Perspectives Kick-Off!

I can probably pinpoint about five monumental markers that have shaped my faith. Reading certain books, attending certain events, specific relationships with specific people at specific times in my life.

And taking Perspectives.

Perspectives is a course that examines the worldwide Christian movement from historical, biblical, strategic, and cultural perspectives. At least, that's the tagline. The truth is that Perspectives is a game-changer. I know this because I experienced it when I took it in college. So when Perspectives approached WHC about hosting the class, Grant contacted me to see if I'd be interested in helping.

Um....YES!

Last night was our first class and it was uh-MAY-zing. Nearly 100 people were in attendance (including not one, but TWO former students!) and Sean Cooper of The Traveling Team did our first lesson.

 

I had forgotten that in the first lesson they drive home the fact that the Bible is ONE story. It's often seen as a multitude of stores that involve God, but the truth is, it has a plot structure complete with all the elements of plot. It has a main character and, guess what? I'm not the main character. We are not the main character. HUMANITY is not the main character. GOD is. And when we take verses like Psalm 46:10:

We put the first half on bumper stickers and coffee mugs and home decor. We leave out the last part, why? BECAUSE WE AREN'T IN IT. The truth is, God's heart is for the nations. Not just Westerners. Not just Americans. Not just republicans/democrats. Not just the righteous. Not just the wealthy. ALL THE EARTH. There was so much good MEAT to everything he said. After the first half, my notes looked like this:

I had to get more paper. I didn't look at the clock once. I was writing nearly as fast as he was talking. Things like:

• The Old Testament tells the story Jesus completes and declares the promise Jesus fulfills.
• God didn't give us the "great commission" in Matthew 28:19-20. He gave it to us in Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, John 20:21, Acts 1:8 - there are over 1500 references in the Bible to the "great commission."
• Every epistle is a fulfillment of Genesis 12 - Corinth. Galatia. Ephesus. Philippi. Colossae. Thessalonica.
• Jesus never traveled more than 90 miles from his hometown, yet he reached Samaritans, Canaanites, Centurions, Gentiles, Gadarenes, Romans, etc.

When two hours were up, I couldn't believe it. It was SO GOOD. I went straight home and filled Rick in - I talked as fast as I could because I was afraid something important was going to slip out of my head before I could tell it to him.

I am so excited about next week!