Kennington Kronicle

The 11 at Campus Kennington

2012-02-07T21:22:00.001-06:00

What can 11 students accomplish?

Be praying for these students that they can teach other what they are learning in the Bible. Thank you for making this preparation possible.

Habakkuk: revival now

2011-09-19T10:51:00.002-05:00

Revival Now

Habakkuk: a study guide

1.1. Before you start ...

Note: justice and righteousness are similar words.

1. What is justice? Is justice the same as equality? Is there equality of resources? Is there a just reward for our work? Honestly? Accountable? Do you break the law?
2. In your own opinion, how would the world be if it were just?
3. If you were God, what would you do to establish justice in society today?
4. What are the causes of violence in the world today? What should we do to alleviate the injustice and violence that we face?
5. Where in the Bible is there a quest for Justice?
6. Can it be a sin to seek justice?
7. When we are looking for our own righteousness, do we minimize what Jesus did?
8. Can we think we are too good to be judged by God?
9. If God is just, and I behave well, do I deserve a reward?
10. Can God use unbelieving people, wicked or evil to accomplish His purposes?
11. ¿Does God work in nature and politics to achieve his goals with humans?
12. What is justice? How is a society that works for justice?

Read Habakkuk 1:1-4.
What is Habakkuk's complaint? Do we have this same complaint today ?

Historical Context
1.2. Historical Background
Name: We are not certain as to the meaning of his name. The most likely is "hug", but can also be the name of an Assyrian plant called, "hambakuku".

1.3. Kings of Judah and chronology
Abraham 2000,

Moses 1500,

David 1000,

Death of Solomon and the division of the kingdom 922

The fall of Israel 722

Isaiah, 740-690,

The fall of Judah 587 BC

Habakkuk was written shortly before the Babylonian conquest of Judea. No one imagined that the Chaldeans or Babylonians would be a world power before 612 BC.
Babylonia was a province of the Assyrian empire. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, where Jonah preached in 782 BC. Babylonia achieved their independence by defeating Nineveh in 612 BC. After the defeat of Nineveh they continued to expand and defeated Egypt at the battle of Carchemish in 605 A.C. In the same year Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem for the first time.

Judea was a good king, Josiah (640-609 BC), Jehoahaz (3 months in 609) and Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) were kings which did what was evil in the eyes of Jehovah. It is unknown who was the king when Habakkuk wrote his book.

Habakkuk presents the rise of the Chaldeans as a surprise. This probably indicates a date before the death of Josiah. But it also indicates a bad government which may indicate that Josiah had died. It appears that the book of Habakkuk could have been written as late as before the battle of Carchemish in 605 BC.

1.4. Babylonian Conquest
The Babylonian conquest was a series of wars and insurrections between 606 and 586. The result of this conquest was the destruction of Judea and Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people.

1.5. The task of a prophet
1. The prophet is a spokesman, who must say what someone else has said.
2. The prophet could not contradict what had already been declared by God for the other prophets. It had to be consistent with previous revelation. The people were called to judge the prop(and kill) that were not congruent with the revelation (Deuteronomy 13).
3. What the prophet says must happen, without exception (Deuteronomy 18).
4. The prophet speaks of Jesus (Luke 24:24-26 and 44-52).

Habakkuk meets all these standards of prophecy. If one reviews the quotations and allusions to other books, Habakkuk did his homework diligently (see the sheets handed out for this workshop.)

1.6. Habakkuk: a mini Bible
Habakkuk is one of many books, which summarizes the entire message of the Bible. It defines sin, salvation by faith, the trial of God and the hope of salvation.

It describes the overall purpose of God's plan: "You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed" 3:13a (see Ephesians 1:9-10).

1.7. Literary style
Like the other prophets of the Old Testament, Habakkuk wrote his book in Hebrew poetry. This means that he writes parallels.

He also writes a kind of dialogue or drama with questions for God and God's answers. God speaks twice and Habakkuk speaks 3 times. This would be very effective in a performance of the book to a large audience.

Habakkuk 2:9-17 describes five woes on the wicked. These woes are similar to those of other prophets: twenty one times in Isaiah 5, twelve times in Jeremiah, eight times in Ezekiel, also in Hosea, Amos, Micah, Nahum, and Zachariah.

Habakkuk 3 is a prayer for mercy. This is a change in the literary genre.

What would happen if God didn’t act?
What if God didn’t hate sin so much?

2.1. The complaint of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:1-4)
How long? How long will God tolerate injustice and violence?

Habakkuk lived in an unjust society. See the ethical and religious situation that causes Habakkuk to launch a complaint to God about the injustice around him. . He complains of the destruction, violence, strife, and contention.

So the law is paralyzed,

and justice never goes forth.

