Its already only 3 more weeks till Clearwater Beach, FL Summer Project will come to and end for me...
The highlight of my first Blog was spending time with our Amazing Staff Team- and I would say it still is- but I also have to mention how wonderful all my Bible Study girls are! Every one of them are so intelligent, mature, loving and teachable. I am learning from them just as much as they feel they are learning from me and/or simply having the opportunity to be here.
The Single Ladies of the Staff Team (not married)
Theme of the Week
This is an interesting thing to write about because we actually do not have a weekly theme. God has revealed to us that- ironically (by His sovereignty) all of our talks, bible studies, and men's and woman's topics have been centered around one thing-- Passive Righteousness
When we think of "passive," the Christian culture tends to place a negative attitude on someone who is passive (esp for the men). This is because we want to be thought of as strong, a "go-get-er", or someone who takes charge when leadership is needed. But the thing is, in Romans 3 we are told our righteousness comes from God only by Faith.
Martin Luther writes: "It's called passive because we do not have to labor for it..this passive righteousness is a mystery that someone who does not know Jesus cannot understand. In Fact, Christians do not completely understand it...The person who wanders from Passive Righteousness has no other choice but to live by "works" righteousness..If he does not depend on the work (already done) by Christ, he must depend on this own work..."
-Gospel Centered Life (our bible study lesson)
During this same week that the students are going through this amazing chapter of bible study that is all about Jesus' work on the cross, God's grace, and our faith being the only reason we are redeemed or changed outwardly, the Staff team is learning about a few similar things in the book were reading: Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller--
Keller tells of a few different (false) views of Christianity:
1. That God blesses and takes to heaven those who try hard to live a good and decent life (the moralistic belief)
2. The central goal of life is not to sacrifice, or to deny oneself, but to be happy and feel good about yourself--these people will outwardly look like they are sacrificing (with good intentions) but will only go as far until they feel they will be harmed, uncomfortable or they will not benefit ( the therapeutic belief).
3. Even though God exists and created the world, he does not need to be particularly involved in our lives except when there is a problem (that is deism).
All of these Theologies are wrong according to the Bible-- Timothy Keller writes in regard to the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, " ..anyone who is successful is simply a recipient of God's unmerited favor (because we have earned nothing in this life)..what we have is the result of grace, not of our own "works" or efforts."
In other words, God knew that we could never earn perfection on our own so he sent Jesus to do ALL the work for us so we can be seen as righteous--Ephesians 1:3-14
Setting up for Prayer and Vision on the Beach =)
"We are the product of three things--genetics, environment, and our own personal choices--but two of these three factors we have no power over."
-Keller, Counterfeit Gods
....just think about that...Romans 3, 1 Cor. 4: 6-7--we are the product of our God given talents, intelligence, family, good health, location of birth, and God's grace ALONE.
Prayer for Disciplship- Matthew 28:19
A huge emphasis on this project is making disciples. Through meeting with each of these young girls once a week we cover lots of materials along with sharing our faith. Some of the things that we are covering and will cover before the end of my time here is :
How to share the Gospel using tools and conversation starters , How to walk in the Power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18) , How to share their Testimony (story of how they became a Christian) 1 John 5:9-12 , and Leaving them with a Vision Plan of their strengths and things that they could work on to take stewardship of their ministry back on their college campus .
Please keep these last few weeks here in your prayers! Specifically for students to stay focused, that their workplaces will provide ministry opportunities, they will get their support money $$$ completed, and most of all for God to be at work in their hearts (mine as well), because only God's spirit can soften our sinful heart.
Love, Danielle
CBSP 13'
