Lent can be an exciting season of renewal,
especially if approached through the gospel lens.
Lent officially begins this Ash Wednesday, March 6th, and
ends on Easter, April 21st.
Excluding Sundays, that is 40 days, paralleling the 40 days
Jesus spent in the wilderness before He began His ministry.
This time of drawing nearer to the Lord
in reflection and repentance
can turn the winter of our souls into spring.
Jonathan Edwards felt God built spiritual lessons into all of His creation.
Likewise, Luci Shaw said: “God has given us two great books:
The Bible and creation — and they speak about one another.”
This is my yard as Lent begins.
And my heart could use a good thaw as well.
This is my yard in the spring,
and this is where I anticipate my heart being,
come Resurrection Sunday,
with a Gospel approach to Lent.
Lent has often been distorted, actually opposing a Gospel approach,
made more about self-denial, self-striving, and legalism
than about surrendering to the Gospel-Love of the Savior.
People give up sweets, or coffee, or Facebook,
but neglect Jesus, making Lent
more of a legalistic self-reformation project
than about abiding in Christ.
Even Jesus warned against sweeping a house
clean of demons, but leaving it uninhabited…
an open invite to many more and stronger demons.
In this opening week, I want us to grasp a gospel approach to Lent.
Do you remember how the bride in the Song of Songs
was ashamed of her vineyard in the beginning, asking him not to gaze on her?
But at the close, she is dancing, asking him to come and see her vineyard,
for she knows it is in bloom!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. Though we will not focus on The Song of Songs for Lent, it does help us understand a gospel approach to Lent. If you studied The Song with us, what changed the heart of the Shulammite so that her vineyard was transformed? Can you support your answer scripturally?
Heads Up For An Optional Opportunity for Lent
Tim Keller is doing a live-stream during Lent, each Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 EST, beginning this Thursday. (If Thursdays don’t work for you — those who subscribe can access it at other times through June.) It is 35 dollars for an individual. It consists of an opening by an artist, a 30 minute message from Tim, and a 30 minute Q and A. I am making this optional for us, for it costs 35 dollars, and I’ll ask for input on Fridays from those who watched. The reason I recommend this is because a gospel approach to Lent has at its core believing in the Lord and in His gospel-love. The reason we often disobey and run to false lovers is rooted in our lack of trust of Him. (I believe Keller’s messages, though oriented toward unbelievers, also help solidify our faith. However, you may want to invite unbelievers to watch with you.) If you have been a regularly participating member of this blog in the past, and want to do this, but can’t afford it, just drop a note to me (Dee) at comments@deebrestin.com and I’ll get a check to you. Read more about this optional opportunity here and sign up if you choose.
Monday: Preparatory Prayer from Scotty Smith For A Gospelicious Lent
Read the following prayer and then answer a few reflective questions.
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. Mark 2:19-20
Dear Lord Jesus
There was a time when I used to view the season of Lent like late Summer football practice. A lot of blood, sweat and tears mixed in with a lot of striving, uncertainty and fear. “What’s the coach thinking about my performance? Am I doomed to sit on the bench? Will I even make the team this year?” Have mercy! O, but you did, Lord Jesus, you really did have mercy on my performance-based navel-gazing fear-laced soul! Now it’s your performance I trust in, not mine.
That’s why I begin Lent today anticipating my wedding, not my funeral! Jesus, you’re the quintessential Bridegroom that died to make us your beloved bride. The work is already done… the dowry has been pain in full… the wedding dress of your righteousness is already mine… the invitations have been sent out… the date has been secured… you’ll not change your mind! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus, over these next 40 days intensify my hunger, assurance, and longing about the Day of your return… the Day you will consummate your betrothal to me and your entire bride-at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. In light of that banquet, I choose to deny myself (fast) certain pleasures for this brief season. I’m NOT looking to get one thing from you… just to get more of you! I’m not trying to fit into my wedding dress, for it’s already as big as my sin is. I’m just looking to know you better and better and better, Jesus. I am yours, my Beloved, and your desire is for me… and your banner over me is gospel-love!
So please grant me, and my friends, a most gospelicious Lent, Lord Jesus. That’s all we really need. So very Amen, I pray, in your perfect and praise-worthy name.
3. Read the above prayer and answer:
A. Scotty Smith compares his former view of Lent to late Summer football practice. What kinds of misery did he
experience during that?
B. What did Scotty Smith not look to get, and what did he look to get?
C. If you choose to fast from certain pleasures, then ask God to show you how to replace them with time with Jesus. It could be this blog, a spiritually edifying book, or the Keller messages…ask Him for wisdom here!
