A. We have experienced a divine reversal.

B. We may experience divine power to live the reversal.

C. We have a definitive goal to live Christ‐like.

D. We have a declared responsibility to pursue the goal.

E. We see a definite pattern in achieving the goal.

1. VIM: Vision ‐ Intention - Means

F. We experience this through daily life on the ragged edge.

A. Wrestling begins, or not, on the ragged edge of reality.

B. Why wrestle with God?

1. Wrestling characterizes a relationship of mutual respect and value for one another.

2. “What’s your name?” (verse 27‐28)

C. Without wrestling, nothing changes!

• Have you recently wrestled over theological questions with God? What were your questions and how have you wrestled?

• What about personal relationships or difficulties? How have you wrestled with God on these kinds of issues?

• Were you familiar with the VIM pattern for growth? Does it seem logical or mechanical to you?

• Looking back over your experiences, can you identify the VIM pattern in your previous wrestling with God? Describe at least one wrestling with God that has been largely resolved. Describe one that continues.

by Dallas Willard

by N. T. Wright

A. What comes to mind when you hear…

B. Associations and branding

A. Ungodly, contrary to the kingdom, and irrational fear

B. The downward spiral of fear

1. Fear…prejudice…hatred…and then violence

A. Common sense and love

1. “You have heard it said…”

B. Uncommon love

1. Indiscriminate and unconditional

C. At what point does common sense take over uncommon love?

I. Introduction The Ragged Edge of Reality in Baltimore, Maryland

A. The ragged edge of reality: PEOPLE ARE BROKEN!

B. Which came first, the system or the heart?

A. Repentance: Greek ‐ metanoia; to turn around 

1. A radical turning

2. A radical embracing

B. Baptism: Greek ‐ baptize; to dip; immerse 

1. A radical renunciation

2. A radical declaration

• What were your first thoughts upon viewing the brokenness in Baltimore? (or Ferguson, NYC, Israel, etc.)

• What was your overriding emotion?

• What solutions were proposed by media, politicians, government, and the church that appealed to you and gave you hope? What was it that gave you hope?

• In this week’s talk, what solution was proposed? How does that help the situation in Baltimore or anywhere else where the system and the people are broken?

• Discuss the implications and/or results of repentance and baptism in your own experience.

A. Struggling with sin and addiction

1. Bodily urges and damaged brains; what a combination!

B. Desire gone wild 1. The attachment of desire and its resulting enslavement

2. “Addiction is the most powerful psychic enemy of humanity’s desire for God.” Gerald May, Addiction and Grace

3. The symptoms of addiction

A. Struggling is normal; life @ destruction level need not be 1. “But God…” | Ephesians 2:4

B. Grace, grace, and more grace! | Ephesians 2:4‐10

C. We don’t work at salvation…we work out salvation! | Philippians 2:12‐13

1. There is work to do…

D. The bare edge of freedom and choice

1. Manifesting/displaying God’s gift of grace

• In our damaged brains and over our bodily urges

• Freedom; say‐so; discipline

• What was your biggest take‐away from today’s talk?

• What were your first thoughts upon hearing the phrase, “We are all addicts”?

• How do you process the tension created by the knowledge that we must work out salvation but cannot work at it to earn it?

• How have you handled the sin issue in your life as a Christian? What does it look like for you to live free?

• Discuss your concept, definition and experience of God’s grace?

by Gerald May

by Don Williams

by Dallas Willard

by N. T. Wright

II. God suffers

III. There is a unique quality of relationship in the fellowship of His sufferings

IV. We are transformed in the fellowship of His sufferings

V. God ultimately wins over suffering

VI. Helpful practices

A. Name your pains with hope

B. Groan with God

Kris Miller Kris has worked with Vineyard USA for over 10 years leading Pastoral Sabbath Retreats. He is also currently an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and is the founder of Flourish, an organization that exists for the well‐being of Christian leaders.

A. Unfortunately, the six pounds of skin on all of us makes all the difference in the world.

1. The damage done by racism

A. What is racism?

1. A negative passion toward a group of people; prejudice; pre‐judging

2. Coming to a general conclusion without sufficient information

3. Imputing the negative characteristics of a few to a whole people group

B. What causes racism?

1. Parental influence; extended family

2. Societal realities

3. Sin

4. Illustration: Racism in America

C. What is the cure for racism?

1. Human hearts…

2. …and human hands

• Prior to hearing the talk, what were your first thoughts upon seeing today’s outline?

