Last Thursday: Deeper Bible Study
We started our small group study on Perspectives on Global Poverty. I'm so excited about this series because it will not only teach us about suffering and God's call for His people to respond, but the curriculum is set up to really draw us into God's presence. Each week is a reading and Scripture study which we discuss, a verse to memorize, and a challenge to put the truths we learn into practice. From last Thursday to this week, we're supposed to replace our daily shower with a cold bucket shower. It's defnitely not been easy but incredibly beneficial as we look at poverty being caused by broken relationships with God, ourselves, one another, and creation.
Last Friday/Saturday: New Year Lock In
It was so great to see some new faces at our Lock In. I think we'll need to make a return trip to Paramount in the future for sure. The night was jam packed with great things to do and besides the long recovery time afterwards, I can't think of a downside to our time together!
Sunday morning: Encounter
We began our Acts study by splitting everyone into two groups for discussion of three questions:
1) Why did you come to church this morning?
2) What better thing could you be doing with this hour besides coming to church?
3) Define "church"
It was great to have such honest discussion about these topics as we seek to understand the incredible power, excitement, mission and life of what church is really supposed to be. Church isn't a Sunday morning hour or building, it's the living-breathing-powerful extension of Christ's mission to the world expressed through dynamic community!
Sunday night: College Night
We wrapped up our weekend with a great opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to connect with college students about life after high school. Admittedly, we should have changed the name of our evening because all of our guests stressed pursuing God's purpose for after high school rather than the pressure to fit into a certain path of life. After a fancy pizza meal, we gathered around couches for a very informal discussion about topics such as "Why or why not college?", "Differences between high school/college?" and "How do you pursue your relationship with Christ beyond high school"?