For the wicked surround the righteous;

so justice goes forth perverted. (1:4)

Dialogue 1:
What is Habakkuk`s attitude toward God when he asks these questions?
Do we have the same complaints today?

2. 2. God`s answer (Habakkuk 1:5-11)

God says, I am not passive against injustices in this world. “I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” The Chaldeans will establish His justice among his people, a nation far more violent, corrupt and idolatrous than Judea.

2.3.The second complaint of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:12-17)

God's answer takes Habakkuk to question God Himself. “Are you not from everlasting, …my HOLY One?”

“ why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?”

Habakkuk`s concept is that God has nothing to do with suffering. And he thinks he is innocent or not so bad that God would punish him.

Dialogue 2: Indicate the charges against God in Habakkuk chapter one. How are these claims resolved in the rest of the book?

Do we think God Is unfair?

It is also important to note that Habakkuk does not call people to repentance like other prophets.

2.4.The prophet will wait for a response from God (Habakkuk 2:1)
.”.... To see what I will answer concerning my complaint.” Could it be that God is being challenged?

2.5. God`s second answer (Habakkuk 2:2-5)

God responds to Habakkuk said, "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.”

Then God explains why his people are wrong. "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4)

That is, when we do not trust in God we are puffed up. We can see that we are not just because we are proud. In other words we would say, "You can do it," "by faith I can do it.", we have a "high self-esteem ", "I'm better than they.”, "our church is the best". These statements and many more indicate we are self-sufficient, autonomous and able to make the best decisions. All these statements deny our dependence on God.

In contrast, what God wants is to always trust Him for everything."... The just shall live by faith "(Habakkuk 2:4b). In other words, what God wants is not that we do things, but to trust Him. If we believe in ourselves we are 'self-idolatrous' and we are rejecting God. We think we have rights because we are 'good', when only God is good (Mark 10:18). Our pride shows that we do not trust in God. We are guilty.

The culture of pride

(Definition-- Pride).1. m. Arrogance, vanity, excessive self-esteem, which is sometimes masked by noble birth, virtuous causes. (Royal Spanish Academy © All rights reserved).

Today almost no one thinks that pride is harmful. We live in a culture of pride. This culture of pride is nothing new. It was partly the reason that Satan made Eve to sin in the garden, "be like God."

We are manipulated by pride. We try to create a pride for all.

Pride has many synonyms. Self-esteem, educated, Alfa, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mercedes, Toyota, BMW, Rolex, play Golf, Live at Summit, I went to Paris, I am Bear, a Dolphin, a Chief ….

Note: Galatians presents a positive side of pride.

“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load (Galatians 6:3-5 ESV).

2.5. The five ayes against the proud (Habakkuk 2:6-20; see Isaiah 5:8-30)

When we are proud we can do many atrocities against other humans. The five ayes shows signs of situations we see every day. Then God reveals the consequences or the judgments of God.

2.6. The fruits of pride

Each case is an example of how our pride allows us to walk over others. The natural consequence is to think that we are entitled to what we want.

2.6.1. Habakkuk 2:6-8 Woe to him who increases what is not his!

But we deserve it, right? And the rest, of course, do not deserve it.

2.6.2. Habakkuk 2:9-11 Woe to him who obtained illegal profits for his home to set his nest on high!
But the goal is worth any means ... is not it?

2.6.3. Habakkuk 2:12-13 Woe to him who builds a town with blood!
Others lives are worthless.

2.6.4. Habakkuk 2:15-17 Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor! Woe to you that mixing your poison to get drunk so you can look on their nakedness!
We make our neighbors look stupid and laugh at them for our own amusement.

2.6.5. Habakkuk 2:18-19 Woe to him who says to wood, "Awake" or the dumb stone, "Arise!"
We are idolaters because we give importance to the material rather than spiritual.

2.7. God's conclusion

"But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." (Habakkuk 2:20).
This is God's answer to Habakkuk's complaints. No one can question His justice. All have been shown to be sinners. God has shown him five situations where all are guilty. No one is innocent so they cannot say that God is unfair.

Habakkuk 2:14 also states that God continually sets up His justice on earth. … “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge (of justice) of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” We must recognize that we have an idea of justice so isolated from reality.

Dialogue 3: How does God's answer solves the problem of injustice that Habakkuk had planted in the first verses?

What do you think? Are the woes against all the proud men, or against the Chaldeans or against Judah?

Two interpretations of the five ayes
A. McGrath and D. Stuart took the woes as a statement against the Chaldeans. This interpretation suggests that God will do punish them but not the Hebrews.
B. However this interpretation does not explain the change in attitude when we arrive at the third chapter. For here we find a radically different attitude. Habakkuk sees God's actions are fair. He sees God's actions are correct and righteous. If the woes are only against the Chaldeans, there is no reason for the change of attitude in Habakkuk.

