VCC Forums

Revelation Study - Preparation

2010-03-25T10:01:22Z

Prepare
Let’s prepare for an in-depth study of the book of Revelation.

Read
Simply read through the entire book of Revelation. Don’t get hung up on studying individual passage right now. Just read it like a book and re-familiarize yourself with the content.

Jot a Note
If you find that you’ve read through it quickly and have more time. Read through it again, focusing on sections that seems most interesting to you. Perhaps even right it down and share with the group the sections that jumped out at you.

Share It
You don’t have to write a detailed explanation of what it says and why you want to study it more. You can if you want, but you can also just jot it down and we can visit it later in group. Reply in this forum or send me an email and I’ll put your replies here for future reference.

Battling Unbelief - Session 5 - Origins of Radical Love, Part 1

2009-12-14T06:35:02Z

Radical love is such a great thing to strive for; Jesus exemplified radical love when he died on the cross and he continues exemplifying this radical love as he intercedes for us everyday! This week John Piper discusses origins of radical love for the purpose of empowering Christians to love others in this way.

Items for this week
- Work through the study guide: pages 57—64.
- Bring the study guide to take notes on page 64.
- Questions for discussion are on pages 64—65.

I had thought our previous session was incredible and we discussed some things which I found very helpful. If you have any comments on the previous week, click here to add them.

Spurgeon, Come Ye Children

2009-12-10T08:56:09Z

I started reading a book titled “Come, Ye Children”: A Book for Parents and Teachers on the Christian Training of Children, by Charles Spurgeon. The title suggests that he’s addressing children, but Spurgeon looks further than the simple age-based definition.

The lambs are the young of the flock. So, then, we ought to look specially and carefully after those who are young in grace. They may be old in years, and yet they may be mere babes in grace as to the length of their spiritual life, and therefore they need to be under a good shepherd. (Spurgeon, Come Ye Children, 8)

I really like this definition. It expands the concept of children to perceive the needs of people based not on physical-age, but spiritual-age. Spurgeon goes on to challenge the shepherds, whether they be parents, or teachers:

Christian children mainly need to be taught the doctrine, precept, and life of the gospel: they require to have Divine truth put before them clearly and forcibly. Why should the higher doctrines, the doctrines of grace, be kept back from them? They are not as some say, bones; or if they be bones, they are full of marrow, and covered with fatness. If there be any doctrine too difficult for a child, it is rather the fault of the teacher’s conception of it than of the child’s power to receive it, provided that child be really converted to God. It is ours to make doctrine simple; this is to be a main part of our work. Teach the little ones the whole truth and nothing but the truth; for instruction is the great want of the child’s nature. (Spurgeon, Come Ye Children, 8)

This is one of the reasons it is so important for parents to understand the difficult doctrines and be able to explain them in simpler terms. We should strive to learn those doctrines which are difficult to grasp and master them in such a way that we can turn to those who are children, and patiently and lovingly feed the lambs. Which brings me to the verse of Scripture Spurgeon points out for this call to “feed the lambs”

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ” (John 21:15, ESV)

Mark Driscoll on Parenting

2009-12-08T08:55:01Z

Mark Driscoll has some really good sermons on parenting. I had burned these to CD and we listened to them on the way to Monterey one weekend. These were actually among the first full length sermons from Driscoll that I listened to and I was thoroughly impressed. I was planning to burn copies and send them to in-laws in Alabama, but my procrastination got the better of me; it’s a lot easier to copy and paste a link. So here it is:

Proverbs Part 17: Instructing Children by Mark Driscoll

Proverbs Part 18: Correcting Children by Mark Driscoll

You might notice when you visit the site that there is a huge series on Proverbs, I have yet to listen to any of them but I’m sure there’s a lot of good stuff in there.

A Semi-Pelagian Narrower Catechism

2009-11-12T06:45:08Z

Here’s a funny spoof on a catechism adopted for the Semi-Pelagian minded. The link is below; but I also attached a PDF.

Click here to see it online.

If you are not familiar with Pelagian, it was promoted by Pelagius who believed that if God requires people to do something, then He must also inherently give them the ability to do it. The implications are that if we preach the Gospel to unbelievers, they inherently have the ability to choose Christ; in other words, there is no need for the Holy Spirit to do any work on their hearts in order for them to believe. This thinking has been popularized in Southern states with the alter calls, walking down the isle, saying the sinner’s prayer, with an emphasis on getting people to choose Christ and make a proclamation of faith.

Interesting article in a non-Christian magazine

2009-11-28T10:34:21Z

One of my friends posted a link to this article on Facebook a couple of days ago:

http://www.esquire.com/features/best-and-brightest-2009/shane-claiborne-1209

I was surprised to see that much real estate being given to a Christian in a secular magazine, but I think this is an excellent article. The author glazes over the reality of sin and hell somewhat, but I think he accurately puts his finger on a lot of what’s wrong with the church today, and our call to be salt and light in a world filled with darkness. He’s also convicting when he says “We have given the atheists less and less to disbelieve.” We need to show that Jesus’ power is life- and heart-transforming, and not only that, but it’s the /only/ way to achieve that transformation.

Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head

2009-11-19T07:52:28Z

Everyone needs to hear these. They are great in transforming our ways that need to be changed for a better marriage, leadership, submission to God and our partners. Piper is hitting home big time. There are two audio parts.

Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head, Part 1

Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head, Part 2

Greetings to my communitas family

2009-11-19T01:26:14Z

Peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You all are an encouragement to me… in how you love the Lord and His Word.
I am excited about what the Lord will do in and through us in the coming New Year.
Let us not become weary in doing good… always striving to please our Lord.
Be good and faithful witnesses of Christ and shine His light at all times, in all places.
I’m praying for all of you.

Battling Unbelief - Session 3 - Is it Biblical? Part 1

2009-11-08T16:44:56Z

Items for this week
- Work through the study guide starting in Lesson 4. Pages 35-43.
- Bring your study guide Thursday. Pages 43-44 have note sheets for taking notes and filling in the blanks during the DVD.
- We will discuss questions from page 44 and anything else that people wish to discuss.

For those that missed Session 2, Click Here to see it online

Do you engage in family devotions?

2009-11-13T05:37:50Z

In the San Jose Community Group, Josh made the petition that he wanted to make Jesus a central part of his home. This is something that of course is much broader than a simple family devotional time; but family devotions is an important discipline that helps to foster an environment in the home where Jesus is central. So my question to all of you is, do you engage in family devotions? If not, what do you do to foster an environment where Jesus is central to your home?