As we finish up, what is different?

What thoughts and comments do you about the book, The Hole in Our Gospel, as you finish it? Did the sermons help you to ground the book in Scripture?

Have you been moved to do something concrete? Have you been moved to spend more time in praying listening for God's voice?

Have you been changed in some way from reading this book, studying the accompanying Scriptures, and your own thought and reflection?

How much do you have to give?

You have probably heard the story of the feeding of the 5,000 many times, but reread it and look for new insights. Imagine that Jesus is asking you the same question, “How many loaves do you have?” How would you respond if God asked how much you have to give?

Much responsibility

It is often easier for me to focus on what I don't have or on problems I face than it is for me to focus on the gifts and resources God has given me. A friend noted with understanding that I ask "why?" way more often about uncertainties and problems than I ask "why?" about my blessings.

I am facing a lot of uncertainties in my life right now. I have spent much time asking why, but I think now that I'm supposed to be truly grateful for what I do have and rest in the knowledge that my future isn't uncertain to God.

Why do you think we so often focus on what we don't have than what we do? For most of us, we are wealthier than 90% of the world. That puts much responsibility on us because we have been so resourced. What are you going to do with your time, talents, and resources in response to reading this book?

Neil's sermon

Read Isaiah 58:6-12. This was the sermon passage Bp. Neil preached on this past Sunday.

Did the sermon challenge you? What would it cost you to live out this passage? What would be the gain?

What will history say?

“When historians look back in 100 years, what will they write about this nation of 340,000 churches? What will they say of the Church’s response to the great challenges of our time—AIDS, poverty, hunger, terrorism, war? Will they say that these authentic Christians rose up courageously and responded to the tide of human suffering, that they rushed to the front lines to comfort the afflicted and to douse the flames of hatred? Will they write of an unprecedented outpouring of generosity to meet the urgent needs of the world’s poor? Will they speak of the moral leadership and compelling vision of our leaders? Will they write that this, the beginning of the 21st century, was the Church’s finest hour? Or will they look back and see a Church too comfortable, insulated from the pain of the rest of the world, empty of compassion, and devoid of deeds? Will they write about a people who stood by and watched while 100 million died of AIDS and 50 million children were orphaned, of Christians who lived in luxury and self-indulgence while millions died for lack of food and water? Will schoolchildren read in disgust about a Church that had the wealth to build great sanctuaries but lacked the will to build schools, hospitals, and clinics? In short, will we be remembered as the Church with a gaping hole in its gospel?”
—Rich Stearns (pp. 238-239)

Well, what do you think? What WILL history say about us? What will you tell your grandchildren when they ask, what did YOU do?

Next Steps

As Redeemer looks to our "next step" in terms of space and location, how should we best consider our priorities with our budget? What does good stewardship look like? How might we shift priorities toward outreach and still spiritually feed our own people? What do we need as opposed to what do we want?

True Fasting

Read Isaiah 58. What parts stand out? What is the fasting that God desires from us? What other things might qualify as “fasting” in our world? What are some things you can begin doing in response to this passage?

Feel like you need to do something? Here's one way to help

Microfinance is the supply of loans, savings, and other basic financial services to the poor. As the financial services of microfinance usually involve small amounts of money – small loans, small savings etc. – the term "microfinance" helps to differentiate these services from those which formal banks provide. Why are they small? Someone who doesn't have a lot of money isn't likely to want to take out a $5,000 loan, or be able to open a savings account with an opening balance of $1,000. Hence – "micro". (KIVA)

Microfinancing is one of the most exciting global poverty solutions we can be a part of from our own computer screens. KIVA connects people who have money to lend (as little as $25) to entrepreneurs in impoverished areas to start a business that will care for their family. The repayment rate is above 98%. These microloans are changing lives one person at a time over the entire world. Do you have $25 (or more) that you are willing to lend today? 98% of us will get our money back to keep or relend to someone else. GO to KIVA's website now for more information and to make a loan: www.kiva.org

Who are the Sheep and the Goats?

