Memories, light the corner of my mind. Misty.....

What difference do memories make? Some memories flood the soul with nostalgic warmth as we recall love and positive experiences. Other memories leave a person paralyzed as trauma is relived and a victim is unable to move forward. Still other memories inspire and energize an individual to conquer obstacles that would otherwise become roadblocks.
In just a couple of weeks most of us will celebrate Mother’s Day which will likely include a phone call or personal visit if one’s mother is still alive or a time of reflection and appreciation if she has passed on.
Following that date many will celebrate the graduation of loved ones with gifts, ceremonies and receptions honoring the accomplishments of the past that cumulate into a diploma.
At the end of May Americans will honor Memorial Day (or Decoration Day as it was previously called) where the dedication and sacrifice of our fallen soldiers will be recalled and esteemed. A personal tradition I began several years ago is to watch the movie Saving Private Ryan each year on this weekend. The movie begins and ends in a cemetery where the words of a simple two-word phrase had haunted a man and brought him to this somber place of remembrance. The majority of the movie is a flashback of events that led up to the scene where Captain Miller speaks into the ear of Private Ryan two four-lettered words, “Earn this.”
Another character (Reiben) murmurs, "Ryan better be worth it. He better go home and cure some disease or invent a new, longer-lasting lightbulb." This phrase, “earn this”, had so haunted Ryan that as he stands before Capt. Miller’s grave marker he weeps uncontrollably and asks his wife if his life justified the sacrifice. She wisely consoles him with the fact that his life truly has been significant because of his relationship to his family and those around him.
As this post is being composed, Easter is just around the corner. I am reminded of another quote associated with memories. As Jesus shared the bread and the wine with his disciples he told them to “do this in remembrance of me.” This is more than a rite of worship or some magical spell connected to a ceremony. It is a challenge that implies “Because I have done this for you, what are you going to do with your life?” We can never “earn this”, but we must respond to it.
This is a phrase that demands more than sentimental reflection. It is too important to relegate to simple nostalgic warmth. It is impregnated with power that guides us past the paralysis of guilt. It inspires and energizes each one of us to a more sincere love for God and a more sacrificial love for those He puts in our lives.

Are all small groups equally beneficial?

The answer to the question in the title of this post depends on how you define the goal of small groups. Small groups can be a tool to draw people into a sense of belonging rather than consuming. This can be easily identified by how they refer to the church. Do they call it YOUR church or OUR church?
Small groups can be a tool to of spiritual formation or discipleship. Ideas are shared, tough questions are asked, and truth replaces the lies we believe as individuals are conformed to the image of Christ.
Small groups can be a tool for social change. The cumulative result of shared effort is greater than the sum of individual contributions. Fatigue and simple routine can easily manifest when a person challenges an issue alone, but mutual encouragement and creativity flourish when there is a shared responsibility for results.
Small groups can be a tool for behavior modification, as evidenced in thousands of self-help and 12 step groups around the globe.

This study provides 4 descriptions of the effectiveness of groups that caught my attention.
1. "Members of small groups...are more likely to attend worship, tithe and volunteer"
2. "Any type of small group will benefit your church...because of the belonging and commitment they foster"
3. "Frequency of attendance is more important for successful small groups than is length of attendance."
4. "The best way to get people into small groups is by personal invitation"

Does your experience coincide with these findings? As you reflect on your past have you found participation, belonging, frequency, and personal invitation to positively influence your obedience to and sense of intimacy with Christ?

Using Bible Software to Gain Understanding.

Here is a project for a course I am taking in Biblical Greek.


If the Ustream quality is difficult to watch, here is a link to another format with no video of me :)

http://www.screencast.com/t/gnZ2chF6

Bible Studies vs. Small Groups

I find myself frequently correcting people when they refer to small groups as "Home Bible Studies". Why? What is the difference?

I also use the term "Spiritual Formation" where many people traditionally refer to "discipleship." I believe "Spiritual Formation" is more attentive of the need to transform the whole person (mind, will, emotion, and behavior) where too many people consider themselves to have been "discipled" and all they mean is "I went through a study book with a person one-on-one."

First, let me say that there IS a place for group study! That is why we hold classes and seminars for Adults that we call CSI:Elkhorn (Character, Skills & Instruction).

The difference between a "class/study" and a "group" is a matter of emphasis. In a "class/Bible Study" the focus is on the CONTENT with a side element of COMMUNITY. In a "group" the focus is on the COMMUNITY with a side element of CONTENT.

My friend TJ does a great job of describing the transformation that happens in true community in this post on his blog.

More thoughts on Community

A couple of posts back I wrote about the value of community as an instrument of spiritual formation. Today I just found another post on a blog I follow that goes into a little more detail on the value of reciprocal living.

http://leadingfromthesandbox.blogspot.com/2010/06/powerful-transparency.html