The noted Roman Catholic monk and spiritual writer Thomas Merton was standing on a street corner in a busy Kentucky city in the 1960s. Suddenly he was overcome by the awareness that he was deeply in love with all of humanity. Has that ever happened to you? Do you expect it to?

I don't know that I have ever had a realization such as this. I'm not sure that it will; my personality tends to lean more towards the pragmatic and practical. I am more about spread sheets, results, things that I can measure and test. I think I won't be overcome by this awareness like Merton, but I do believe there is something to be said for sharing the great love for all people that God, the creator, shares with his creation. We are called to go out, to change the hearts and lives of the people that we encounter and come into contact with. 

The doctrine of the Trinity is the Christian answer to the old problem in philosophy of “the one and the many.” Think of your own family. How does your family structure reflect and even answer “the one and the many”? Think of other parts of your life where this dynamic of “the one and the many” is evident.

I think for me this argument reveals itself in self versus group. As a member of the family, I have a role as an individual; my role is different from that of my wife or my children. In my extended family, my role changes as my relationships grow and develop, or wither and die. Without me, the family is incomplete in some ways. This dynamic is none to often revealed when a family member reflects on a lost one: " he / she always used to do that". 

We can see the one and the many in a lot of areas. In a car, you have a variety of parts, each with their own role, yet each one is essential for the car to run at peak performance. If one part is lacking, it can cause undue wear on other parts. It won't be long before a car breaks down if a part is not functioning properly. 

For many years the missionary magazine of the Church of the Nazarene was called “The Other Sheep,” based on John 10:16. Read this verse in its context. What is the meaning of “the other sheep” to you personally?

For me, "the other sheep" are those who are not a part of the flock of Christ, but can join the flock. One metaphor that has always stuck out to me in regard to sheep is that the shepherd cannot make sheep; sheep are the ones who make sheep. We, as sheep, have the opportunity to make lone sheep a part of the flock of Christ. We can be out there, sharing his love, showing sheep the dangers in the world, and directing them to his love, mercy, and grace.  We are his sheep, and we must reach out to other sheep!

When I first heard about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the New York World Trade Center and the USA Pentagon (or personal news) I felt like I was confused. I don't really remember myself truly grasping the impact of what was happening, or how the events of that day would affect so much of the future lives of generations of Americans. I remember feeling sad, confused, wondering what was going to happen, but not really having much of those events truly impact my day-to-day life. I can remember being at Wednesday Bible study, remembering some of my friends lamenting the amount of Television coverage the event was receiving. In retrospect, I wish I would have paid more attention as a teen that week.

Does the average Christian layperson really care about all of these philosophical arguments for the existence of God? Why?

I would say that the average layperson does not give a rip about the philosophical arguments for the existence of God. I would further posit that most of them do not even know these arguments. I would say that for many of them, the existence of God is explained in their personal experience and relationship with him. That, for many, is all the evidence that they need. The problem is that in a lot of circles of unbelief, this is not deemed a measurable quantity to be analyzed. With that said, these philosophical arguments should be a buttress for those things that we already experience as we grow and walk with Jesus, living in us. Evidence to back up the experience is an even greater tool in sharing the love and knowledge of Christ. 

Cite some worship practice that seems to help others but leaves you cold and empty. Prayerfully explore the uses and aim of that worship practice as well as why it doesn’t touch you.

When I think of a worship practice that doesn't resonate with me, it would have to be responsive reading. I think it might not be the actual practice itself, but the format and way that it is done. Often it just feels like we are going through the motions in reading something, or we are going through a dirge that no one is really interested in or engaging in. I think responsive reading would have to be presented in a different light or style if it were to be a more engaging act of worship for me. 

