I'm in the process of nailing down our next sermon series. Partly inspired by Shane Claiborne, we're calling it What If Jesus Meant Everything He Said?. Here is what I have so far;
Week One: I Heart Who? (Loving our neighbors)
Focus is Luke 10:25-37, the good samaritan. Key verse is 37a, "Go and do likewise." Main theme is that if they have flesh and blood, we're called to love them.
Week Two: Faith With Legs (Practical ways to love people)
Focus is Matthew 25:34-46, the sheep and the goats. Key verse is 40 "...whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." We'll be taking a trip the following Saturday to hand out food and coats downtown Ft. Wayne, to anyone hungry or cold.
Week Three: 4 Seeds (parable of the sower)
Focus is Mark 4:1-20. Key verse might be 9, "...He who has ears let him hear."
While I've tentatively planned out each of these lessons, I wanted to throw them around unfinished and see if any of you had thoughts. I'm really looking for illustrations, visuals, different angles on these messages that I haven't thought of. Would love to hear your thoughts.
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2 comments:
Marc -
Great to hear you are learning from Shane, and that perhaps his perspective can be chewed on by the rest of the church, those who are more prone to 401(k)s than dreadlocks.
If your church takes a large & sustained step in this direction in living out a more holistic vision of Christ's kingdom, I would recommend anything book by John Perkins, especially "Restoring At-Risk Neighborhoods" or "Beyond Charity". He's the "grandpa" of the Christian Community Development Association / movement. I've heard him speak at the annual conference in '05 and '07. A lot of great people there (Shane is a board member). These resources would probably be better for the leadership of your programming, more so than direct sermon material. But it will help you build programs that cultivate empowerment instead of dependency.
Christianity Today on John:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/
ct/2007/march/35.48.html
1-hr podcast, a CCDA overview by Mr. Perkins:
http://www.urbanministry.org/
dr-john-perkins-ccda-101
CCDA Home:
http://www.ccda.org/
Hopefully helpful,
Adam
PS I'm really liking this blog. Hope today went grreat!
Marc,
Great series!!!
So often the church focuses so much on our PERSONAL spirituality that we forget to put feet to our faith and share the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:6). Maybe when your done you can come give this series to my church ;)
Love ya bud,
Pudge
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