2013 was a great year for Redeem the Commute, we explored the Sermon on the Mount, a series on Easter, another on Work & Rest, Becoming like Family, and finally our Christmas series, The Night that Changed Everything.
Before we start our next series, we wanted to share some of our favourites from the last year. We picked them either for their creative setting, or because they had great interviews, or content we thought was worth hearing again.
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CloseRyan Sim - April 28, 2014
Monday - 2014 Status Update - Growth in Discipleship
Hi, welcome to Redeem the Commute. I’m Ryan, your host for the daily challenges. Normally, we follow a weekly rhythm that helps us explore a different topic, and how following Jesus impacts that topic. This week’s going to be a little different. We’re going to be taking an opportunity to just see where we are as a community. Now, you probably know us as a mobile app and website for busy commuters, but we’re also trying to become a church community. As we explore what it means to follow Jesus as individual people engaged in a busy lifestyle, we want to make sure that we’re not completely disconnected from one another, and that even though we’re usually quite scattered as a community, we want to take time to gather as well. As a gathered community, we want to make sure that we are committed to some of the same things in common. That’s why through this week, this week alone, it’s going to be kind of a special week. We’re going to be looking at each of the things our community is committed to one by one, and see how we’re doing as a community, by hearing the stories of individuals who are a part of our growing online community or our in-person courses who are seeing their lives changed. We hope that will inspire you to see some transformation in your own life as well. Now, the five things that we’re committed to as a community start with being committed to growth in discipleship. We have some common content to learn together. We also want to be committed to God in worship, committed to generosity in our resources, committed to grace in our lifestyles and witness, and finally, committed to groups and community. We’re going to be looking at each of those points one by one this week. Today, the Monday, we’re going to start by looking at growth in discipleship. Each day, we’re going to tell you the story of somebody, a real person, who is in one of our courses as a community or engaging in our online content. The firs story we have is about somebody who came to us through our Christianity one on one course. After having discovered it online, and taken a few of the courses through the app, she decided that she wanted to come and try that in person when we offered a course in Whitby last fall. After the course was over, she met with me for coffee, and told me that she decided to do something really important in her life. Back when she was in her early 20s, she decided that she was an atheist. She very publically cut all ties that she had to the church, to her family’s Christian faith and to God himself. She made it very clear that she was an atheist now. She said after taking the Christianity 101 course, she decided she wasn’t an atheist anymore, and is looking for a way to make that public, just as public as she made her atheism back in her 20s. What happened? What made her say those words and decide to take public action declaring such a significant change? Why would she go back on her words like that, and risk the embarrassment of letting everybody know that she was wrong? Well, as a follower of Jesus, I believe that it’s the Holy Spirit who can grab hold of our hearts, and transform them to be open to hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works behind the scenes, and sometimes very publically, in this kind of transformation in a story like the one I just told you. I’m sure the particular content of our courses had some impact, but through it all, the Holy Spirit was guiding, and directing, and teaching, and helping just open her ears to hear the good news, and opening her heart to actually be transformed by it. The Holy Spirit is behind every story of transformation that we hear from in the Bible or in life today. The Holy Spirit uses all sorts of resources in his work. That includes things like routine and just learning some habits of discipleship. One of those that we use in our community is this daily, weekly rhythm of discipleship that our daily challenges follow. Every Monday, we introduce a new idea. Every Tuesday, we study the Bible. Every Wednesday, we allow it to grab our hearts and transform us in some way. If we’re trying to live differently on Thursday, and Friday is our day of reflection, this whole rhythm and routine comes from the way monks and nuns used to order their lives as a community. Even if they were a part, even if they were traveling, they knew they were in sync with the rest of their community because they had this regular rhythm of prayer and learning that they were engaged in, whether they were gathered or in scattered mode. Now, the story I told you today is just one story that I happen to know because I met her in person, but there have got to be other amazing stories out there. What’s your story? We know that the mobile app for Redeem the Commute has been installed on mobile phones and tablets over 1,200 times. We know that hundreds of you are using and accessing our content each month. We’d love to hear from you and hear your story. How is God speaking to you? How is God’s Holy Spirit working in your heart, in and through the rhythm we’ve developed as a community, or through the content that you’ve been hearing, or watching or reading on Redeem the Commute? Well, I’d love to hear your story. There are a number of ways you can communicate that. One, come out and meet me at the Coffee Hours, or check the app or website live events listings to see when our next Coffee Hours are. It’s a great opportunity to just connect with me, tell me what you’ve been experiencing, see if I can have any help or advice for you. Another way would be to fill in some of the one-question surveys we’ve got going on right now. When you open the app, it’s going to be asking you a simple question. I’d love to hear your answer because we’re trying to get a bit of a read on our community, our people being transformed by the contents that they’re hearing. We’d love to hear what you’ve learned, and what questions you still have to see if I can help you find answers to any of those questions still. We’d love to hear if this is content that you’re hearing and exploring for the first time in your life, or maybe if you’ve explored Christianity before, and you’re just looking at it in a new way at a later point in your life. We’re not trying to become a church community that gathers together people from other churches. We truly want to become a community of people who are exploring Christian faith for the first time, and those who are committed to helping other have that kind of experience. We’d love to know if you’ve been part of a church community before, or if maybe this is your first time being part of a church community, outside of maybe attending a wedding or a funeral. Each day in this one-week series, we’re going to have a challenge for you to take on. Like I said, we’ve got some one-question surveys going on right now, where you can answer all those questions at once in the survey that you’ll find at the bottom of today’s challenge posting. Please, answer some questions for us. Tell us how we’re doing in developing as a community of people learning to follow Jesus, and how we can help you take the next step. Make sure you leave your email address, so we can follow up if you’d like a bit of coaching. Have a great time putting that into practice. If you are working with a group of people who are learning alongside you, maybe share with them your answers to the survey questions that we’ve put at the bottom of today’s post. Well, have a great discussion. Don’t forget, we’re reading the Bible in sync as a community. The way to really get connected in our community would be to take our parenting course that we’re offering just at the end of April. It’s going to be held at the Ajax Public Library, and costs just $50. It includes a delicious dinner each night for five weeks. You can find more information in the live event listings in the app or website. I hope to see you there. Bye for now.
