Nov/Dec '07 Bible Study
Busy Busy Bee
In the letter to editor section on page 9 DVP talks about the busyness surrounding the week of deadline and the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with things even outside of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and deadlines (or due dates, final exams, presentations, fill in your stressful time here). What do Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-7 say about busyness and worry?
Revelation Says...
In the I, Sleepwalker interview on page 15 Michael Grey was asked: "Will Jesus come back in our lifetime? Why or why not?" How would you answer this question? What type of evidence of the end times is listed in the book of Revelation?
Preach The Gospel At All Times; When Necessary Use Words
Pantokrator's Rickard Gustafsson claims that the band does not use their music to 'preach.' He says, "People here aren't receptive to that." At the same time the band claims freedom of speech and do not like any restrictions put on their expression of the faith. (Page 18) As a result Pantokrator has won over Christian and non-Christian fans. How can you make your faith relevant to the culture around you? What are some ways that you can demonstrate your faith without necessarily using words?
Non-coincidental God Moments?
In the Cry Of The Afflicted story on page 25, vocalist Garrett Packer describes their signing with Tooth and Nail as a "non-coincidental God moment." What does Jeremiah 29:11 say about God's plan for our lives? Do you think that things can be coincidental, or do you believe that God has a plan for every area of our lives?
The Have Nots
On page 29, JustMe from the Scribbling Idiots talks about the origins of their album The Have Nots. He says, "... the album title also stems from John 20, where Jesus blesses those who have not seen, but still believe. We have not seen the risen Christ, but we still believe." Read John 20.
Demon Hunter
The Demon Hunter cover story (pages 32-34) is full of amazing and controversial conversation topics, so I'll try to narrow this down to one question, but please feel free to read and discuss the entire article. Vocalist, Ryan Clark talks specifically on the subject of being a band that "exists in a real world of anti-God, anti-Christian, and anti-establishment sentiment." The band is forced to refute Slipknots' and Mason's messages at every turn. Read John 15:18-20 and John 17. What does Jesus say about being in this world but not of this world? When asked about Demon Hunter's stance on bands like Slipknot, Manson,and Slayer Clark said, "it's about personal conviction for me, if you get a bad vibe don't listen to it." There is this great quote from C.S. Lewis that says, “What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what kind of a person you are.”
Changing The Church
Mike Hranica, vocalist for The Devil Wears Prada, voices his opinions on being Christian and being a part of the Church (page 45). Hranica states, "Sometimes, it gives off the stereotype as far as a lot of people don't like the church, and we're not 100% on what the church does nowadays either. It sucks having the negative stereotype, because we like to think of ourselves as people who have a strong relationship with God. Not like some throat-stuffing church goer." What are your opinions on the church today? What are some things you can do to change the way the world views the church? Acts 4:31-33
What Chris Cornell Says
On page 59 DVP asks Chris Cornell, "What do you think about Jesus Christ?" Cornell answered, "...I think Christianity as a religion has very little of what His message was -- and most of the offshoots of it." I know when I read this it made me feel extremely saddened and heavy. Reflect on some of the teachings of Jesus, does your Christian walk reflect the kind of life that Jesus lived?
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