Week ending January 30, 2005

Know the story…Be the people…Expand the Kingdom

If you would like to contribute to the eNews or converse with the editor (Laura1), send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com

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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK

THE STORY OF GOD—Starting January 30
BIBLE DISCUSSION—Next: Philippians 3:17-4:1
TFB COLLEGE MINISTRY—2004 Annual Report
COMING SOON… Sharing your story without being a jerk
UPDATE! –and now for a word from the Project Managers…
WHAT I SAY— Your Words Can Be Here
SERMON NOTES— what god is really like, part 1: what God knows about you
REGULAR HAPPENINGS
EVENTS—Next up: EAT! date tba
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THE STORY OF GOD—Starting January 30

The story of God runs from the creation of everything to the consummation of everything in the Kingdom and includes everything God is doing in the mean time. God-followers today are a vignette in that continuing story, joining the millennia of God-followers who live out God’s story. The God-followers here in Torrance, at TFB, and in the TFB college group are part of the vignette that includes believers across the globe. God has commanded us to be his storytellers through our lives, through words, through media, through art, and through any means possible, spreading the Story of God to all who will listen.

What is the story of God?
What is our part in the story?
Why should we tell the story?
How can we live out the story in the TFB college group, in TFB, and in Torrance?
How can we tell the story so others will understand?

Project: A media piece that communicates the facts, emotions, and responses in the continuing story of God.


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BIBLE DISCUSSION—Next: Philippians 3:17-4:1
TUESDAYS
7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room

Bible study meets hangout. Thirty minutes of random yap
followed by directed digging. Right now we’re going through
Paul’s letter to the Philippians.


Laura’s Pictograph of Philippians 3:7-16


Philippians 3:7-16

Danny’s Analogy: Following God is like investing in bonds. There is a guaranteed minimum return, and the more you invest, the more you gain (Phil. 3, especially verse 11).

Tuesday, January 25, we'll look at Philippians 3:17-4:1. Discussion is potluck style—everybody brings something to share, so...

To prepare, here are some suggestions (pick one, or mix and match):

Savor it…
•Read slowly.
•Stop at the end of each paragraph and mull over what you just read.

Chew it…
•Read like a journalist.
•Look for clues to meaning: connector words (and, but, or, therefore, then, so that, because…); summary statements, inclusio (also known as the “sandwich” where the same phrase or idea is found at the beginning and the end of a section)

Pray it…
•Do a lectio divina on paragraphs that stand out to you.
Step one: Lectio (read the passage once or twice aloud, then once or twice silently; your goal is to experience the passage rather than to merely understand it)
Step two: Meditatio (chew on the Word by focusing on a word or phrase that jumps out at you)
Step three: Oratio (conversation with God)
Step four: Contemplatio (rest in God)

Journal it…
•After your reading, spend a few moments writing what you’ve learned about God, about yourself, and about the faith community.
•Record any commitments, convictions, confusions.

Question it…
•Ask lots of questions: who, what, where, when, why, how (W5H)
•Ask: What does this passage tell us about our identity in Christ and about specific choices we should make to underscore that identity or enhance our unity and ministry as God's primary means of ministry in the word

Rewrite it…
•Write the paragraphs in your own words.

Draw it…
•Draw pictures, diagrams, cartoons, etc. that help you explain the paragraph.

Story it…
•Write the story behind the letter.
•Write stories of people applying the truths from the letter.

Study it…
•Write a summary sentence for each paragraph.
•Answer the W5H questions you asked.
•Using commentaries and bible handbooks, research historical, cultural, and geographic information.
•Hunt down other bible passages that talk about similar subjects.
•List topics you might like to research further.


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TFB COLLEGE MINISTRY—2004 Annual Report
Know the Story… Be the People… Expand the Kingdom

In 2004, the college group went bowling, watched movies, went to College Briefing at Forest Home, had a great Christmas Soiree, and a December all-nighter complete with five power outages, a tornado watch, and ditch-em with the Youth Group. We studied the Gospel of Mark, the OT Story, Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together, how to build a front porch, and much more. But that is not the story of 2004.

The real story is ministry. TFB college students serve TFB in youth ministry, worship leading, Loaves and Fishes, children’s ministries, and the 90th anniversary celebration. Many also serve while away at college.