3.1. The prayer of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:1-19)

“The prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionot” (Habakkuk 3:1)

The term shigionoth seems to be a musical term. It is the plural form. The singular is used in Psalm 7:1 and it may refer to the style of music. If you will observe the musical terms: shigionoth in verse 1, stringed instruments in verse 19, and Selah in verses 3, 9, and 13, it is obvious this chapter is a psalm or poem written by Habakkuk to celebrate his new understanding of what God has taught him. Exell comments, "The Bible contains many grand songs and odes. But this song of Habakkuk stands in peerless splendour amongst them all." (www.hurtingchristian.org Habakkuk Ponders God`s Majesty)

This marks a change in literary genre. AND a marked change in attitude.

Habakkuk's prayer/song is filled with quotes from other books in the Old Testament.

3.2.. The call for prayer (Habakkuk 3:1-2)

He is seeing that God has the power to carry out His stated intentions in Chapter 1.

Habakkuk realizes that God is right, His countrymen are guilty of thinking of themselves first. Even God is secondary. They are so selfish in their thinking, others have no value. They worship themselves and their own desires. God is right to show their anger against these men (see Romans 1:18).

Habakkuk calls for God to revive his work. Is this the revival we want?

O LORD, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.

Habakkuk then requests, "In wrath, remember to have compassion" (Habakkuk 3:2).

3.3. God comes (Habakkuk 3:3-7)

"God came from Teman" and comes with all his might. God is willing to use all his power to achieve their purposes.

"His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his power. Selah. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power "(Habakkuk 3:3 b-4).

Habakkuk indicates that you cannot see all of God`s power, he has veiled it. . We only see reflections of it. When we see this world is simple to think that God is behind everything. Surprisingly, the "scientists" cannot see the power of God.

3.4. The wrath of God (Habakkuk 3:8-15)

Many times we think God is not active in the world today.

We believe that in this life we just receive the natural consequences for what we have done. But according to Habakkuk the wrath and judgment of God comes in this life also as Romans 1:18-32 also said. God is not passive in the face of injustice or pride. God destroys his enemies. No one can lift her head to him.

3.5. Faith of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:16-19)
What should be the attitude of men toward God and His wrath? Habakkuk's final response is a model for us.

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the e produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord: I will take joy in the God of my salvation God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer`s; he makes me tread on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

Habakkuk doubted God and His righteousness but eventually comes to a complete trust in God, despite the prospect of the future is slavery, exile and poverty.

Dialogue 4: How has your attitude toward God changed since the first of Habakkuk to the end of the book?

Note well: Habakkuk begins with pride in his book and ends with faith. At first start demanding their rights before God and in the end this trusted God even though he will lose all their possessions. Habakkuk sees pride as a sin and the opposition of man to God. The basic attitude of sin makes man think more of himself than others. When we despise others for being better than others we are easy to dismiss others as evidenced by 5 ayes.

3.6 Habakkuk 3 is written to be sung.

What is the evidence for this?

4.1. Habakkuk in the New Testament
The New Testament quotes "the just shall live by faith" (2:4) three times: in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:l l, and Hebrews 10:38.To explain these verses is necessary to understand the full context of Habakkuk, that is, Paul is quoting the whole book and not just the phase.

4.1.1 Romans 1:17
Paul takes Habakkuk for the topic of Romans. Insert the entire book of Habakkuk with this little quote. Salvation is not a matter of pride in what we do.

More Romans 1:18-32 presents God's wrath, which we saw in Habakkuk, as something to remedy that man be at peace with God. (Romans 5:1). This is significant if Romans is a commentary on Habakkuk.

4.1.2 Galatians 3:11
Paul takes Habakkuk to show that faith is not by works but by faith.

4.1.3 Hebrews 10:38

Hebrews shows that it is important to believe in God.

4.1.4 Revelation 6:10
And is there an echo in Revelation with ... O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?

4.1.5 The sentence of Habakkuk on Judah is finalized by Jesus. “Your house has been left desolate.

4.2. Habakkuk and Christ
The book of Habakkuk destroys all other paths to salvation and shows that only Jesus can be our savior. God intends to save his people and his 'anointed', i.e. “His Christ”. (Habakkuk 3:13a).

The book is a prelude to the New Testament teaching of justification by faith (trust) and not justification by our obedience (loyalty) to the law.

5.1. Conclusion
Pride - faith is the test of orthodoxy of Habakkuk. Anything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

6.1. Bibliography:

1. David W. Baker, "Habakkuk" in New Bible Commentary, Century XXI, IVP.
2. Matthew Henry, "Habakkuk" in Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary, CLIE.
3. "Habakkuk" in New Bible Dictionary, IVP. “certainty”, ”certainty”.
4. Martin Lloyd Jones, from fear to faith, Internet.
5. Douglas Stuart and Gordon Fee, "Habakkuk," in How to read the Bible book by book, Zondervan.
6. Alister McGrath, The NIV Bible companion, Vida.