D. What stood out to you from his prayer and why?
Tuesday: A Prayer from John Donne for Lent
Because the default mode of the human heart is works-righteousness, it is so easy to fall into thinking, “If I give up sweets, if I fast on Fridays…then God will bless me.” That is so opposed to a gospel approach. Instead of bargaining with the Lord with our works for His blessings, let us ask Him to show us His love. If I may be as bold as John Donne, to “ravish me so that I may be chaste.” For unless we are ravished by His gospel love, we will always be running to other lovers. We’re going to meditate on this famous poem and then, I hopefully can add light to a few of its more oblique phrases with questions.
4. To whom is Donne praying and what does He ask in the opening line?
5. In the first metaphor, Donne likens himself to a captured town where the enemy rules, preventing him from letting the Lord in. Why must we realize that in Christ alone is our hope?
6. In the second metaphor, Donne likens himself as married to God’s enemy — which I see as our great affection for our heart idols. Again, only God can overcome these. But how will He do it? Note the end of Donne’s prayer and share what you see.
Ash Wednesday, 2019: A Gospel Approach to Lent
Often people have given something up “for Lent” but not really understood the purpose, turning it into self-reformation, or bargaining with God, or just a ritual devoid of meaning. There is an interesting passage in John 6 that gives light. It begins with a miracle, and all the miracles in John are also “signs” pointing to a spiritual principle. This is the only miracle, other than the resurrection, that is in all four gospels. Obviously, it is important for us to understand the meaning. It is the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. An overwhelming need was presented — how could it possibly be met? So many hungry people, and only a little boy’s lunch available.
7. Read John 6:1-12.
A. What question does Jesus ask and why, according to verses 5-6?
B. What do the disciples think Jesus is asking of them and why are they frustrated, according to verses 7-9?
C. What does Jesus then do?
8. What spiritual principle do you think God intends us to understand from this miracle?
So you don’t miss it, reflect back to how Martin Luther said we need to see ourselves, as caterpillars in a ring of fire, whose only hope is rescue from above. What God asks from us is not good works, but surrender and trust, and from that He will produce good works.
What happens after the miracle, is another miracle. Jesus joins his disciples, by walking on the water, in a boat headed to the other side of the lake. The crowd whom he fed is now searching for him. When they find him, Jesus continues his “so Jesus like” dialogue, full of riddles, but riddles we must ask the Spirit to help us understand!
9. Read John 6:26-27
A. Jesus sees their hearts, and why they have sought Him out. What is their motive?
B. We are all capable of selfish motives in seeking God, in practicing disciplines for Lent in order to get earthly blessings. What does Jesus tell them to work for and why?
C. Pray for your own heart right now, that your heart might long for Jesus Himself, and to glorify Him, rather than to use Him.
10. Jesus has just talked about whom God places his seal of approval. If you were to complete this sentence, how might you do it? God will be pleased with me when I_______________________________________________.
11. Read John 6:28-29
A. What question is asked?
B. What is Jesus’ surprising answer?
C. Would Jesus’ answer change your response to question 10?
Our fresh approach to Lent is not going to be “do, do, do” but rather abide and believe and see what God does. How you abide will depend on how the Spirit leads you. I hope you will join us in this study — and then He may lead you to also subscribe to the Keller seminar, or read a classic edifying book by Tozer, Murray, or Oswald Chambers. Tomorrow you will seek Him on how to abide.
Thursday: Seeking God for Your Path For Lent
On Monday and Tuesday we looked at prayers from a contemporary and an ancient saint. If either of those resonated with you, you can use that to form your own prayer. Or you may want to use the opening of Psalm 42.
12. Begin your prayer by asking the Lord, in your own words, to help you have more of Him, to experience more of His love, and to set you free from other lovers. Be specific. If you don’t want to share it here, write it somewhere else.
13. Now, ask Him for wisdom on how He would have you participate with Him in experiencing more of Him. Does He want you to give something up so you have time for Him? Does He want you to add the Keller seminar, or a meaningful book, or simply do these lessons with a thoughtful heart? Ask Him, and when you sense His answer, write it here. If you don’t get an answer, keep your heart open, and share it when you do.
The first live-stream from Keller is tonight at 7:00 P. M. EST, if God has led you to participate.
Friday: Optional Keller Livestream
14. If you listened last night, or will today or tomorrow, share your notes and comments.
Saturday:
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
153 comments
7. Read John 6:1-12.
A. What question does Jesus ask and why, according to verses 5-6? Jesus asks Philip “Where are we to buy bread that these may eat?” He asked this to to test him…test his faith.
B. What do the disciples think Jesus is asking of them and why are they frustrated, according to verses 7-9? They think that Jesus is asking them to find the resources necessary to feed the crowd.