I listened to a sermon from a pastor this evening who comes from a line of liberation theology. In the 30 minutes of listening, I felt much of what he was saying was accurate, and resonated with my soul in where God was calling me and all believers to be. He was preaching a wonderful message of reconciliation, and in the midst of all of that, he took a political shot, questioning the intelligence of a prominent politician, for no real apparent reason. This politician is a follower of Christ, a believer in the same ministry of reconciliation that this pastor was espousing; why did he feel it was all right, or even necessary, to tear down somebody for no reason, other than to make a joke? His message was powerful, but a senseless comment made in a few seconds does a lot to negate the positives from his message.

As I write this, I am convicted. I too, have been guilty of saying something that was deemed offensive by a member of the audience. It is for this reason that I preach a scripted sermon. Every single thing I say from the pulpit has been written out; it has been practiced, and it has been preached to an empty room. I want to make sure that when I stand in the pulpit, I do nothing but lift up the great name of our Lord, and share his message of love and reconciliation. The only time I have ever regretted saying something was when I said something I had no plan of saying. I have to make sure that I show myself study approved, and off the cuff marks will not help in the venture, even to get a laugh.

One idea, Bible verse, or story that make an impression on me in class today was when I read Genesis 1:1-2 and John 1:1-2 for my assignment that was due. It brought me to a realization of all the Beginnings that God is a part of. In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. God was there in my beginning. He was there in my faith beginning. He is there in the beginning of my children's beginnings. He is always there, ever present, ever loving, ever available to reach out to. God is so good indeed, and I am excited for all of the beginnings that I get to be a part of as I live my life serving Him!

In your journal write a prayer of confession that could be used in a worship service:

Father, I pray now for the hearts, minds, body, and souls of those individuals who are in this place. I pray that they would sense your presence in this place today. As they recognize that you are here among them, my prayer is that you would reach out to them, that they would turn away from the sin that so easily entangles, and the things in their life that are holding them down. I pray that they would turn over themselves to you, forsaking their sin, and asking you to be their Lord and Savior. I pray that they can learn to love you with all that they are, and that you will continue to put people in their life that will guide them and direct them on this great journey of walking in relationship with you. Thank you for continuing to work your great work at changing hearts and lives. Amen.

My small group raised an issue that I hadn’t considered before: During Sunday school, we talked about Samson, and the concept of whether God promotes revenge. Samson states in the temple of Dagon: "Lord, give me my strength one last time so I might get revenge for my two eyes" that were gouged out by the Philistines. Does God allow for Samson to seek disproportional revenge on his enemies? The answer is no. God giving Samson his strength did not simply allow him to enact vengeance; it was part of God's plan all along for Samson to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The revenge factor was just a by-product of God's greater purpose at work.

When I complete my present ministry assignment, will I be remembered for my character or for my reputation?

I think the answer to that question will be largely determined by the degree for which people know and interact with me. I think those that only know me from a distance will remember me for my reputation, because the only base line that they will have to work with is what they have heard about me or what they have witnessed from a distance. Those who actually get to know me and build relationships with me will remember me for my character. 

What evidence is there that Christ’s character is being formed in you, and you are growing and maturing in Christlikeness?

I think the evidence of Christ growing in me is found in the fruits of my relationship with him. I am continuing to grow and mature into the man, husband, father, and leader that God is calling me to be. My faith and trust in him grows each day, and I find myself relying on him more and more. The biggest evidence is praying for his help! I used to try to do things all on my own strength, but now I rely more and more on the source of strength for me. God is so good, and he is continuing to make me into the person he wants me to be.

Reflect on your experience in the small-group exercise in class or another recent small group experience. What did God say to you in the Bible reflection time?

I love the time in the small group where people can share their praises, needs, and requests. I think this is such a beautiful and wonderful time of people connecting with each other, lifting each other up, and encouraging and providing strength to one another. I think this in a lot of ways can sometimes be more important than the study that has been prepared, yet it is something that can often be done at the very last second when a teacher has been long winded. 

Study Psalm 108:1-5 and write the lyrics to a song of praise. Use a familiar tune if you wish.

