First Sunday of Advent (A)

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The Unknown Day and Hour   Lectionary: 1 Reading 1 -  Isaiah 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 122: 1-9 Reading 2 -  Romans 13:11-14 Alleluia -  Cf. Psalm 85:8 Gospel -  Matthew 24:37-44 '... Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.' Introduction  As we gather on this First Sunday of Advent , we also mark the beginning of the Church’s new liturgical calendar and a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from either of two Latin words, which simply mean “to come” (Ad-venire) or “to arrive” (Ad-ventus), and as early as the fourth (4th) century, Christians have had this special time of preparation towards Christmas. Of course, Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; Even as we begin the material preparations for the social celebration of Christmas, the liturgical celebrations of these weeks invite us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. But what does the co...
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Review: Following Jesus: A Year of Disciplemaking and Movement-Building in the Gospels

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Following Jesus: A Year of Disciplemaking and Movement-Building in the Gospels Following Jesus: A Year of Disciplemaking and Movement-Building in the Gospels by Peter Roennfeldt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are not any surprising revelations here; for the most part, the book follows the common interpretation of the Gospel stories, and where it appears to diverge from the academic consensus, the difference is nuanced enough to make little difference. For example, the claim that the “East” was dominated by animism and multiple gods is a little off considering the magi (from which this section was talking about) were members of the Zoroastrian Priestly caste (which is actually monotheistic) … which doesn’t really change the exercise much; fortunately most of these historical commentaries are cited, so you can follow-up with the source if desired (a lot of which seems to come from Theologian Mark Edwards). The main contribution (outside of the familiar stories told in an effective outline form that is useful for group study) here is actually the Reflection Questions and Sharing Exercises at the end of each of the 50 Guides divided across five “phases” presumably organized by maturity of discipleship that seem to correspond to a model of: Connect, Engage, Involve, Equip and Send. In clear, simple language the author presents easy to remember and use “gems” for understanding the call to discipleship.

Phase 1: Preparation - For a Life of Multiplication

- Guide 1: Jesus as a Baby

- Guide 2: Jesus as a Jewish Child

- Guide 3: Jesus the Carpenter

- Guide 4: Jesus’ Cousin - Preparing the Way for the Kingdom


Phase 2: Foundations - Modeling Multiplication

- Guide 5: Transition Experiences - Jesus’ Baptism and Temptations 

- Guide 6: “Come and See” - Jesus Calls His First Disciples

- Guide 7: “Follow Me” - Jesus’ Second Invitation 

- Guide 8: Jesus’ Reliance on Holy Spirit Power (Acronym)

- Guide 9: Jesus, the One Temple!

- Guide 10: Meeting Nicodemus - A Member of the Jewish Council

- Guide 11: Explosive Growth - More Disciples than John

- Guide 12: A Samaritan Woman Conversing with a Despised Relative

- Guide 13: A Royal Official - Healing Gentiles

- Guide 14: Essential Frames of Jesus’ Movement Building


Phase 3: Participation - Equipping for Expanded Outreach 

- Guide 15: On the Move - Major Transitions 

- Guide 16: Healing at Bethesda Pool - On Sabbath!

- Guide 17: “Come Fish with Me” - Jesus Invites Participation

- Guide 18: Fishing with Jesus - Trips One through Four

- Guide 19: Fishing with Jesus - trips Five and Six

- Guide 20: Fishing with Jesus - trips Seven

- Guide 21: More Sabbath Controversies - What Was It This Time?

- Guide 22: Essential Frames of Jesus’ Movement Building


Phase 4:  Leadership Multiplication  - Movement through Sacrificial Love

- Guide 23: A Night in Prayer - Choosing Leaders

- Guide 24: Jesus’ Upside-Down Game Plan - Invitation Four

- Guide 25: Leadership and Authority

- Guide 26: Leadership and Doubt

- Guide 27: Leadership and Gratitude

- Guide 28: Leadership and Rejection

- Guide 29: Leadership and Movement Foundations

- Guide 30: Leadership and Tough Assignments

- Guide 31: Leadership in Times of Crisis

- Guide 32: Leadership and Defection

- Guide 33: Leadership and Prejudice

- Guide 34: Leadership and the Rock

- Guide 35: Leadership and Team Politics

- Guide 36: What Was Jesus’ Idea of Church

- Guide 37: Essentials Shared Plainly and Openly

- Guide 38: The Person of Peace and the Steps to Multiplication

- Guide 39: Jesus’ Radical Worldview Affirmed 

- Guide 40: Jesus’ Key Disciple-making Principles Affirmed

- Guide The Last Come First


Phase 5: Movements - Through Holy Spirit Anointing

- Guide 42: Fruitfulness - Who Gives a Fig?

- Guide 43: Love - The Most Important Command

- Guide 44: Faithfulness - Watching and Working

- Guide 45: The Disinherited - “What She Has Done Will Be Told”

- Guide 46: Subversive Humility - On the Path of Life

- Guide 47: Succession to Holy Spirit Presence

- Guide 48: Sacrifice for Others - “Greater Love Has No One Than This”

- Guide 49: Passionate Witness to the Good News

- Guide 50: “Receive the Spirit: - Invitation Five


I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#FollowingJesus #NetGalley

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