Using video to teach

2011-03-22T21:48:00.001-06:00

Hi friends.
The following is a video done by the TED foundation of the use of internet and video for teaching. This is the dirrection we working toward to teach the Bible in Spanish.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html

We are looking for others to help build a team to take Bible teaching to the Spanish speaking world. Can you help.

Let us know what you think.

2010-10-12T12:01:00.002-05:00

Questions to Study Ephesians

First class

Introduction
What was Ephesis like before the Christians got there?
• Who ruled?
• What did they do for work?
• What was their religion?
• Who were the first Christians? What obsticals did they encounter?
• Who wrote Ephesians? What happened when he was in Efesus?
• What happened after the book was written?

Manuscript Method (whole book)

Divide the Book into paragraphs. For the first two classes it is important to do chapter 1-3 and Chapters 4-6 for classes 3 and 4.
Put titles on the paragraphs (no more than 4 words).
Indicate the things that God does red and what man does in Blue.
Indicate the words (in different colors) that repeat en the letter: Heavenly places, walk, in love, in Christ, church, body or temple (when used to mean the same thing), fullness, Spirit or Holy Spirit.
Indicate the contrastes (good-bad, death-life).

Chapter 1

Ephesians 1:1-14

1. How are the recipientes described?

2. What has God done?

3. For what purpose did God do it?

4. What did Jesus do? And for what purpose?

5. What did the Holy Spirit do? And for what purpose?

6. What have the recipientes (we) done?

Ephesians 1:15-23
1. What motivated Paul to pray?

What is the purpose of Paul's prayer?

2. What does this say about God's work?

Second class: Chapter 2 and 3

Ephesians 2:1-10
1. What is the contrast en this pasage?

2. Why is this contrast?

Ephesians 2:11-22
1. To whom is Paul talking to in this paragraph?

2. What has Christ done? How has he done it? And why?

Ephesians 3:1-13
1. To whom is Paul speaking to specifically?

2. What is the main idea of this passage?

3. How does this mistery that is revealed to Paul affect my life?

4. What was Paul's task?

5. What role does Jesus play?

Ephesians 3:14-21
1. What is Paul doing and why?

2. What is the center point in this paragraph?

3. What does this paragraph say about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit?

4. If this paragraph had not been in this letter, what would have been missing?
Si no estuviera este párrafo en la carta, ¿Qué faltaría?

Third class: Chapter 4:1-5:2

Ephesians 4:1-16
1. How do you understand this passage?

2. What is Paul ask us to do here?

3. What are some of the barriers?

4. How is Christ presented here?

5. How does it change our lives if we live according to this paragraph?

6. What is the contrast between this passage and our reality?

Efesios 4:17- 5:2
1. What does God want us to do?
2. What is Paul's purpose in writing this paragraph?
3 What does Jesus do?
4. What is the contrast between the old and the new man?

Fourth class: 5:3-6:24

Efesios 5:3-14
1. What does Paul hope the Efesians understand?

Efesios 5:15-33
1. What contrastes are there in this passage?

2. What is the purpose for the demands?

3. In parragraph 5:25-32, what is implied when we imita a Dios?

Efesios 6:1-9
1. What does this parragraph have to say about personal relationships?

2. What is the purpose to this parragraph?

3. Is there a difference between how society relates and how this passage is instructing us?

Efesios 6:10-24
1. What metaphores does Paul use and why?
What relationship does these metaphores have with the whole book of Ephesians?

2. How does Paul ask us to pray and why?

3. What is the conclusion to this letter and what does it emphasize?

Leadership Training Encounter Tijuana 2010

2010-06-21T12:39:00.001-05:00

Sweat is a great thing when the wind hits you. So we are thankful for fans within the house. But electrolytes are lost and heat exhaustion comes fast. So our home remedy is a half a glass of mineral water, a fourth glass of pop and 6 ice cubes.
But soon we will get a heat reprieve. Now the purpose is not to escape the heat….but that is one of the nice side benefits.
The 26th of June we will fly to Tijuana for an event that Alejandra Ortiz has organized. Tijuana is the farthest from central Mexico. It takes 52 driving hours to go to the training camp. So Ale has organized a house camp. Ale’s private school director is lending his home for 15 students and staff. It is within walking distance of the Pacific. (The ocean has the same glorious aroma in Baja California as in the Pacific Northwest.) Student leaders from four cities will be there.
Ale was one of four new staff who came to our home in January for intensive Bible classes. The second week we studied Ephesians. (She earned the highest grade in Latin America in the Ephesians exam.) What Ale learned changed her life, so she wants the student leaders to have the same opportunity.