C. What does Jesus then do? Jesus told them to have everyone be seated and then He took what was available and gave thanks to the Father for these and began to distribute the food.
8. What spiritual principle do you think God intends us to understand from this miracle? God wants us to understand that we do not have to have the resources…we are only required to bring the faith we have to Him and do what He says. He will supply what is needed. Ann Voskamp says thanksgiving always precedes the miracle.
9. Read John 6:26-27
A. Jesus sees their hearts, and why they have sought Him out. What is their motive? They liked the “free lunch”.
B. We are all capable of selfish motives in seeking God, in practicing disciplines for Lent in order to get earthly blessings. What does Jesus tell them to work for and why? They are not to work for that which is perishable but the eternal…we are to believe in Him.
C. Pray for your own heart right now, that your heart might long for Jesus Himself, and to glorify Him, rather than to use Him. Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief! I long to long for You, for opportunities to bring You glory instead of more opportunities to satisfy my own appetites.
10. Jesus has just talked about whom God places his seal of approval. If you were to complete this sentence, how might you do it? God will be pleased with me when I believe in the One on whom He set His seal_.
11. Read John 6:28-29
A. What question is asked? What shall we do that we may work for the food that endures…work the works of God?
B. What is Jesus’ surprising answer? Believe in He whom God has sent.
C. Would Jesus’ answer change your response to question 10? No
7. Read John 6:1-12. A. What question does Jesus ask and why, according to verses 5-6?
He asked Philip where they should buy bread to feed the crowd. It was a test to see if Philip would trust Him as the source of all provisions.
B. What do the disciples think Jesus is asking of them and why are they frustrated, according to verses 7-9?
They thought Jesus was expecting them to provide for all the people. They were frustrated because they knew they were not capable.
C. What does Jesus then do?
He took the loaves and fishes of the little boy, He gave thanks, and multiplied the food for all the crowd with excess leftover.
8. What spiritual principle do you think God intends us to understand from this miracle?
He provides abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. We are incapable on our own strength, but He provides everything we need, in our weakness, He is strong. He desires that we humble ourselves before Him in faith and trust Him to be our rescuer, our provider.
9. Read John 6:26-27 A. Jesus sees their hearts, and why they have sought Him out. What is their motive?
They were not filled with awe at God’s power in Jesus’ miracle, they followed Him because He gave them free food.
B. We are all capable of selfish motives in seeking God, in practicing disciplines for Lent in order to get earthly blessings. What does Jesus tell them to work for and why?
He tells them not to strive for what is perishable but for that which has eternal value.
C. Pray for your own heart right now, that your heart might long for Jesus Himself, and to glorify Him, rather than to use Him.
Father, forgive me for how often I first come to You out of a desire for comfort or rescue from an earthly circumstance. Make my heart desire You for Your beauty alone, seeking to bring You glory rather than wanting my own.
10. Jesus has just talked about whom God places his seal of approval. If you were to complete this sentence, how might you do it? God will be pleased with me when___my first honest thought–(when) I really love others well, stop messing up so much…I DO know this isn’t TRUTH! I’m just answering honestly that my default is to want to be better, more pleasing…so thankful for HIS robe over me!
11. Read John 6:28-29 A. What question is asked?
“What must we do to be doing the works of God?”
B. What is Jesus’ surprising answer?
That doing the work of God means believing in Jesus, God’s Son.
C. Would Jesus’ answer change your response to question 10?
Just believe. Repentance and faith.
Lizzy — I smiled at your willingness to give your default mode answer.
Dee, I just wanted to let you know that I can read all the blog and the pictures. All seems well from my perspective. Is the background supposed to be completely white?
I appreciate all the work to do changes. I leave Friday early for Israel!!! So excited! Eeek! 😀
Diane — I’m so excited for you. Eeek! 🙂
I notice the colors are different — I think it’s the new website look.
Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure Diane!!
12. O Lord, I do so hunger and thirst to have my life deeply and truly anchored in You so that nothing in life allures me, but that my life is full of adoration and praise to You. That I don’t lust for anything, but I can enjoy all things in You. I want only Your chains of love, and for them to so secure me that there no space for any others to get ahold of me. You know, Lord, that I want to be free from extra food. That neither food nor thinness would have any pull on me. To be so enraptured by You that food truly is only the fuel You’ve provided for me to enjoy and praise You for. I want my faith in You to translate to being like the maid servant in the Psalms, just watching for Your signals.
Dee,
Everything seems to be working beautifully now. Thank you to the tech guys!! And this new format looks so nice.
Grateful ~
Thanks!
9. Read John 6:26-27
A. Jesus sees their hearts, and why they have sought Him out. What is their motive?
They are just wanting to be fed the food.
