The document discusses how churches can become agents of hope by focusing on discipleship and spiritual formation. It argues that Jesus proclaimed a new story of God's kingdom of service, forgiveness, inclusion and sacrifice rather than domination, revolution, scapegoating or accumulation. Churches should train disciples to embody this story through spiritual practices with the Holy Spirit's power. The key is believing the gospel, accepting disciple-making as the mission, seeing faith as a way of life practiced in community, and starting small spiritual formation.
Divine answers to faith realted issues (from The New Revelation)Simona P
The teachings of Jesus Christ from His New Revelation through Jakob Lorber and Gottfried Mayerhofer respond to all major issues of the Christian theology ( a few examples, contained also in the booklet with the same name that can be found here too, as also almost all the works of the New Revelation in English. Other references on www.new-revelation.ro, www.hisnewword.org
Spirituality is defined by our cultural context and the gospel redefines the spirituality of Cultures. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, often in engageing other spirits.
Amar, Akbar, Anthony_Understanding Religious WorlviewsMariyosh Joseph
This session was conducted at the PROFIT conference in Bangalore on the 5th Nov 2011. If you are a Christian professional, then PROFIT is for you. To know more about PROFIT visit www.profitconnect.net or write to profit@gemsbihar.org PROFIT or PROfessionals Fellowship of International Talents is a mission initiative of GEMS - Gospel Echoing Missionary Society, for professionals. PROFIT is a network of Christians who intentionally and actively use their professional identity to do-the-ACT of passing THE TRUTH in the workplace.
Who Said Jesus is a Myth? A class by Brian Colon from 2012 ICEC at UCLAevidenceforchristianity
Brian Colon taught a class at the 2012 ICEC at UCLA refuting the oft-heard accusation that the Jesus of the New Testament is principally a myth. Brian both presents hard evidence for the reliability of the New Testament picture of Jesus and explains why the Jesus myth arguments are extremely weak.
It seems that in this life we will never be free from the inbuilt bias towards self.Is it really possible to live unencumbered by self centeredness, self worries, self sufficiency or self exaltation.This slideshow seems to think so.
Divine answers to faith realted issues (from The New Revelation)Simona P
The teachings of Jesus Christ from His New Revelation through Jakob Lorber and Gottfried Mayerhofer respond to all major issues of the Christian theology ( a few examples, contained also in the booklet with the same name that can be found here too, as also almost all the works of the New Revelation in English. Other references on www.new-revelation.ro, www.hisnewword.org
Spirituality is defined by our cultural context and the gospel redefines the spirituality of Cultures. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, often in engageing other spirits.
Amar, Akbar, Anthony_Understanding Religious WorlviewsMariyosh Joseph
This session was conducted at the PROFIT conference in Bangalore on the 5th Nov 2011. If you are a Christian professional, then PROFIT is for you. To know more about PROFIT visit www.profitconnect.net or write to profit@gemsbihar.org PROFIT or PROfessionals Fellowship of International Talents is a mission initiative of GEMS - Gospel Echoing Missionary Society, for professionals. PROFIT is a network of Christians who intentionally and actively use their professional identity to do-the-ACT of passing THE TRUTH in the workplace.
Who Said Jesus is a Myth? A class by Brian Colon from 2012 ICEC at UCLAevidenceforchristianity
Brian Colon taught a class at the 2012 ICEC at UCLA refuting the oft-heard accusation that the Jesus of the New Testament is principally a myth. Brian both presents hard evidence for the reliability of the New Testament picture of Jesus and explains why the Jesus myth arguments are extremely weak.
It seems that in this life we will never be free from the inbuilt bias towards self.Is it really possible to live unencumbered by self centeredness, self worries, self sufficiency or self exaltation.This slideshow seems to think so.
Immortality & the Ultimate Re-boot:
The New Heavens and Earth or genonmic technologies homo evolutes?
- Presentation given to National Conference, CRF 2009 Aust.
