tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25552369.post3465521638306394440..comments2023-07-19T03:59:25.325-07:00Comments on johnny was here . . .: the building of a tourjohnny scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601633806093140935noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25552369.post-74822590080554184092009-08-03T06:47:03.930-07:002009-08-03T06:47:03.930-07:00The thing that kept coming into my mind while read...The thing that kept coming into my mind while reading over this is just how much storytellers have abused the 'true story' element. Our Middle School students already know not to believe everything that they are told is true. Even the movies that are based on a true story don't really have much connection to the truth. They know that the truth is often bended or manipulated to make a better story.<br /><br />At the same time so many stories that our students are watching on the big screen or at home on computers and tvs really mirror the Gospel story too. I think that God has hard wired us to long for the ultimate story of redemption. Harry Potter twice surviving death to save everyone because of love, and Edward Cullen's immortal and self sacrificing love are two prime examples. The fact that so many stories mirror Jesus' redemptive story can seriously cheapen how students percieve its importance. It is just another story like the rest of them they hear.<br /><br />In my mind one of the big obstacles to overcome this year will be how Believe will communicate the reality and truth of the story in a compelling way. To do that in a manner that sets it both apart and incredibly beyond the othe redemptive stories that they know will be very difficult. I'm interested to see what you all come up with.Matt Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13851539272965979520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25552369.post-12709060831785880102009-07-28T15:38:08.586-07:002009-07-28T15:38:08.586-07:00Johnny--
Thanks for the opportunity to give input...Johnny--<br /><br />Thanks for the opportunity to give input on what you're doing. I agree ... it is hard to boil Jesus down into 3 sessions.<br /><br />I guess I'm thinking that it would be cool to use the scriptures and stories you have as central scriptures, but also tie a lot of other stories from Jesus' life into these sessions, so they can see that these themes in his life were not merely one time events, but things that he continually revealed to his followers.<br /><br />For example: He is more. Tying the lowly unexpectedness of his birth to other times when Jesus didn't meet others expectations ... the Rich Young Ruler, John the Baptist in Prison, Many encounters with the pharisees.<br /><br />I think the He sees more theme is good. It's just hard to sum up the life of Jesus into two sessions. There is no way around that. But the angle of helping students to see their sin, understanding that God sees it and see that there is a way out of it is huge. We can't lie to Jesus about who we are. It sets up the next session very well.<br /><br />I like He gives more for the third session. It would really help me drive home to my students that there is not a way that they can save themselves, Jesus had to give it. Because Jesus gave more, he is deserving and worthy of more from us. We get to worship him. We get to love him. We get to serve him. I want to drive home to my students what you spoke of .... the privilege and partnership of serving Jesus and living boldly for him.<br /><br />Thanks for your service Johnny. You are appreciated!Natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14039417700520150367noreply@blogger.com