When Ale was in junior high school, she gained the nick name: Chispa or Spark. Chispa is an adequate description of our friend. She is activity, reads and speaks English well. In the worldwide mission celebration in Edinburgh a few weeks ago, Ale was the Mexican student representative. God has given her special talents and opportunities. She is and will influence many students and others for JESUS.
Pray for them and us during these ten days.
John and Jan
PS: Not only will we teach Ephesians to the students, but John will give three workshops and a sermon in Chispa’s church. It just happens (?) that John taught the pastor in the Wesley Seminary in the 1980’s.

Training Encounter in Tijuana, Baja California

2010-06-14T23:35:00.002-05:00

Jan and I are going to Tijuana, BC to teach Ephesians. This is a key book to understand the big picture in the Bible. What is God really up to? Ephesians answers the question.

We will be teaching the Manuscript Method. This is where you have a copy of the text printed on paper. You try and mark with colored pencils the things that repeat. You mark your own paragraphs and put your own titles on them.

John will be giving Bible expositions on Ephesians. So that if you didn´t get it on you own, you can get some help.

We will begin on Sunday evening to gather and start the studies on Monday morning the 28 of June, 2010. The studies will last the whole week.

Be praying that the students will read and understand what God has said.

Leaders Camp 2010

2010-05-31T21:34:00.000-05:00

We will be participating in the Leadership Formation Encounter 2010, which is held anually in Valle de Bravo. We will be training Campus staff for Compa. Our task will be to teach two Moore courses. These classes are vital in preparing the staff to know the Bible and train students through out Mexico.

Be praying that what is taught will meet their needs to know the Bible and respond to the students needs. It is essential that the Bible be understood if the work is to be passed on to the next generatión of students.

Hermeneutics in Seminary

2010-03-26T11:14:00.002-06:00

This semester we are teaching Hermeneutics in the Nazarene Seminary in México. This is an important course as a big part of pastoral work is interpreting Scripture. This is the fourth time we are giving this course in the Nazarene Sminary in Mexico.

As a part of this class we are having the students view God's Big Picture in a powerpoint presentation on line. This will help us cover the times that we are not able to give the class. We are looking for ways to give quality classes on line.

Ephesians in Tijuana

2010-03-26T11:10:00.000-06:00

We have been invited to give an intensive course (8 days) in Tijuana the last week of June. This will be a course on Ephesians. In addition we will be teaching in several churches in Tijuana. Be praying the the Lord provide the resources to respond to these opportunities. There will be 15 students in this course.

Bible Summary On Line

2010-03-26T09:50:00.000-06:00

A summary of the Bible can be now found on the renuevalamente blog. This is a PowerPoint presentation with audio. We Hope to have a short presentation up in English, so you can see what we are doing. This presentation can be seen any where. This is a step toward a truly distance education. Be praying that those who watch the presentation better understand the Bible.

Holy Week 2010

2010-03-26T09:35:00.000-06:00

We are preparing to go to the Nacional Camp for the university student ministry. Will you pray for this Camp. 250 to 300 students are expected at the Camp. This Camp has the goal of preparing the students to evangelize on their different campus´.

Regional Encounter in Queretaro

2009-12-31T00:48:00.000-06:00

Jan and I went to Queretaro to give workshops on the Manuscript Method and Apologetics from Dec. 18 to 22. The main speaker shared on Revelation 1-3 and showed that Jesus is the main theme of the book.

The students were divided into four groups to look for specific characteristics of the book like how are the words of the first chapter repeated throughtout the whole book.
What OT passages are mentioned in these chapters? What is the style of literature?

Regional Student Retreat

2009-11-24T10:25:00.000-06:00

It was five minutes before midnight. We were still talking with Joel and Ivette, our son and daughter-in-law. They had arrived later than usual to pick up our granddaughter, Allegra and they were going to stay overnight. They had been celebrating with one of their best friends who had just announced: “We are going to have a baby.” We, John and Jan, were packed and ready to go to the regional camp of the U students in the morning. Since our workshops were scheduled for Saturday afternoon, we had decided to continue our usual Friday activities. At 11:55pm the phone rang and the world changed.

It was Ana Bello, the University Compa staff, “The Campgrounds was double booked and we are looking for a place. We can stay in one of two church buildings or we could, if you say yes, stay at your house.”

Jan: “How many are you?

Ana: “We are 16 right now and 5 or more will join us tomorrow.”

Jan: “Let me ask John and I will call you back.”

John said” Yes” right away. We started picking up personal belongs that are always in living areas. Joel and John moved 5 single mattresses into a vacant room in the first floor.

At 1:30 am, sixteen tired young people crawled in. By 2am everyone was in their sleeping place. Girls slept on the first floor and the boys in the living room (second floor) on the sofas, two bean bag chairs and some mats.

