I Don't Do Deja Vu -- November 30, 2012

Have you ever seen the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray and Andie McDowell?

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a weather forecaster who is in Punxsutawaney, Pennsylvania to see whether or not a groundhog sees his shadow.  This is Phil's fourth year having to do it and he is bored.

Finally, the day of festivities is over and he goes to bed. 

His radio alarm clock wakes him to Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" and he finds himself reliving the same day once again.  He goes to bed.

His radio alarm clock wakes him to Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" and he finds himself reliving February 2nd again.  He goes to bed.

His radio alarm clock wakes him to Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe"...well, you get the idea.

Phil uses the time to do lots of things; some good, some not so good.  But he keeps trying until he gets it right.

It's a great movie.  It's one of those movies you just have to watch if you turn past it.

Why would I bring up "Groundhog Day"?

Well, we begin a new quarter in our "The Gospel Project" curriculum.  Turns out, our first book was the beta version of the series.  Our new book for the winter quarter takes us on a journey through the Old Testament.

But here's the rub.  The first two lessons in our new book were lessons one and four in our last book.  Different points but the exact same scripture passages.

I don't really feel like teaching about God creating the earth again since I did that in September.  Not much has changed in 90 days.  You probably don't want to hear it again so soon either.

So we are going to look at a central tenant of Christianity:  FAITH.

Here are the Bible passages we will focus on this week:

Hebrews 11:1-2, Hebrews 11:5-7, Hebrews11:32-38, and Hebrews 12:1-2

Remember, the Book of Hebrews is a proverbial "preaching to the choir" kind of book.  It was written for Jews who were either new to the faith or were still kicking the tires.

The audience for Hebrews were those who knew the Old Testament and sought to live out its words.  It reminds me of our class in a way.  You see, most everyone in our class grew up in church.  You've heard the stories; you know the Bible.  Even if you didn't grow up in church, you've been a believer for a while.

Ours is not a class of new Christians.  That's why I believe Hebrews is a good place for us this week.  On Sunday (9:50 a.m. of course), we'll look at faith and what it means.

Make sure you bring your Bible so we can look up these and other passages.

Finish Friday strong.  Enjoy Saturday with your family.  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."  George Eliot