B. We are all capable of selfish motives in seeking God, in practicing disciplines for Lent in order to get earthly blessings. What does Jesus tell them to work for and why?
He says to work for the eternal life, not for the food they physically put in their bodies. He says it will be way more fulfilling. Use their energy on something that is more lasting.
C. Pray for your own heart right now, that your heart might long for Jesus Himself, and to glorify Him, rather than to use Him.
10. Jesus has just talked about whom God places his seal of approval. If you were to complete this sentence, how might you do it? God will be pleased with me when I_____________accept others as they are and try to love them even though they don’t know Him__________________________________. A good example of this is playing out this morning as
my husband watches tv as I do my study…our state is contemplating a third identity to make the transgender community feel validated. Ugh…this makes me really want to move to an island so I don’t have to experience the insanity going on in our country. It is just like the people who think all kids should get a trophy. In real life there are people who win. I just think these people are so lost. It is ridiculous.
11. Read John 6:28-29
A. What question is asked?
What work can we do to please God?
B. What is Jesus’ surprising answer?
The only thing they need to do is believe in the one God has sent.
C. Would Jesus’ answer change your response to question 10?
No, I do believe in Him.
Dee, I’m still not able to save my name and email. Maybe it is just me…
Thanks for letting me know, Mary. Is that true on more than one server? Or if you have only one server, what is it? Info is helpful! Thanks.
I am on Chrome and can save my name and email, but I could not edit a comment. A box showed up but I couldn’t type anything in it.
Thanks Chris!
I’m chrome too and same thing happened as Chris, but then I tried again and the box showed up & I was able to edit. It was just a little delayed, but still enough time to edit! 😉
Read John 6:1-12.
A. What question does Jesus ask and why, according to verses 5-6?
“Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
He asked this to test the disciples
B. What do the disciples think Jesus is asking of them and why are they frustrated, according to verses 7-9?
They don’t have the resources to supply the need.
C. What does Jesus then do?
A miracle, He takes what was offered, gives thanks, multiplies and distributes it and collects what is remaining
9. Read John 6:26-27
Jesus sees their hearts, and why they have sought Him out. What is their motive?
They know he made food supernaturally, I imagine they were drawn to Jesus out of mixed motives, their spirits were probably drawn to him for the right reasons, but their flesh desired a life of ease, a king who would magically give them their earthly desires.
B. We are all capable of selfish motives in seeking God, in practicing disciplines for Lent in order to get earthly blessings. What does Jesus tell them to work for and why?
Jesus tells them to work for “the food that endures to eternal life”
I thought of Mary and Martha, we can get really caught up in things that don’t matter much.
“Martha, you see, put her family cares somewhat before the precious Word of Christ. And, besides, she seems rather to have looked at her religion as a doing something which Christ needed of her, than as a taking the one thing necessary which she needed from Christ! Of such people there is now no lack. I trust they are in the faith, though they are but babes in grace. Their practical piety consists, to a large extent, in what they ought to do for Christ, and what He expects from them, rather than in realizing that delightful sense which some believers have of what Jesus has done for them!”
“Now which would be your present choice? Could the pleasures of this world be all daintily painted before your eyes—every joy that could regale the senses—music to charm the ears, perfumes for the nostrils, sweets for the mouth and landscapes for the eyes, on the one side. And on the other side, let Christ and His cross be put before you—which would you chose? I know which some of you have chosen—may God alter your choice! But I trust there are some here who can say, “Choose? Why, I have once and for all chosen Christ! I have counted the cost and I reckon the reproach of Christ to be greater treasures than all the riches of Egypt.” You are commended. Christ gently speaks to you a word of love when He says, “Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.” Mary was commended, too, because she had chosen the good part. “
Here is the sermon I took the quotes from in case anyone is drawn to it
https://www.spurgeongems.org/vols61-63/chs3469.pdf
C. Pray for your own heart right now, that your heart might long for Jesus Himself, and to glorify Him, rather than to use Him.
Oh Lord, I long to be more like Mary, to soak in the life that I draw from you until I overflow with hope onto others, to be carefree in the way I choose to spend my time, choosing relationship over isolation and comfort. I confess I am often cynical and apathetic, I want to think I am qualified to stand in judgment of how you order events, I am drawn to ease, and to the approval of people.
I really do want to rest in your approval, to hear your voice and allow you to guide my steps. I want to be more trusting that you are as good as you say that you are, I want to chose the better thing. Help me Lord to keep my face turned towards you even when I doubt or feel shame, and especially when you have given me a good gift to richly enjoy, help me keep my perspective and worship you and not the gift.
Great message from Spurgeon, Chris.
