Been busy with a new baby. Zechariah.
WoW5: Keeping things in Perspective
I am about to deliver a teaching that I feel passionately about. I am going in full of enthusiasm and hoping that it will be life-changing. In my mind, if it is not going to be impactful, why bother?
Then I remember the countless times where people sleep in my lessons. Those that didn't sleep, some showed no comprehension. Those that comprehended showed no excitement. Those that displayed enlightenment, forget about the lesson after a few days. Those that remembered forget them eventually. In short, how much impact can a teaching do anyway?
I came across a book called 100 speeches that changed the world. I've got to get hold of that book one day. But here is the sombering thought: those speakers probably gave a thousand speeches for one to be really life changing to anybody.
Nonetheless, we continue to do what we do anyway. Because for every teaching that makes a difference, it makes the thousand that didn't seemed worthwhile.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Baptism of the Dead
FFoB2: 1 Cor. 15:29
Here "baptized for the dead" may mean that a Christian friend was baptised for symbolic effect on behalf of a new convert who had died (perhaps by matyrdom, or perhaps on his or her deathbed, thus allowing no time for baptism) before being able to baptise. Or this expression may refer to washings of the dead before burial, a standard Jewish custom. It could be a roundabout way of saying "baptized so as to be able to participate in eternal life with Christians who have already died," hence baptized in light of their own mortality as well. To whatever practice Paul alludes, it si not clear whether he agrees with the Corinthian practice; even if he does not, however, he can use it to make his point.
Here "baptized for the dead" may mean that a Christian friend was baptised for symbolic effect on behalf of a new convert who had died (perhaps by matyrdom, or perhaps on his or her deathbed, thus allowing no time for baptism) before being able to baptise. Or this expression may refer to washings of the dead before burial, a standard Jewish custom. It could be a roundabout way of saying "baptized so as to be able to participate in eternal life with Christians who have already died," hence baptized in light of their own mortality as well. To whatever practice Paul alludes, it si not clear whether he agrees with the Corinthian practice; even if he does not, however, he can use it to make his point.
New Segment: Fun Facts of the Bible
FFoB1: Honey is date juice
The land of Canaan is described as a land "flowing with milk and honey". This refers to the bounty of the land for a pastoral lifestyle, but not necessarily in terms of agriculture. Milk is the produce of herds, while honey represents a natural resource, probably the syrup of the date rather than bees' honey.
The land of Canaan is described as a land "flowing with milk and honey". This refers to the bounty of the land for a pastoral lifestyle, but not necessarily in terms of agriculture. Milk is the produce of herds, while honey represents a natural resource, probably the syrup of the date rather than bees' honey.
The Bar of God
I promised myself there will be 1 reflection per week. If you are a regular reader, please leave a note so that I will be encouraged on this effort.
WoW4: Never lower the bar on your teachings
Jubilee youth ministry is unique in the sense that the objective of the teachings is to be incomprehensible. Human beings, especially youths are far more complex than we can ever imagine. In lowering the bar, we devalue the true essence of God's revelation and cheapen the cost of knowing him. In preparing for Romans, I consulted my old notes which is based on David C Cook. Then I read Max Lucado (In the Grip of Grace). Finally, I come to NT Wright's commentary. What a strange new world! If I had settled for any less than Wright's understanding, I would have done a great disservice to the youths. Guess what? They understood it perfectly well.
WoW4: Never lower the bar on your teachings
Jubilee youth ministry is unique in the sense that the objective of the teachings is to be incomprehensible. Human beings, especially youths are far more complex than we can ever imagine. In lowering the bar, we devalue the true essence of God's revelation and cheapen the cost of knowing him. In preparing for Romans, I consulted my old notes which is based on David C Cook. Then I read Max Lucado (In the Grip of Grace). Finally, I come to NT Wright's commentary. What a strange new world! If I had settled for any less than Wright's understanding, I would have done a great disservice to the youths. Guess what? They understood it perfectly well.
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