Randy Spleth

Bible Study for May 17 & 18, 2008

Title:  ID...revealed in worship

Scripture:  Psalm 95:1-7

Text:  Ephesians 5:15-20

This weekend, I begin a sermon series entitled ID. How is your identity revealed? How is our congregation's identity revealed? The first sermon will focus on worship.Individually and corporately our identity is revealed in the way we worship. This is as true for us as it was for the first followers of Christ. Worship set them apart.

In the fifth chapter of Ephesians, Paul writes about character, addressing in the first fourteen verses public morality. Then he turns to the positive aspect of Christian behavior which is revealed in worship. Worship is careful living, making the most of time, being wise. He contrasts worship that is "spirit-filled" with getting "drunk with wine." This isn't a return to his conversation about morality. Rather, it is contrasting the pagan cultic worship where wine-induced frenzies were part of the ritual celebration.  Early Christian worship was set apart by its genuine expression of Spirit-filled community. It was their distinctive identity.

In authentic worship, Paul says together we joyfully engage the living presence of God. It transforms our hearts and gives us a daily perspective of thanksgiving.   

1.  Does your identity reflect a person whose life is centered in worship? Does your commitment to worship set you apart?   

2.  What does our worship reveal about Geist Christian Church?

Bible study for May 3 & 4

People of the Book: Food

May 3 & 4, 2008

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:8-3:3

Text:  Revelation 10: 8-10

Most readers approach the book of Revelation with either fear or fascination. It is a book filled with mystery. Originally believed to be authored by John the son of Zebedee or the author of the gospel book of John, today most scholars believe it was written by a Jewish man who identifies himself as John. He is on the island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony. Likely, he is a prisoner. 

The author is clearly Jewish because of his deep appreciation for the Hebrew scriptures. He knows the Old Testament so well that there's hardly a verse without an alllusion to the Hebrew scriptures. Much of the mystery surrounding the book of Revelation is the biblical illusions that John uses. He knows his scripture in a way that few modern believers know the Old Testament. The result is illusions that seem foreign.

Revelation 10 is clearly patterned after Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Like these two prophets, an angel instructs John to eat a scroll with the words of God on it. John of Patmos isn't just to report what he has heard. He is to internalize God's word, so that when John does speak, he speaks as one who has God's word fully assimilated into his whole being.

The Word of God is intended to do something in us, to change us as clearly as a diet might change our bodies. Spiritual growth occurs when we read the Bible so that it's words are formed within us.

1. How do you approach scripture?

2. What does the metaphor, "eat this book" mean to you?

Reflections - April 28, 2008

    Are you a pioneer or a settler? This question was put to me 23 years ago when I attended a seminar titled, “How to plant a church.” Of all the information I received at that event, that question stuck with me. “Am I a pioneer or a settler?”

    The presenter elaborated on this question. New church plants need pioneers, people who by nature want to go into uncharted territory and create something out of nothing. Church pioneers are passionate about the creative process. They trust that God will use their talents and energy to build a community of faith. Church pioneers are missionaries, extending the reach of Christ in new ways to new people answering this question changed my life. I answered it when I arrived in Indiana. By nature, I’m a pioneer. I’m entrepreneurial and have a passion to connect people to Christ. For our congregation to succeed, I had to find other pioneers to build our mission to the Geist community.

    Once again we are looking for more pioneers. Our north campus construction project is speeding along. Within a few months we will be one congregation in two locations. We need to identify those pioneers in our congregation who will be missionaries to the north campus. In a way, this pioneer environment feels luxurious. Twenty-three years ago we started from scratch. This time, we have a blue print and a building. The blue print is our DNA, the genetic make up on Geist Christian Church. Our north campus building will be a significant ministry tool.

    I invite you to consider the same question put to me 23 years ago. “Are you a pioneer or a settler?” Pray over it. Give serious consideration to this new ministry that God is calling us to build. Don’t be surprised if the answer will change your life.

Reflections - April 14, 2008

Catch the excitement of welcoming Cara and our multi-site expansion

If there is a consistent concern about Geist Christian Church moving to a multi-site ministry, it is staffing. Your love and support for our staff is commendable. I hear again and again your concern about stretching our staff too thin. I’m sure then, you will be excited as we prepare to welcome Cara Gilger. Cara comes to us through the Vanderbilt residency program. It is a new venture similar to residency programs at 2nd Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Central Christian Church in Lexington and Community Christian Church in Kansas City. Funded by Lilly Endowment, these programs are designed to encourage the best and brightest seminary graduates with a two-year residency in congregations that present the best ministry practices in today’s church. Reread that sentence and you find two reasons for celebration.