Matthew 25:31-46 is a glimpse into final judgment. Rich paraphrases it this way: “Let me take some liberties and paraphrase these verses for today’s reader: ‘For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors
that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved." This is not an easy passage to read, but any "authentic and genuine commitment to Christ will be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life." (p. 59)

What do you think of this? Who are the sheep and the goats? How does this make you feel and/or respond?

God's plan for disparity

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. what do you think God’s solution is for dealing with disparity?

What does “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor” mean in today’s context?

In what practical ways does this instill in you a sense of responsibility as a steward of God’s gifts?

Why does God allow suffering?

“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering and injustice when He could do something about it.”

“Well, why don’t you ask Him?”

“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question." —Anonymous (p. 161)

Unfortunately, I don't always address suffering wherever I see it. I don't always give generously. I don't always stand up for what is right. But I do sometimes. I care a lot about justice and caring for the poor and hurting. I could do more, but I do some things and that's where we all have to start. We can't fail to do anything because we can't do everything.

We can all do something about poverty, suffering and injustice. We can all address what God puts in front of us without feeling guilty that we can't do everything. Do you care for the poor, the suffering and the oppressed whenever you see it? If not, why not?

I am the answer to someone's prayer

Reflect on the times when you have been the answer to someone's prayers. Complete this sentence: I am an answer to someone's prayer every time I...

If you can't think of several answers, what might God be calling you to do differently?

Every challenge has a solution

Stearns makes the assertion that 1)every one of the challenges has a solution, and 2) every one of us can make a difference (pg. 151). What more do you think we as Christians should be doing? What changes could you make in your life?

The light in the darkness

Rich talks about the intensity of the light of the gospel in such darkness. Have you ever experienced this blinding and brilliant gospel message in the midst of your own darkness or in darkness that you have witnessed? If so, share that experience.

Open discussion

What thoughts, comments, questions do you have about the book so far?

Christ in front of you

Avoiding the personal keeps us at a safe distance from poverty. How often do you think about those around you as though they were Christ Himself? How would this change the way you treat people?

Resisting change

I am usually most resistant to change when I am most comfortable. Insecurity or feelings of inadequacy often accompany resistance to follow God's leading for me. I have the ability to rationalize anything. My old work folder had written on the back, "How much time do I waste rationalizing why I shouldn't do what I know God told me to do?" I wonder if anyone else does that?

Describe times in your own life when you have been resistant to God’s leading. What are some of your fears associated with following God’s lead? How might you overcome them?

NY Times article

Let's discuss this article, Learning from the Sin of Sodom.

For much of my life I have seen a divide between two kinds of churches. One is doctrinally orthodox, but tend to be inward focused. The other is justice-oriented serving in the community and world, but doctrinally weak. I love the idea of orthodox Christians serving as Jesus intended. Have you seen this divide as well? Why do you think it is so? How can we continue to work against this stereotype?

Making Decisions

How do you make daily decisions? What would happen if you tried to make decisions based on more than what’s easy or what you want: for example, comfortable vs. uncomfortable, God’s will vs. my will, for myself vs. for others? What decisions would be better different?

Active Listening

During Lent I often give up something--chocolate, caffeine, desserts. Sometimes I add something into my life--reading more Scripture, journaling, fast days. This year I decided to not do anything specific, but just listen more. What is God calling ME to do. I can't feed the world, I cant' clothe the world, I can't visit everyone in prison or who is sick. I am actively listening. We often think of listening as a passive activity, but I'm listening in my reading, in my conversations, in my experiences. What is God saying to me about what I should do. I listen and I do. I am also listening for what God is calling Redeemer to do.

In what areas can we as a congregation begin to make a difference? Why does it matter that we do it together rather than individually (or perhaps in addition to individually)?

One thing you lack

What areas in your own life might God point to and say, “One thing you lack”? What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God?

Rich Young Ruler

Rich talks about the story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-31 and Matt 19:16-30)and how he wanted to cut this passage out of his Bible. Which Scripture passages have you wished would be eliminated from the Bible? Why?

