Brenda and I have had the Blessing of LOTs of discipling over the many years of our existence. We have a great appreciation for the scores of people who have invested in us. We have been involved in long term training programs, the longest being 72 weeks (Col 2:7 from the Navs). We've been to day-long, week-long, and months-long training courses.
We have been to so many, that it is increasingly hard to impress us. A year or two ago, we attended one that was OK. From our view, in comparison to the hundreds of programs we have attended, it was okay, not great, not bad, pretty average. We were astounded to hear another attendee going on and on about how wonderful and life-changing it was.
Everyone has a perspective and people indeed have different tastes and see things differently. However, I suspect that they had not had the experience of attending many such programs and to them it was the best they had experienced. Fair enough. I am thrilled that they were so enthusiastic in their support.
But there is a lesson in this story. Actually there are several lessons:
But, read it for yourself. What is your interpretation of Jesus' quote from Isaiah? Why did He use parables. If you figure it out differently, let me know.
Oh yeah, the marriage seminar was pretty good.
We have been to so many, that it is increasingly hard to impress us. A year or two ago, we attended one that was OK. From our view, in comparison to the hundreds of programs we have attended, it was okay, not great, not bad, pretty average. We were astounded to hear another attendee going on and on about how wonderful and life-changing it was.
Everyone has a perspective and people indeed have different tastes and see things differently. However, I suspect that they had not had the experience of attending many such programs and to them it was the best they had experienced. Fair enough. I am thrilled that they were so enthusiastic in their support.
But there is a lesson in this story. Actually there are several lessons:
- Us old-timers are hard to impress not because we are cynical (though I am) but simply because we have been around that particular block a few times.
- Anything we do to change things up, to avoid the mundane is probably worth the risk, if you are dealing with us old-timers.
- For old-timers, simplicity is NOT always the goal. Jesus told very complex stories. Contrary to what preachers will tell you, He didn't do this simply to create memorable stories- at least according to what Jesus said. Take a look at Matt. 13:13 in context. He is explaining to his perplexed disciples the purpose of parables and the explaining the parable of the sower. My reading of His explanaiton is that he is telling very complex truth that is NOT easily understood. There's a new concept in teaching by the Greatest Teacher who ever, ever lived.
But, read it for yourself. What is your interpretation of Jesus' quote from Isaiah? Why did He use parables. If you figure it out differently, let me know.
Oh yeah, the marriage seminar was pretty good.
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