Discussion Questions for 15 April 2023 “The God of April”
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Have you ever felt the relief and gratitude of being forgiven?
I have.
I have said or done things that have hurt those I love, and as my heart weighed heavy with guilt, I have experienced the freedom that forgiveness brings.
Last week during our zoom sharing we explored this passage in Romans:
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins…27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. Romans 3:22-28
No mater who we are, we are made right with God through faith in Jesus. Faith in what? Faith in Jesus, that He has indeed freed us from the penalty for our wrongdoing by taking our place. Faith that God forgives – not once, not twice, but 70 times 7 times and more. Faith that our works (good or bad) are not what determine our salvation but our trust that God, who began the good work in us, will “continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).
4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: 7 “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. 8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” Romans 4:4-8
I recently got a notice of infringement for going 5 km over the speed limit. $227. Imagine if they decide to erase the record – what joy, what relief!
That’s nothing compared to the joy of knowing all my sins have been forgiven, my life record made clean.
That kind of joy is life-transforming.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
When’s the last time you looked up at the stars?
Astronomer Kareem El-Badry created a new plot this week (February 22, 2021) of more than a million pairs of binary stars (double stars orbiting a common centre of gravity). You can watch the 3D atlas here.
It’s astounding to think about how many stars there are in our sky – let alone our solar system, galaxy, and universe!
We don’t think about them much, because we cannot always see them.
And even when they’re visible, we aren’t always paying attention. We’re too busy looking down at our phones. Or driving our cars. Or turning on the lights.
When’s the last time you looked up at the stars?
This week for my personal devotions I’ve been reading about Abraham (born Abram). Throughout his life, Abraham was constantly torn between following and trusting in God vs. following the ways of the world. It’s a struggle we can really identify with!
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
I seem to come across a lot of new learning at seminars these days. Come to think of it, I guess that’s what the seminars are for! I guess what really strikes me are the insights these seminars give me beyond my immediate career. Last time I wrote about the ‘Matthew Effect’ a term to describe a phenomenon in education taken from Jesus’ Parable of the Talents. I recently came across another idea that put me in mind of my Christian walk through my teen years.
Growing up in a Christian home, going to a Christian school and attending church every weekend I had some beliefs and behaviours that were pretty well worn in. One of these beliefs was that belief is more important than actions. Put simply I had a very narrow view of verses in the Bible such us ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,’ – Romans 3:23-24. The idea that I am a sinner and nothing can change that – but I shouldn’t worry too much because God will save me anyway. Of course, that’s a very simplistic view, but nonetheless, one I held.
by: Ben
I only recently became aware that there were large fires in different regions across the world including the Amazon, Siberia, Greenland, and some parts of southern Europe.
I read a few news sources and they say the Amazon is known as the Earth’s lungs and produces up to 20% of the world’s oxygen. It’s a terrible thought to lose the ability to breathe properly. The biodiversity in the Amazon forest is also lost due to these fires. The Earth isn’t looking too good going forward. There is also much heat in the political arena between powerful countries (e.g. the US vs Iran) and political ideologies (e.g. far left vs far right).
Jesus predicted that humanity’s selfish choices would destroy the Earth and create mounting conflict between the nations in Matthew 24.
In the midst of all these happenings we can be consumed by fear and uncertainty of the future.
by: Shane
Historically, God always surprised by doing powerful, miraculous, creative things that challenged, inspired and awed humanity. Do we still expect great things from God? Are we open to the new ways He may be working now?
I recently learned about Kechi Okwuchi, a survivor of a plane crash who became well-known after competing on America’s Got Talent (see her recent performance here).
Only 16-years-old, she suffered third-degree burns on over 65% of her body. She had to receive over 10 surgeries in 2 years and had to endure excruciating pain and trauma.
Yet not only did she survive – she thrived. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas, is completing her MBA in Economics, and is inspiring the world through her singing.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
I recently spent about a week in the South Island of New Zealand. The epic display of natural beauty left me breathless throughout our roadtrip from Nelson to Queenstown then back to Nelson. I remember seeing Lake Pukaki for the first time and it was so unreal! It literally looked like someone had Photoshopped and enhanced the place.
There were many other “wow moments” throughout the trip but one stood out for me: the bridge jump at the Blue Pools. I had packed some swimwear for that day just in case I felt like swimming but jumping off the bridge was definitely not on the agenda. The sun was not out so it was on the chillier side of the scale. Due to these lighting conditions the “Blue Pools” appeared greenish – still super gorgeous. I had a quick feel of the water with my feet and it was freezing cold so, in my mind, swimming was highly unlikely. My good friend went ahead and jumped without much drama. Then I saw some kids jumping as well. It looked so fun and the thought that I might not be back at this beautiful place for a while helped me make the decision to give it a go.
by: Shane
A few weeks ago, one of Micah’s friends was having an outdoor birthday party. The forecast predicted rain for that day, which would have really put a damper on the party. So Micah and I prayed that it would not rain so that our friends would not be stressed or sad.
As we were leaving for the party, I looked outside the window and saw dark clouds rolling in. I grabbed an umbrella, just in case. Micah looked at me putting the umbrella in the boot and asked, “Mommy, did we pray for no rain?”
I paused, trying to think of an answer that didn’t include a theological exposition on prayer, God’s will, or faith and works. Finally, I just said, “Yes, we did.” But the inquisition continued. “Are you taking an umbrella, mommy?”
“Yes.”
“For the rain?”
“Well, just in case.”
“Just in case?”
“We prayed that it wouldn’t rain. But God might have other plans. So if it does rain, then we have the umbrella. Prayer is not about getting God to do everything we want, but about us talking to God like a friend. That means God as our friend does things for us, but sometimes we as His friends have to change what we want. So if He needs it to rain, we have an umbrella. But if He doesn’t need it to rain, then He will say yes to our prayer and it won’t rain.”
Micah had stopped listening by this point and was looking at diggers on the side of the road.
But I had learned my lesson. When we arrived at the park, I took out the pram, the nappy bag, the glider, the present, the two boys … but I left the umbrella in the boot.
Although it was overcast, there was not a single drop of rain until the party was over and we were home.
Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms,placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Having the faith of a child is not about being naive or simple. It’s about embracing the full possibility of what God promises – and experiencing the blessing of His presence.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14