1. How cool!
  • We’re starting up again soon our Belong Life groups, and came upon these verses over the weekend during my bible reading time: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 'Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. '
  • To public

    Today's bible verses that stood out to me during my reading time: "We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient. Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. " 2 Corinthians 10:3-7
    1. my bad, wanted to post the above on my own page lol just realized it got posted onto belongs.
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    Next Monday, May 2, is our very own Noa’s graduation art show! It would be excellent for Belong to go and support him! There is a reception from 6-9, so meet at Belong no later than 5:30 to carpool! It will be held in the Earl and Virginia Green Art Gallery on Biola’s campus! Let us know if you’re interested in going!
    1. Yay Noa! Super excited to come check out all the creative things you’ve made! Proud of you, congratulations 😁
  • Last nights Transformed study touched on replacing lies with Gods truth. I’ve attached a couple pages comparing the character destroying lies, and the character building truths. I also attached a few pages indexing where Jesus speaks about various practical things, can be a good reference.
    1. Yay!
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    Just wanted to share something truly powerful with y’all. Way Out Ministry is a local church in Hawaiian Gardens that God has given me the pleasure of working closely with in regards to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. Check it out when you have a chance.
    1. Hey all, Here are the study guides for Episodes 5-8 in prep for finishing the Season 1 Watch Party next Wednesday. After that we are starting The Transformed Study 5- The Chosen Episode Five: The Wedding Gift Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 5: John 2: 1-11 (Jesus turns water to wine), Luke 2: 41-52 (The boy Jesus at the temple) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) Instead of condemning John, Nicodemus sat down and said “Tell me about your ministry.” When’s the last time you sat down and talked to someone you might not agree with and simply said “Tell me more.”? 2) This passage is often viewed as Jesus correcting/ directing his mother, but that’s not the path the showrunners took. What do you think that might have looked like? 3) Jesus reassures Thomas that while it’s good to ask questions, that we won’t always understand the answers, or even get answers. How do you handle this? 6- The Chosen Episode Six: Indescribable Compassion Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 6: Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus heals the man let down through the roof), Matthew 8:1-4 (Jesus heals a leper), Luke 12: 36-48 (The parable of the servant), Matthew 6: 1-18 (Giving to the needy and prayer) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) Which part of this episode was the most different from how you imagined it being after reading the passage in Scripture?  2) Who would you equate with a tax collector today? A Roman soldier? A Jewish citizen? 3) “We can do both”, walking the road that has been laid out for us and also keeping our eyes open. What did you think of Nicodemus’ speech? It’s easy to cling to our God shaped boxes. 4) There was a LOT of compassion emphasized in this episode. From not giving publicly to the healing of a leper. How did Jesus preach about and show compassion? Do you think there is a difference between compassion, giving, empathy, and goodwill? 7- The Chosen Episode Seven: Invitations Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 7: John 3:1-21 (Jesus teaches Nicodemus), Matthew 9: 9-13 (Jesus calls Matthew), Numbers 21:4-9 (Moses and the bronze snake) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) Did it surprise you how quickly Matthew agreed to follow Jesus? Especially in comparison to how timid Nicodemus was? 2) If you feel like sharing- what is your story of being born again? 3) It can be shocking to read stories like the bronze snake. God demands obedience and faith. What daily habits can we develop and strengthen to become as quick to obedience as Matthew was. 8- The Chosen Episode Eight: I am He Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 8: Mark 2:13-17 (Jesus eats with sinners), John 4:1-42 (The story of the Woman at the Well) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) Obedience at the risk of derision and opposition from others, even from our usual way of life seems impossible. Discuss the different ways people reacted to Jesus’ directions, the directions of family, and from peers. 2) Jesus mentions several times that he’s not trying to bring people ‘easy’, nor is he here to deliver them from their oppressive government. What is Jesus’ purpose in coming and in bringing His disciples to follow him? 3) Do some self reflection, has there ever been a time in your life where you were as excited about Jesus as the woman at the well was? How can we bring back some of that excitement? 4) Who were the first told about Jesus’ birth? Who did He first tell about His ministry? What were their social status’?
      1. Hey all here is the study for The Chosen episodes 2, 3 & 4. 1 is in the watch part announcement. 2- The Chosen Episode Two: Shabbat Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 2: Deuteronomy 5:12-14 (The Sabbath) Matthew 18:15-17 (Resolving conflict, tax collectors) Matthew 17:24-27 (Jesus and Tax Collectors) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) We rest and honor family, our people and God on the Sabbath, we refresh our souls. Rest is a restorative gift. How are you utilizing it? How could you be utilizing it more? 2) Which Sabbath was Jesus a part of? Which Sabbath would you have been at? 3) Simon Peter and Andrew were in a tough position, what do you think about how they handled it? 4) When a miracle happens, are you one to question every detail, or just enjoy and celebrate it? 3- The Chosen Episode Three: Jesus Loves the Little Children Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 3: Luke 18: 15-17 (Let the children come), Mark 9:42, Mark 3:13-19 (the disciples appointed) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) Is it strange for you to think of Jesus as personable? 2) What does it say to you that Jesus so intentionally made time for children? What about the amount of time that he spent with them? 3) “Adults need the faith of children.” How can we intentionally make space for this in our faith and life?  4) It was easy for Abigail to tell her friends about Jesus- how easy is it for you? 4- The Chosen Episode Four: The Rock on Which it is Built Read for Bible Study The Chosen Season 1 Episode 4: John 1:19-28 (John the Baptist is questioned by Pharisees), John 21 (Miraculous Catch), Luke 5:1-11 (Jesus calls the fisherman) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) Jesus provided for Simon’s physical need- but the miracle was more than that. He changed Simon’s mindset, called him to something more! Not to riches, but to spreading the good news for the sake of others souls. What soul work have we been called to? 2) John the Baptist was considered a heretic, and crazy. If the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were constantly missing the point- is it possible that we are missing some of the main points in our evangelical Christian culture? 3) Share a moment in your life where the miracle of the fished has metaphorically happened for you. When you’ve thought there was absolutely no way that something would work, but God made it happen. 4) Sometimes we forget how intense the teachings of Jesus were. His parables and teachings were not sanitized, feel-good messages. What do you think the impact of this miracle would have meant in the context of Jesus’ time?
        1. Yay! Thanks Stacy!
        2. So it’s all together here is the study for episode 1 1- The Chosen Episode One: Read for Bible Study for The Chosen Season 1 Episode 1: Luke 8:1-15 (Mary, Seed Parable, Parable Meanings) Mark 16: 6-11 (Jesus appears to Mary first) The Chosen Discussion Questions: 1) It’s interesting to see how the religious and political environment looked in Jesus’ day. What kind of people did Jesus spend the least and most time with? 2) What did you think of how Matthew the tax collector and Simon Peter were portrayed? 3) Redeemed, called by name. How can we remind ourselves of this truth and live it out practically?