Cara is one of the best and brightest seminary graduates of the 2008 class. These residents are interviewed, evaluated and carefully selected. Vanderbilt recognized her as being one of the very best. We recognized the same when we interviewed her. She is bright, exciting and gifted. She brings a wealth of experience in larger congregations. She will hit the ground running and make a big difference in our congregation. This is reason to celebrate about Cara. Vanderbilt and Cara recognized Geist Christian Church as a cutting edge congregation, a place where valuable ministry lessons are being learned. Cara is particularly excited by our willingness to take the faithful road, to stretch in order to reach new people for Christ in Fishers. Becoming multi-site was a major factor in her selection, not just because it is a new model. It reflects our passion for Christ and our heart for people. Being recognized by Vanderbilt and Cara is reason to celebrate about Geist Christian Church.

You will welcome Cara in June, but the staff team is already including her in planning. In a few weeks, Cara will join Mark, Courtney, Ryan and me at the national multi-site conference in Dallas. We will study and plan along side 1,500 other staff teams who are changing the look of congregations in America through multi-site ministries. As a team of five, we’ll dream together and begin planning our launch this fall. This is an exciting year for Geist Christian Church.

Cara joins us in this excitement. We look forward to welcoming her even as we look forward to welcoming all those whom God will send us.

Bible Study for April 5 & 6

Stay with Us

Text:  Luke 24:13-35

The Emmaus Road story is one of the most  popular appearance narratives in the Bible. Like the beloved Prodigal Son, it is unique to the gospel of Luke, demonstrating Luke's distinctive narrative style and ability. It also serves as a summary of his gospel and hints at his sequel, the Book of Acts. What they have seen and heard, they told. This telling is found in the Book of Acts.

It is a problem for some that Emmaus has never been identified, that Cleopas is never encountered elsewhere and that the other companion is never named. While this is historically curious, these questions take a backseat to the power of the story.

Following Cleopas' incomplete summary of the life of Jesus, they invite Jesus to stay with them. The invitation for Christ to stay and break bread with them makes possible the revelation.  Christ makes himself known in breaking bread. It is a sacramental meal. Jesus took, blessed, broke and gave just as he did in the upper room. This is clearly more than a meal; it is communion.

Without the invitation, they would not have encountered the resurrected Christ. Because of their willingness to let him in, to let him join them at their table, they remembered and then witnessed to what they had seen and heard. The story becomes a paradigm for us, remembering the resurrected Savior around the table and then witnessing to what we see and hear.

1. Is Christ made known to you in breaking bread? Does he stay with you?

2. Do you witness to all you see and hear?

Bible Study for March 22 & 23

Title: A New Heart

Text:  Luke 24:1-12

Easter is about hope. Families hope to be together; children hope for the Easter bunny to bring candy. Christians gather around the world to give testimony to their faith and hope in the resurrection.

The first Easter didn't begin this way. There is no indication in any of the gospels that the women journey to the tomb with hope. Their hearts were broken when Jesus was betrayed and arrested. Their hopes were dashed on Friday when Jesus was killed. Their walk to the tomb was without hope. The women were simply fulfilling their duty to anoint the body.

Luke alone provides a haunting question. "Why are you seeking the one who lives among the dead?" (Luke 24:5) It serves as a rebuke of their hopeless. Then they are challenged to remember what Jesus told them, "that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again"(Luke 24:7). The women in Luke's Easter don't see empty linens in the tomb. They don't greet the resurrected Lord looking like a gardener. They do discover the proof of the resurrection in the past. "They remembered his words" (Luke 24:8). The women are invited to perceive the Jesus of their past in a new way. The words of Jesus himself provide the interpretive key to his absence among the dead. He prophesied to the events that broke their hearts even as he prophesied about his resurrection. His prophecy is fulfilled. This gives them a new heart and a new spirit of hope.

1.  If the women find hope in the resurrection based upon Jesus' prophesy, what gives you hope?

2.  How do you feel when you have a new heart and a new spirit?

Go to a video Easter Invitation for you from Randy

Bible study for March 15 & 16, 2008

A Heart for People:  Brave Heart

Text:  Matthew 21: 1-11

Palm Sunday invites imagination. It is larger than an historical event. Even if the biblical narratives agreed on the facts of the entry, our annual pageantry reshapes the event. Matthew's account of Jesus' entry closely follows Mark, enhanced by his cosmic perspective. The events of Jesus life are earth shattering, both figuratively and literally. Six days from his entry, an earth quake will rock Jerusalem the moment Jesus dies.

In Mark, the entry is relatively uneventful. In Matthew, the whole city is in turmoil. This is both historical and symbolic. The city was teaming with Passover pilgrims, an infusion of hundreds of thousands of Jews. It annually stressed civic resources and threatened Roman authority. But the events of Jesus' death and resurrection will unleash religious and political turmoil. This will lead to the destruction of the Temple and the fracturing of Judaism.

The question through the city is, "Who is this?" "Who is this?" Who caused such chaos? "Who is this?" Who has such a brave heart that he willingly will ride into this turmoil? The answer is clearly, "one who has a heart for people."

