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Exegetical Workshop: Thursday, 19th September 2019 : Larry Perkins

October 10, 2019 by Aaron Nelson Leave a Comment

“When you stand up and teach, you are modelling how to interact with God’s word – for better or for worse.” Larry Perkins

This workshop has been challenging to me on many levels at once. As I listened to Mr. Perkins share, I was struck by how much he LOVED the scripture, and so enjoyed his passion for the proper treatment of the Bible when it comes to effectively sharing it with others through preaching or teaching.

What struck me the most is how easy it is for us to just share the words we read in the scripture without a deep consideration and exploration of such things as:

Genre: In this case, the Gospels and Acts are narratives. They share, from different perspectives and with differing purposes the story of Jesus.

Purpose: Why is the author writing? Who are they trying to reach with their words? What do they want their audience to do as a result of reading/hearing their words?

  • Luke– Acts: a historical/fact based narrative. Luke was striving to write an account that was trustworthy. (Some interesting questions arise: why was he wanting to write a historical account? One reason is that he was writing it for someone – Theophilus – so that they could know the certainty of what they had been taught.
  • Mark – presents a Jewish person crucified who must be acclaimed as Messiah – why did he approach his story in this way? Who was he trying to reach?
  • Matthew – emphasis on how Jesus fulfilled the God’s plans for Israel – why did he approach the topic like this? Who is he trying to reach? (Likely Jewish people.)
  • John – evangelistic focus.

Connection with the events being narrated, what is the connection between the narrative and the events that are being told? Do we have eye witness accounts, like in Luke? Is the writer using materials from another source in their narrative, and how trustworthy are those sources? I’m thinking of the times Paul borrowed lines from contemporary poets, or used day to day objects to help him spark spiritual conversations with his audience. (The Altar to the unknown God found in Acts 17:23) Are those sources trustworthy? How were these accounts preserved, and how concerned were early Christians with this? (Much was passed down orally.)

Canonical Place: When were these narratives written compared to the other books of the New Testament? In today’s case, most church goers/ believers often think of the gospels as coming first chronologically.

In reality, the gospels aren’t the first things written – there are about 15 years of written production before the gospels came into reality. Paul likely had writings before the gospels were written. – Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians many other epistles. They came before the gospels. However, these writings don’t come first in the NT because the Gospels tell the vital backstory which Paul and other writers have based their writings on.

I learned here that Acts is actually a continuation of Luke, yet I grew up thinking that it was a totally different book that was written by a different person.

Cross-Cultural Transfer

We are always dealing with a cross cultural reality when we teach the Bible – it is from another time, place, culture etc. With text only – we are missing all the non-verbal cues. Larry Perkins, PHD.

Larry Perkins, PHD.

We must remember that Jesus was Jewish, and he lived, acted, was shaped and educated with this reality.

  • Jesus lived in the time of the second temple – when he was nearing the end of his ministry, this second temple was just about to be finished which adds whole layers or conflict when he states that not one stone would be left standing. (Those were fighting words to the Jews who had dedicated so many years to the second temple’s construction.)
  • Also recall that Jesus lived in a culture heavily influenced by Romans/Greeks – they were occupied by Roman soldiers, Roman/Greek cities were near and exerted cultural influence. Jesus was a carpenter, a worker who likely would have been part of building things in those cities.
  • We must also recall that Jesus was radical – in contrast to the Jewish establishment and rules and context. There was real animosity towards Jesus because of what he said and did – think: the temple was just being finished when he declared that not a stone would remain. You aren’t unclean by what goes into a man, it is what comes out that makes a man unclean, the Jewish leaders presented Jesus as a rebel and trouble maker when they tried to turn him over to the Romans.

Filed Under: Exegetical Workshop, Seminars

Cornerstone Seminar

September 22, 2019 by Aaron Nelson Leave a Comment

Immerse is not linear! Choose your own adventure.

Become aware of the things you do each day – some things you do at work will apply to what you learn with Immerse.

Time management: learning how and when to say no so you can focus on your studies, but also know when you must be flexible and meet the needs of those around you. Working on your studies will require you hold in tension both your studies and work – and your relationships and those you serve. You can’t swing over to one side over another for long.

Take ownership of your studies – this is up to you to choose and pursue your journey. When you are waiting for reviews from mentors, you must keep going. Don’t stop.

