In our last series, we talked about loving our neighbours, and stepped through six shifts. From stranger to neighbour to acquaintance to partner to friend to becoming “like family”.
It’s possible to become like family with a focused group of people, where you practice loving your neighbours within that small group, and see that spill over to others outside.
This series looks specifically at this stage of being “like family” with other followers of Jesus. It’s called the church, believe it or not. Important that explore what church means as we prepare to launch a new church in Ajax in 2014.
You probably have all sorts of preconceived notions of what that word means. Attached you’ll find a video of some people on the street who were asked about what they think of when they hear “church”.
You can find the video here:
Question: When you hear the word “church” what do you immediately see, or think? Make a list, there may be several. What experiences have informed you?
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CloseRyan Sim - December 2, 2013
Monday - A New Idea - The Night That Changed The Religious
What do you think Christmas is all about? We’ve included a video of some people answering that question on the street at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1050bLTVw From that experience, or your own, you can probably identify some answers drive religious people crazy: Santa, gifts, Elf on the Shelf, and so on. They will shout – it’s about Jesus! You can also probably identify some answers religious people would love. Jesus is the reason for the season. A saviour was born. God is with us. You can see how polarizing Christmas can be! It is a religious occasion that is solemn, deep and meaningful, and yet it is also a cultural reality with rampant consumerism, time with family, funny traditions and oddities like eggnog and mistletoe. You might think Chiristmas shouldn’t be polarizing, and that this is a new reality. But Christmas and its effect on the world was polarizing not just today, but 2000 years ago. We’ll see how later this week. Question: How much of Christmas do you think is religious, and how much is cultural? How much Santa, how much Jesus? Reminder: We have a great Christmas event coming December 14th, 2013: The Original Christmas Party. Hope you're coming!
Related Topics: Christmas | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "The Night that Changed Everything"
In preparation for Christmas, our Daily Challenges are going to explore the lifechanging significance of Jesus' birth so long ago. It's more than a sentimental story, or a time for generosity, Christmas celebrates The Night that Changed Everything. We'll explore the original Christmas story from the Bible, and its impact on five kinds of people.
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Friday | March 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Thursday | March 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Wednesday | March 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Tuesday | March 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Monday | March 23, 2015 | Bank Story | Watch | Listen | |
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Friday | March 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Thursday | March 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Wednesday | March 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Tuesday | March 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Monday | March 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Friday | March 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Thursday | March 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Wednesday | March 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Tuesday | March 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Monday | March 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Friday | March 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Thursday | March 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Wednesday | March 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Tuesday | March 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Monday | March 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Friday | February 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Thursday | February 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Wednesday | February 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Tuesday | February 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Monday | February 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Friday | February 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Thursday | February 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Wednesday | February 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Tuesday | February 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Monday | February 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Friday | February 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Thursday | February 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Wednesday | February 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Tuesday | February 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Monday | February 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Friday | February 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Thursday | February 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Wednesday | February 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Tuesday | February 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Monday | February 2, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
EPIC: Noah - Friday | January 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Thursday | January 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Wednesday | January 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Monday | January 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Friday | January 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Thursday | January 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Wednesday | January 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Tuesday | January 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Monday | January 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Friday | January 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Thursday | January 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Wednesday | January 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Tuesday | January 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Friday | January 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Redeemer's First Baptisms - Thursday | January 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Pioneer Spirit - Wednesday | December 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Jesus the Shepherd - Tuesday | December 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Reset Body & Food - Monday | December 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Friday | December 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Thursday | December 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Wednesday | December 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Tuesday | December 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Monday | December 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Friday | December 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Thursday | December 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Wednesday | December 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Tuesday | December 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Monday | December 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Friday | December 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Thursday | December 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Wednesday | December 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Tuesday | December 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Monday | December 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Friday | December 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Thursday | December 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Wednesday | December 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Tuesday | December 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Monday | December 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Friday | November 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Thursday | November 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Wednesday | November 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Tuesday | November 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Monday | November 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Friday | November 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Thursday | November 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Wednesday | November 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Tuesday | November 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Monday | November 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Friday | November 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Thursday | November 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Wednesday | November 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Tuesday | November 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Monday | November 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Friday | November 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Thursday | November 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Wednesday | November 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Tuesday | November 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Monday | November 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Friday - Reflect | October 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Thursday - Act On It | October 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Wednesday - Change It | October 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Tuesday - Study It | October 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Monday | October 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Foundation | October 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Foundation | October 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Foundation | October 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Foundation | October 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Foundation | October 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Forgiver | October 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Forgiver | October 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Forgiver | October 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Forgiver | October 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Forgiver | October 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Teacher | October 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Teacher | October 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Teacher | October 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Teacher | October 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Teacher | October 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Revolutionary | October 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Revolutionary | October 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen |