More BROS K

I'm starting to write the Bible Study on Father Zossima's speech, and it is simply the best argument for Christianity I've ever read. I don't know how you can't experience God in and through these words. Every time I read them, my faith is strengthened and God becomes very apparent to me.

A New Year's Look Back & Forward

A lot happened at the Church I work at this year. I made small but concrete steps to continue to grow as a youth minister. I instituted regular contact via mail on birthdays, I started using new texting tools and worked to create a true young adult group.

The young adult group is so very active now, and we have a large group with a committed core and some more in and out people, much like the youth group. The youth group has grown considerably this year, and I have other duties as well, helping out with the larger worship of the church, and adult Christian Education on Mondays and Thursdays.  In the coming year I plan to continue my focuses on both youth and young adults, expand my social media presence, reach out to families through 'Dinners With The Youth Minister', continue to find new ways to raise funds (I've done quite a bit in December that has gotten the youth group in a very, very good place, and I am looking to do more), to look to start a relationship with Gloria Dei as we have with Nassau Bay Baptist Church, start using postcards for advertising and reminding, and will continue the momentum in every direction.

We have two full mission trips coming up in 2015 and an exploratory mission trip that will help discern God's overall plan concerning future possibilities in foreign missions. I hope to attend at least two school-related functions in the Spring and hopefully more in the Fall, and at the same time I seek to increase balance in my personal life. This year I had a 120 hours of unused holiday, comp and vacation days. That may seem like a lot, but it is half of what I had unused the year before. That is progress, any way you slice it, and I think I can find a way to do more even as I find more ways to increase my focus on my wife and home life.

I have set some tightly defined by attainable goals for my work and my home life. I believe that everything that has happened, happened because of an ever-increasing focus on Jesus Christ, a little luck, and the raw blessings of God's Grace. I will keep trying to do what He is calling me to do, and I believe that 2015 has the potential to be a banner year. I hope you all feel the same way, and I know many of you will be a part of God's work to make everything He wants to happen, happen.

God bless you all and have a Happy New Year!

Quotable

"Nothing in the Bible says that primary authority lies in the Scriptures or in the doctrines themselves. These serve only to point beyond themselves to the hard facts of reality, life itself, and from there to authentic encounters with God." - Richard Rohr

Exactly right JESUS is the Word of God, The Bible is not Jesus. 

Twilight Zone Theology

Maverick Philosopher often reflects on THE TWILIGHT ZONE...which apparently has a semi-annual marathon on ScyFy. I'm jealous. I love that show, but I don't have cable. But to express my shared enthusiasm, I am posting a Bible study I wrote on about a dozen episodes with my niece Taylor. I could literally teach the Bible using nothing other than the ZONE. Every episode has depth and moral significance, and I could spend years just using those episodes to teach the Bible. I'd do it, too, if I didn't think my youth would run me out on a rail.

They did like the 10 week study we did though.... a lot:

One For The Angels

Romans 5:12-21

Deuteronomy 34:1-8

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episode.

Have you ever had to ‘concern yourself with survival’? Explain.

Do you ever think of death as a person?

Why do you think Paul thinks about death this way?

What kind of being is death, for Paul? What do you think of this?

Would it be fair to tell someone the exact moment of their death? Why or why not?

Would you want to know? Why or why not?

If you did know, what would you do with the information?

Reflect on this quote: “you people get the idiotic notion that life goes on forever.”

Do you think you realize what a gift life is?

What did you think of the appeals?

Did Lou really qualify for any of them?

Luke 11:9-13

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes.

What does Lou do with his stuff? What does this say about him?

What do you thin of Lou’s last wish, his big dream?

What did you think of the consequence of Lou’s trickery? Was this fair? Why or why not?

What does Lou really care about?

What did you think of Lou’s pitch to death?

Did this rightly fulfill the bargain? Why or why not?

What do you think about Lou going to heaven?

The Escape Clause

Genesis 6:1-3

Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What do you think of hypochondria?

What does the Doctor tell Walter? What is Walter’s reply? What do you think of this?

What do you think of think of Walter’s question “why does a person have to die?”

What is Walter like as a person?

What do you think about the quest to live as long as possible?

Revelation 12:10-11

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

How does the devil portray immortality?

What does he say about the soul? What do you think of this?

What do you think about Walter telling the devil he’ll have a long wait?

Does immortality really change Walter?

What do you think of his attitude towards his wife?

What did Walter really want out of his accidents?

Why did immortality cause him to become so bored with life?

How might this answer his earlier question about why a man has to die?

What was Walter doing with his life before immortality? What is he doing with it now? What does this say about him?

                                                           

Time Enough At Last

Ecclesiastes 12:11-13

Luke 12:13-21

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What is Henry Bemis like?

What do you think of Henry’s obsession with books?

Are you a member of the ‘fraternity of dreamers’?

What do you think of what his boss tells him?

Would you want a world all to yourself? What would this world look like for you?

What do you think of ‘readers’?

Why doesn’t Henry’s wife let him read?

What is his wife like?

Could Henry have done something different after the explosion?