Hunger

Almost one in seven worldwide, 854 million people, do not have enough food to sustain them. This makes hunger/malnutrition the number one risk to health globally, greater than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. About 25,000 people die each day of hunger or related causes—9 million
people per year. (The Hole in Our Gospel, p.135)

In the 18 counties served by Second Harvest North Florida, more than 100,000 people are experiencing very low food security—or hunger. An estimated 31,400 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by Second Harvest North Florida. (Second Harvest website)

How can we individually and corporately respond to this issue?

Today's sermon

Did Bill Driscoll's sermon today make you feel uncomfortable? What was it that made you feel that way? In what way might you respond to this?

Living in the bubble

Richard Stearns talks about his privileged life at home and how this “bubble” he lived in insulated him from “anything too raw or upsetting.” How do you relate to his desire to keep “the poor at a safe distance”? What fears perpetuate this desire?

Looking at life with different eyes

In 1988, I visited El Salvador which is a Central America nation in the midst of civil war. There was (and is) desperate poverty in that place. In the mountains near the ocean we spent a couple of nights in a remote village with no access to education, health care, or electricity. A Catholic priest came by a couple of times a year for weddings and baptisms. There was a woman there who bartered her only shoes for a chicken so she could cook us a meal. Of course, we didn't need the food, but she wanted us to be cared for even in her poverty. She said something I'll never forget when asked why, "I love Jesus and this is what I'm supposed to do." She had a true gift of generosity and hospitality. That day changed my life. I realized how amazingly blessed we are as well as how little I understood generosity or the Lord's hand on a life. I didn't become a Christian for another 6 years, but I was changed in that moment.

Have you ever had a time or place that completely overwhelmed you and forced you to think about life differently. Tell us about it.

Acting out our Faith

I was struck especially in reading in Stearns' prologue by his confession "'Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. I didn't know.' But I did know. I knew about poverty and suffering in the world. I was aware that children die daily from starvation and lack of clean water. I also knew about AIDS and the orphans it leaves behind, but I kept these things outside of my insulating bubble and looked the other way." I read this book originally last summer, but as I reread it this time I noticed I wrote in the margin "as do I."

As do I. Forgive me, Lord. Show me how to change my heart and see clearly your mission in the world.

How about you? Do you also turn a blind eye to the poor when there are literally thousands of verses in the Bible that tells us to do otherwise? Why do we do that? What can we reasonably do? Let's discuss what we are called to do as Christians, as a congregation, and as individuals.

Reading Schedule

All reading from The Hole in Our Gospel

Feb 18th - Feb 24, 2010:
Discussion on Prologue and Part 1
Key point: Every believer is called to act on his faith.

Feb 25 - March 3, 2010:
Discussion on Part 2
Key point: We are called to an awareness of the world’s suffering

March 4 - March 10, 2010
Discussion on Part 2 and 3
Key point: We are called to an awareness of and to address suffering wherever we see it

March 11 - March 17
Discussion on Part 3
Key point: We are called to address suffering wherever we see it

March 18 - March 24
Discussion on Part 4
Key point: We are called to lay down our lives for others

March 25 - April 1
Discussion on Part 5
Key point: We are called to account for how we treat the poor

Introduction to Blog

During Lent 2010, Redeemer will be reading Richard Stearns' book, The Hole in Our Gospel. Sunday sermons will be based on Scripture passages brought up in the various sections of the book. Each Monday and Thursday during Lent I will post several discussion questions based on the section of the book we’re reading. Many issues about our responsibilities and actions will be raised. I hope it will challenge you to do something about the issue of global poverty. Pray! God will lead you—and us.

All are welcome to read along and post. If you don’t attend Church of the Redeemer in Jacksonville, Florida, podcasts of the sermons can be downloaded from our website, www.redeemerlives.net, but you don’t need to hear the sermons to participate in the discussion. If you do though live in the Jacksonville area and don’t have a church home, we welcome you to join us! Go to our website for more information or email me at elvish999@yahoo.com.

Jeanne Higgins
Director of Adult Discipleship