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music with all my soul.
² Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.
³ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
⁴ For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

All right, lets give this a shot:

Let the music play,
Let the music play,
Lets sing out with all our heart and soul.

Let the music play,
Let the music play,
For the love of god is higher than can be told.

Be exalted o God.
Be exalted o God.

We will praise you
We will praise you.

Be exalted o God.

We will seek your way
we will seek your way
For great is your love for us everday

We will seek your way
we will seek your way
For your glory fills the nations and the earth.

Be exalted o God.
Be exalted o God.

We will praise you
We will praise you.

Be exalted o God.

In your journaling time record your reflections on the three most significant times of Bible study that you have experienced in the past year. Be specific. State the passage, the setting, others who may have shared the experience, and how your life and/or ministry have changed because of those experiences.

The passages that I will mention are Hebrew 5 (the milk passage), Micah 6:6-8 (what is good), and John 10:10 (the best and fullest life possible). Each one has made its way into my teaching or preaching this year, and I am so thankful it has, because it continues to affirm in me the fact that I am on the right track in my journey with God. I am able to share what God is doing in me through these passages, and communicate that to the young people I am ministering to. God is so good! 

How do Christian disciples “serve the world, but not . . . be a servant of the world”? · What are some ways that we may live out the words of Matthew 6:33, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”? · Do we seek to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist?

I think Christians can serve the world without being a servant of the world by always keeping focused on their perspective. Why do we do the things we do? It is to build the Kingdom of God, to bring glory to the name of Jesus! When our works of service become more about feeling good about ourselves, or getting recognition or a pat on the back, we are losing our perspective. We must continue to do what God calls us to do, including standing up for what is right, fighting against injustice and persecution, and loving the way God calls us to. 

How do you feel about being a mentor/coach? Are you willing to make that commitment? · Who are the people that you should be mentoring/coaching today? · What skills and experience do you have that you would be willing to share with others? · What is your reaction to being mentored/coached by someone else?

I think I could do a very good job of being a mentor to someone. There are some young people in my youth ministry that could very well benefit from some one-on-one engagement and encouragement. I can use my strength finders strength of Harmony to engage and find a common rapport with the people I am working with. I can share my life experiences, my struggles, my shortcomings, show that I am just a person, trying to figure out this life.

I certainly appreciate being mentored by someone else. There is something so rewarding about being able to share with someone who can provide an outside perspective on the situation you are dealing with. I have some great mentors in my life that I am thankful to have!

In your journal write the final draft of your definition of Christian theology.

I don't know that you can have a "final draft" to define Christian Theology, but I think this will suffice as my best effort. Christian Theology is about being a part of the Narrative of God. It starts with the Narrative of his creation, the failure of human creation to stay in a right relationship, and his attempts to reconcile himself with that creation. It follows with the appointment of a holy people, chosen to bear witness to God's great glory, mercy, and justice. It culminates in the person of Jesus, who bears the sin of the world so that one and for all can be reconciled with God. It continues through Jesus' followers, those who seek reconciliation with God, and attempt to share this reconciliation with others. We are all theologians, participating in the great redemption story of Jesus Christ.

· When it comes to being all love, holy love I find myself feeling very inadequate to the great power and majesty that is the essence of God - Love. God's love is so great, and unyielding towards me that he would send his son to death for me to be reconciled with him. And who am I that I deserve reconciliation? I am nothing, a single person trotting on an earth filled with billions, not to mention billions more throughout the course of history. Yet this God, who could be concerned with all sorts of more important things, loves me and wants a relationship with me. Baffling and overwhelming, to say the least.

Write a one-stanza song of praise to God for your own “transforming moment” of conversion. If you need help to get started, sing some songs such as “Why Should He Love Me So?” “Victory in Jesus,” “All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus.”

I praise you, my savior.
I praise you, my Lord.
I praise you, my friend.
For being all of these things, and loving me.
Loving someone as insignificant as me.
Filled with your majesty and power,
pouring out your mercy and grace,
on one like me, a worm of the earth.
I praise you for all that you are and all that you do.
My God, my Rock, my Redeemer, my friend. 