Needless to say it was a week-end we will never forget. We had always wanted to use the house for retreats, so this was a dream come true. Of course we found out our limitations as accommodations goes. AND we ran out of water late Sunday evening…..but this was after most had left. (We do not have a continuous water supply.)

Everyone seemed quite happy. There good moments of teaching and fun. (The tether ball rope is shot.) Sheyla spoke in the mornings on the importance of the Bible from 1 Peter. There were good places for the workshops. (Jan taught bible study method on the first floor.) Saturday evening John was “Bible answer man”, as the students asked questions about how the Bible was formed and “Does the Bible have more than one interpretation?” “Why is the Bible so macho?” etc.

Sunday afternoon they hiked about two miles from our house to the falls that was almost no falls at all (because of the scant water flow). But it was a good time in God’s nature.

Three days later we are still cleaning up places in the house.

Would we do it again? YES….But we do need to do some changes in the house.

Thanks for supporting us so we can have all this FUN. AND the kids could learn.

Preaching Workshop in Toluca

2009-11-24T10:03:00.001-06:00

We left Mexico city on Friday night to get to a workshop on preaching Saturday at 10:00 am. We just had time to sleep and get to the workshop.

Preaching Workshop
We had 4 come to the preaching workshop, which is a good number. Our first task is to explain that preaching is the explanation of the text as stated in Nehemiah 8:8. Many think that preaching is something else. What that is I´s not sure.

The second thing I try to explain is that the argument of the book or passage is what is most important. Since all have had some experience in Inductive Bible Study they can see the importance of finding the argument.

We try to choose a Bible book that has the same number of chapters as people in the workshop. Each student presents a verse in relationship to one chapter. In the summer we did 2 Timothy. When the did their sermons on one verse presenting the argument of the chapter we heard the argumtment of the whole book. This was great.

We have now trained 15 with this basic workshop and have passed out 7 books by Haddon Robinson on preaching. If the leaders of the student ministry can learn to preach the impact of the student ministry will be much greater.

Apologetics Course in Mexico City

2009-10-27T09:19:00.000-06:00

Novembre 4-6 I will be giving a course on Apologetics in Mexico City to future Student Ministry Staff. This is an important in the formation of Student Ministry Staff since we are living in a time when Christianity is not popular in the secular universities. We need staff trained in how to respond to the new atheistic trends in the universities. Be praying with us that they will become better able to respond (1 Peter 3:15) and Christian answers can be availible to students

North East Regional Camp: 1 Peter

2009-10-27T08:55:00.000-06:00

When we return from our trip to central Mexico we will be speaking at the North East Regional Camp. We will be talking on Living Stone, Community and Pray from 1 Peter. Be praying that the students get the vision of 1 Peter.

Staff training:Biblical Exposition

2009-10-27T08:51:00.000-06:00

Staff conference 09, October 29-Noviembre 3, 09
Jan and I are invited each to teach a workshop on Bible Exposition and The Joy Reading Bible in the Annual Staff conference for the University Student Ministry at the end of October in Valle de Bravo, México.

I had give a similar workshop on Biblical Exposition at the Leaders Training Encounter in July. It was a very positive experience for many. Since we use the Inductive Bible Study in the studies on the university campus’ , the trick is to change the delivery from questions to a sermon or monologue.

In the summer workshop I asked the students, What is the biggest cause for a bad sermon? Please write you answer en the comments below this article.

Staff Conference 09

2009-10-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

At the end of October, we will attend the Mexican university ministry staff conference. I would like to give books to the staff, to help them do their jobs better. If you would like to help in getting books that teach to staff members, send your donation to Immanuel Christian Fellowship, Mission to Mexico, 909 NE 30th St., Portland, Oregon 97232.

Key books help staff teach and counsel university students to be followers of Jesus in a very hostil environment. Your gift can make a difference.

Let us know if you give so we can advance in purchasing books.

Student Ministry Staff Conference 2009

2009-09-29T16:09:00.000-05:00

Jan and I are invited, October 29-Noviembre 3, 2009, each to teach a workshop on Bible Exposition and The Joy Reading Bible in the Annual Staff conference for the University Student Ministry at the end of October in Valle de Bravo, México.

I had give a similar workshop on Biblical Exposition at the Leaders Training Encounter in July. It was a very positive experience for many. Since we use the Inductive Bible Study in the studies on the university campus’ , the trick is to change the delivery from questions and group discussion to a sermon or monologue.

In the summer workshop I asked the students, What is the biggest cause for a bad sermon? Please write you answer en the comments below this article.

Christianity declines in US

2009-09-27T09:05:00.000-05:00

Fox News reports that Christianty is declining in the US to the lowest level in history. We need to be aware of these religious changes.

Fox News

Live video this Friday, Sept 25

2009-09-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

This friday the 25 of Sept. we will have a live program on this blog between 7 and 9 pm central time US. We will be studying Job. The program will be in Spanish. But you will be able to see what we are learning to do. The audio will be a little boring, so feel free to leave if your not understanding.