Learn how to navigate through adversity, trouble, problems by looking at what you are going through differently. How is this an opportunity? How is this going to make you better? How will you get back up again and bring the fight forward?

Immerse is hard – be ready to get back up.

Communicate with your mentor team – they are there to help and support you.

Remember to take responsibility for our progress- this is on you, not on your mentors, not on your work, not on your family. YoThinu’ve got to move the ball forward.

Thinking like a Grad Student

  • very hands off from teachers, this is entrepreneurial – self starting required.
  • Commit to something that is way more difficult than what you thought it would be when you first started.
  • Think you don’t know everything, and keep asking questions. Be hungry! Wisest person in the room is the one who knows they don’t know everything.

Characteristics:

  • Devoted. Your devotion to God, to scripture, to your relationship with Jesus is directly related to your studies. You will grow as disciple, you will grow in your ability to serve, and in your ability to bless others. NEVER divorce your studies from devotion. Devotion from studies.
  • Don’t be distracted much in the shiny things now that don’t echo into eternity.
  • We are a disciple of Jesus first. A deep and growing personal relationship is vital – and fruit will flow from this. Your life flows from this.
  • Be of good humor – humility – don’t take yourself too seriously. Remember that every moment of our lives is an opportunity for God to break in and have HIS story flow through us.
  • Stay Curious – this is a universe of fascinating things to learn. The best work of a minister happens when nobody but God is watching. We have a choice in how we view our day to day activities – even the most boring or uninteresting. All activities matter to a disciple. All activities can shape our heart.
  • Devotion – Good humor – Curiosity: keep these present always. Battle back the impostor dragon — don’t let it convince you that you don’t belong.

Treat your readings a little like a salad bar – take what you need and move on.

What will help you think critically – do what works for you.

Learn to give: you aren’t being told what to think, you’re learning how to give information to show what you are thinking and learning. How can you translate what you learn so that you are pouring out what you learn in others. This is a shift: you are taking in, and applying it to your life and reflecting on how it is changing/challenging you and how you live and work.

  • You take in the information, then create your own strategy, philosophy on X, Y or Z and deploy it, train others on it.

Remember: I don’t have to do this. I get to this, and God is inviting me into this experience. There will be dark/hard times – but push through. Remember VOCATION. This feeds into God’s call on your life.

**What are my long term duration projects? Be VERY aware of these, and be working on them.

Program Structure

Remember: this is mastery based, not about completing assignments. It’s not about completing assignments…..IT’S ABOUT MASTERY. (REPEATED ON PURPOSE.)

This is not about head only development – course work is also going to be developing character.

Building a Pathway

Each learning unit will take aprox. 9-15 hrs.

Instruction – seminars. Also consider sharing 3-5 points of impact.

Remember that the assignments are not to be considered as hoops to jump through, but can be picked to help you grow.

It’s vital to learn how to notice where ministry, school, family, relationships, personal discipleship all mesh together or overlap and how you can interchange these to help you achieve school objectives, or how you can deploy school learning in all these areas of your life.

Roadmapping – look for assignments that allow you to spring off and attack other outcomes as you go. Ex. Maybe a research project can help you prepare a sermon series, can help you prepare a Bible study, can help you develop a leadership strategy etc.

Filed Under: Cornerstone IMS500, Seminars

Theology and Culture Part I

September 22, 2019 by Aaron Nelson Leave a Comment

We are shaped by what we are exposed to. We are also not to be siloed and bubbled so afraid to be exposed to points of view or narratives that are in opposition than ourselves, fearful to be challenged.

Theology and Culture – Are they separate entities? Or can they coexist – or be intertwined?

Think: No place is ‘un-theological’ – think Rob Bell – Everything is Spiritual. God is everywhere. I grew up with the teaching that there was HOLY/Theological and it was distant from Culture. They didn’t mix, because our culture is somehow bad or evil. God would not want to be touching it because He is perfect. He is HOLY. But if we subscribe to this belief, how can we effectively be where God is working around us? (God does not hide behind stained glass windows.)

I need to be comfortable in my own skin – and not be fake when I engage with people around me. I need to know what I like from culture, and be ok with liking it. (Starwars, DC vs Marvel, Game of Thrones, Coldplay, 80’s music, rap music, etc.) I also need to be ok with what I don’t like from the culture around me. I don’t have to succumb to pressure to like or dislike something. I do need to be discerning though, about how what I like shapes me.