1. Do you think Jesus is consciously aware of the bravery he exhibits?

2.  How does Jesus' brave heart compare to his humble heart? 

Bible Study for March 8 & 9, 2008

A Heart for People:  Tender HEART

Text:  John 11: 1-45

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is the fourth story in a line of crucial stories in the gospel of John. Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the man born blind and Lazarus anchor what is called the "book of signs", the first twelve chapters of John. The Lazarus narrative is the last and most dramatic sign. It serves as a bridge to the "book of glory", the final eight chapters which reveal the glory of Jesus, in his death and resurrection.

The story reveals Jesus' tender heart. He has a tender place in his heart for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. When Jesus meets with Mary, his compassion and empathy is so strong, he weeps. Jesus discusses Lazarus' death three different times and presents himself to the disciples, to Martha and to Mary, as one filled with compassion and tender heartedness.  He models a tender heart. He is willing to give himself fully to them, to be fully and emotionally engaged.

Like each of the four major stories in the "book of signs", the raising of Lazarus is a narrative about the power of Jesus; but, it is also a story filled with symbolism. John's metaphor of light and darkness is found early in the story.  The metaphor of life and death is also presented. Lazarus is clearly dead when Jesus resuscitates him. But the exchange between Martha and Jesus tells us that the story is about more than his power. Jesus is "the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in him, even though they die, will live."

Jesus can call us out of our personal tombs, to unbind that which holds us back, to give us new life.

1.  Do you perceive yourself as having a tender heart?

2.  Is it easy for you to be fully engaged emotionally with people, to respond to them with compassion and empathy? 

Reflections - February 28, 2008

What Easter Reservations do You Have?

            Standing in line at the super market, I overheard part of a conversation. One woman said to her friend, “Do you have Easter reservations.” “No,” she said, “We don’t have Easter reservations.” I didn’t hear the conversation before these two lines. I didn’t hear anything after. I just heard that she didn’t have Easter reservations.

            I wanted to shout hallelujah right there in the grocery store. I wanted to interrupt their conversation, confess that I was eavesdropping and affirm her faith and mine, saying to her, “Christ has Risen! I too have no reservations!” I didn’t. Easter is early this year but not that early. I’m sure they weren’t affirming their faith in the resurrection.

            Clearly, they were discussing brunch plans on Easter. They were getting ready for Easter. You may be doing the same. The very same supermarket where I was eaves dropping already has candy and baskets and bunnies prominently displayed. The clothing retailers are eager for you to buy an Easter outfit. Hallmark hopes you’ll buy a greeting card soon. All will have reservations about Easter until after the fact, when they know how you have responded.

            I understand these reservations. I have them as well. I have “reservations” about how you will respond to Easter. Will you get ready for Easter; prepare your hearts for the resurrection? Or will you just “show up?”

            I’ll admit to having the same reservations about you every year. Each year I hope you will prepare yourself to shout “Christ has Risen!” by participating in Holy Week. Each year, I have reservations about those who don’t. I worry about you being fully prepared. The power of Easter is joined with the passion of Jesus. You can’t really understand God’s love for us in Christ without participating in Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. Easter isn’t Easter without Holy Week.

             We are getting ready for Easter just like many around you. Go now to our web page where you’ll find our worship services schedule. I hope you’ll use it to mark your calendar. I hope you’ll plan on being present during Holy Week. I’m confident if you do, you can greet Easter without reservations.

Bible Study for March 1 & 2, 2008

A Heart for People: Broken HEART

Text:  John 9: 1-42

The healing of the man blind from birth is the sixth miracle story in the gospel of John. Each of these stories is filled with symbolism. John begins his gospel telling us the Word was "the light of all people" and this "light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1: 4b-5)." Jesus later declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8: 12)." The metaphor of light and darkness is critical to understand John and in particular this story where Jesus again says, "I am the light of the world (John 9:5b)."

Blindness in this story is not exclusive to the man blind from birth. Almost everyone is in the dark. The chapter concludes with Jesus declaring, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind (John 9:39)."

Critical to understanding miracle stories in the Bible is to discern the difference between disease and illness. Disease describes sickness from a modern perspective where science can confirm the diagnosis of a physical condition and a search for a cure.  Diagnosis of disease wasn't  possible in Bible times in the same way as it is today.

Illness interprets sickness as loss of well-being, as broken heartedness. The underlying condition may be physical or mental or spiritual. The Bible presents illness rather than disease. Rather than a cure, Jesus offers healing. Healing restores meaning to life whether the person's physical condition improves or remains the same.    

It is impossible to know the capacity for physical sight that the man received. We cannot know his cure. But we do know that he was healed for, at the end, he affirms his faith and declares, "Lord, I believe (John 9:38)."

1.  Can you identify the difference between disease and illness in your life?

2.  Are you aware of your own personal area of blindness and how it causes you to have a broken heart?