Nov 12, 2008 Uncategorized
This fall was a marathon of teaching for me and now I am on a little break (which is very nice).
Normally, at this point I know what my next series or two are going to be. However, at this point I have no idea what to teach on.
Since my blog readers were so helpful in crafting the last series, I thought maybe you could help.
What should I teach on?
Hi, I'm Noel and I'm a recovering hypocrite. I spend the majority of my time pastoring and teaching at Riverview, surfing the internet on my iPhone, being obsessed with Jack Bauer, and hanging out with my smoking hot wife and four wildly talented children. I plan on spending the rest of my life figuring out how to vicariously plant hundreds of churches without ever leaving my church.
Oh, and even though I work for Riverview, everything here is my personal opinion and nothing more.
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November 12th, 2008 at 10:58 am
How about preaching on sluggard pastor’s?
j/k
…
How about something that can equip us “to go” as you like to put it? Perhaps teaching on common philosophical arguments against the faith and the biblical answers, practical ways to share the gospel, showing how the OT points to Jesus as He said on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27), the different views of eschatology, or how to use Apple products to look cool while we share the gospel.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:28 am
This may be broad, but who Jesus and God really are. I feel like a lot of people formulate a Jesus to what they want Jesus to be. This is something I always try to remember (that Jesus isn’t whatever I want him to be) but I find it difficult because it so much more comfortable that way.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Along similar lines, you could talk about the so-called Biblical contradictions out there and how we answer those. Have a look at the 4 or 5 most common (amongst all the thousands of websites out there) and try to think like an unbeliever to find which ones are compelling. Watch something like the Penn & Teller Bulls!!t about the Bible (it’s available on YouTube) and give some answers. It’d be worth a mention at the end that the biggest reason people avoid Christianity is Christians, but the idea that the Bible is flawed or worse hurts the cause as well, and it’s a pretty common idea, even amongst Christians. I’d love to listen to a sermon like that from you (but I admit, I’m probably going to enjoy whatever you come up with).
Additionally, I really really want you to do Lauren’s and my wedding on July 18. Is there any way, in light of our combined decade of loyal attendance and bothering you in the middle of the night for a jump, you could squeeze us in? Think about it… I’ll entreat you in person later.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I didn’t even know you guys were engaged. Took you long enough. Geesh.
Catch me at Riv sometime and we’ll chat about it.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:50 am
How about an in-depth look at Jesus’ interactions with some of society’s most despised characters? I think the judgmental nature of many Christians really hurts our cause. I also think that many people don’t fully understand the cultural implications of that time, of Jesus going to have dinner with Zacchaeus, or letting the prostitute anoint him (Luke 7:36-50).
November 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
It’s stealing from my boy Mark Driscoll a bit, but I’d love a “Vintage Jesus”-esque series that just talks about who Jesus is, what he did, evidence that he’s the Messiah, the story of the crucifixion, etc. I love the practical application stuff, but sometimes it’s great to spend some time reflecting on just exactly who this Jesus guy is that we’re endeavoring to be sacrificial followers of.
Alternatively, a front-to-back expository series of one of the gospels would be cool too. I like Luke. Gonna name my next kid after him.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Finding God’s purpose for our life.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Your next message should be about Christmas! :p
I second the expository series idea, though Luke might be a bit long for a 4-5 week series (maybe you and Steve could split it?) Covering one of the minor prophets (say, Hosea or Malachi) would be interesting.
Additionally, I really liked the corporate scripture memorization. I’d like to see that for every sermon series.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Last year Steve did a series on Philippians that spanned two series with me teaching something different in the middle. What if I did something like that?
That way I could tackle one book of the Bible over 10 weeks.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
But… but… I yelled at you outside of church, “Hi Noel! We’re engaged now!”
