Myth:    Angels & Demons – We’re past that aren’t we?

• The Question: Are angels & demons just a personification of good & evil, or are they real entities? What are 21st century Christians to believe?

• The Problem: Modernism: a leftover worldview from the enlightenment period based on rationalism

• The Informing Text: Luke 4:40-41

• The Big Idea: The methods of science are crucially limited. Since traffic with demons is forbidden in both testaments, Christians should believe/accept this or the rest of the Bible’s authenticity is called into question.

Myth: Ouch! It Hurts So I’m Not In God’s Will

• The Question: If you are in pain, are you out of God’s Will? Is it really that simple? Is it a lack of faith?

• The Problem: To be a servant of God we must at some point be served a cup of pain.

• The Informing Text: Luke 4 – The temptation of Jesus

• The Big idea: We believe in healing, but what about healing afflictions?

• The Question: Is there a difference between what the Bible says and your personal convictions?
• The Problem: Not being true to our own beliefs.
• The Informing Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
• The Big Idea: Personal convictions – are your standards higher/lower than Jesus’ standards?

This week we’ll continue with last week’s discussion as we dive into the first and biggest Christian myth of all – that being religious can in some way make us acceptable to God.

BTW: Some of the discussion from last week continues online! Check the pre-post below this one for comments and feel free to post your own responses and/or additions.  Click on the little brown box with the number in it in the upper right hand corner of the post to see comments.  *NOTE* When you post something it won’t appear until I, the moderator (Mike) approve the post. Posts must be approved because of all of the spam-posts that appear. If the posts weren’t moderated, there’d be advertisements for all kinds of stuff on here (use your imagination. You wouldn’t believe what I have to delete every week that never makes it. Just think of what’s in your email spam-box!) So, anyway, after I approve your post it will appear. Jump on in!

• The Question: How do religious myths get started anyway & what’s the big deal?
• The Problem: If religious people are getting it wrong, others will miss out on reality.
• The Informing Text: In Luke 4, Jesus preaches a sermon in the town where he grew up, attacking the racism, self-righteousness, & nationalism of the hearers, enraging them to the point that they attempted to throw him off a cliff.
• The Big Idea: The myths that compel people to reject Jesus are based in 4 types of selfishness:

1. Control
2. Greed
3. Familiarity
4. Comfort

First Circle minicast

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First Circle minicast

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We’ve already been up and running for a couple of weeks with our Miracle series. This teaching/discussion series will highlight the 7 signs in John’s gospel. So far we’ve discussed the wedding miracle (water into wine) and the healing of the nobleman’s son. A lot of great discussion has been generated that tells us a lot about ourselves and a lot about God. This series is going to end up being a real faith builder.

You may be wondering what happened to the weekly minicasts. I still plan to do minicasts, but they won’t be week-to-week anymore. I want them to stay interesting but the main reason for spacing them out is just me being lazy. Sorry – I have 3 kids, a job, a new dog, and it may get even worse if we end up getting Dish Network. But I promise that the occasional minicast will be insightful and chock full of information about what we’re discussing in the group and where it’s taking us.

Of course, the best thing would be for you to swing by Good Shepherd Church on a Sunday morning at 9:30 and join in the discussion. We’re a friendly bunch. The coffee keeps things from lagging too (at least for me – ha). We still have about half a pot left over after class, so there’s still plenty if you like your morning java.

First Circle minicast