Jun 23rd, 2010 by milandataylor |
The ancient rabbis used to say that God created humanity because he liked stories. One proof of God’s love of stories is that God chose to reveal himself to us through the stories of the Bible. And Jesus’ favorite teaching method was storytelling. And throughout the Bible, we are told to remember important stories because the stories not only teach us who God is, but the stories also remind us of God’s faithfulness even in the most difficult times. This week’s movie is “The Two Towers,” the second movie in the wonderful Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Lord of the Ring movies and novels remind us of the power of story to shape us and to give us strength and hope even when we are ready to give up-a very Biblical concept as our scripture this week reminds us:
12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children- “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; 6for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.” 7Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:1-13
- What are the stories that have shaped your life?
- If you could only share one story about your life with your children, what would it be?
- If you could only share one story from the Bible what would it be?
- If you could only share one story about Jesus to someone who does not believe what would it be? And why?
- In the midst of struggles and temptations, what Biblical stories do you find strengthen you?
- When you are trying to discern how to live your life, how to behave and how to face temptation, what stories do you recall?
- I love the way Eugene Petterson translates verse 3 in The Message: “When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”
- In what ways does remembering the story of Jesus “shoot adrenaline into your soul”?
See you this Sunday as we discuss “The Story that Really Matters”!
Pastor Sherill
