StoneBridge Community Church
BC/AD What Changed Week 2: Human Value Changed
Interim Pastor Neal Nybo
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Community Church
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:25 PM
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http://bit.ly/2z61WwiIntroduction to BC/AD What Changed Message Series
During Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, it's easy to get caught up in what is going on right now - in the world and in our lives. We want to ask the question, what has gone on because Jesus was born and lived 2000 years ago?
Yale historian Jeroslav Pelikan wrote, “Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western Culture for almost 20 centuries.
So, while we won't cover everything, we hope to gain some insights that may influence our Christmas season and our lives.
During Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, it's easy to get caught up in what is going on right now - in the world and in our lives. We want to ask the question, what has gone on because Jesus was born and lived 2000 years ago?
Yale historian Jeroslav Pelikan wrote, “Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western Culture for almost 20 centuries.
So, while we won't cover everything, we hope to gain some insights that may influence our Christmas season and our lives.
Introduction to Week 2
Can you imagine what it would be like to discover that a coach or teacher or leader you admire was discovered to be something other than what you expected? We’ve grown up believing that God is love, that Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, and that the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus followers like us to live like Jesus. It would be deeply painful to discover that those things were not true.
Gratefully, Jesus was the role model. He lived up to his claims.
Can you imagine what it would be like to discover that a coach or teacher or leader you admire was discovered to be something other than what you expected? We’ve grown up believing that God is love, that Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, and that the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus followers like us to live like Jesus. It would be deeply painful to discover that those things were not true.
Gratefully, Jesus was the role model. He lived up to his claims.
1. Jesus made children visible
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Reflection Questions
1. Think of three positive ways children are treated today.
2. Which of those were not true of children in Jesus’ time?
3. Did Jesus’ teaching have an impact on those changes?
4. How should Jesus’ followers think of children around the world based on his teaching?
1. Think of three positive ways children are treated today.
2. Which of those were not true of children in Jesus’ time?
3. Did Jesus’ teaching have an impact on those changes?
4. How should Jesus’ followers think of children around the world based on his teaching?
2. Jesus elevated women
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Reflection / Growth Group Discussion Questions
1. Think of three positive ways women are treated today.
2. Which of those were not true of women in Jesus’ time?
3. Did Jesus’ teaching have an impact on those changes?
4. How should Jesus’ followers think of women around the world based on his teaching?
1. Think of three positive ways women are treated today.
2. Which of those were not true of women in Jesus’ time?
3. Did Jesus’ teaching have an impact on those changes?
4. How should Jesus’ followers think of women around the world based on his teaching?
3. Jesus welcomed the other
Romans 13:9, 10
9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:9, 10
9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Reflection / Growth Group Discussion Questions
1. According to Romans 13:10, how are neighbors to be treated?
2. How did Jesus answer a man who asked who is my neighbor in Luke 10:29-37?
3. How can followers of Jesus respond to all the very different opinions and reactions there are currently to policies about “neighbors?”
4. Based on Luke 10:29-37 how can followers of Jesus respond to a person in need? Should a person be treated differently based on where they are from?
5. Do such questions stir up emotions in you or in people you know?
1. According to Romans 13:10, how are neighbors to be treated?
2. How did Jesus answer a man who asked who is my neighbor in Luke 10:29-37?
3. How can followers of Jesus respond to all the very different opinions and reactions there are currently to policies about “neighbors?”
4. Based on Luke 10:29-37 how can followers of Jesus respond to a person in need? Should a person be treated differently based on where they are from?
5. Do such questions stir up emotions in you or in people you know?
Next Step:
Write a list of five children, five women, and five “others” who are not related to you. Say a prayer for each of them each day this week.
Write a list of five children, five women, and five “others” who are not related to you. Say a prayer for each of them each day this week.
History of BC/AD and BCE/CE
Here is a good explanation of how history came to be seen in terms of BC/AD and also BCE/CE.
https://bit.ly/37EpJGj10 Ways Jesus changed the world
There are many websites describing ways Jesus changed the world. Here is just one of them.
https://bit.ly/2DhZWWi
A Note from Pastor Neal
Three weekends ago in worship, I said an Ultimate Frisbee team is a community who all chip in when a need is expressed. As part of the StoneBridge community, I want to invite you to a brief meeting I’m calling The Ultimate Huddle, to discuss StoneBridge’s current financial climate. These brief meetings will be held after every worship service this weekend, December 7/8. The Elder Board and I have a recommendation of how our church can be confidently sustainable in this season of leadership transition, while a new pastor is being called. Please join us for this important meeting.
Three weekends ago in worship, I said an Ultimate Frisbee team is a community who all chip in when a need is expressed. As part of the StoneBridge community, I want to invite you to a brief meeting I’m calling The Ultimate Huddle, to discuss StoneBridge’s current financial climate. These brief meetings will be held after every worship service this weekend, December 7/8. The Elder Board and I have a recommendation of how our church can be confidently sustainable in this season of leadership transition, while a new pastor is being called. Please join us for this important meeting.
Beginning the first weekend of Advent, we have an opportunity to help members of our own StoneBridge family. After each service, stop by the Angel Tree, located on the patio, remove an “angel” (gift card request) from the tree, and return it with the appropriate gift card attached. Gift cards can be turned in during weekend services, or at the church office at any time through December 17th. Cards will be distributed to their recipients during the week of Christmas. Thank you for your generosity!
Join us December 24th for our Christmas Eve services. At 4:00pm we’ll have a family service with singing, games, and telling the story of the birth of Christ ending with a child-safe candle lighting. Following at 5:30, 7:00, and 8:30pm will be our traditional Christmas Eve candlelight services. This will be a wonderful opportunity to invite your family and friends to StoneBridge.
Weekend Worship Playlist
Enjoy this Spotify playlist with the songs played in worship this weekend!
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