Spiritual AIDS

2009-09-23T12:17:00.000-05:00

AIDS = Aquired Ignorance of the Doctrines of Scripture

Pray for Cristy

2009-09-19T20:26:00.000-05:00

Cristy had a problem today remembering things and is now in the Hospital. Please pray for her.

We will let you know her progress.

John C.

TV by Internet

2009-09-19T20:13:00.000-05:00

We now have an Internet TV program in Spanish. We are still learning how to do it better. We have had several positive responses in our first program on 2 Peter and Habacuc. If you would like to watch an see what we do, there is a window in the right hand column that directly links to our programs in Renuevalamente. We are very encouraged by these first results. These programs are on Friday nights for 7 till 9 pm Central time.

Be praying for these programs.

The Church in Latin America

2009-08-06T13:35:00.000-05:00

Milton Acosta has written an article for Christianity Today that describes the church in Latin America. I think he is very accurate in his discription of the situation here. I encourage you to read the article to understand the importance of what we do en Theological Education.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/august/11.40.html

Leaders Training Encounter 09 Workshop

2009-08-05T13:56:00.001-05:00

One of the great needs in Mexico and Latin America is the development of Bible Expositors. Around 1 % of Latin Americans pastors have finished university and many who are pastoring that have finished university have no received any formal Bible education. Most of the students who participated in the University Student Ministy do not have well trained pastors.

So when I was asked to lead a workshop on Bible Exposition, I took advantage of the opportunity. The workshop presented the basics for Bible Exposition.

What is the main point of the text?
How does the biblical author support what he is saying?
What results did he expect from his audience?
What does that mean for us today?

The first week we selected texts form 2 Timothy, and the second week we investigated Haggai (which was more difficult). Several had opportunities to preach their text in the Leadership Training Encounter.

At the end of the second week we took that last day to the coffee shop. It was a good time to talk informally about Biblical Exposition.

Leaders Training Encounter 09 Conferences

2009-08-05T13:45:00.000-05:00

We had a great time studying Mark at the Leadership Training Encounter 09 in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. This year we had 27 attending the first week and 35 students the second. Jan and I gave talks on Mark 1-8 and Ana Miriam Peralta presented Mark 9-16.

One of the Girls Ada commented that she had not read the Gospel like what we presented in Mark. Several said that their understanding of the Gospel changed in the Encounter.

Christianity Explored

2009-08-05T13:28:00.000-05:00

We had the pleasue of having Rico Tice with us in May to give the "Christianity Explored" course on Mark. Rico is the Pastor for Evangelism at All Souls Church, London, England. This is John R. W. Stott's church.

Rico was comissioned by John Stott to write a course on Evangelism some 15 years ago. There are a lot of issues in how we evangelize. Some emphatize the experience of the person, some decision, some the Spirit and others the Word. What creates new life in a person? This was the task Rico was given. He presented Mark's gospel as a tool for evangelism. Accoring to Rico Mark can be divided into tres parts: 1. Who is Jesus? What was Jesus' identity? 2. Why did Jesus come? What was his mission? 3. What was Jesus's call? How can we follow Jesus?

These talks are now being applied by several churches and in the student ministry to evangelize. We also presented Mark to the Univeristy students at the Leadership Training Encounter. Several became Christians as a result of the conferences.

Westmark Family Renunion

2009-08-05T12:57:00.000-05:00

In June we attended the Westmark family reunion in Roach, Missouri. It was great to see Jan's mother, brothers (Tim and Dave) and sister (Carolyn). Cristy and Alex, and Joana got there. Unfortunately Joel and his family couldn't attend because of work. I got to meet some of our family that I had never seen before. It was a good time to be with family.

The Great Comission is 4 all

2009-07-21T07:46:00.000-05:00

Scholarship for Leader Training Encounter

2009-06-20T21:47:00.000-05:00

We need to sponsor aspiring leaders to the Leaders Training Encounter in Mexico. The Encounter begins July 11th and ends on July 24. The current economic crisis means that more leaders need help getting to the Encounter. We will be studying the Gospel of Mark and how this gospel can be used to evangelize. Please send donations to Mission to Mexico, Immanuel Christian Fellowships, 909 NE 30th St., Portland, Oregon 97232. Also let us know if you are giving so we can get the students and staff to the Encounter.

Why student ministry is important

2009-06-14T18:11:00.000-05:00

Many people ask us why we think student ministry is so important.

Students are one of the keys to the religious future of any country. When a person is a student they are open to consider new ideas. Many times after university they become closed because of family ties and work responsabilities.

Help us keep this area of ministry open.