The Roman Catholic Church
This denomination is a traditional group of Christians who believe in Natural Law: doing what God intended in a natural way. Up until the C16th Catholics were the dominant group of Christians in Europe. Catholics are controlled by the Pope in Rome
Protestant Churches
These are the Christian groups that developed after Martin Luther’s debate in 1517.
These are modern Christians who have re-interpreted the Bible and have a different view to the Roman Catholics.
These Christians are NOT controlled by the Pope.
Many people have wondered what God might be like. Christians believe that he has certain attributes that define him.
Adam and Eve were created by God and placed in the garden of Eden. They had everything they wanted. But one day a serpent appeared and asked Eve to get him some fruit. He asked for fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the one tree whose fruit they couldn’t eat. Eve took the fruit and ate some herself. Seeing that nothing bad had happened she took the fruit to Adam to eat and he did. God knew of their disobedience and punished them for their actions. It is due to them that nature is out of balance with humanity and evil exists in the world. Had Adam and Eve obeyed God, evil would not exist
Lucifer was an angel in Heaven with God and all the other angels. However, he was not happy with his situation; he was jealous of God’s power. Lucifer challenged God, but God is omnipotent and easily defeated Lucifer, casting him out of Heaven into Hell below. Since then, Lucifer, or Satan, has worked to get revenge on God. He does this through causing pain and suffering to what God loves best: humans
Although millions of people believe in God there are still plenty of people who argue that God cannot exist if evil does: they are a contradiction
The Problem of Evil and Suffering
If God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent then how can evil exist?
If God is loving he would want to stop evil
If God was powerful he would be able to stop evil
So why doesn’t he?!
There are a number of responses to this question, some religious and some not
An introduction to Spiritual Warfare. We will later look at common ways we open ourselves to demonic problems, and how to have victory and freedom in Christ
This is a collection of writings that deal with the paradoxes that we find in the Bible about the Holy Spirit. Other paradoxes are also explored. There are many paradoxes that we seldom consider. They can open up our eyes to see new truths.
Dr. John Oakes is taught a class on Answering the Hard Questions at the 2015 International Christan Evidence Conference at York College in York, Nebraska, June 19-21. He gave a brief overview of the Christian world view before launching into the Christian answer to the questions both believers and non-believers often struggle with, such as the Trinity, the problem of evil, the problem of suffering, the problem of violence in the Old Testament and the problem of Hell. Notes and power point are here:
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
Vain Traditions of Men that are Irrelevant to Bible
All Hands On Deck!
1. ALL HANDS ON DECK!
How our
churches
can become
agents of
hope
2.
3.
4.
5. 4 Emergencies:
The Human
Situation: What
Conventional View
God created the world as perfect,
but because our primal
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did
Emerging View
God created the world as good, but
human beings – as individuals, and as
groups – have rebelled against God and
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
Planetary crisis (Prosperity)
contains will be destroyed, and
the souls of all human beings –
except for those specifically
exempted – will be forever
punished for their imperfection
in hell.1
confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
wandering farther and farther into
lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
human beings will spiral downward in
sickness and evil.
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
Poverty crisis (Equity)
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
Peace-making crisis (Security) that my Father punished me on
the cross so He won’t have to
punish you in hell. Only if you
believe this will you go to
heaven when everyone else is
banished to hell.”2 This is the
God graciously invites everyone and
anyone to question and reject what they
have been told and instead follow a new
path. Trust me and become my disciple,
and you will be transformed, and you will
participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”3 This is the good news.
Religious crisis (Spirituality)
1
Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,
plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.
2
This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
6. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem
Good News of the
Kingdom of God
9. Some stories are self-defeating and
suicidal ...
Domination - us over you
10. Some stories are self-defeating and
suicidal ...
Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
11. Some stories are self-defeating and
suicidal ...
Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
12. Some stories are self-defeating and
suicidal ...
Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
13. Some stories are self-defeating and
suicidal ...
Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
Accumulation - us (who cares about you?)
14. Some stories are self-defeating and
suicidal ...
Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
Accumulation - us (who cares about you?)
