can’t pay for it—it’s already been paid for by God.
Romans 3:24
Titus 3:5
GRACE CAN BE RESISTED.
1. We resist grace through bitterness.
Hebrews 12:15
2. We resist grace through pride.
James 4:6
GRACE IS LIMITLESS.
Romans 5:20
THE BENEFITS OF GRACE
WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE.
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ephesians 2:8,9
WE ARE FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT BY GRACE.
Galatians 3:2
MIRACLES COME BY GRACE.
Galatians 3:5
OUR PERSONAL GROWTH COMES BY GRACE.
2 Peter 3:18
1 Corinthians 15:10
By the grace of God, I'm not what I used to be.
By the grace of God, I am what I am.
By the grace of God, I'm not what I'm going to be.
This is about balance—“I work” balanced with “God works in me.” It’s both.
WE OVERCOME SIN AND TEMPTATION BY GOD’S GRACE.
Titus 2:11,12
Philippians 2:13
Wrong conclusion #1: God’s grace gives me a license to do whatever I want.
Romans 6:15-18
Wrong Conclusion #2: God’s grace removes the natural consequences of my actions.
Galatians 6:7
WE CAN HANDLE OUR TRIALS BY GOD’S GRACE.
2 Corinthians 12:7
Hebrews 4:15,16
2 Timothy 2:1
GOD GIVES US ABILITIES TO SERVE HIM BY GRACE.
Romans 12:6
GOD KEEPS US SAVED BY GRACE
Jude v. 24
Philippians 1:6
John 10:27-29
2 Timothy 2:16
Hebrews 7:24,25
WANT TO GO DEEPER? SEE “SOUL WORK” BELOW
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THE GATHERING—Oh My God, You’re God!
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
Part 3—Lord of warfare
Two different men. Two different generations. Two different centuries. Same God. Isaiah saw God in the temple. In his vision, God’s glory filled the temple, seraphim—really cool angels—flying around. When Isaiah saw God, the Lord of Warfare, he realized how messed up he was—how sinful. God is holy. Isaiah is not. So God sent one of the angels with a coal from the fire to cleanse his lips—OUCH! Result? God asks, “Who will go speak to the people for me?” Isaiah responds by jumping up and down, shouting, “Send me. Send me.”
Story two. Peter is a very good fisherman. He has been a fisherman since he was a little boy. Jesus is a carpenter—carpenters do not know about fishing. Jesus asks Peter to go out into the Sea of Galilee—a very dangerous place—lots of really big storms—into the deep water (the not safe place) and Peter complies. Then when Jesus—the carpenter—asks Peter to cast the net into the deep water, Peter balks, “But, Lord, we’ve fished all night and caught nothing. But whatever you say. [mutter, mutter, mutter.]” So, he lets down the net and catches so many fish that the boat begins to sink, he calls his partners to help and their boat begins to sink. Peter has seen God. Peter falls to his knees, “Get away from me Lord. I’m messed up.” Result? Jesus tells Peter, “From now on you’ll fish for people.”
So what’s the big deal here? One of the questions asked by both teams was, “What does God look like?” The answer? God looks like you. So, how good is your picture of God? How good is YAM’s picture of God? How good is TFB’s picture of God? When people see us, do the get a true picture of God? Or do they see a messed up picture?
- Laura
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
YAM Tuesday—Big Rocks
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
[A "Big Rocks" guide will be available sometime in June. This guide can be used to lead communal manuscript studies on your campus. Send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com if you're interested.]
THE MENU
First: Read the passage a few times.
Second: What do you notice—who, what, when, where, how? Connections? Repeated ideas?
Third: Ask a bunch of questions about the passage.
Fourth: Map your discoveries using words, pictures, or symbols.
Fifth : Share your discoveries with your group and work together to answer your questions.
Sixth: Ask, “So what?” What difference does/should this passage make in our lives?
This Week: Big Rock Nine: Future--Daniel 7:13-14
Here’s a few thoughts from Tuesday:
- It has always been God’s plan to bring people from all languages, cultures, and nations into the People of God.
- Messiah will be the ruler and the one worshiped.
- God really is in charge.