Not much of a song, but I think it gets the point!

Theme 3 implies that every Christian has a call to minister. What differences, if any, do you see between a call to full-time Christian service, such as pastoring, and God’s leading and gifting someone for other types of employment (teacher, builder, doctor, laborer, etc.)? · To what has God called you? What gifts have been given to you by God to allow you to fulfill His call?

I think the difference between those who are called to a "secular" vocation and those called to full-time ministry is the emphasis on leadership and direction. Those in the secular field are part of the "priesthood of all believers" and play their role in their world, job, vocation, etc. Those in full time ministry are there to help facilitate and develop those who are out in the "real" world, if you will. We are called to help those be prepared for works of service, out in their context.

I think God has called me to be a very good associate pastor / executive pastor. I could see myself being on staff, leading behind the scenes, not so much being the face of the franchise, but a major contributor in what goes unseen that makes things happen. I think God has given me gifts like planning and organization, vision casting, and the ability to promote that would make for a very good assistant / executive type role. 

Write in your journal about a new concept that you encountered in today’s lesson. In what ways could this new idea influence your life? Your assumptions about religion or spirituality? What feelings did this new insight provoke? Suspicion, fear, anger, freedom, joy, relief?


The new insight that I received in reading for this lesson was the thought that the role that I have in forming my take on Theology is influenced by hundreds of thousands of men and women of the last 2,000 or so years that have dedicated their lives to knowing Jesus, loving him, and living life the way that he calls them to live. I get to play a part in sharing the great news of God's reconciliation plan! Every once in a while you have these moments, these times where you get to reflect and look at what has come and dream about what will become. This thought is overwhelming and exciting at the same time, knowing that God is going to use me, just like he used The Disciples, the Catholic Priests of Old, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and a countless number of others to further his great, loving redemption plan. Shock and awe indeed.

Note an idea or concept that either had a positive or negative impact on you. · Record an emotion you experienced while processing the content of today’s lesson. · Write about something you decided or actually did in your personal life, spiritual life, ministry, or family life in response to this lesson.

I have to record the emotion of exhaustion! I am so tired of doing course work! I know that it is essential and important for my continued progress in ministry, but I am tired! I feel like I have so much other stuff going on in my life and not enough time to get all that I am responsible for taken care of. I need a break from life!

Record in your journal any corrections, adjustments, or expansions that this lesson brought to your concept of God.

I think one thing that this lesson helped affirm in my life was the goodness of who God is. He is so very good to me and to every person in this world, even when we have no right to deserve the goodness that he bestows upon us. He has blessed us in so many ways, starting by reconciling us with him through Jesus, and with every proceeding blessing or gift that comes from him. He is just so good to me.

In what area discussed in Theme Two do you have the most problems with your faith community?

I think the biggest problem I have is empowering and equipping people to do the work God has called them to do. One of my top five strengths is "achiever", so often I will tackle a project and get it done the way I want to get it done. I sometimes will do everything myself, when I could be having someone else do the work. I need to show a little humility and allow other people to discover the gifts and talents God has given them to honor their lives towards Him.

What is God teaching you about how you personally handle conflict in your life? · How can “speaking the truth in love” help you to gain greater understanding of those with whom you have conflict? · What conflicts have you delayed resolving?

I think for me the handling of conflict is a tricky proposition. I tend to lie in the school of the "passive / aggressive" type. Often the way I handle conflict is to block it out, to hold my frustrations in, until they eventually explode in a situation that is not becoming of an individual. I have to be willing to clearly communicate the issues that I am having in an open forum; too often I let things pick at me. Speaking the truth in love allows me to express my feelings before it builds up and festers into something greater than it ever needed to be.

I can't think of any conflicts that I need to resolve; I feel like certain conflicts need space for perspective before a resolution can come to pass. When we distance ourselves from the situation a bit, we are better able to understand every side of the story. 