Why would Henry, of all people, be the one to survive?

What did you think of the narration over Henry during his ‘8 hour tour of a graveyard’?

What does Henry want the most after the explosion?

What is time? Will ever have enough?

What is it like when he finds the library?

Is Henry right that what happened to him isn’t fair?

The Howling Man

Leviticus 25:34-36

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

Is there anything ‘too important’ not to believe? Explain.

Do we have a responsibility to help people no matter the risk? Why or why not?

2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What did Satan look and act like in the episode?

Why did Mr. Ellington believe him?

Would you?

Reflect on this quote: “he makes his madness look like a harmless thing.”

What is ‘the madness of a religious zealot’?

Is there a difference between evil and madness?

Why did Jerome say the devil came to the village? Reflect on this.

Where can the devil be found, according to Jerome?

What did you think of Jerome ‘leveling’ Mr. Ellington? Was this wise? Why or why not?

What was the substance of Jerome’s story? What was its purpose? What do you think of it?

Reflect on this exchange: Ellington- “I saw him but didn’t recognize him”…”That is man’s curse, and the devil’s power.”

John 8:31-45

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

Have you ever found the truth and regretted it?

What keeps the devil in his cell?

Reflect on this quote: “honest men make unconvincing liars.”

Why is Mr. Ellington obsessed with finding the truth?

What did you think of Jerome’s claim that the life he chose is merely a different point of view?

Reflect on this quote: “Truth is our God, our greatest weapon against the devil, who is the prince of liars.”

What was the result of freeing the devil?

Eye Of The Beholder

1 Peter 3:3-4

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What does the woman want most in life?

What are the rules of this society? What do you think of them?

How does this world differ from ours? What is the commentary going on here?

What would it be like to be trapped in bandages for a long time?

Reflect on this quote: “the very first thing I can remember is a little girl screaming when she looked at me.”

Is physical appearance a reason to want to die? Why or why not?

Is it important to you? Why or why not?

What did you think of the conversation between the doctor and nurse about inner beauty and the subjective nature of aesthetic judgments?

1 Corinthians 1:25-27

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What did you think of the way the doctors treated the woman?

Reflect on this quote: “each of us is afforded the same opportunity to fit in with the rest of society.”

What do you think of people being separated out by being outcasts?

Reflect on this quote: “the occasional miracle lets you know you are not a fool to hope for one.”

Reflect on this quote: “You will feel a sense of great belonging…and great love.”

Revelation 13:11-17

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What is the tension between unity and freedom?

Reflect on this quote: “the state is not God.”

Reflect on the comment about the ‘glory of conformity’.

The Trouble With Templeton

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

Does getting old bother you? Why or why not?

What does it mean to gain reason and contentment?

How does Templeton’s life go by?

Does he enjoy it?

What did you think of the director’s speech?

Have you ever had a contented moment?

Proverbs 31:10-31

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What do you think of the relationship between Templeton and his new wife?

What did Templeton get to experience? What would this mean for him

What is Templeton’s wife like in the past?

Isaiah 43:18-21

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What does Templeton think about his experience at the end?

What do you think of nostalgia?

Proverbs 31:10-31

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of tonight’s episodes

What do you think of the relationship between Templeton and his new wife?

What did Templeton get to experience? What would this mean for him

What is Templeton’s wife like in the past?

Night of the Meek

Genesis 9:18-23

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

Why do you think Noah might've been inclined to drink heavily?

What do think of the Corwin drinking?

Why does he think there should be a real Santa Clause?

Does the fact that something should exist have any bearing of whether it does exist? Why or why not?

What is Mr. Corwin like throughout the episode? What is his pain at the beginning?

What do you think of this: "I can drink...or I can weep"?

Can you identify with Mr. Corwin's pain

Matthew 5:3-10

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What does Corwin say about Christmas?

What does Corwin really want?

What does Corwin say about poverty?

What do you think of this?

Romans 8:31-32

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What would you do if you found a bag like the one Corwin found?

How does Corwin say the bag makes him feel?

Why does Corwin give everything away when he has nothing himself?

What is your most amazing and impossible wish and/or dream?

What does Christmas really mean?

Do you give thanks to God for miracles? What miracles have you experienced?

The Obsolete  Man

 Wisdom 1:16-2:16

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

Do you think a future like the one in the episode is really possible? Why or why not?

Why do dictators fear logic and truth?

Why have the writers chosen the term 'obsolete'? What are they saying with these charges?

What does it mean to be obsolete?

What is the significance of Wordsworth being a librarian?

What do you think of the idea of the state proving there is no god?

Reflect on this quote: "you cannot destroy God with an edict".

What are the powers of words?

Why are there no more books?

Can a person be obsolete? Why or why not?

What does the chancellor have on his desk? What are the writers saying here?

John 18:19-40

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

How would you choose to die given Wordsworth's choice?

What did you think of Wordsworth's choice?

Reflect on the meeting between Wordsworth and the Chancellor?

Think about the conversation about fear, weakness, and strength.

Can weakness be a burden?

