Tue, Oct 27, 2009
Got Hops?
So here I am reading a book for college that is teaching me a new and fresh way to study the bible. Some of it I have learned and actually used before, but some of it is completely new. Here's some examples... see if you can follow.
Who: are the characters in this text? Peter, John and Crippled man... good but aren't you missing someone? But aren't you missing some people? Look again.
vs 2- says he was carried in... I'm assuming people did that. That struck me a little bit, cuz imagine being those people. My first thought is... this is "uncomfortable" faith isn't it? I mean they had to put there faith to "action." I'm sure when this dude was healed they were probably jumping around with him. My question: is this "who am I carrying in?" Am I carrying anyone to church that needs a healing, a miracle or just help for their needs? Yea, I could do better! hmm... what about you? hmmm.... hey, I'm just asking!
ok... so did you forget the other "who's" in the text? What about the huge crowds that gathered.
vs 9- says "all the people"... that was a lot of people. I mean think about it... back in the day, shoot I could remember, I wasn't even a Christian, but the "social" event of the week was centrally focused around what was going on at church. This is the case, and even more so then. They did not have tv, and facebook and twitter and all these things to distract them. The had the "temple." so when they mean "all" that is a lot of people.
ok... lets ask another question... What did this guy do when he was healed? Go on think about it for a minute.
vs 8- says he jumped up and started leaping and worshiping, etc. Two things that I can think of... one where is this in the church today? Have we forgotten so easily what it's like to be healed? Have we forgotten our own testimonies of God meeting us... on one afternoon and revealing Himself to us? Second is, you never know why people are so excited in church... maybe it's because they are thinking back on their day in the Son. Don't judge, but rather... why not ask them their "story." Maybe you'll remember what it was like to have HOPS too.
Keep reading and asking "who, what, when, where, why and how"... maybe you'll get some nuggets that you can share with me.
God bless.
Who: are the characters in this text? Peter, John and Crippled man... good but aren't you missing someone? But aren't you missing some people? Look again.
vs 2- says he was carried in... I'm assuming people did that. That struck me a little bit, cuz imagine being those people. My first thought is... this is "uncomfortable" faith isn't it? I mean they had to put there faith to "action." I'm sure when this dude was healed they were probably jumping around with him. My question: is this "who am I carrying in?" Am I carrying anyone to church that needs a healing, a miracle or just help for their needs? Yea, I could do better! hmm... what about you? hmmm.... hey, I'm just asking!
ok... so did you forget the other "who's" in the text? What about the huge crowds that gathered.
vs 9- says "all the people"... that was a lot of people. I mean think about it... back in the day, shoot I could remember, I wasn't even a Christian, but the "social" event of the week was centrally focused around what was going on at church. This is the case, and even more so then. They did not have tv, and facebook and twitter and all these things to distract them. The had the "temple." so when they mean "all" that is a lot of people.
ok... lets ask another question... What did this guy do when he was healed? Go on think about it for a minute.
vs 8- says he jumped up and started leaping and worshiping, etc. Two things that I can think of... one where is this in the church today? Have we forgotten so easily what it's like to be healed? Have we forgotten our own testimonies of God meeting us... on one afternoon and revealing Himself to us? Second is, you never know why people are so excited in church... maybe it's because they are thinking back on their day in the Son. Don't judge, but rather... why not ask them their "story." Maybe you'll remember what it was like to have HOPS too.
Keep reading and asking "who, what, when, where, why and how"... maybe you'll get some nuggets that you can share with me.
God bless.
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