My Epic Journey

Do to a couple of things that have come up recently in my studies and in my life I have found myself reading back to back Jon Krakauer books.  The two books I have just finished reading are:

Into the Wild

Into the Wild is the story of Chris McCandless.  It is an extremely fascinating story.  One I encourage all to read.  It is also a quick and very easy read.

Under the Banner of Heaven

Under the Banner of Heaven is a not only a vivid account of the murder of a mother and her 15 month old daughter by the hands of two brothers, it is also a great historical explanation of the Mormon church.  I have really enjoyed reading how the church came into being and where it stands today.

Both of these books have been great reads.  Looking forward to tackling the other books sitting on my desk.

Here is the teaching outline for the first week of our series, WE:

WE (1): THE OTHERS

Bottom Line: Following Christ was never meant to be done alone—we need community.

TEACHING OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

Life seems a lot easier without people.

TENSION

Living without relationships never feels right for long.

We all long to belong.

TRUTH

When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens—and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground—the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:4-7 NIV).

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man” (Genesis 2:18-23 NIV).

“It is not good.”

APPLICATION

Story of Chris McCandless

“An unshared happiness is not happiness . . . happiness is only real when shared.”

Following Jesus Christ was never meant to be a completely personal, private relationship.

We were created with a need for other people.

LANDING

If you are lacking community, it isn’t good.

God made us to need other people.