I need to be open to seeing what those around me are being formed by – what are THEY seeing? What are THEY watching? What is this causing in them? What is it feeding in them? What is forming people?

There is no territory in our life that is unspiritual. Always be looking to see where God’s kingdom is coming, always be looking for the small details – mustard seeds – the Kingdom of God is not always flashy or easy to see.

Work hard to read and engage outside of your bubble.

Theology and Culture Part II

On doing and getting the work done: Deadlines matter to getting things done. When you feel like you have a wide timeline, limitless space to work with – you will find it hard to create successfully. https://youtu.be/eH4NhlxSrOw

Simplicity. Tight focus. Don’t be fooled by the 4 years you have before you – you’ve got to drill down and create limits and deadlines for yourself AND DO THE WORK. Grit matters to your success.

Protect and practice your sabbath. I need space that is not filled with anything that has to do with work, study, reading for work or reading for study etc – I must have space to play and have fun and relax.

Theology and Culture II

Look to the myths that are the heart of our country, and our society. We say that we are atheistic society now – that we have left God behind. But myths remain, and myths contain belief, religious belonging, the irrational…

Ex. The myth of progress.

It is important that we learn how to spot and engage with the myths out there that are driving society.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sabbaths – set them. Keep them. Protect them. ENJOY them. Our brain needs space where it is not occupied with study, reading, ministry, work etc.
  • Everything is spiritual – I need to be comfortable with the things I nerd out about from our culture – Star Wars, The Lord of The Rings, and also to be comfortable sharing what I enjoy and have fun with. Spiritual does not equal stoic and serious and irrelevant/distant. Having and developing this kind of authentic thinking/living will help us better engage with those around us as we seek to serve them.

Filed Under: Cornerstone IMS500, Seminars

Cornerstone: Writing & Research

September 22, 2019 by Aaron Nelson Leave a Comment

Developing – Drafting – Revising – Finishing

https://cornerstoneseminar.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/immerse-annual-foundations.pdf

Remember: you will improve the more you do it. Don’t be dismayed if the first time feels like a ‘kid’s drawing.’ The most important is to share your work and start conversation with your mentors around your work. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back. (Perfection is not possible, and is also rooted in fear and pride. )

Developing:

Drafting: Use outlines. Headings. Subheadings.

Revising: Use hard copy to revise – and attempt to read backward from right to left to help you catch mistakes. Remember – your writing does not have to be perfect. Beware of Perfectionism, Procrastination, paralysis. Don’t be afraid to let garbage get out on your writing. JUST WRITE. Get your words to flow by writing. You can revise later.

Writing is rewriting.

Don’t self edit when you are writing. Editing comes later.

Finishing:

Grad writing is mechanically correct, spelling correct, grammar correct, proper formatting, etc. Remember that the formatting, the details of excellence in your writing transfers over to excellence in your life.

In grad writing – goal should be to draw others into your argument. You write in your voice, incorporate your ideas into your work while also engaging other sources that you find to help you form your ideas.

You need to engage deeply with the texts you read and are writing about, and offer your own ideas, criticism, points of view etc to the conversation. You must also explain why you think the way you do about the text. Not just simple yes/no answers.

The more you research and read, the easier your writing will be. Consider 1/3 for research, 1/3 for reading and 1/3 for writing.

Look to bibliographies of your sources to help you find additional resources if you are having trouble finding sources.

Keep a database of quotes that you can easily access.

Research hack = in your outline and findings, use symbols like !@#$%^&*() to label (use left margin) your outline headings, and then apply the corresponding symbol to your findings according to how they would fit best into in the outline.

Key Take Always:

  • The importance of getting your ideas flowing by writing. To not attempt perfection, but to share your work as quickly as you can while doing your best to follow proper writing structure of your papers. If I knew how to write excellent academic papers, I would not need to be learning how to. Excellence will come over time.
  • Graduate level writing will be easier if I delve deeply into research and reading before attempting to write. (Vs. undergrad writing which is often how fast can I get my paper done.)

Filed Under: Blog, Cornerstone IMS500, Seminars Tagged With: CORNERSTONE, IMS500

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