Reflect on Wordsworth in light of Jesus Christ.

What does his Bible mean to him?

What do you think of death being the great equalizer?

How does Wordsworth deal with his death? How does the Chancellor?

What did Wordsworth prove with his actions here?

Why did Wordsworth let the chancellor out? Why did he stay?

What did you think of the narrator's closing statement?

The Passersby

Psalm 137

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

Reflect on this quote: "war claims a lot of victims...even God's own beauty".

What do you think of Mrs. Godwin's reflection on the beginning of the war? How often does this happen in history?

Why does Mrs. Godwin want the man to sing loudly? Have you ever experienced this?

Why do you think the man decided to stay with Mrs. Godwin a while?

Reflect on this quote: "the animals would stop to hear the music".

 Romans 12:17-21

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

How did the woman feel about the Yankees?

What has her need for revenge done to her?

Can you die from the poison of pain and revenge?

What does she say about her gun?

How does her guest respond? Why does he respond this way?

Who was the man on the horse and what did he do? What were the writers saying with this scene?

Reflect on this quote: "and this too shall pass."

2 Corinthian 4:7-12

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What is the significance of all the men walking together no matter their affiliation?

Why does the man decide to walk down it?

Why does Mrs. Godwin try to get people to stay? Why does she fear the road?

What do you think of the metaphor of life as a song?

Why did the woman react to the truth the way she did?

Why do you think Lincoln is the one to comfort and convince her at the end?

What is the significance of Lincoln being the last casualty of the Civil War? 

Reflect on this in light of Mrs. Godwin's earlier demand for a sacrifice.

It’s A Good Life

Proverbs 13:19-25

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What does Anthony force the townspeople to do?

What do you think of having to be happy all the time?

Do some people think the world should be like this? Should it?

Do you think some people give a little child too much power? What is the result?

What kind of powers does Anthony have?

What is Anthony like as a child?

Do you think this is what would really happen if a child had godlike power? Why or why not?

What does Anthony hate?

Deuteronomy 4:23-24

1 John 4:7-21

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What is his relationship like with these people? What is he to them?

How do they think and feel about him?

What do you think this is all a commentary on?

Why do you think Anthony has made life so hard on everyone?

Why does the man attack Anthony when he does?

Why won't anyone stand up to him given this chance?

Do you think Anthony should have been killed? Why or why not?

The Hunt

Numbers 22:21-39

Luke 21:25-38

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What do you think of hunting?

What do you think of the man's relationship with his dog?

What is his life with his wife like?

How is a life like this created?

Why doesn't Rachel want him to go hunting?

What do you think of omens?

What do you think it means to read the signs?

Would you risk your life for your dog? Why or why not?

How are Rip and Simpson remembered?

What Rachel's grieving like? What do you think this would be like?

James 1:13-18

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

Reflect on Simpson's religiosity and the attitude of his wife and the pastor about it all?

What is the gate of hell like?

What does Simpson say about his dog being denied entry into the Gate of Heaven?

Would you have fallen for the trap? Why or why not?

What are the writers saying with this test? What is the test?

How did Simpson pass this test?

Would God set up a test like this? Why or why not?

What values do we see in tension here?

Is everyone's heaven the same, do you think?

What does Simpson want from heaven? What do you want?

What does the angel say about Heaven, Hell, people and dogs? What do you think of this?

Piano In The House

Matthew 23:25-26

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What does the piano do to people?

Why does this appeal to Gerald?

What do you think of this?

Do you have two faces?

How do we learn to reveal our faces?

How do we learn to reveal the faces of others?

2 Samuel 6:12-22

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

Why does Mr. Fitzgerald like misanthropes?

What is a cynic?

What do you think of cynicism?

What does Gerald think of his servant?

Do you think Gerald understands what he's messing with here? Why cant he see this?

What do we learn about Marjorie?

How would you feel if this happened to you?

What is Gerald afraid of and why?

Can you identify with this fear? Why or why not?

How was Gerald's experience different from the rest?

Exodus 20:17

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What does Mrs. Fitzgerald say about telling the truth to Gerald?

What does Gerald want to do with the piano? Why does he want to do this?

What is Gerald's bachelor friend like? What do you think of this kind of life?

What do you think of Greg's love for Esther?

The Masks

Ecclesiastes 2:17-19

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What is Mardi Gras?

What is it all about?

Have you known anyone who could hang on to life like Jason?

What is the Jason's family think of the fact that he is dying?

What do they really care about?

 Luke 8:9-14

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

Reflect on Jason's comment on Emily acting like a Job?

Reflect on this quote: 'you four are the most changeless people I've ever met'.

What are the members of Jason's family like?

What do the family members think of themselves? What do these self-assessments say about them?

Luke 12:54-59

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of this episode.

What do you think of Jason's challenge and test?

Would you do this? Why or why not?

What does the family think of the test? Why do they go on?

What does Jason really want?

What kind of test is this?

What do you think of his assessment on his death bed?

What do you think about the punishment he meted out to them?

What did the masks unmask?

What does it say that Jason's face was so alive at the end?