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Playdough Scripture 2 Thessalonians 2:15

"Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message or by our letter by your favorite denominations or movements of the past 2000 years."
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (Playdough Version)



This playdough scripture was triggered by Eric's post today: Some Traditions Really Are Helpful.


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Reverse Offering

What would Jesus do today?

Would he collect an offering, or give an offering to others?

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I am the pizza of life

What Would Jesus Do today? What if the standard meal wasn't boring bread?

Sorry if this seems sacrilegious. Sorry if it offends you.

I want to encourage you to think of who Jesus is beyond the religious traditions you may be used to.

What was He really asking of us here? How should we respond? What was this about?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Pass the Potatoes for Communion

1 Cor 10:16-17 (NIV)

"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."

What is communion? For my tradition one type of communion is where some crackers or wafers are shared together with some grape juice. Just a little nibble of a bread like substance, and a little sip of a wine like substance.

Communion also speaks of our relationship with one another.

Of course the communion or Lord's supper practice has a deeper meaning that goes along with this strange custom. We remember Christ's body that was sacrificed for us. We remember that we are part of His living body today. It is usually a quiet solemn time of repentance and prayer.

The early church followed Jesus' command and example of coming together and breaking bread together as a time to remember Jesus. It seems it was usually a full meal, and was often called a love feast.

Why Bread? Well bread was the standard food of substance for that culture. Jesus is the bread of life. He is what sustains and gives life to His followers.

So what if Jesus had come to some Asian culture? Would he have shared rice with his followers instead?

What if he came to one of our homes on Thanskgiving weekend? (This weekend for us Canadians eh?) Would Jesus have made a connection between sharing potatoes and turkey as a way to remember our shared life together, and all that He has shared with us?

What do you think? Have we created some religious symbols and traditions but lost some of the context? In what ways do we participate in the body of Christ as we eat together?

When we gather around a meal with potatoes, can we remember Christ's body? Can we remember His body sacrificed for us? Can we remember that we are now all members of His living body and participating together for His work and His kingdom?

What do you think? Am I being too sacrilegious?

What did Jesus really mean with this activity (recorded in 1 Cor 11:23 - 26), and what did he really want us to do to remember him?

I'd love you hear your thoughts.

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Kingdom Like Treasure

Matt 13:44 (HCSB)

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field."

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given to us (Matthew 13:11). Jesus came to share this kingdom message (Luke 4:43). So I'm examining different passages related to this kingdom message.

I like this short little parable in Matt 13:44. I think it is an easier one to understand.

The Kingdom of heaven is of greatest worth. It is like a treasure found that a man gives up all he has to acquire it. It is worth giving up everything for.

Seek first the kingdom of God. Are you seeking to live under the reign of God?

To me there is something neat about the line "buried in a field". It's been there all along, but I feel I'm recently discovering it.

Paul tells a similar story of giving up what he had to follow Christ's Lordship. Paul was an upright religious man who had it all together in the eyes of people in his day. Phil 3:6-10 (HCSB)

"as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ —the righteousness from God based on faith. [My goal] is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, "

Paul sacrifices a lot. He sacrificed his position and status in society as a devout religious man. He ends up going through many sufferings and persecutions as a result of opposition with the religious folks of his day. But he rejoices that he has given up so much, because he has found Christ. Knowing and following Jesus is the treasure Paul is seeking.

What are some things you may need to give up if you seek to follow the reign of God?

• Your own selfish desires?
• Your pride?
• Religion?
• Wealth?
• Other?

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