Women of Genesis: Rebekah

Today we discussed Rebekah and the lessons of her life that we can glean and learn from. Here’s some notes, and at the end, resources leading you into being a woman both like Rebekah, and not like her. Take what is good from her life, redeem what is bad. She makes mistakes, like all of us: the key is to learn from them and not make the same ones she did.

Notes

  • Dating is a very important process for Christians: it helps you find the person with whom you are to show the world Christ.
  • Dating is a very intense process: requiring the man treating the woman right (duh), proving he can provide for her, and lavishing her family with gifts :) .
  • Rebekah has a priest that can intercede for her to the Father: Isaac. We have a priest that intercedes for us: Christ.
  • Rebekah does not treat her children equally, but shows favoritism. This bites her later on.
  • Rebekah does not love her neighbor, but despises them, leading her deeper into sin.
  • When we deceive the priest, it is not a good thing at all: it only results from a love of self, not a selfless love.
  • Rebekah’s treatment of her priest, Isaac, is the same treatment we give to our priest, Jesus. Not cool.

Resources

Women’s Resources: Women of Genesis: Eve

Commentary on Genesis: Calvin’s Commentary on Genesis

The Bible on Women Today: Is the Biblical View on Women Applicable In Today’s Culture?

Getting Serious: Being in a Committed Relationship

Books on Dating (*Recommended)

Catalyst: Day 0

Donald and I arrived around 6 last night, and tried to register: to no avail. We have to do it this morning. Blagh. So we went and checked into our hotel, just up the road, and then went to go eat. As it turns out, we are staying in the Korean neighborhood of Atlanta. Who knew? We headed back to the hotel, called in our wake up call (at frickin’ 5:30am - it’s still dark when I’m writing this), had a conversation about pneumatology, and went to bed. Day one coming soon!

Off to Catalyst

I’m stoked! If you’ll be there and are interested in getting together, look me up. Email me at derek@harmonydc.com or give me a call 252-531-7276.

Changes at Harmony Church

Tonight we’ve made some changes in the way we’re going to be doing Echo Groups. We’re learning as we go, so this is the first set of many changes. Here we go:

  • Instead of Tuesday nights at 7pm, we’re going to be meeting on Sunday nights at 6pm.  Same location.
  • Instead of going through a book series, we will be shifting towards a Bible Study format, led by myself.
  • Once a month, we will devote a night to fellowship and/or loving our city. This may include a cookout or community service of some kind.

These changes are meant to reflect the culture in which we live, and to increase the availability of Harmony Church to lost people in our city.

Numbers Matter to God

I just realized something to day about ‘attendance numbers’: they matter to God. We always quote when the church grows to 3,000 or how Jesus constantly had people following him, he feeds 12-15K, etc. But what really hit home for me was this: the only time the people of God were small in number is after Jesus had ascended, and before the Holy Spirit had descended. That is, the only time God’s particular grace was not on earth. Sure..common grace was here: people still woke up. But a person of the Trinity was no longer here. And it is the only time in Scripture that the people of God numbered less than 150.