Chris, Thank you for posting Spurgeon’s thoughts here. Reminds me of how sometimes I have to remove the “oughts” and “shoulds” from my self-talk because it is a way of forsaking making myself right before my God to once-again resting in how He continually makes me right before Him.
10. Jesus has just talked about whom God places his seal of approval. If you were to complete this sentence, how might you do it? God will be pleased with me when I_______________________________________________.
What a question!
It causes me to hold up the lies I believe (when I stop thinking negative-grumpy things, when I keep a prayer journal, when I get serious about telling my story, when I reconcile with my older sister, when I lead some of the people I love to Christ) against what I know the Bible says about my status right now as an accepted, loved, member of the family.
Gosh it is hard to lay down that stuff ;-{
🙂
11. Read John 6:28-29
What question is asked?
“What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
B. What is Jesus’ surprising answer?
Amplified Bible (AMP)
This is the work of God: that you believe[adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.”
C. Would Jesus’ answer change your response to question 10?
I know I want it to, I need the gospel daily and for that ‘penny to drop’ over and over again
8. What spiritual principle do you think God intends us to understand from this miracle?
That the power all comes from him?
I read this this morning and it grabbed my heart – absolutely in line with what we are studying and seeking here this week and from a 9yo! He is “looking forward to his wedding not his funeral”!
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lovinglouie/journal/view/id/5c7fbc1baed4c251088b45a6?fbclid=IwAR1G3NlWqAEenZ0rc6Vh45lgGr40zhzBoaT9xqMU_x47uhfUuiZjoxRAJTk
Jill ~ Thank you for sharing this article. Tears.
The pain in the hard moments of life can be so great, that we lose the ability to see through an eternal lens.
Jill ~ Thank you for sharing this article. Tears.
The pain in the hard moments of life can be so great, that we lose the ability to see through an eternal lens.
Dee ~
Additional feedback on how the new blog design is working: Last night it seemed to be fine. But when I attempted to correct a post, that feature isn’t working. Also, I replied to some else’s post and then when I went to make my own separate post, the same reply came up and was posted twice. Hope this feedback helps the tech team. Thank you tech team!!
Dee ~ Just providing feedback that I hope will help the tech guys. One other small thing I noticed is that the posts no longer show what time they posted. Only the date. (not a huge deal ~ just feedback for the guys)
Also, even after I post and the post shows up, the system still shows that I need to submit the post (even though I already have). ?
Thank you!
4. To whom is Donne praying and what does He ask in the opening line? He is praying to God and asking Him to overcome Donne’s own humanness, for God to force Hinself upon Donne because Donne is weak and even though he knows what he needs is incapable because of his deceitful heart.
5. In the first metaphor, Donne likens himself to a captured town where the enemy rules, preventing him from letting the Lord in. Why must we realize that in Christ alone is our hope? When we realize that Christ is our only hope it takes off the gates of the town or st the very least gives Christ the key to come in. If ai worship another method of salvation I lock the door and protect the enemy. When I preach to my soul that Christ is the only hope it gives the advantage to God to get in and be the ruler of my life.
6. In the second metaphor, Donne likens himself as married to God’s enemy – which I see as our great affection for our heart idols. Again, only God can overcome these. But how will He do it? Note the end of Donne’s Prayer and share what you see. He does this by being Himself. Fierce but sweet. Unwavering but loyal. Dependable but unpredictable. Approachable but not manipulated. The end says there is no hope unless God Himself radishes me, takes all of me and exposes “all” of a Him to it, winning me over… it is not enough to “try,” it is not enough to “look into,” anything we do is “not enough” … He is the ever-worthy bridegroom who comes for His bride and wins her back time and time again until we are ravished and unsatisfied with anything but His presence and will…. a process, slow but so very beautiful, humbling, and sweet.
12. Begin your prayer by asking the Lord, in your own words, to help you have more of Him, to experience more of His love, and to set you free from other lovers. Be specific. If you don’t want to share it here, write it somewhere else. – Lord I need YOU! I need more of you in my life. I can’t control the outside world on my own. Help me Lord to steer clear of the ‘other lovers’ that consume me. I need you to remove the social media, the games, the laziness and replace them with your Word, or things pointing to You. I want my heart and mind to have no room for other outside things. I want only you. Thank you Lord for your help, in Jesus Name AMEN!
13. Now, ask Him for wisdom on how He would have you participate with Him in experiencing more of Him. Does He want you to give something up so you have time for Him? Does He want you to add the Keller seminar, or a meaningful book, or simply do these lessons with a thoughtful heart? Ask Him, and when you sense His answer, write it here. If you don’t get an answer, keep your heart open, and share it when you do. – Lord I felt that purchasing Tim Keller seminar was you, not only for me, but to help others understand. Help my eyes and mind to be open to what is being said and for the noise around me be silenced so I can pay attention to his speaking. Thank you Lord for guiding me and helping me have wisdom to know how to consume you more. In Jesus Name AMEN!