Impact of Student Ministry

2009-06-06T22:19:00.000-05:00

Spanish blog

2009-06-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

To keep in contact with students we blog. The blog began when I broke my foot in July of 2007. I didn't know much about blogging when I began. I began to discover counters and other widgets about a year ago.

Before looking at the visitors that have come in the last year, it is useful to see where the Spanish speakers live.

In one year more than 3000 visitors have come to the Spanish blog. They have come from all countries where Spanish is spoken.

Leaders Encounter 2009

2009-06-06T10:07:00.001-05:00

In July 2009 we will be participating in the Leaders Training Encounter, where the key future leaders of the Student Ministry will be trained to study the Bible, evangelize, lead small groups and develop key projects for their schools.

Christianity Explored

2009-05-22T08:09:00.000-05:00

May 22 and 23 we will have Rico Tice, pastor of Evangelism, All Souls Church, London, will be presenting a conference in Monterrey. He only speaks English. The English conferences start at about 11:15 and will end at 5:30pm Central Time (Chicago). We will take a break for lunch for approximately 1 hours.

We will be putting a stream cast of this event live on internet. There a two Internet video services that will will be trying. Their windows are at the top of the right column on this page.

Flu Fobia

2009-05-14T15:26:00.001-05:00

We are trying to organize an event on evangelism. The biggest problem is the fear that is present as a result of the flu virus talk. Many don't want to "risk" anything. The problem is that this virus has resulted almost normal compared with other virus'. People have a greater risk of dying from just going to bed that from being exposed to the virus. More people die from being in bed that from the virus. I don't know what it is going to take to get out of the virus syndrome. Be praying that people can leave the fear behind.

Swine Flu advances

2009-04-27T13:02:00.000-05:00

Today, Monday April 27, the National Government of Mexico suspended classes in the whole country because of Swine Flu. We have heard of several Christians who are reported to have the disease. One girl who attende our missionary convention in Guadalajara is preported to have the symtoms.

Also there was an Earthquake in Mexico City that put everyone in the streets as they have had severe quakes in the past. This also puts more people at risk from the flu.

Be praying that a solution to the flu is found soon, and that God protect us from this disease.

We are looking for ways to give classes by internet to those who are home bound to avoid the flu. Pray that the Lord open doors in this time of Crisis.

Flu in Mexico

2009-04-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Please be praying as the swine flu continues to claim lives in Mexico. There is an Mexican English News Paper that you can read and keep up with what is happening. www.thenews.com.mx.

I was talking to a friend in Mexico City last night and she said the 3 members of her church had the disease. She asked that we pray for Mexico.

False Religion: Christless Christianity

2009-03-22T23:22:00.000-06:00

Christian Smith has identified a false religión “made in America”. He calls this religión “moralistica, thearpeutica deism”. The key points in this religión are:

1. God created the world.

2. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible an most world religions.

3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

4. God does not neeed to be particularly involved in one’s life except when needed to resolve a problema.

5. Good people go to heaven when they die.

These popular ideas indicate that we are good, God is good and we should be nice. We don´t have to know much to go to heaven and to live our own lives here on earth. We just have to do good things. Knowing the Bible story is unnecessary.

This religión is rapidly taking the place of Christianity arround the world. People need good Bible teaching if they are going to “resist”, we must teaching the whole Bible story and not just accomedate our cultural images of Jesus with Bible texts.

Lasting Truth

2009-03-16T21:48:00.000-06:00

Tradition says that Saint Patrick wrote these words. I think they are a clear expresion of Christian faith. I am posting them so that we can remember Christ on St. Patrick's day 2009.

Lorica of Saint Patrick (Lorica means breastplate)

I arise today
through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
through belief in the Threeness,
through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
through the strength of Christ with His Baptism,
through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial,
through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.
I arise today
through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
through the strength of Heaven:
light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.
I arise today
through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,
God's host to secure me:
against snares of devils,
against temptations of vices,
against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.
I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils):
against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul,
against incantations of false prophets,
against black laws of heathenry,
against false laws of heretics,
against craft of idolatry,
against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul.
Christ to protect me today
against poison, against burning,
against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
through belief in the Threeness,
through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of Christ.
May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

Missionary Convention Vive 09

2009-03-14T18:08:00.000-06:00

We are preparing to go the Vive09 which is a missionary conference planned on the model of InterVarsity's Urbana, which has been successful at recruiting missionaries in the USA for many years. I will be giving conferences on God's Big Picture, which is a summary of the Bible where the theme of the Bible will be developed and explained. This is key to understand Christian Missions and their relationship with God's Mission.

I also recommend two books that develop the missionary nature of the whole Bible: Arthur Glasser, Announcing the Kingdom: The story of God's mission in the Bible, Baker Academic, 2003. and Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's grand narrative, IVP, 2006.

Be praying for us as we speak to Mexico's university students about their part in God's Mission.