New Study Starts February 5
As we near the end of our study and discussion of Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a new study topic and book. We’ve selected three options, but we’d love to hear from you!
Comment on this post to vote for which book you’d like to read next… Or post another option (make sure to include a link)!
Option #1 – Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
by Francis Chan
“Sometimes I feel like when I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I’m crazy, that I’m taking the Bible too literally, or that I’m not thinking about my family’s well-being. . . When people gladly sacrifice their time or comfort or home, it is obvious that they trust in the promises of God. Why is it that the story of someone who has actually done what Jesus commands resonates deeply with us, but we then assume we could never do anything so radical or intense? Or why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is? The way it should be?” – From Amazon.com
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Option #2 – Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals
by Shane Claibourne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
“Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do.” –from the Introduction
Activists Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove show how prayer and action must go together. Their exposition of key Bible passages provides concrete examples of how a life of prayer fuels social engagement and the work of justice. Phrases like “give us this day our daily bread” and “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” take on new meaning when applied to feeding the hungry or advocating for international debt relief.
If you hope to see God change society, you must be an ordinary radical who prays–and then is ready to become the answer to your own prayers. – From Amazon.com
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Option #3 – Dangerous Faith: Growing in God and Service to the World
by Joel Vestal
“Today’s world is filled with stories of oppression, war, famine, and extreme poverty. For those who serve Jesus, our mandate is clear: Feed the hungry, free the oppressed, and offer light in dark places. Simply stated, we are the hands and feet of Christ’s ministry on earth. But such a call can feel overwhelming. Can each believer truly make a difference? Joel Vestal believes that not only is it possible to make a difference, it is essential. Dangerous Faith shares Joel’s extraordinary travels around the world and through human suffering. Joel’s stories and insights will challenge indifference and encourage readers to actively express their compassion. And as they engage with the world around them, they’ll find a deeper and richer walk with Christ.” – From Amazon.com
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2009.01.14 @ 09:37:23 pm
My vote’s for dangerous faith. Crazy love is my second choice.
2009.01.14 @ 11:25:30 pm
I also like Dangerous Faith, I think it can stem off our last study into giving examples of what can be done in the word today (but I don’t know that, because I know nothing about the book).
Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers is my second choice.
2009.01.17 @ 01:32:37 pm
I think we’re going to go with Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I’m awaiting the necessary approvals from MCC, so as long as they’re ok with the book, we’ll go forward with the study.
As a side note, I’d like to state for the record that the theological views of MCC and the PCA denomination may not always line up exactly with those of the authors of the books we are reading/studying. However, I have found that these differences aid in discussion and can be helpful in strengthening our own beliefs.