What happens during Sunday Collegium and Tuesday Bible Study is support for the work of ministry. Sunday Collegium consists of about fifteen minutes of random yapping, followed by 45 minutes of tangent-surfing, bible searching, and action planning. On Tuesday nights, Bible study meets hangout. We start with thirty minutes of random yap, followed by directed Bible digging (usually a paragraph by paragraph book study).

Bottom line: TFB College Ministry about three things: knowing the story, being the people, and expanding the kingdom. Knowing the story means not only being aware of the facts of the Bible, but also understanding what it all has to do with us. Being the people means figuring out how to live life as a community of faith, clearly declaring Christ in our choices as individuals and as a community. Expanding the kingdom has two parts. First, it means becoming better disciples. Second, it means making disciples.

In 2004, we took the first haltering steps on this three-fold journey. There is much to be done and at times the road ahead is not easy to see. College ministry can be random; with two-thirds of our students going away to school, students moving on, and new students every summer, change is a constant. We appreciate all those who have lifted this ministry up in prayer and have served our students. A special thank you to Tom W who concluded his service this past fall, moving on to adult ministry.

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UPDATE! –and now for a word from the Project Managers…

Bowling, Dinner, and who knows what else: February (Mgr. Cassie M)

If you have questions or suggestions, contact the managers, or email tfbyam1@hotmail.com and your message will be forwarded.

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WHAT I SAY— Your Words Can Be Here

You know all those papers you write for school?
How about sharing some of your hard-won knowledge?

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SERMON NOTES— What God Is Really Like, Part 1: What God Knows About You
Pastor Charlie Rice
January 23, 2004

"Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.” Hebrews 4:13 (NLT).

"... His understanding has no limit” Psalm 147:5 (NIV).

THE SCOPE OF GOD'S KNOWLEDGE

God knows all about Himself.
God knows all about creation. Matthew 10: 29
God knows all about history. Isaiah 46: 9,10

WHAT GOD KNOWS ABOUT YOU Psalm 139:1

GOD KNOWS ALL YOUR FAULTS AND FAILURES. Psalm 69:5; Proverbs 5;21

FACT: Nothing we ever say, think or do is "off the record."
YOUR RESPONSE: Be honest with God. I John 1:8


GOD KNOWS ALL YOUR FEELINGS AND FRUSTRATIONS. Psalm 31:7; Psalm 56:6; Psalm 103:13,14

FACT: God Cares - He is sympathetic to your hurts Psalm 142:3
YOUR RESPONSE: Give all your hurts to God. I Peter 5:7

GOD KNOWS ALL YOUR FUTURE. Psalm 139:16; Jeremiah 29:11;

FACT: God already knows the things you will face.
YOUR RESPONSE: Ask God for wisdom and direction. Jeremiah 33:3; James 1:5


GOD KNOWS ALL YOUR FEARS. Matthew 6:31,32

In part, worry is the result of not realizing the omniscience of God.

FACT: God is aware of all your needs. Matthew 6:8
YOUR RESPONSE: Replace fear with trust. Philippians 4:6

GOD KNOWS ALL YOUR FAITHFULNESS. Matthew 6:1, 4

FACT: Every good deed you do will be rewarded by God.
YOUR RESPONSE: Actively pursue doing good! Galatians 6:9,10


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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

SUNDAYS
WORSHIP GATHERING @ 9:15 am—Main Worship Center
Intergenerational worship gathering with indy-folk-rockish music and good preaching… too fun!
“COFFEE HOUSE” @ 10:30ish
Coffee, conversation, and donut holes in the TFB Courtyard.
COLLEGIUM @ 11 am—TFB College Room
Fifteen minutes of random yapping,
followed by 45 minutes of tangent-surfing and bible searching

TUESDAYS
BIBLE DISCUSSION @ 7:15-9:00 pm— TFB College Room
Bible study meets hangout. Thirty minutes of random yap
followed by directed digging. Right now we’re going through
Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

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EVENTS—Next up: EAT! date tba

EAT! (Mgr: TBA)
Bowling, Dinner, and who knows what else: February (Mgr. Cassie M)
LA Food Bank (Mgr: TBA)
BBQ (Mgrs: Daniel and Danny)
Summer Camp—old style: July or August (Mgr: Jeff B)

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