• Describe your feelings as experienced throughout the talk. Did you experience more resonance with or resistance to the talk?

• Which of the illustrations was most helpful to you?

• In your mind, is this an issue that can be resolved domestically? Globally? Why or why not?

• Does the church have a role here, and if so, what is it?

by Michael O. Emerson & Christian Smith

by Brenda Salter McNeil & Rick Richardson

A. The absence of anything less than perfectly good and right

B. A new heaven and a new earth

C. A new city and a new people

D. The consummation of all things new

• In what ways has this study in the Book of Revelation challenged you?

• How was this approach to the book different than your previous approach/ understanding of Revelation?

• In what ways, if any, have you been challenged to live differently in the present with this view of the future?

• How would this last section have encouraged a first century Christian?

by Eugene H. Peterson

edited Tim Grimsrud & Michael Hardin

by Sigve K. Tonstad

I. The Loss of Beauty

A. The new atheist

B. Humanity is suffering from a loss of the sacred, mystery, imagination, and beauty.

II. The Loss of Bearings

A. Tales of brothers killing brothers speaks to the loss of beauty.

B. For centuries, societies and lives have been built on the blood of their brothers.

III. The Restoration of Beauty

A. A new paradigm

B. On the cross, Jesus shows us exactly what God looks like.

• John 3:16-17

C. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word, one that is sacred, mysterious, and beautiful. | Hebrews 12:24

For Further Discussion

• Where in your life do you experience and participate in what is sacred, mysterious, and beautiful?

• Consider the story of Cain and Abel (Gen 4). Where do you see yourself in this story?

• The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Heb 12:24). Discuss the implications of this statement and how this may shape your journey with the Spirit.

• Jesus, God in flesh, shows us what our true human selves are to look like and what God looks like. Ponder this. Discuss how this shapes and forms you.

Good Reads:

by Brian Zahnd

by Scot McKnight

A. The gift of wonder keeps us out of the ditches of mundane boredom.

B. There is great beauty and joy to be found in mystery.

A. John 1:1‐18 (MSG)

B. God became human on our turf.

A. Magic God or Relatable God

B. The God of the entire cosmos knows what we are going through and stands, not at a distance, but right beside us and with us.

• When was the last time that you experienced true wonder in the world? What was that experience like?

• What does it mean to you and for your life that God literally became a human being, moved into the neighborhood and lived a life exactly like your own, minus the sin? How does this reality impact your thought, prayers, and life?

• Describe your thoughts/feelings that God is more interested in walking through life with you than in changing all of the circumstances of your life.

• This week, read John 1:1‐18. Contemplate. Ponder. Wonder. Enjoy.

by Brian Zahnd

A. Her identity and associations

B. Her threats…inside and out

• Obstructing and/or subverting worship of God

A. How does Babylon/Rome detour humanity from worshiping God?

• The kings of the earth | Rev 18:9‐10

• The merchants of the earth | Rev 18:11‐16

• The seafarers of the earth | Rev 18:17‐19

A. Catastrophe beyond calculation and salvation beyond imagination | Rev 19:1‐6

B. A meal | Rev 19:7‐9 Remember, receive, and shared intimacy

C. A war | Rev 19:11‐20:15

• Extreme authority

• Extreme judgment

• A side‐bar on the Millennium

• Try to summarize what a first century Christian would have taken away from this part of John’s narrative/vision.

• Do you see any correlation between the threats of Babylon/Rome to threats you face today?

• In Rev 18:4, a voice from heaven says, “Come out of her my people…” If this is not a geographical reloca6on, which it is not, then what is it?

• Discuss your thoughts on the Parousia, the second coming of Christ. What have you imagined it to be both before and after today’s talk?

• How is it that although the language is totally militaristic, the King is able to destroy the destroyer without using any of the weapons of wickedness?

• What are the main take away points for your everyday, ordinary life?

by Eugene H. Peterson

edited Tim Grimsrud & Michael Hardin

by Sigve K. Tonstad The$Truth