I. An Indiscriminate Sower

God is always moving

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

II. Types of soil

Hard ground - Seed bounces off (The Pharisees)

Rocky ground - Emotional response - No soil of character

Weedy ground - Choked by the cares of this world

Good soil - Hospitable to life

III. Tilling the soil - How to be hospitable to the life of God

Good ground can become bad ground if it is not cared for.

Disciplines:

Simplicity - What do I need to cut out of my life, my schedule?

Gratitude - Taking time to actively recall the ways we are grateful?

Community - the discipline of not going it alone

Generosity - Giving or our money, time, and gifts

Serving - Putting oneself in a position to serve others

Listening - Learning how to be present to others without an agenda

Some disciplines we choose, some disciplines choose us.

Reflection:

What are the disciplines God is inviting me into at this time?

I. Amazing music out of context

II. Jesus did not fit the mold for how a religious leader was supposed to act

III. The parable of the older brother

IV. The invitation

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

In this class we look at the creative process and how creativity thrives best within certain parameters.

Text - Genesis 22:1-14

I. Abraham’s final test

The story of Abraham is filled with tests

Some tests Abraham passes others he fails

Genesis 22 is the ultimate test. Will Abraham trust the God who promised and then delivered him an heir whom he loves even when God seems to want him to sacrifice this heir?

II. People in the past were crazy!

III. Words and meaning

When we are about to experience something for the first time whether we are traveling to another country, starting a new job, hanging out with another person for the first time, the only ways we can prepare ourselves is to draw on our experiences.

IV. What God is really like and What God wants - Micah 6:6-8

I. The most compelling stories are stories that involve transformation in the lead character

Bible stories - Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Jesus, Peter, Paul…

Myths from around the world

Modern movies and novels

Why do we like stories of transformation so much?

The hero’s journey

II. A narrative arch of transformation:

I. Intro

II. Conflict/Struggle

III. Leaving Home (getting out of comfort zone)

IV. Struggle of a different sort

V. Transforming Moment

VI. Conclusion

III. Looking at our own stories - How have we experienced transformation?

“Change happens in us through great love or great suffering.” - Richard Rorh

Write down a time when you experienced transformation in your life.

A. Before the transforming moment

How did you feel before the break through (transforming moment)?

What types of thoughts had you been thinking?

List three adjectives that described you before you experienced change:

What was the precipitating incidents or circumstances which led to the breakthrough.

B. The transforming event

Describe the moment when you had a breakthrough (began the process of transformation).

What factors came together for you to experience change?

How were other people involved in this transforming event?

C. A new chapter

How did this event change the way you looked at yourself, others and God?

How were you different from that point on?

What were the gifts you received through the process?

What were the new challenges that you faced after the transforming event?

Exercise:

Break up into groups of 3. Each person will have 8 minutes to share a story of transformation. Those who are hearing the story will reflect back to the teller of the story the parts of the story that connected the most with them once the story is done.

I. Christophany, Types and Shadows of Christ

Melchizedek - Genesis 14:18-20

Captain of the Lord’s Army - Joshua 5:13-14

Jesus the Rock in the Wilderness - 1 Corinthians 10:4

The Word of Creation - Genesis 1, John 1

Types and Shadows of Christ - Joseph, Moses, David… Hagar.

Hagar?

Hagar is a type of suffering servant that points ultimately to the ministry of Jesus. Isaiah 53:1-4

II. Sometimes you feel like you need to help God out

Genesis 12 - God tells Abram to follow him and that he will bless him with a multitude of descendants and that all nations will be blessed through what God does through him.

Abraham and Sarah are getting old and God does not seem to be in much of a hurry to fulfill his promises.

Genesis 16 - Sarah has an idea of how to help God out - Abraham can have a baby with Hagar her slave.

Sarah immediately regrets the decision.

Hagar runs away.

III. The God Who Sees

Hagar runs away and bumps into God

Genesis 16:13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me (EL ROY),” for she said, “I have now seen[c] the One who sees me.”

She is the first theologian in the Old Testament because she names God.

IV. Hagar and the ministry of Jesus

Reflection:

How am I being tempted to take control of areas of my life rather than trusting Jesus and his ways?

How have I hurt others because of my own insecurity, fear, or need to control my circumstances?

I. Why are stories more compelling than mere facts?

Jesus and the parable of the Good Samaritan

Nathan the Prophet and David 2 Samuel 12:1-7

II. Universal Themes

Creating “Me Too” moments through stories.

Good stories connect with universal themes: love, heartache, loss, embarrassment, shame, achievement, fear

III. Listening is Key

Pay attention to stories whether movies, books, podcast, conversations… What is it in that story that resonated with me? Take note of those aspects of the story with which you identified, the aspects that helped bring clarity to your life, that caused you to look at things differently.

Listen to yourself. Pay attention to the stories you tell.

To communicate better through story will require reflection.