Thinking it through:
- Daniel wrote his book in exile. He had been taken—by force—to Babylon. His people had been taken to Babylon. Things were not going well. In the middle of this, God sends Daniel a vision of the future. The end of things when the Messiah is on the throne and all peoples acknowledge him.
- Given the situation, think through how this vision may have helped Daniel and his people.
- Spend some time thinking through the story in chapter seven—read the entire chapter and make a mental movie. How do you feel? What are you thinking?
Coming up...
Big Rock Nine: Future--Revelation 20:11-15
Big Rock Ten: Why Do Theology—Matthew 22:37-40
Completed:
Big Rock One: The Word: 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Big Rock Two: God: Psalm 145:17-21; Hebrews 12:4-11
Big Rock Three: Man: Genesis 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4
Big Rock Four: Sin: Genesis 2:25-3:7; Ephesians 2:1-3
Big Rock Five: Christ--Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:14-18
Big Rock Six: Redemption-- Isaiah 53:10-12; John 3:16-21
Big Rock Seven: Spirit--Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 16:5-15
Big Rock Eight: Church--Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 4:11-22
--Laura
=============================
SOUL WORK—Lectio Divina on Psalm 103: 8-14 (NLT)
Read the passage SLOWLY—several times.
Spend time chewing the passage. Think of cows chewing the cud. Swish is over in your mind until you really get the full flavor.
Talk with God about what you have tasted in his word.
Rest quietly and listen to God.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious; He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does He deal with us as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust.”
If you would like to know more about Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) check it out at these websites:
http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.htmlhttp://www.osb.org/lectio/about.htmlhttp://www.sp.uconn.edu/~salomon/ld/lectio.html
As always, read the web with wisdom, and when in doubt check it out.
YAM eNews Week of June 8, 2003
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
Calendar
Coming Up
NewsFlash—Training Day
Service Opportunity—Summer Sunday School Volunteer
[Your Contribution Could Be Here]—Tana’s Tales
Studying Romans With Pastor Charlie: Living Under The Law, Romans 6:14
The Gathering—Oh my God, you’re God, Part 2
Tuesday Bible Study—Big Rock Eight: Church, Ephesians 4:11-22
Soul Work—“Batter my heart…” by John Donne
=============================
CALENDAR
SUNDAYS
Worship @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
Current Study: Pastor Charlie is teaching through Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: “Oh my god, you’re God!” taught by Laura
Coming Up: Orientation… yup. Orientation :)
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
Eating together (most weeks) @ 11:45 am
TUESDAYS
Bible Study @ 8 pm—YAM room
Current Study: Big Rocks, taught by Laura
Coming in July—Song of Songs
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
=============================
COMING UP
SATURDAY, June 14
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
TRAINING DAY: UNIQUELY YOU
Trying to figure out what you were made for?
Discover your divine design!
SATURDAY, June 21
8:00 to 10:00 pm
EXPERIENCE
Consuming Fire
alt.worship event
TFB Youth Room
SUNDAY, June 22
10:00 am
“They’re here…”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FRESHMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUMMER EVENTS… at least so far (send in your ideas!!)
Sparks games
Baseball
Weekend retreat
Taco Saturday
Pool Party
MTA Los Angeles Art Tour
LABOR DAY WEEKEND, August 29 to September 1
COLLEGE BRIEFING
Forest Home
In our world we are often faced with hard and challenging situations.
What do you depend on during these times?
Jesus Alone!
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info
=============================
NEWSFLASH—TRAINING DAY
June 14
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Ever wonder what God has planned for you?
Think you know, but want to make sure?
Wanna be involved in YAM leadership?
Ya gotta go to UNIQUELY YOU
See how your gifts and personality work together in God’s design.
Price is $25
If you need assistance, scholarships are available.
=============================
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY—SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
Helpers needed urgently for the Preschool Sunday School class beginning June 8th, one Sunday a month on a rotation with other volunteers. Both guys and girls needed.
