LA Kings game!

We need Teachers!!!!

We have the awesome opportunity to serve the church by volunteering to teach in Children’s ministry these next few months. It would be great to get some of us to step in and fill these spots because we get to engage the material more as teachers. So here are the dates and if you are able to help out that would be a major blessing! Actually, we REALLY need u! The curriculum is already complete, all you will need to do is follow the directions and make the kids laugh, hehe!

Date(s): March 30-April 20th
Topic: Abraham and Sarah
Need: 2 Teachers
Commitment: 4 Sundays

Date(s): April 27-May 18th
Topic: Discipleship
Need: 1 Teacher
Commitment: 4 Sundays

Date(s): May 25-June 15
Topic: Discipleship II
Need: 3 Teachers
Commitment: 4 Sundays

* Please note that we are committing to the 4 Sundays that are needed. So keep that in mind when you are considering to help.

Blessings, and thanks for being open.
Rob

Matthean Background Information

In case you missed last night’s prayer meeting, we went over some background information on the Gospel of Matthew. Here’s what we went over just so you can be up to speed with what we are studying.

Matthew is the first book in the NT because it connects the OT to the NT. Matthew has an interesting tension occuring constantly in his writing. As it is blatantly Jewish, it includes many pro-Gentile references and stories.

There are 3 major themes that Matthew wants to communicate throughout the Gospel.
1) Jesus is the fulfilment of the OT
2) Jesus is the New and Greater Moses
3) Jesus relives Israel’s history, but as the Victorious one

Matthew’s audience is to the Jewish nation. He understands that they understand the Scriptures (Law, Prophets, Psalms) very well, which is why he references to the OT 42 times, and 12 of those references are direct “fulfillment” scriptures.

There are 5 divisions in the book of Matthew. He makes this division on purpose to reflect the 5 books of the Torah. His goal is to present the Gospel as the New Torah for this New believing community. Called the 5 discourses in Matthew, the book is divided like so:

1) Chapter 5-7: Kingdoms Manifesto
2) Chapter 10: Kingdoms Mission
3) Chapter 13: Kingdoms Parables
4) Chapter 18: Kingdoms Community
5: Chapter 23-24: Kingdoms Future

So as we study the book of Matthew, and as we read during our personal quiet time, I hope this background information can serve as a foundation to help you view the gospel in how it was intended.

It’s going to be an exciting study!!!!!!

Why Pray?

I’ve often wondered this metaphysical question of why in the world I should pray to an invisible being who seemingly has very little to do with me, except being around for me to fathom praying to it. My philosphical stance assumes my theological position concerning the issue of prayer, in a sense…however, obviously my foundation rests on the truth of my theolocial position. Hence, the paradox of questioning this ephemeral practice. Without considering your religious belief system or Christian faith understanding, I want to pose to you a question…why do YOU pray?

If we really look at it…”I am who I am because He made me” (thats a hook in one of my old songs I made 4 years ago…HOT)! He made me to be a samoan male born into a royal lineage. He made me to be an athletic person. He made me to be a graduate student. He made me to be happy with my kittens. He made me to be in love with my wife. He made me to really really proud of my family. He made me to be a servant to a great church in redondo beach. He made me to have so many incredible people I interact with on a consistent basis. He made me to be so many things that would warrant me to be “alright” in this life on earth. Even if I were to dig deeper and figure out how God has made me…I would find that God has made me to be a person He really cares about. So again, that brings up the question…why then would I pray, if I have been made in such a way that displays God’s passionate love for me? Examine your life and you will notice how the Lord has created you in such a way to portray His awesome and mighty affection for you…UH OK…so whats the big deal then? Why pray?

I would like to propose that because of this reason and perception of grace upon ourselves, how we recognize God’s love in how He has made us…we DON’T pray! We are happy with ourselves most of the time, we have enough things around us to keep us occupied, we have so many physical and tangible “persons” surrounding us that we can talk to them, and we basically are “alright” with our lives, therefore, our reliance on God doesn’t drive us to prayer. The sense of urgency to speak with God isn’t as pressing as my need to speak with my cousin who always listens to me when I call. Unless something traumatic happens, if someone dies, if I get sick, if i lose my job, if my immediate future is uncertain, if the Patriots loose the super bowl and Junior Seau doesn’t get a championship ring once again…bottom line is, unless a crisis situation takes place, then we find ourselves fit to approach the throne of God to pray. Why pray?

SO…what do you think?

Spring Schedule (January-May 2008)

Blessings to everyone visiting our site!  In case you’re wondering what we plan on doing the next few months, here’s what it will look like.  We are going to go through a study of the Gospels.  As a group we will commit to an indepth study of each Gospel, from the historical context, to its form, to its intimate purpose.  Our schedule is as follows:

1st Thursday of each month:  Indepth Study (Rob Pene teaching)
2nd Thursday of each month:  “Sign up” Study (Volunteer from the group will teach)
3rd Thursday of each month:  Fellowship and Hang out time (just chill and kick it)
4th Thursday of each month:  FAST/PRAYER focus (worship & prayer time as a group)

Special Events will be planned as well as a weekend thing.  We plan on doing something cool as a group to hang out and fellowship.  We encourage you to bring your friends to our special events day.

Thanks for checking us out and we hope to see you here one of these Thursdays!
Blessings,

Rob Pene