Class notes 3/9/11

life.form.complexity:
   complexity - {kem'pleksite}
   noun (pl. -ties)
   the state or quality of being intricate or complicated : an issue of great complexity

complexity.issues.key:
   *perception of Christians
   *politics
   *evolution vs. ID
   *gay/lesbian
   *different faiths

Stats."UNchristian" 16-29:
   *Outsiders' (unsaved) - Perceptions of Christianity:
   *90% - Antihomosexual
   *87% - Judgmental
   *85% - Hypocritical
   *75% - Too Political
   *70% - Insensitive to Others
   *64% - Not Accepting other Faiths
                                                              gabelyons.co-author.news

Gabe Lyons, "UNchristian"

Just be there for people, be present...you may not need words...

shift.perception:

   *JUDGMENTAL

     -perception: christians prideful and quick to find faults in others

     -NEW Perception: Christians show grace by finding the good n others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.

sync.truth:

   *Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6; 1 John 3:16-19- Our lives are to "poured out" and spent to serve God's purposes.

     -Philippians 2:17 - "But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,^[a] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy."

     -2 Timothy 4:6 - "As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near."
     -1 John 3:16-19 - "¹⁶ We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.  ¹⁷ If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister^[a] in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?  ¹⁸ Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.  ¹⁹ Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God."
   *Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:21-22- Our attitude should be like that of Jesus, who loved and accepted humans even though they were "enemies" of God.  He changes their status from enemies to friends, even songs and daughters of God, when they commit themselves to him.
     -Philippians 2:5-11 - "⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.  ⁶ Though he was God,^[a]he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  ⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges^[b]; he took the humble position of a slave^[c]and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form,^[d]8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  ⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
     -Colossians 1:21-22 - "²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.  ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault."

shift.perception:
   *HYPOCRITICAL
     -perception: christians say one thing but live something entirely different
     -NEW Perception: Christias are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.

                                                               How NOT to Evangelize

clip from the Disney Channel Movie: UP

shift.perception:

   *ANTIHOMOSEXUAL

     -perception: christians show contempt for gays and lesbians

     -NEW Perception: Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of their lifestyle.

doc.love.lisen.repeat

Tony Kriz: Confession Booth Story

Wm. Paul Young, Author of The Shack

sync.truth

   *1 Timothy 3:1-7- One of the qualifications of Christian leadership is to have "a good reputation with outsiders."

   *Titus 3:2- Christians should be peaceable and considerate, showing true humility to everyone

   *2 Peter 3:9 - God wants everyone to repent and turn to him

shift.perception:

   *TOO POLITICAL:

     -perception: christians are primarily motivated by a political agenda and promote right-wing politics

     -NEW Perception: Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex issues.

Blake: Hope For Africa, poverty activist

Creatively give back to others.  How To Save A Life

Caitlyn A. Inman

Gettysburg Masters Commission student'10-11
Elevate Leadership Ministry School
Freedom Valley Worship Center