Contact Lynne Foster ASAP if you can help:
tfbce@pacbell.net
=============================
[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
TANA’S TALES
Hi everyone-
I know that it has been a long time since I last wrote, but, as with you, life is extremely hectic. I am now in the 4 week of a 7-week term. I am at school, Monday-Thursday for about 14-15 hours a day. Classes are 3 hours long and I only have 30 mins in between. So I am always moving. Right now the church is gearing up for Hillsong Conference. It is a massive conference that they put on once a year. It is going to be a great opportunity, but more work than I will ever imagine! They said that college students get no sleep, which shouldn't be too much of a difference, considering I barely sleep as it is. But don't tell my parents that! This culture has taught me many things in the 4 months that I have been over here. The biggest lesson that I have learned is how to relax and not stress out about everything in life. For instance, I have 3 papers due tomorrow, and only one of them done, and I am in class till 3:30. Yet, I know that I will get them done and turned into the assignment box on time without any major problems. If this had been the case when I first arrived, I would be a complete basket case by now. So I am enjoying the Aussie culture. I am looking forward to my two-week break in July. It should be very relaxing and fun! I think that I will get up to the Great Barrier Reef and take multiple pictures of fish! I better get going, for in 20 minutes I have another 3-hour class, and I still have to eat. So I will talk to you all later.
Sincerely,
Tana Rice
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STUDYING ROMANS WITH PASTOR CHARLIE
The Christian View of Life
LIVING UNDER THE LAW
ROMANS 6:14
The Types of Law
- Ceremonial Law—sacrifices, rituals, offerings, food restrictions.
- Civil Law—rules of government, judicial laws
- Moral Law—God’s ethical standards of behavior
THE IMPACT OF THE LAW
- The law is about control
o Galatians 5:1: The Law was never meant to make you a different person, but to control you.
o Matthew 11:28-29: When you became a Christian, you simply exchanged yokes.
- The law is a guardian, limiting access to God and his wealth, Galatians 4:1-6. The guardian’s job is over.
- The law produces spiritually illegitimate children, Galatians 4:21-26, 30-31.
- The law opposes an undeserved connection with God, Colossians 2:13-14.
- The law is a poor substitute for the God life, Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:1.
FREEDOM FROM THE LAW
- We are freed from the law’s power, Romans 7:6.
- We are freed from trying to keep the law in order to get to heaven, Romans 3:20; John 8:32, 36; Romans 10:4.
- We are freed from the law’s punishment of sin, Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:1.
- We are freed to live a new life in God’s Spirit, Romans 7:6; James 1:25; 2 Corinthians 3:18.
- Pastor Charlie (typed by lks)
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THE GATHERING—Oh my God, you’re God, Part 2
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
What is the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?
Here are a few from this morning: the Grand Canyon, the mountains, a meteor shower, a human-sized living catfish in an uncle’s bathtub, and the topper: a regular-sized catfish stuck in someone’s head (really, right in their scalp!). Well as amazing as these things all were, I guarantee you that Ezekiel and John the Apostle can top it.
Ezekiel and John wrote to people who were in trouble. Ezekiel was a prophet at the beginning of Judah’s captivity in Babylon. In fact, he wrote his book from Babylon and had his vision while at the Kebar River. John wrote to Christians who were experiencing persecution by the Roman government. John wrote his book, and saw his vision, on the island of Patmos, where he had been exiled. Both men wrote to people who were in seemingly hopeless situations.
Read Ezekiel 1:4-28 and Revelation 1:12-17a; 4:1-11.
- Grab a sheet of paper.
- Make two columns, one for each book.
- Now, look through the passages again and write down the descriptions of the place, the four living beings, and the “figure” on the throne.
- What is the same in both passages?
- What is different?
- What do you think Ezekiel and John felt after their visions? How did their lives change?
- How about the people they wrote to. What difference do you think this message made in their lives?
- How would your life change if you had a vision like theirs?
- What is keeping you from making these changes now?
- Laura
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
YAM Tuesday—Big Rocks
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
[A "Big Rocks" guide will be available sometime in June. This guide can be used to lead communal manuscript studies on your campus. Send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com if you're interested.]
THE MENU
First: Read the passage a few times.
Second: What do you notice—who, what, when, where, how? Connections? Repeated ideas?
Third: Ask a bunch of questions about the passage.
Fourth: Map your discoveries using words, pictures, or symbols.