Your blog is such a blessing to me though I have not commented, I follow it. I have been unable to find the Tim Keller Lent series to purchase. Could you post a link? Thank you. God bless. Learning to be more like Jesus, Jane
Welcome. Jane. Sure! Scroll to the top of this study and you’ll find the link under Sunday and the Optional Headline —
It’s Questioning Christianity
Welcome!!!
Welcome Jane ~
My husband and I are listening to the Keller series and began last night. It was tough to do it “live” in our home, especially for an hour and a half. I will listen again either today or tomorrow and comment with notes at that point. The sermon was on proof of Christianity. I found it hard to follow his train of thought at first, which is unusual for me with Keller. He references many different people, who were unfamiliar to me, so I found myself getting distracted trying to keep up with whom he spoke. I thought the question and answer session was interesting, as he had many tough questions thrown his way. I guess there were many in the audience who were not Christians.
I’m sure with little ones it was hard to listen. I followed him, but don’t have distractions! And I too liked the Q and A. I always find him helpful in knowing how to talk to non-Christians. The opening artist time seemed a bit strange!
Notes from Tim Keller “Questioning Christianity” session 1:
Tough lecture for me to follow. Here goes:
We live in a polarizing society. How do we know what to believe in?
Very intelligent people who have either begun a Christian and then converted to atheism, or were atheists and then converted to Christianity. How does that happen? They have the same evidence!
Both have biases, but don’t actually recognize that they do. Secular people (it is thought) refuse to look at the evidence. TK doesn’t believe that is so. Even the strongest arguments for God are not completely airtight. Christians have faith that must be exercised.
Secular people have reason and Christians have faith; there is an emotional need.
Subtraction story: “I used to believe in God but I just took that piece out and reason and logic took over. I can now see clearly.”
Secularism is not just the absence of belief, it is belief in a whole different set of beliefs. These are just as unprovable as proving Christianity. No higher moral ground. Both on the same playing field.
Charles Taylor says the subtraction story doesn’t work. You can’t disprove existence of God. That means you are living on faith.
If you don’t want to believe in God it might be because you don’t want to have to act a certain way.
If you believe in God people might say it’s because you just want to go to heaven.
Both have biases!
We have background beliefs that effect whether we believe arguments convincing or not. Before 1500 no one believed that their life was hard and because of that there was no God. Why? Because they assumed God was above their understanding of Him. Modern people think they can figure God out.
Secular people still have morals: equal human rights and universal benevolence. Prove them…you can’t. These are matters of faith.
For Christians, the idea of these two morals is like, “duh.” They are logical if you believe in God.
Niche says if you only believe in evolution then you won’t have those two morals. There would have to be a faith aspect to your belief and evolution is impersonal. You can only be rid of God if you are rid of the morals too.
Some believe in God but acknowledge the world has a religious point of view because of moralistic view (slavery is bad).
Love and human rights does not follow the idea of no God.
We must compare our beliefs to others to come to a conclusion.
In the next few weeks TK will tackle what we need to live: meaning of life, way of handling suffering, strong identity, happiness/satisfaction of life. Christianity give resources for these things.
Jesus was asked by a man to heal his son. He said, “I will, but first you must believe.” The man said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus healed the boy.
Coming to faith is a process. Christians aren’t looking for some pure, ideal faith. They are committing themselves to Jesus. He gives mercy to those who doubt.
7. Read John 6:1-12
A. What question does Jesus ask and why, according to verses 5-6?
Jesus asks Philip where shall they buy bread for the crowd of people to eat, and His question was only to test Philip because Jesus already knew what He was going to do.
B. What do the disciples think Jesus is asking of them and why are they frustrated, according to verses 7-9?
The disciples believe that Jesus is asking them to problem solve and come up with a solution to feed this crowd, but they clearly do not have the money to buy enough food and the boy’s lunch of five small loaves and two small fish is clearly not enough.
C. What does Jesus then do?
He has everyone sit down, then, taking the boy’s loaves and fish, He gives thanks, and the food is distributed to everyone there. He performed a miracle because that tiny amount of food was multiplied and everyone there had enough to eat and there were leftovers.
8. What spiritual principle do you think God intends us to understand from this miracle?
God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible on our own; He invites us to bring to Him what little we have. So Lent isn’t about me trying to do something big for God, or thinking that I can transform or reform myself from my bad habits. If I have been overindulging in food, Facebook, TV, or whatever, I need to see myself as trapped in that ring of fire and my only hope is rescue from above. My faith and trust might be small and shaky, but it’s enough, just like the boy’s lunch was enough.