Three key words to make part of your journal experience this lesson: · Acknowledge that sin has had devastating effects in your own life, family, and world. · Confess any known sins in your present life—and forsake them at once. · Praise God for past and present forgiveness for sin and for cleansing your heart.

As I look at this list of things in regard to sin, I am most intrigued by the last one. It seems easy to acknowledge the problems we have in our lives, the sin that so easily entangles. It seems easy to confess that to God. I think we run into issues with forsaking our sin and praising God for his forgiveness. I think often the Devil creeps into our lives, with his lies and deception that makes us think that we are not truly forgiven. We have to continue to hold to the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the blood that makes us whole. We can never let go of the great thing that Jesus has done on our behalf in extending his great mercy towards us.

How are you doing in your response to those who speak truth to you in love?

I think this is a tough one for me. I often times have a hard time speaking the truth. What I mean by that is that I often will hold my tongue as a means to avoid confrontation. There are times when I want to say something, yet I hold in for the sake of avoiding an argument. The issue with that is that it can often turn into a passive-aggressive situation, where the frustration I might be holding by not saying anything appears in another situation, or in my disposition or attitude. Sometimes holding your tongue is not the best thing to do. Sometimes you have to say how you feel, truthfully, but not with ill intentions.

Recount one incident you had this week where the words that were spoken either helped heal or hurt a relationship.

I recall an instance where someone said something about a particular event that I found to be highly offensive. The individual made a blatantly racist remark, and it caught me off guard. He had a great laugh out of it, and I was so uncomfortable that I didn't really know what to say. I let him know that it was offensive on so many levels, but I don't believe he took me seriously. It is interesting how quickly something that is said can change your perception and perspective of who a person is. Sometimes, a simple sentence can completely wreck your credibility in the eyes of another person. We have to be very careful with what we say, lest we lead individuals astray.

What are you learning about “incarnational leadership”?

I think the thing that sticks out to me about incarnational leadership is allowing God to lead me, and not try to lead myself along. I find that for me, I like to chart out my own course for how I am to go about doing the things I am going to do, and I can find myself forgetting to see what God would have in store for me! Often times it can be so easy to seek God's help when everything has gone to a chaotic level, but in leadership we have to seek his wisdom and guidance first!

I find that for me, incarnational leadership is about choosing to live and lead the kind of life that God is calling me to lead. I have to be willing to put myself aside for the sake and glory of the Gospel.

More specifically, if I could accomplish three goals in the next 90 days that would make a significant difference in my ministry effectiveness, what would I do?

I think the first thing I would like to do in the next 90 days is create an effective service program during the school year. In the Summer time, I have a great volunteer program, in part because the kids I work with do not have school. When school kicks back on, It becomes very difficult to find the opportunity to engage the kids in works of service.

The second thing I would do is do a better job of planning my days in the local schools. I would like to have a more visible presence in the local schools, but there are over 10 different schools that are on my watch list.

The final thing I would do is continue to plan better for my Wednesday Night lessons. For example, tonight. I had to work at another job all day, and I didn't have time to plan my lesson, and it was met with mixed results. I have to do a better job of coordinating my time to make sure I am giving my best to these kids.

Record your reflections about new things you learned today about two or three of your classmates. Write a one-sentence prayer for each of them.

I think one of the things that I have learned about my classmates is their level of commitment to this course work. In the discussions, some of them will write profound, thought provoking responses to the questions asked, while others will attempt to further the conversation with responses like "Amen", or "I agree!". Please give me something to work with! Feel free to disagree, to talk about the differences in your thinking! Please contribute more to the conversation than just a simple acknowledgement that you have attempted the bare minimum to complete the assignment.

"Lord, I pray that as the content of this study touches our hearts and minds, that we would be responsive to the power of your word to enlighten our thinking and further prepare us for the work you have set out for us."