Fifth : Share your discoveries with your group and work together to answer your questions.
Sixth: Ask, “So what?” What difference does/should this passage make in our lives?
This Week: Big Rock Eight: Church--Ephesians 4:11-22
Here’s a few thoughts from Tuesday:
- The church—those who trust Christ with their lives—are part of the people of God.
- The people of God are all those who have faith in God.
- The dividing wall between Jewish believers and Gentile believers has been taken down.
- The church, though, is not the nation of Israel. God’s promises to Israel remain his promises to Israel.
- Our history as the people of God goes back to the beginning—both Old and New Testaments.
Thinking it through:
- This passage speaks a lot about peace. Peace is more than the absence of conflict; peace is also health and wholeness.
- How is your understanding of and connection to the people of God throughout time? Are there gaps in your learning? Do the Sunday school stories dance around in your head, with no apparent sequence? There’s a solution. God has supplied us with a record of our history as the people of God. That record is the Old Testament. Realize, as was stated above, that the church is NOT Israel. Some of the details only apply to Israel, but the record of what God is like and how he deals with his people applies to all believers.
- Here’s the challenge: decide today to get to know your spiritual history.
- FIRST, read the story line books in the Old and New Testaments: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, Luke-Acts (Luke-Acts is chosen because both volumes, Luke and Acts, were written by the same author, and so have a consistency to the story). Don’t get bogged down in details. Jam through the story, if you have questions, write them down and keep going. The idea is to get the big picture.
- NEXT, read up on church history. The Pelican History of the Christian Church series is a good starting place. Each book costs about $12 and are probably available in your local library.
- FINALLY, start talking to older people at your local church. Ask them about the history of your congregation. Get a picture of what God has been doing in your local congregation.
- We are the people of God. This is who we are.
Coming up...
Big Rock Nine: Future--Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 20:11-15
Big Rock Ten: Why Do Theology—Matthew 22:37-40
Completed:
Big Rock One: The Word: 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Big Rock Two: God: Psalm 145:17-21; Hebrews 12:4-11
Big Rock Three: Man: Genesis 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4
Big Rock Four: Sin: Genesis 2:25-3:7; Ephesians 2:1-3
Big Rock Five: Christ--Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:14-18
Big Rock Six: Redemption-- Isaiah 53:10-12; John 3:16-21
Big Rock Seven: Spirit--Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 16:5-15
Big Rock Eight: Church--Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 4:11-22
--Laura
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SOUL WORK—Batter my heart…
John Donne (1572-1631)
Holy Sonnets: Batter my heart, three-person'd God
1 Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
2 As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
3 That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
4 Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
5 I, like an usurp'd town to'another due,
6 Labor to'admit you, but oh, to no end;
7 Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
8 But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
9 Yet dearly'I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
10 But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
11 Divorce me,'untie or break that knot again,
12 Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
13 Except you'enthrall me, never shall be free,
14 Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
Read more John Donne
YAM eNews Week of June 1, 2003
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
Calendar
Coming Up
NewsFlash—Training Day
Service Opportunity—Summer Sunday School Volunteer
[Your Contribution Could Be Here]
How To Be God’s Hero—Pastor Charlie
The Gathering—Looking Ahead
Soul Work—What kind of God do you want?
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CALENDAR
SUNDAYS
Worship @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
Current Study: Pastor Charlie is teaching through Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Gathering @ 10 am—YAM room
Current Study: “Oh my god, you’re God!” taught by Laura
Coming Up: Orientation… yup. Orientation :)
An online summary is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
Eating together (most weeks) @ 11:45 am—restaurant changes, meet in the patio or see Mike N
TUESDAYS
Bible Study @ 8 pm—YAM room
Current Study: Big Rocks, taught by Laura
Coming in July—Song of Songs
An online version is available weekly at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/
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COMING UP
SATURDAY, June 14
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
TRAINING DAY: UNIQUELY YOU
Trying to figure out what you were made for?
Discover your divine design!
SATURDAY, June 21
8:00 to 10:00 pm
EXPERIENCE
Consuming Fire
alt.worship event
TFB Youth Room
SUNDAY, June 22
10:00 am
“They’re here…”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FRESHMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUMMER EVENTS… at least so far (send in your ideas!!)