14. If you listened last night, or will today or tomorrow, share your notes and comments.
I tried to listen to the live feed, but I had an issue with the audio…it was frustrating. I will try the recording.
I want to thank you, Jill, for sharing that Caring Bridge yesterday, tears for me too.
Feedback on new website: Thanks Dee and “tech team” for working hard! I am able to read and post now from my regular browser and see all the pictures.
Thanks, Susan!
Yesterday I wasn’t able to reply to either you, Dee, or to myself. Nor could I just post. But it did save my name and email! I’m usually on Safari, but tried Chrome yesterday with the same results.
wow. Who knew updating a website could cause so many issues! Eventually, we’ll all get used to it, and it to us…
I’m so sorry, Mary. You do seem to be having more troubles than others — so it may be something unique to you. I don’t want you to have trouble. So, if they continue, would you mind listing them, the things you’ve told me, and e-mailing david at david@controlyours.com
So sorry! I know it is frustrating. Hoping the glitches smooth out for everyone quickly.
13. I haven’t gotten much into ‘Unseen’, but have been doing the Redeemer Lenten devotions. The very first day there was about our God who curses, in Genesis with the fall. “With the pronouncement of each curse and judgement, there is an undoing or reversal of God’s gracious creative works. Adam, who was created from the dust, is now destined to return to it….the serpent is humiliated, groveling on its belly, eating dust…” There is more, but I looked at the connection between man coming from dust and the serpent eating dust. And how the serpent is continually trying to eat me. And that my only rescue is Jesus.
A number of other things have come across this week also, all strongly pointing to our subject here. The Ann Voskamp post I shared about earlier (though I don’t know how to link anything, so couldn’t put that here). A letter from a missionary we support, two pages long, saying there is something more important than missions. He talks to mission leaders regularly and asks them to talk about their personal communing with Jesus. At least half can’t tell him. He asks of himself and us, does this feel like doing the kingdom without the King? Advancing the gospel without experiencing the gospel?
His letter was both deeply convicting and inspiring. It is something I will keep. And share.
Dee, the Andrew Peterson song made me stop and think. The line ‘learn to love your enemies, too’, since I am my own worst enemy. Yes.
One other thing about not having been able to post in any form yesterday. At the bottom of the box I’m typing in, there is a capital P in the left corner and some dots forming a triangle in the right corner. Those were missing yesterday.
So glad you liked the Andrew Peterson song. To post a link you click on the icon above on the far right and then paste the link in. But let’s see if we can help you just be able to post first. See my comments above.
My husband and I watched Questioning Christianity last night as well. The artist part was a little odd, but I suspect they did this to entice more to the after conversation and maybe some of them would resonate with some of the struggles portrayed.
the thing that stood out to me the most was the question to Keller about whether or not he has doubts. His analogy was beautiful to me. He talked about how when you decide to hire someone you logically choose whom to hire. Not really knowing for sure if s/he was the right choice. But the more you work with them and spend time with them you know their character and can see more and more every year that they indeed were the right one and your doubts die away in knowing them.
I loved that from Keller too, Jill.
I watched Questioning Christianity last night. I will attempt to encapsulate what stood out to me.
My rough notes quote him as saying:
The faith that Christians are looking for isnt pure and perfect (without doubts). It isnt our perfect faith that saves us. It is the object of our faith that saves us.
It is not the quality of our faith but the object of our faith.
It is a process of both thinking (reasoning) and intuition (emotion). It involves our mind and our spirit. Our “background beliefs” have a bearing on how and what we believe about God.
7. Read a John 6:1-12
A. What question does Jesus ask and why, according to verses 5-6? Jesus asks where the can buy bread to feed the people gathered. He asked this to test Philip. The Message translates this as “stretch Philip’s faith.”
B. What do the disciples think Jesus is asking of them and why are they frustrated, according to verses 7-9? They think that Jesus is asking them to figure out how to buy and deliver enough food for the crowd. They must have tried for they found a boy with a lunch. The conversation also extended from just Philip and Jesus to all the disciples. They are frustrated because they only see the impossibility of it and assume that Jesus has an expectation of them to achieve it. Interesting … they try to obey but in the process depend on themselves rather on Him that asked it to be done. They assume they know the process that ‘should’ happen because Jesus hints st the outcome.
C. What does Jesus then do? He took the task over. He had the people sit and then He gave thanks and distributed the food which miraculously kept multiplying until all were filled and there was ‘leftover.’ (I find it noteable that Jesus commanded that none would be lost…everyone we fed and there was no immediate need for the leftovers but He was concerned that they not waste the miracle? I can’t help but wonder what became of those leftovers?)