Related Topics: Discipleship, Growth | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Status Update"
Ryan shares some stories from Redeem the Commute users, and looks for feedback from others.
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
Day 32 - CLUES to your calling | Ryan Sim | October 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 31 - Discovering our Gifts | Ryan Sim | October 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 30 - Work in the Christian Community | Ryan Sim | October 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 29 - Making a difference for God | Ryan Sim | October 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 28 - How much should I give? | Ryan Sim | October 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 27 - Is there a right amount? | Ryan Sim | October 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 26 - 4 Principles of Stewardship II | Ryan Sim | October 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 25 - 4 Principles of Stewardship | Ryan Sim | October 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 24 - Money: A matter of Stewardship | Ryan Sim | October 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 23 - Money: A matter of Security & Satisfaction | Ryan Sim | October 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 22 - Money: A matter of identity | Ryan Sim | October 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 21 - A New Way of Living | Ryan Sim | October 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 20 - Why join a Church? | Ryan Sim | October 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 19 - What do Churches Do? | Ryan Sim | October 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 18 - How do Churches Gather? | Ryan Sim | October 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 17 - What is the Church? - Part 2 | Ryan Sim | October 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 16 - What is the Church? Part 1 | Ryan Sim | September 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 15 - What words should we pray? Others' Words | Ryan Sim | September 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 14 - What words should we pray? Part 1 - Your Words | Ryan Sim | September 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 13 - When should we pray? | Ryan Sim | September 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 12 - What can we pray about? | Ryan Sim | September 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 11 - How does God Answer Prayer? No and Maybe | Ryan Sim | September 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 10 - How does God Answer Prayer? Yes | Ryan Sim | September 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 9 - To whom should we pray? | Ryan Sim | September 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 8 - What is Prayer? | Ryan Sim | September 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 7 - How the Read the Bible - Part 2 | Ryan Sim | September 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 6 - How the Read the Bible - Part 1 | Ryan Sim | September 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 5 - What is the Bible? Part 5 - Varied Literature | Ryan Sim | September 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 4 - What is the Bible? Part 4 - A Library | Ryan Sim | September 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 3 - What is the Bible? Part 3 - Authentic | Ryan Sim | September 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 2 - What is the Bible? Part 2 - Light and Owners Manual | Ryan Sim | September 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 1 - What is the Bible? Part 1 - A Letter | Ryan Sim | September 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Conclusion | Ryan Sim | September 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - How Much to Give? | Ryan Sim | August 31, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Giving Levels | Ryan Sim | August 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Attitudes | Ryan Sim | August 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Everything is God's, Giving is a Need | Ryan Sim | August 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Stewardship | Ryan Sim | August 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Security and Satisfaction | Ryan Sim | August 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Power and Identity | Ryan Sim | August 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Getting In and Out of Debt | Ryan Sim | August 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Credit Scores | Ryan Sim | August 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Payday Loan Rules | Ryan Sim | August 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Payday Loan Interest Rates | Ryan Sim | August 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Loan Sharks: Don't Get Bitten | Ryan Sim | August 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Reading Debt Fine Print | Ryan Sim | August 10, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Calculating Debt APR | Ryan Sim | August 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Financial Jargon | Ryan Sim | August 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Comparison Shopping | Ryan Sim | August 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Smart Shopping | Ryan Sim | August 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Your Money Saving Tips | Ryan Sim | August 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Budget Surprises | Ryan Sim | August 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Start your Budget | Ryan Sim | July 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Spending Diary | Ryan Sim | July 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Increasing Income | Ryan Sim | July 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Reducing Spending | Ryan Sim | July 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Overspending | Ryan Sim | July 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Savings | Ryan Sim | July 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Priority Expenses | Ryan Sim | July 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Expenses | Ryan Sim | July 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Income Sources | Ryan Sim | July 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Budget Basics | Ryan Sim | July 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Your Money Type | Ryan Sim | July 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Introduction | Ryan Sim | July 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
We Are...Transformed - Thursday | July 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Transformed – Wednesday | July 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Transformed - Tuesday | July 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Transformed - Monday | July 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Thursday | June 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Wednesday | June 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Tuesday | June 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Monday | June 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Thursday | June 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Wednesday | June 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Tuesday | June 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Monday | June 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Thursday | June 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Wednesday | June 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Tuesday | June 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Monday | June 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Thursday | June 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Wednesday | June 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Tuesday | June 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Monday | June 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected – Thursday | June 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected - Wednesday | June 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected - Tuesday | May 31, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected - Monday | May 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led – Thursday | May 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led – Wednesday | May 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led - Tuesday | May 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led - Monday | May 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love - Thursday | May 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love – Wednesday | May 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love - Tuesday | May 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love - Monday | May 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Wednesday | May 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Wednesday | May 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Tuesday | May 10, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Monday | May 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Thursday | May 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Wednesday | May 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Tuesday | May 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Monday | May 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Thursday | April 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Wednesday | April 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Tuesday | April 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Monday | April 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Thursday | April 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Wednesday | April 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Tuesday | April 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Monday | April 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Thursday | April 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Wednesday | April 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Tuesday | April 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Monday | April 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Thursday | April 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Wednesday | April 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Tuesday | April 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Monday | April 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen |