Unseen: Discussion Questions 7 October 2023
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
Discussion Questions for 15 April 2023 “The God of April”
This is Jane. She is also known as “Nightbirde,” her stage name. She recently got a golden buzzer by Simon Cowell for her performance on America’s Got Talent and her song was # 1 on US iTunes song sales chart the next day.
It’s not just her singing that’s extraordinary – it’s her story and her character. She has been battling terminal cancer for the past two years. But she remains grateful and hopeful. She sees her pain but she also chooses to see the mercy- this is an excerpt from her blog:
Archie Williams spent 36 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He was finally exonerated in 2019 and auditioned for America’s Got Talent a few weeks ago. His audition and story went viral (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShgOH1u78XA) not only because of his soulful singing (he sang Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me) but also because of his indefatigable spirit.
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
This month has seen a lot of horrors. Bushfires ravaging the land, towns, homes, livelihoods and too many lives. Smoke descending like gloom over cities in a way we have never experienced before. The ripple effects to unaffected parts on the other side of the country causing financial difficulties. The feeling that the fires will never stop. Storms and floods causing destruction but not relieving the devastating drought of the past few years. While this goes on I have had some friends face terrible medical news. Broken health. Hospital admissions.
What a broken world we live in! How we went from the most live-able city in the world to worst air quality in the world. It shows how fleeting things are. It is easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we make our own destiny. But little do we realise how much grace holds up our lives.
by: Bronwyn
Pain.
Conjures up many ideas – mostly negative ones. You may think of your back, an old injury that plays up. You may think of emotional pain. It may be something that never seems to go away.
by: Bronwyn
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
A few weeks ago, Joshua had an adenoidectomy, a surgery to remove the adenoids behind his nose. The Ear Nose & Throat specialist recommended it because in 2.5 years Joshua never slept well; he usually woke up 1-10 times a night, crying and struggling to breathe.
The surgery itself only took 20 minutes, but he had to undergo general anaesthesia. When he woke up, he was surrounded by strangers and under the effect of the drugs, so he must have panicked. When the nurses paged me that he was awake, I could hear his screams down the hallway as I raced to him.
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
Part 2 of the Seeing with New Eyes: Revisiting Common Christian Beliefs
One of the most challenging ideas posed to Christianity is the existence of suffering and a powerful God of Love. How does one reconcile these two facts presented in the Bible? This talk seeks to begin the discussion of this challenging topic.
Continuing our series on the life of Joseph, we will be looking at the question of why there is suffering & pain in the lives of good people.