Listen to Jonathan Woolner speak about Jesus’ trip with his disciples to a place called ‘The Gates of Hades’ and suggest we consider why Jesus would bring them there. Read along in Matthew 16:13-20.
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Author: eengle
You Are
Listen to Jonathan Woolner describe the strategy, introduced by Jesus, of changing the world with unschooled ordinary people: people just like us. You are the salt and  the light, Jesus doesn’t say you should be the salt and the light… Read along in
Matthew 5:13-16,
Matthew 5:3-12,
Matthew 15:13-16,
Mark 9:31-34,
Luke 8:1-2,
Luke 9:49-50,
Luke 9:52-56, and
Acts 4:13.
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Part of This Balanced Life
Listen to Peter Gothold speak about living out a well-balanced faith that includes three distinct parts. Grow, Love & Move. Read along in Luke 10:25-37
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Put On Your Glasses
Listen to Jonathan Woolner speak about the hermeneutical lenses we all look through to interpret the scripture and decide what things are & are not permissible… Read along in Matthew 18:18
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Chosen
Listen to Jonathan Woolner explain that Jesus was a rabbi. ‘Jewish to the bone’
Jewish disciples had to have three stages of education:
- Age 6-10: Memorize the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy)
- Age 10-13: Questioning and answering
- Age 13-16: Determined whether students would train for discipleship or for common trades.
Age 30: Students on the discipleship track look for rabbis to follow, rabbis observe students and discern whether or not they are capable of taking on their yoke.
Jesus was unique in that he surprisingly pursued people who were not on track to be disciples, and He pursues us in the same way. He believes you have the capacity to be like Him.
John 1 – “In the beginning was the word…” vs 14 – “…the word became flesh”
Luke 2:41-52 – vs 52 – “…grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and Man”
Matthew 11 –
Matthew 4:18-22 – “Come follow me, Jesus said…”
John 15:16 – “I chose you, you did not choose me”
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The Power of Connection
Listen to Jonathan Woolner talk about Zacchaeus. “…In the absence of connection there is always suffering.” Jesus moved toward suffering while tradition held that a tax collector would not even be considered human. He also calls him (who lacked connection) by name (pure and innocent). Jesus makes the first move. He invites us to be who we really are. Read along in Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 5:8.
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Orderly Disorder
Listen to Jonathan Woolner introduce the concept that the kingdom of God works in ways that we may not expect, much like a mustard plant. He invited us to ask the question, “What makes you think the world is the way you see it?” And mentions spiritual abuse being something we should be aware of. “We are like God, not when we are pure, but when we are loving and gracious.” Read Matthew 13:31-35
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Unifying Grace
Listen to guest speaker, Mick Wilson, brother-in-law & friend of Jonathan Woolner talk about “Grace Deficit Disorder” (thinking God will love us more if we serve Him more) and why mature christians need to revisit the gospel so they don’t forget God’s commitment to them as they commit to God. The fullness of God is in us, not just you as an individual. Receive the sacrificial love of Christ and bend it out to each other, your families, and this community. Read Ephesians 1 & Ephesians 3:10.
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More Than Words
Listen to Jonathan Woolner acknowledge the irony of using words to explain the unexplainable. We are invited to enter into “The Kingdom of Heaven” here and now. Taste, experience and see, but have fun trying to explain it. Read along in Matthew 4:17 and Matthew 13:1-9.
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The Familiar Unfamiliar
Listen to Jon Woolner speak about Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. A discussion is brought up about the Western perspective (we may not be aware of) influencing our understanding of this story. In a dramatic unexpected twist, God generously provides the sacrifice for Abraham to offer. Read along in Genesis 22.
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