Fingerprints of God

The forensic science of fingerprinting in criminal investigations is barely 100 years old. As we know, fingerprints are as unique as snowflakes. No two are alike. Fingerprints harvested from crime scenes lead to more suspects and generate more evidence in court than all other forensic techniques combined.

Today we are investigating the forensic evidence of God’s fingerprints. Do the prints we leave behind match the classification and the finer points of comparison of God’s? Or are we hoping to wipe the crime scene clean of all evidence that we were there?

God has revealed himself in and through Jesus, the scriptures, and creation. But how is he revealing himself in and through us—his church? Are we leaving behind God’s fingerprints—evidence that God was here?

- How are we being “Out-Jesus-ed” by people who don’t know him?
- Who is your Samaritan? Your Jew?
- How will we: “Go and love that person who is most unlike us?”

Bystander Effect

On March 13, 1964, Kitty Genovese was raped and murdered on the streets of New York. While many people heard her cries for help, no one came to her aid. This event and its consequential reporting inspired a new category of research in the field of social psychology.

The Genovese Syndrome or the Bystander Effect is studied and discussed in every textbook on the subject. And here’s what they have found. During such an event, the probability of help is inversely proportional to the number of bystanders. In other words, the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help.

As a follower of Jesus, whose responsibility is it to love and to help the stranger, the foreigner, the neighbor, or even the enemy? Jesus was pretty clear on this.

Will we roll over in bed, ignore the cries for help, and hope that someone else will do our job?

- Tell us about an incident where you were a witness or you needed a witness or you needed help.
- Why are we so slow to step in to help?
- Who are the writers of scripture talking about when they use the phrase “one another?”

Lover or Prostitute?

Knowing God in the Christian tradition has Eastern origins. But the movement across continents has affected the way we perceive and know God. The Western mindset deals in collecting information. But the culture of the Bible adds experience to information.

Unfortunately, America has added its own twist to approaching God. Attributed to Rev. Sam Pascoe the following is called a Short History of the Church:
“Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship;
It moved to Greece and became a philosophy;
It moved to Italy and became an institution;
It moved to Europe and became a culture;
It came to America and became an enterprise.”

This indictment against the negative effects of culture on the church inspired today’s conversation. Here’s the question of the day: Do we respond to God as a lover or as a prostitute? What’s the difference?

Add your voice to the conversation. How do you approach God?

- What is the best part of being in love?
- What percentage of your faith is based in reason? In experience? In doubt?
- Why do you (or do you not) follow God?

Brand New Story

Some people have a disconnect with the fact that graduation exercises are called a “Commencement.” We have a tendency think of graduation as an ending rather than what it is. It is a beginning. It is the start of a new story.

This weekend we celebrate the new beginnings of the class of 2009. Congratulations, graduates! But, as always, the next step is the most important.

Every day is an opportunity to start a Brand New Story. The question for each graduate as well as for each of us is: Who will write the next
chapter of our lives?

Let’s explore together what it might look like to let God write our stories…beginning today.

- Who did your commencement address?
- Have you ever been afraid that God might call you to do something you didn’t want to do? Explain.
- How do you feel about letting people know the real you?

Habit Forming

It is said that thoughts turn into beliefs; beliefs become actions; actions form habits; habits shape character; and character defines destiny.

In the middle of all that is the little word: habit. Whether the habits we form are good or bad, they will shape us. They do shape us.

Instead of concentrating solely upon the three instructions all new converts seem to be given: Pray, Read Your Bible, and Go to Church, what if we were to develop a new habit? One that didn’t require a special “quiet time” or a particular place that we have to go to in order to do it?

I suggest we constantly Search for God; in every place, in every medium, at all times.

God has promised us that “[T]hose who look for me find me.” – Proverbs 8:17 (MSG).

- What is your least favorite habit? Why?
- Are you a person of routines, habits, or addictive behaviors? Explain.
- What habit would you like to develop? Why?