Renovate

Eastbrook Leadership Forum – May 20, 2013

Matt Erickson — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:28:03 +0000

Last night we had our quarterly Leadership Forum at Eastbrook Church. The Leadership Forum gives us the chance to share new ideas, learn together, and pray for the ministries of Eastbrook Church. Last night, we talked about some new ideas related to the upcoming ministry year, beginning August 1, 2013. I’m including the brief slide presentation that we utilized last night below. If you have any feedback on the discussion questions near the end of the presentation, feel free to post your thoughts here on the blog.

http://www.slideshare.net/merickson/leadership-forum-slides-5-20-2013″ title=”Leadership forum slides 5 20 2013″ target=”_blank”>Leadership forum slides 5 20 2013 from http://www.slideshare.net/merickson” target=”_blank”>Matt Erickson

Filed under: Eastbrook, Ministry Reflections Tagged: Discipleship, Leadership Forum

Who is the Holy Spirit? (discussion questions)

Matt Erickson — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:30:02 +0000

Here are the discussion questions that accompany my message at Eastbrook Church this past weekend beginning our “Holy Spirit” series entitled “Who Is the Holy Spirit?“

Discussion Questions:

This week, we are beginning a new series on the Holy Spirit. What are some questions that you have about the Holy Spirit?
Whether on your own or with a group, begin your study by asking God to speak to you. Read the Gospel of John chapters 14-16 out loud. This is Jesus’ most extensive teaching in John’s gospel. There is a lot in here about the Holy Spirit, but the surrounding context is also important.
What names or titles did you notice were given to the Holy Spirit in John 14-16?
The title ‘Advocate’ (Greek: parakletos) appears four times (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The term literally means helper, advocate or intercessor. It is translated in a variety of ways: counselor, comforter, advocate, or helper. Based on the verses surrounding this word, what do you think Jesus is trying to convey about the Holy Spirit by using this word?
The phrase “spirit of truth” appears three times (14:17; 15:26; 16:13). Consider this phrase in light of Jesus’ words in John 14:26 and 16:13. What is the Holy Spirit’s work in relation to truth? What truth is being talked about?
In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit as an advocate or spirit of truth in your life? How might you want to grow in this way?
At the most basic level, the Holy Spirit is a gift of God’s personal presence (see 14:16). For the disciples who were going to experience Jesus’ departure, the promise of the Holy Spirit was important. Why was it important to them from what you read in Jesus’ words and from what you know in the rest of the New Testament?
What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you from this study? What are question you hope might be answered as we journey through this series? Write these things down. If you are in a small group, discuss this together. Take time to pray that you will grow in love.

[Next week: We will continue our series on the Holy Spirit by exploring the topic, “The Character of the Holy Spirit.” You can prepare by reading Galatians 5:16-26 and Ephesians 5:15-20.]

Filed under: Eastbrook, Scripture reflections Tagged: Holy Spirit, John 14, John 15, John 16, Pentecost, study questions

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Matt Erickson — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:13:10 +0000

I began a new series this weekend at Eastbrook Church on the Holy Spirit with a general overview of who the Holy Spirit is from Jesus’ teaching to His disciples in John 14-16.

You can listen to my message at the Eastbrook web-site here. You can also follow the RSS feed for Eastbrook sermons or follow Eastbrook Church on Twitter or Facebook. A slightly revised message outline is included below:

A Gift Received (John 14:16)

A gift fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (Ezekiel 36:25, 27; Joel 2:28-32)
A gift arriving when Jesus returned to the Father after His resurrection (Acts 1:8-9; 2:1-4)
A gift coming in response to individual repentance and turning back to God (Acts 2:38-39)

God’s Personal Presence (John 14:16-18)

“be with you forever…he lives with you and will be in you” (14:16, 17)
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (14:18)
Metaphors of wind, fire and water

Helper and Friend (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7)

Paraclete
Called to another’s side as friend, counselor, helper
God who is with us and for us

Truth Teller (John 14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:13)

“the spirit of truth” (14:17; 15:26; 16:13)
“teach you all things” (14:26) & “guide you into all truth” (16:13)
“remind you of everything I have said to you” (14:26)

Revealer of Wrong (John 16:8-11)

sin
righteousness
judgment

Filed under: Communication, Eastbrook Tagged: Acts 2, conviction, Holy Spirit, Jesus, John 14, John 15, John 16, Pentecost, truth

Relevant Article: “Why I’m Not Giving Up on Church”

Matt Erickson — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:53:07 +0000

Relevant Magazine published an online article that I wrote today entitled “Why I’m Not Giving Up on Church.” It’s a bit of my own reflections on why the church is still relevant and important for us today. You can read the entire article at their web-site, but here are the first few paragraphs:

In 2011 the largest denomination in the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention, announced the results of a survey showing a significant decline in baptisms and church membership. Ed Stetzer, a missioligist and researcher with Lifeway Research, commented at the time: “This is not a blip. This is a trend. And the trend is one of decline.”

In the very same year, across the Atlantic, a report on the Church of England highlighted the challenges it was facing: aging congregations, faltering clergy recruitment and waning attendance. While church leaders used words like “crisis” and “time bomb,” the report predicted the church would likely be extinct within 20 years.

More recently, the Pew Research Center released a study on the state of religion in the United States entitled “‘Nones’ on the Rise.” The study brings into focus the increasing growth rate of those who do not identify with any religion at all. Nearly one-fifth of the U.S. adult population—and one-third of those under the age of 30—identify in this way; an increase from 15 percent just 5 years earlier.

For many people, these are signs that the church is, if not already dead, steadily moving toward the grave. And many have been calling for followers of Jesus to return to the original vision for our faith…[read the entire article here]

Filed under: Discipleship, My Spiritual Journey Tagged: body of Christ, church, Jesus, Relevant Magazine

Questions about the Holy Spirit

Matt Erickson — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:35:59 +0000

This coming weekend at Eastbrook Church, we are beginning a new series on the Holy Spirit. I have a question for you as we do that:

what are your questions about the Holy Spirit?

Post anything you’d like here and I’ll hope to address those questions throughout this series.

Filed under: Discipleship Tagged: Holy Spirit, pneumatology, questions