House Church Chat

A True Test of Heart

2009-07-26T13:50:00Z

Thinking through my years of being a part of the institutional church, my years spent at a Bible college, there was always a sense of identifying or should I say, judging, that went on to determine with whom we as Christians should spend time. We analyzed doctrines to know who believed what and which ones were of the utmost importance in considering whether or not we would fellowship with people of "other" faiths. Let me take you back to an incident in my life that points this out.

I was living in Philly at the time and I was traveling to ...

Does the Journey of St. Clair County really need to exist?

2009-07-04T13:10:00Z

Over the last couple of days, I have been seriously thinking through this idea of whether or not we need this corporate/non-profit entity known as The Journey of St. Clair County and would appreciate some serious reflective feedback. I personally have a lot of emotional attachment and time invested in The Journey but the Kingdom is not about my attachments. I will give you my thoughts on this as well as some questions to ponder. First of all, what is the purpose of having this entity known as The Journey of St. Clair County?My initial thoughts on ...

Focus

2009-07-02T23:55:00Z

The darkness of nightfall settles in around you, and you begin to notice the distant horizon growing more and more elusive as if a fog is settling over it. You strain your eyes to see across the field, but you just can't see clearly. Even as you squint, nothing comes into focus. Was that something moving along the tree line? Maybe the time has come to pack things up and head back to camp. After all, this process will reverse itself in the morning.This memory comes from my days as a teenager sitting in a ...

A Book Discussion RE: Pagan Christianity

2008-03-10T01:22:00Z

This book written by Frank Viola and George Barna has been stirring up some controversy since its release with Tyndale Publishing. It is challenging our views of the "church" as the majority see it today. For those who are reading it or have read it (reading just excerpts from it won't give you the full context), let this be a place for discussion for the sake of growing in our understanding of what God desires His church to be.Post your overall reaction to the book, the ideas that really challenged your thinking, the things you don't agree with, ...

Workers

2007-03-17T16:08:00Z

Sometimes when I read a Scripture, I try to turn off the reflex of seeing what I've been taught for years--and try to see what is THERE instead of what I've been taught is THERE.Here was the passage for today:Luke 10:1-3"After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest."I've often ...

The Difference

2007-03-16T02:58:00Z

In the midst of a discussion the other day, my mind has been thinking about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We read the words written by Paul that we need to "be imitators of God," "do conform to the pattern of this world," and "our citizenship is in heaven," and then we read Peter's words referring to us "as foreigners and exiles," how is that we have failed to become different from those around us in the world?This thought has been stirring in me: What if we stopped and looked at the world around ...

Matthew Chapter 20

2007-03-15T16:56:00Z

Continuing the thought at the end of chapter 19, Jesus begins with a parable to help us understand the meaning of the first shall be last and the last shall be first.What is the main point of this parable?What should we learn from this parable?Why does Jesus continue to tell the 12 that He is going to Jerusalem to die?What do you think of the request made to Jesus concerning the sons of Zebedee?Why is rank so important?How does Jesus describe rank in the Kingdom?How do we promote an upside down form of the Kingdom?Why do the crowds tell the ...

Matthew Chapter 19

2007-03-14T15:04:00Z

This chapter begins with questions directed to Jesus about certain issues. So let the questions begin.Why do you think that Jesus was questioned about divorce?How do two people become one in marriage?Are there other legitamate reasons for divorce other than immorality? If so, what would be?Some people are gifted to be single. Why do people assume something must be wrong with someone if they never marry?Children came to be around Jesus and the disciples tried to stop them. Why?How does our culture view children? How does that view line up with Jesus's view of children?To obtain eternal life, ...

Matthew Chapter 18

2007-03-13T13:32:00Z

This chapter speaks of what God desires from us in our attitudes and actions.Why are we so obsessed with position and rank?Who is considered the greatest in the Kingdom of God? Why?How serious should we take our relationship with God? Why?What was the reason Jesus came?Does your passion in life reflect that of Jesus's passion?When a problem arises between people within the body of Christ, what are the steps we are to take to resolve those problems?What are the results or the goal of taking such action?Why is forgiveness so hard?If Jesus says that we should forgive an offense ...

Matthew Chapter 17

2007-03-12T13:18:00Z

This chapter begins with the core three disciples experiencing more than the other disciples.Why do you think that Jesus chose just these three men to go up the mountain with Him?What is significant about those who appear with the transfigured Jesus?What was the purpose of this trip up the mountain?What do we learn about demon possession from this recorded account?What does Jesus mean that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed?How much faith do you have?When Jesus and the disciples were questioned about the tax, what do we learn about our responsibility to those we are under ...