8. What spiritual principle do you think God intends us to understand from this miracle? He is the power of our obedience. We do not need to understand HOW it will be able to be accomplished but merely to obey and trust His ability, not ours. Do not limit God’s works to our capacity and ability.
Thank you, Dee for this opportunity to take this journey with you! The denomination I grew up didn’t teach about Lent, so I am excited to learn a Gospel approach to it!
So glad to have you Debbie!
9. Read John 6:26-27
A. Jesus sees their hearts, and why they have sought Him out. What is their motive? They want more free food. They do not see past the immediate need in this grief-stricken world, to the beautiful beyond that is promised.
B. We are all capable of selfish motives in seeking God, in practicing disciplines for Lent in order to get earthly blessings. What does Jesus tell them to work for and why? To work for food that endures to eternal life, because it is food that does not perish.
C. Pray for your own heart right now, that your heart might long for Jesus Himself, and to glorify Him, rather than to use Him. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
10. Jesus has just talked about whom God places his seal of approval. If you were to complete this sentence, how might you do it? God will be pleased with me when I ______. God will be pleased when I finally do it right, when I quit messing up all the time, and finally reflect His Beauty instead of my selfishness.
11. Read John 6:28-29
A. What question is asked? What must we do to be doing the works of God? Amplified Bible puts it as what must we do to be habitually doing the works of God?
B. What is Jesus’ surprising answer? The work of God is to believe in the One whom He sent. Amplified adds: adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith. Everything we do comes from what we believe. If we believe in Him, our hearts will change to love others well and love God most of all…
C. Would Jesus’ answer change your response to question 10? How I long for it to change it. This is why I continually come to Him, my heart condemns me each day for my failures and lack of Christ-likeness, but if I cling to His hope then all is finished and I am His child learning still but learning indeed. His Grace and Mercy can only outflow from me if I truly realize I am gifted such from Him through faith.
Friday: Optional Keller Livestream
14. If you listened last night, or will today or tomorrow, share your notes and comments. – So much information just in this first episode, will need to go back and listen again when I can have some quiet time, but what I did like and that was an aha moment was how Christians and atheists both believe by faith their beliefs. So do they really believe in Christ?
I did find the first Keller series interesting:
The artist segment was strange, but it did make me wonder if it was a way to draw the New York artsy audience in.
Keller’s message was strong — much I’ve heard before but bears hearing again: that the atheist and agnostic also have a set of beliefs they need to defend, and they are hard to defend. That both believer and unbeliever have reasons they want to believe or not believe.
But my favorite section was the Q and A — for new things, for ways to answer. For how to put love and truth together — he models it so well – his humility and kindness, his acknowledgment of good questions. Gentle as a dove, wise as a serpent. I am going to listen to that part again, for I have so many opportunities for discussions with unbelievers.
Thanks so much for telling me what is and what is not working on this new blog — I’m turning in all to the website guys on Monday. If something wasn’t working for you but now is, please tell me so I don’t have them running up a rabbit trail. Thanks so for your patience. Just so you know, this is what I’m turning in:
Laura-dancer:
I am still having trouble replying to posts on my phone. I had to get on my computer to post this reply to you. I closed out the session on the phone (iphone 7) and went back in hoping to be able to type in the comment box, but there was no keyboard available when I clicked in the box. I could put my name and email in those boxes however.
Mary B
Dee, I’m still not able to save my name and email. Maybe it is just me…
Chris Swan
I am on Chrome and can save my name and email, but I could not edit a comment. A box showed up but I couldn’t type anything in it.
Lizzy
Lizzy
MARCH 7, 2019
I’m chrome too and same thing happened as Chris, but then I tried again and the box showed up & I was able to edit. It was just a little delayed, but still enough time to edit! 😉
Nila:
Additional feedback on how the new blog design is working: Last night it seemed to be fine. But when I attempted to correct a post, that feature isn’t working. Also, I replied to some else’s post and then when I went to make my own separate post, the same reply came up and was posted twice. Hope this feedback helps the tech team. Thank you tech team!! Also, no longer gives time, just date. But not a big deal.
Susan:
Feedback on new website: Thanks Dee and “tech team” for working hard! I am able to read and post now from my regular browser and see all the pictures.
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Goosebumps at this… especially when he throws out his trophies….
Only Jesus! https://youtu.be/_eQd3K2Fxp4
Hi Everyone,
I’m having trouble publishing this week’s post, but I know David will help me soon! The joys and trials of a new website!
If you are not seeing this week’s blog, click on the “Blog” on the toolbar instead of the block. A glitch we need to have fixed!