1. When you think of the word “Christian”, what image comes to mind?
2. What image do you think the word “Christian” brought to mind for people in the first century?
The blog post these questions are from - http://thesidos.blogspot.com/2012/01/more-on-church-of-middle-class-american.html
Today, as a learning assignment, I had Jordan work on a employment application for a Christian camp (found it online). He is not applying for a job, but I figured the practice of filling out an application plus with the added questions that would be asked because it is a Christian camp would be beneficial for him.
One section of the application asked about church information. Questions such as who is your pastor, what is the name of your church you attend, are you a member of a church, and more. Well we do not participate in the traditional and well accepted forms of church used in Christian culture. So how would we answer these questions with respect? After a discussion, we came to the conclusion that we could answer with verses from the Bible.
This is what I came up with tonight. (We will finish our discussion tomorrow as a family.)
Church Information
Church Attendance: ❑ Regular ❑ Occasional ❑ Seldom
Any chance I get.
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20)
The Fellowship of the Believers (From Acts 2) - 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Are you a member of a church? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Yes, I am member of the church universal (a part in the body of Christ) and an ekklesia (gathering) that meets in homes.
Romans 12: 4 & 5 -- 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
1 Corinthians 12:27 - 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 16:19 - 19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
Church Name: There is no designated name/label for Christ's church.
City: We gather wherever we can or are called to.
Head Pastor: Ezekiel 34:15 - 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Jesus declared in John 10 - 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Phone: Jeremiah 33:3 - 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Other Pastor: John 14:26 - 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Acts 1:2 - " ...giving instructions through the Holy Spirit... "
“I had it wrong for a long time, though. For years, I thought I had to have the perfect house, with the right dishes and the trendiest shade of paint and matching appliances and stemware and perfectly behaved children. I needed a great room and a media room and a powder room off the foyer. Once I got all of that in place, then I could open my home to guests.
I thought that was the key to hospitality. I was wrong.
Those things might be the key to entertaining, but hospitality comes from an altogether different place. It doesn't matter if your house is big or small, modern, shabby chic, or early matrimonial. Hospitality isn't dependent on style. Nope. Hospitality just shows up and settles in wherever there are arms and hearts opened wide.”“Hospitality is big all by itself. It opens up hearts and eases fears and stretches out wide at the end of a frustrating day. It softens hearts and calms and encourages.”
quoted from http://www.jumptandem.net/2011/10/31-days-day-5hospitality-is-huge.html
Love this – “Hospitality just shows up and settles in wherever there are arms and hearts opened wide.””
Laura Grace Weldon has written an article explaining how home school kids are privileged to be able to put this rule of 10,000 hours to work for them now.
http://lauragraceweldon.com/2012/01/10/how-the-10000-hour-rule-can-benefit-any-child/
I like how she includes the ways kids can invest their 10,000 hours in ways we may not think to include or give credit for.
“Gladwell reminds us that 20 hours a week for 10 years adds up to 10,000 hours. Filling those hours meaningfully? That’s no problem for self-directed, endlessly curious learners. Chances are, they’ll grow up to redefine success. Who knows what today’s young people, raised to think deeply and freely, can bring to the future?”
complete post can be found here - http://deeperstory.com/i-thought-church-was-where-we-sat-down-and-stood-up-and-sung-songs-together/
I thought church was where we sat down and stood up and sung songs together.
a snippet from the post
And I just want to say.
Don’t give up.
on this thing called church.
Because it can be a simple gathering of hearts across the distance.It may not be in a building.
It may not be in your hometown.
It may not live in the mouth of the fancy preacher on the television.
It may not be what you thought it was your entire life.It is more than sitting and standing and unanimous voices of song.
Life will continue its strenuous briefness.
But there is glory. There is love,and church is a Good God’s urge.
and from the comment section:
This is a subject in which I need to find some peace…
I’ve been struggling a lot with what “church” is… I get so weary of the harsh emphasis on one building, one pastor, and that one place being the “right” place and if you don’t attend twice per week you aren’t as *good* as the ones who do. I don’t believe it.
I wish wish wish church was less a competetion and more a connection of love and care that would stretch from one building to another and beyond. I wish that leaving didn’t mean people you thought were friends won’t talk to you anymore.
I don’t want to avoid the gathering, but I do.
http://jen-peacefulparenting.blogspot.com/2012/01/instructions-for-life.html
Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Follow the three R’s. Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