Matthew Chapter 16

2007-03-09T14:27:00Z

Again, Matthew's writing is dealing with the Pharisees.Why are the Pharisees constantly trying to trap or test Jesus?What role did the Pharisees play in this culture?Speculation: If there have been many men claiming to be the Messiah over the years, what affect would that have on the Pharisees outlook toward Jesus?Why does Jesus warn His disciples about the teachings of the Pharisees?Jesus then asks the disciples about who people are saying He is. What are the responses?Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, God's Son?Why is understanding this truth considered to be the foundation, ...

Matthew Chapter 15

2007-03-08T14:49:00Z

This chapter begins with some serious issues that we all need to examine in our own lives.What do the Pharisees accuse Jesus and His disciples of breaking?At what point do traditions become a hinderance?What is the real issue that Jesus has to deal with here?How do we put things into our hearts?If someone were to hang out with you for several days, what would they see coming out of your mouth (heart)?Why did Jesus choose to heal the woman who was not a part of Israel?Once again we see a miracle of food multiplicaton. What do we learn about ...

Matthew Chapter 14

2007-03-07T15:18:00Z

This chapter begins with an unusual account of what happened to John, the Baptizer.What prompted the beheading of John?Why is it that when you speak the truth to people that they react negatively?When Jesus heard the news of John's death, what did He try to do?Why did Jesus continue to show compassion on the people even though He wanted to spend some quiet time mourning?What does the miracle of feeding the people teach us about Jesus?When the people are finally dispersed, what does Jesus do?What are the different responses of the disciples when Jesus walks on the water?What does it ...

Matthew Chapter 13

2007-03-06T14:29:00Z

Stories. We all like them. What is it about stories that we like?Why did Jesus choose to teach using parables?After reading all the parables in this chapter, what is the common theme to each of the parables?How does your image of the Kingdom of heaven compare to the image Jesus presents in this chapter?Which parable holds the most meaning to you? Why?Why is it so hard for family to accept changes in who you are?What are some of your thoughts regarding the different parables?What questions does this chapter prompt in you? ...

Matthew Chapter 12

2007-03-05T14:25:00Z

Chapter 12 seems to handle those who have problems with accepting Jesus's claims to who He is and what He is doing.Why do the Pharisees choose the Sabbath Day as a point of contention with Jesus?How does Jesus react to their accusations?What can we learn about the attitudes of the Pharisees?Why is there so much attention given to Pharisees in this chapter?What did the Pharisees see as important and how does that compare to what Jesus sees as important?What other thoughts come out of this chapter?What other questions do you have?There is so much more in this chapter and I ...

Matthew Chapter 11

2007-03-03T14:17:00Z

Questions remain an important part of developing faith. As you start this chapter, why does John ask about Jesus? Afterall, he is the one who baptized Jesus and heard the voice from heaven.What response did Jesus give to John's questions?What is John's role in the coming of the Kingdom?Despite John's importance, who can become greater than John?How does Jesus describe people's thoughts about John? What about people's thoughts concerning Jesus?When you think of people calling Jesus a "gluttonous man," a "drunkard," and a "friend of tax-gatherers and sinners," what does that mean to you?Jesus begins to bring ...

Matthew Chapter 10

2007-03-02T14:11:00Z

Here are your instructions as you go...this chapter begins by Jesus giving His disciples instructions as they go out and advance the Kingdom.What does Jesus give the disciples according to the very first verse?Do we have that same promise as we go? What instructions strike you as odd?Of all the instructions that He gives to these Twelve that He sends out, what instructions should we take to heart?What are some of the situations we could find ourselves in as we go spreading the message of the Kingdom?What warnings does Jesus give? Beginning in verse 24, Jesus lays out what ...

Matthew Chapter 9

2007-03-01T19:29:00Z

Matthew continues to record numerous healings in this chapter. Notice as you read how Jesus interacts with different people. What can we learn from His interactions?What is the significance of Jesus having authority to forgive sins?Who's faith is required for God to intervene?What is significant about Jesus choosing Matthew?What is the big deal about eating at his house?When questioned about fasting, He talks about new and used patches, and new and old wine, what was Jesus trying to say?What do you notice about the healings at the end of this chapter?What is seems to be the one thing ...

Matthew Chapter 8

2007-02-28T14:55:00Z

Let the healings begin.This chapter captures several instances of Jesus healing people. What stands out to you about the different scenarios recorded?How does Jesus interact with people that simply amazes people?What makes certain people want Him to go away?What are the reactions of the people who are healed?Why does Jesus give the responses He does to the two who come to Him wanting to follow Him (verses 18-22)?What does the calming of the storm teach us about Jesus?What are some things that inspired you out of this chapter?What questions about this chapter do you have? ...

Matthew Chapter 7

2007-02-27T14:15:00Z

The teaching of Jesus in chapter 7 starts out with the statement, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Why has this become one of the most well known verses in the Bible by both followers of Jesus and those who don't?Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock and when doing so, things happen. What keeps you from aksing, seeking, or knocking on doors of opportunity? How often do you seek out God to help you in situations that you are in? Why are there only a few who enter through the narrow gate? ...