Victimization - us in spite of you
18. Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
19. Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
20. Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
Accumulation - us (who cares about you?)
21. Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
Accumulation - us (who cares about you?)
Victimization - us in spite of you
22. Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
Accumulation - us (who cares about you?)
Victimization - us in spite of you
The gospel (good story) of the kingdom:
23. Domination - us over you
Revolution - us instead of you
Purification/Scapegoating - us without you
Isolation - us away from you
Accumulation - us (who cares about you?)
Victimization - us in spite of you
The gospel (good story) of the kingdom:
Some of us for all of us
24.
25. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
26. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
27. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
28. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
29. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
30. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
Isolation - Incarnation & Healing
31. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
Isolation - Incarnation & Healing
Accumulation - Self-giving & sacrifice
32. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God: some of us for all of us
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
Isolation - Incarnation & Healing
Accumulation - Self-giving & sacrifice
Victimization - Empowerment & Mission
33.
34. Does it seem like relatively
few of our churches are
focused on proclaiming this
message - and training
disciples to embody it and
practice it in our world?
35. Does it seem like relatively
few of our churches are
focused on proclaiming this
message - and training
disciples to embody it and
practice it in our world?
Why might that be?
36. Our contemporary gospel is primarily
INFORMATION ON
HOW TO GO TO HEAVEN
AFTER YOU DIE
with a large footnote about increasing your personal
happiness and success through God.
with a small footnote about character development
with a smaller footnote about spiritual experience
with a smaller footnote about social/global transformation.
11
40. Two gospels …
One of evacuation (warehouse,
institutional maintenance)
One of transformation (mission,
community of practice …)
41. The church is the unique
disciple-forming
community that recruits,
trains and deploys people
to be transformed and to
join God as agents of
transformation - to live by
the new story of the
kingdom of God.
42. OK ...
but how?
How do we train people in
this way?
How does the process
work?
43. The process advances when ...
1. We believe the gospel of the
kingdom of God.
2. We accept the disciple-
forming mission as our own.
44. Text
Text
Text
Text
Two kinds of formation: teaching about and
training to...
50. 3. We see Christian faith as a way
of life, and our churches as
communities that help people
practice the way of Jesus so they
learn it “by heart.”
51. Are you a practicing guitar student?
Are you a practicing dentist or doctor?
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Are you a practicing Christian
disciple?
52. The term “Christian” only appears 3 times in
the New Testament. It appears to have
been a term of disparagement (Acts 11:26,
Acts 26:28, I Peter 4:15).
The far more common
term for someone who
believes in and follows
Jesus is …
54. A disciple is a learner …
an apprentice …
one who imitates a master-
teacher
and practices his way.
55. What we call “Christianity”
was originally called
the way ..
A new way of life, a
new way of love.
56. We learn information by study.
We learn a way by practice.
To follow Jesus, to learn his
way, to experience
transformation … we engage
in practice - the practice of
life in God’s kingdom.
58. Spiritual practices (or
disciplines):
Actions within our power
which we do to train
ourselves to do things
currently beyond our power,
and to become people we are
currently incapable of being.
63. Work out your salvation …
For it is God who works
in you … (Philippians 2:12-13)
64. The process advances when ...
1. We believe the gospel of the
kingdom of God.
2. We accept the disciple-forming
mission as our own.
3. We see the faith as a way, and the
church as communities of practice.
65. The process advances when ...
1. We believe the gospel of the
kingdom of God.
2. We accept the disciple-forming
mission as our own.
3. We see the faith as a way, and the
church as communities of practice.
4. We (re)discover the power of the
Holy Spirit for formation and mission.
66. The process advances when ...
1. We believe the gospel of the kingdom of God.
2. We accept the disciple-forming mission as our
own.
3. We see the faith as a way, and the church as
communities of practice.
4. We (re)discover the power of the Holy Spirit for
formation and mission.
5. We start now, and start small ... even with two
or three.
67.
68. ALL HANDS ON DECK!
How our
churches
can become
agents of
hope