...a single moment to make Jesus relevant today

C. S. Lewis - The Weight of Glory (1949)

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak.

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Those who have attained everlasting life in the vision of God doubtless know very well that it is no mere bribe, but the very consummation of their earthly discipleship; but we who have not yet attained it cannot know this in the same way, and cannot even begin to know it at all except by continuing to obey and finding the first reward of our obedience in our increasing power to desire the ultimate reward.

Just in proportion as the desire grows, our fear lest it should be a mercenary desire will die away and finally be recognized as an absurdity. But probably this will not, for most of us, happen in a day; poetry replaces grammar, gospel replaces law, longing transforms obedience, as gradually as the tide lifts a grounded ship.

Now, if we are made for heaven, the desire for our proper place will be already in us, but not yet attached to the true object, and will even appear as the rival of that object.

Mary Magdalene

Matthew 27:55-56
Mark 1:39
Luke 8:1-2
Matthew 27:50-61

The Other Mary

Isaiah 53:3-4
Matthew 8:16-17
Romans 15:1-3
Galatians 6:2
John 14:18

The Trifecta

1 Thessalonians 5:14-19

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Study Guide:
today's story

today's main points

today's additional scripture

key definitions

other scriptures that come to mind

what stood out

anything difficult or crazy

today's takeaways

general questions to ask of any text

What does the passage say?
Key words/phrases?
Major theological terms?
Commands?
Promises?
Difficult words/phrases?


What does the passage mean?
Context? (never interpret less than a paragraph)
How would the original hearers receive this?
Key word definitions?
Parallel Biblical teachings?
Can you communicate the point of this passage in a simple phrase?


What must I do in response?
How does this truth apply to my fellowship with God?
How does this truth apply to strengthening my faith?
How does this truth apply to my commitment to church?
How does this truth apply to serving my family/community?
What steps do I need to take to implement these applications?
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based Goals)
What is a missional conversation nugget to discuss with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc.?


To whom will I be accountable? (reach out and ask… follow up)
The Christian life is designed to be transferred relationally and journeyed together. “Rope in”– brother to brother and sister to sister – on a weekly basis so that together we can draw near to God and join him in his kingdom work.
This is an exploration – commit and prepare for a long and rewarding journey.

To continue the conversation, email Pastor Tim at t.walker@fbcrichland.net