Sparks games
Baseball
Weekend retreat
Taco Saturday
Pool Party
MTA Los Angeles Art Tour
LABOR DAY WEEKEND, August 29 to September 1
COLLEGE BRIEFING
Forest Home
In our world we are often faced with hard and challenging situations.
What do you depend on during these times?
Jesus Alone!
…CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS… Colossians 3:11 NLT
Cost: $145, $25 non-refundable deposit due at sign-up
Scholarships available, ask Laura or Tom
Visit http://www.gospelcom.net/foresthome/collegebriefing2003.htm for info
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NEWSFLASH—TRAINING DAY
June 14
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Ever wonder what God has planned for you?
Think you know, but want to make sure?
Wanna be involved in YAM leadership?
Ya gotta go to UNIQUELY YOU
See how your gifts and personality work together in God’s design.
Price is $25
If you need assistance, scholarships are available.
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SERVICE OPPORTUNITY—SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
Helpers needed urgently for the Preschool Sunday School class beginning June 8th, one Sunday a month on a rotation with other volunteers. Both guys and girls needed.
Contact Lynne Foster ASAP if you can help:
tfbce@pacbell.net
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[YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD BE HERE]
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THE GATHERING—
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
Ever think you know someone, then something happens and you realize that there is a bunch of stuff you didn’t know. Often, we think we know God until something happens—usually something bad—that raises questions and confronts our assumptions. We have a God-encounter. There are different kinds of God-encounters. Some are tame and quiet. Others are messy and loud. But they are all God-encounters.
The bible tells us about some incredible God-encounters—some extreme confrontations. In the next three weeks we’ll look at five of these encounters. Today’s encounter is probably the longest encounter story in the bible. This guy had everything: money, kids, stuff, and righteousness to boot. Then he lost everything: no money, no kids, no stuff, and ;his “friends” questioned even his righteousness. He sat on as ash heap for days, covered with sores, listening to his friends attack his goodness. Job told them that if God would just give him his day in court, God would vindicate him. God would pat him on the back and confirm that Job was a good man. Then it happened—the God encounter. Job had his day in court. Open your bible and take a couple minutes to skim through Job 38-41.These chapters describe Job’s God-encounter. In these chapters God does not vindicate Job; he does not pat Job on the back and say, “well done.” In these chapters God confronts Job with reality. Job’s only option is to sit down and do a major rewrite. What does he rewrite?
Turn to Job 42. The first six verses are the climax of the book of Job. This paragraph is the point of it all. This is where we see what gets rewritten.
The first thing a God-encounter rewrite is our knowledge. Before this encounter, Job thought he knew God, but what he knew was only hearsay. It was not direct testimony. Now he had direct testimony. Verse 5 says that before Job had heard about God, but that know he had seen God—direct testimony. Job’s knowledge of God was rewritten. How was it rewritten? Job was a good worshiper. He thought that as long as he was righteous, everything was ok. He figured that if he could just stand before God and make his case, that all this suffering would make sense and his righteousness would be vindicated. Look at verse 2. Job learned that Job wasn’t the center of the story. God was. Job learned that knowing God—being intimate with God—was more important than doing good things.
The second thing a God-encounter rewrites is our responses. Before this encounter, Job boldly proclaimed that if he could only get a hearing in God’s court, he would be vindicated. He declared his righteousness to his friends. After this encounter his responses were rewritten. First, God rewrote Job’s words. Instead of declaring his righteousness, Job confesses his ignorance. Instead of proclaiming his good standing, he confesses his lack of knowledge. Look at verse three. Basically Job declares, “I’ve been a dork. I confess, I’ve been flapping my lips without a clue about reality.” Job’s words are rewritten: he now proclaims direct testimony: God has the power to do anything he wants to do.
Second, God rewrote Job’s attitude. Job turns from surety to sorrow, from self-focus to God-focus. Read verses four through six. Job takes back his foolish hearsay and mourns his ignorant pride. Job says, “I’ve been a snot—a self-absorbed navel gazer.” God rewrites Job’s attitude, and humility replaces arrogance. Job realizes that knowing God is all about God.
A God-encounter rewrites our knowledge and our responses. It transforms our assumptions and changes our words and our attitudes. Take a few minutes and think about your assumptions about God. Are there any that need to be rewritten? Are there any areas that need to be transformed? Get together with a friend and discuss.
Get a head start on next week: Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 1:9-17. What is the encounter like? How do Ezekiel and John respond? What are the implications for worship?
- Laura
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
YAM Tuesday—Big Rocks
[also available at http://tfbyam.blogspot.com/]
[A "Big Rocks" guide will be available sometime in June. This guide can be used to lead communal manuscript studies on your campus. Send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com if you're interested.]
THE MENU
First: Read the passage a few times.
Second: What do you notice—who, what, when, where, how? Connections? Repeated ideas?
Third: Ask a bunch of questions about the passage.
Fourth: Map your discoveries using words, pictures, or symbols.
Fifth : Share your discoveries with your group and work together to answer your questions.
Sixth: Ask, “So what?” What difference does/should this passage make in our lives?
This Week: Big Rock Eight: Church--Jeremiah 31:31-34
Here’s a few thoughts from Tuesday:
- The big idea: Before Judah went into exile in 586 BC (for stepping out on God—committing spiritual adultery with other gods), Jeremiah prophesied to Judah. His prophecy was basically, “You totally messed up on your relationship with God and you will be disciplined—there’s no hope for change now.” Included in his prophecy, though, is the promise of a new covenant to replace the Mosaic Covenant—the Law (think ten commandments—plus the 613 others—lots of laws). Jeremiah 31:31-34 is about this new covenant.
- WHO: God makes the new covenant with Israel (the northern kingdom, already in exile) and Judah (the southern kingdom, on the verge). God shows himself to be a forgiving, trustworthy, stubborn-love, disciplining person. Israel and Judah are helpless to fulfill the covenant without God’s help.
- WHAT: There are four elements in the new covenant: the LAW will be in their heart/mind; they will BE God’s people; all will KNOW God; and all sins will be FORGIVEN.
- WHEN: “…after that time…” some time after the Babylonian captivity (which lasted from 586 BC to 480 BC). Messiah Jesus declared the covenant at his death (Luke 22:20), so the first installment of the new covenant—real, though incomplete—is now (Hebrews 10:7-25). The final installment of the new covenant is in the last day (Romans 11:25-32).
- HOW: “I will” God makes the covenant because it is his will to do so. The covenant is made by divine means, not human means.
- WHY: Because God keeps his promises (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:7-9).
Thinking it through:
- Read the passage again.
- What kind of person is God? Given what God is like, what should his people be like?
- God promised the new covenant to the Jews, his chosen people, when they were about to go into captivity for rejecting God and for committing spiritual adultery with false gods. Despite their situation—and because of their weakness—God promised a new covenant. Look over the WHAT of the covenant again. These four elements enable God’s people to keep God’s covenant. When your life gets rough—your fault or someone else’s—how might the four elements—LAW, BE, KNOW, and FORGIVEN—help you get your bearings?
Coming up...
Big Rock Eight: Church--Ephesians 4:11-22 [NOTE change]
Big Rock Nine: Future--Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 20:11-15
Big Rock Ten: Why Do Theology—Matthew 22:37-40
Completed:
Big Rock One: The Word: 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Big Rock Two: God: Psalm 145:17-21; Hebrews 12:4-11
Big Rock Three: Man: Genesis 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4
Big Rock Four: Sin: Genesis 2:25-3:7; Ephesians 2:1-3
Big Rock Five: Christ--Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:14-18
Big Rock Six: Redemption-- Isaiah 53:10-12; John 3:16-21
Big Rock Seven: Spirit--Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 16:5-15
Big Rock Eight: Church--Jeremiah 31:31-34
--Laura
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SOUL WORK—What kind of God do you want?
“when I find someone really struggling with belief in a god, or a Christian having a hard time with actual obedience, I sometimes ask “if it were up to you, would you like there to be a god?” “If so, would you want god to be fully god? To totally express his god-likeness? To completely have his way?”
Todd Hunter’s Blog, Thursday, May 29