November 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I would be very interested in seeing a church do a series of sermons in response to the new wave of atheism and agnosticism, made popular by such figures as Richard Dawkins (”The God Delusion”), Bill Maher (”Religulous”) and Julia Sweeney (”Letting Go of God”), among others. They all make some very convincing arguments, and I know a lot of young people who would prefer to embrace their message of coexistence, tolerance and living in peace over war and hate in the name of religion.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
the theology of video games
November 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Along with what Marie suggested. It would hurt to maybe concern talking about movies from the opposite end of the spectrum like Jesus Camp. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard that movie come up the minute it comes out of my mouth that I’m a Christian.
Second note, did you hear what happened at Mount Hope Church? I hope they don’t try and pull that stunt at our’s. Especially if it’s the earlier 9:30 service and I haven’t had my coffee yet. Gordon says I’m down right violent and scary without my morning cup o’ joe
November 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Following up Abigail’s post, here’s a link to the weirdness at Mt. Hope this weekend.
Do we have any sort of contingency plan for this sort of thing? Maybe just unleash Jim Horn on them?
November 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Okay, link embedding didn’t work. Here you go:
http://blog.mlive.com/minorityreport/2008/11/bash_back_bashes_lansing_churc.html
November 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
The importance of regularly reading the bible. Christians have a lot of responsibilities that we fail to live up to because we simply do not know what they are. It stands to reason that if everything we know about God comes from one source so if we really want to follow Jesus then we learn him in and out. I just don’t understand how our relationship with God can grow without getting the Word into us. The failure to do so would explain a lot of “Christian” behavior.
This could also be spun off into daily habits that we should have to include stuff like prayer, worship, etc. Good chance to do some 101 stuff that a lot of people don’t fully understand, like what prayer should look like.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Jim Horn is the contingency plan for a lot of things.
Yeah, we heard about the Mt Hope thing. Sounds like they handled it pretty well.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Oh, and Pete, you are going to love a new idea we are rolling out with the new year.
Yup, you’re going to love it.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Oh crap, I just got a little giddy.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
something expository-ish
November 13th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Noel, your message on Sampson and how the Spirit of God came on him brought to memory some incidents in my life where I have misjudged or been misjudged concerning what is on my conscience to do. Who are we to know what God has placed on others conscience to do?
It might make an interesting series discussing people and situations of the Bible where following one’s conscience or the Spirit’s leading brought about doubt and misjudgement in others. You could certainly cover Mary’s Immaculate conception as we head into the Holidays.
*Sigh–I have been SO guilty!
*Sigh–I have been SO innocent!
:>D
November 13th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Prayer
I hate praying. I don’t get what it’s for or how to do it. If it’s to make you feel closer to God it doesn’t work. I feel like I’m just saying words.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Wow, everybody. Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll chew on this stuff.
November 15th, 2008 at 1:15 am
How about practical evangelism. Tips on how to make God know without being a pusher. Part tactical, part attitudinal.
Applying the same thing to “making followers” would be good.
I’ve dreamed of an on-line/real world hybrid group that works through the application of these two topics. In my imaginary world, because problems and challenges are hashed out in writing, this becomes the source material for generations of followers who make followers, who go.
Who knows, maybe these wold be some of your 25 books, too.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Something I have thought about for some time and it works as a follow up to the anvil series. The Gospel According to Introverts. To me, the gospel tells us to go out and preach the gospel to others and this for introverted people can be a more difficult task than for extroverts.
Idea number two. Why a gospel that preaches loving one another, unity, etc. and yet produces one of the most racially segregated populations around. As great as Riverview is, it’s got to be something like over 90% white people. There is no white, or black heaven and yet we have white and black churches. There might be white people in heaven, but there certainly will be a black choir. :p It would be interesting to see case studies of churches that have a mixed congregation, and/or, have multiple pastors of mixed races.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
A few people have suggested sermons on prayer…but what about sermons on UNANSWERED prayer? And I’m referring to the really hard stuff: unwanted singleness, infertility, a toxic parent or sibling who refuses to change. I and others feel that this topic should be addressed in church far more than it is.
December 7th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I agree on the prayer topic.