Story of Redemption with Will
Will does not have much church background at all. He is 18, and he works for his dad as a tile layer. He did not have any questions about God that he shared, so we just started into the study.
At the end of the study, when I asked what blessing from Christ and the redemption brings he most looks forward to, he said the elimination of death and disease. Very interesting. I wonder if there is something personal here.
Please keep Will in your prayers!
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on -
Today I had the fourth study with Will and Tiffany. Here are some highlights of previous weeks
- Part 2 of Story of Redemption - Will came to the second study with questions about where Cain got his wife, so we talked about this in this lesson. Interestingly, he had had this discussion with his dad. So there may be some kind of interest there with his father.
- Part 3 of Story of Redemption - As we began our time together, Will said that he had started praying to God on his own. This is very significant, since he began the study with very little faith. As we went throught the story of Abraham, we of course emphasized the questioning aspect of true faith. Hopefully, this helped him see that though he may have had many questions, he has been on the pathway of faith for some time.
- Part 4 of Story of Redemption - Tonight we began by talking about how the "IHOP" get together on Wednesdays with the young professionals and our Sunday morning class with them was going. The original leader for the IHOP group has been out of pocket for about 6 weeks or so. While they have continued to meet, they clearly missed having someone to help lead them. They like their new Sunday teacher, though at first they weren't sure about this change because "they didn't know who he was." It seems that consistency in teachers and leaders is essential for young adults. It affirmed to me again the need to not just rotate different teachers in their class, but instead to have long term teachers and mentors for this group. The lesson itself lays the idea of repentance and baptism out from John the Baptist's preaching, which helps plant the idea of baptism for future lessons.
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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I've had two more lessons with Will and Tiffany (5 & 6 in Story of Redemption). Also, Molly, the niece of one of our members, has joined us. I don't see any barriers to Will accepting Christ--which is quite amazing, since he had no real faith before the study. I'm not sure whether or not Molly has been baptized, but I'm checking with her aunt and uncle.
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Last week we went through part 7 of the Story of Redemption, which tells the story of Jesus' crucifixion. For this week, I encouraged them to watch the Passion of the Christ, which they had not seen. While very violent, many people have been impacted by this film. There also must be an emphasis upon resurrection after the crucifixion--something which is beyond the scope of the movie.
This is often the week in the study that a person decides to be baptized. Please be praying for our study tonight with Will.
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Last week we came to the last part of the Story of Redemption. Will indicated that he definitely wanted to be baptized. However, he felt that he still needed more study as he had only been studying a short time.
Eight weeks of study may seem like a lot compared to the days where people were pressured into baptism. However, for those without a church background or any biblical knowledge, this is not a long time. Still, people like Will need to understand--and believe in their hearts--that they will never "know enough" to become a Christ-follower. We just must have an open heart.
Please pray for Will, that God may help him take that wonderful step of trusting faith, expressed in repentance and baptism.
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Last night, Will, Tiffany, and Molly studied Acts 1-2. When we came to Acts 2:36-38, I talked about how those who had shouted for Christ's death were able to be forgiven. If they could, then what does that say about us? We can be forgiven too!
This clearly impacted Will. The picture of Christian community in Acts 2:42-46 was also very appleaing to him. When I asked him if he thought now that he was ready to be baptized, he said yes. We will meet this Sunday at 8:30 AM to go over it. Hopefully, he will be baptized on Sunday.
Please be praying for Will! He has a good heart, and God has taken him on a great journey of faith.
On a sad note, Tiffany said that she would be moving back to Houston. She is a spark plug that a whole ministry could be built around, and she has reached Will with her faith. But she has a better paying job awaiting her in Houston, and she must do what is best for her. But maybe something will change!
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Will called me today to ask if it was okay to be baptized on Wednesday, even though it was so close to Thanksgiving. Of course I said, Sure! He is getting sick, so let's pray for his health and for his decision for Christ. Any High Pointe members who would like to join us for the baptism, it is this Wednesday night at 7:00 PM up at the High Pointe church building. Praise God!
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Will and his girlfriend Tiffany are both moving down to Houston. I'll miss them. But Will told me tonight that he will be baptized on Sunday, 12/27/09. I was overjoyed! Please pray for Will in his decision about baptism. We look forward to seeing him take this profound act of faith.
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Please pray for Will tonight. He is planning on being baptized at 9 AM this Sunday morning! May God bless him in this decision and in his new walk.
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Sunday was a great day! Will Koen was baptized into Christ at 9 AM. Will was brought to Christ by his girlfriend, Tiffany Schuchert, who was baptized herself earlier this year. Tiffany met Will at the Collin County Communnity College about six months ago. Tiffany is a bright, bubbly young woman whom I always believed would reach many people for Christ through her open, outgoing personality and sincere faith.
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We have been studying with Tiffany, Will, and some other young adults on Wednesday nights, going through the Story of Redemption. In our study, it was clear that though Will had almost no church background, he had a great heart. And I saw him grow tremendously in faith over the course of the study.
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Will and Tiffany left after the baptism to move to down to Houston, where her parents live, and where her grandmother (above picture, middle back row) used to live. I will really miss them!
But Will's mother, Sue, (above picture, bottom center) came to the baptism. It was my first time to meet her, and I was glad to have her share in this wonderful moment with her son. (In fact, she took these pictures!)
We did not have Bible class on Sunday due to the holiday. But I sent out an email to some members, and several were able to come out. I was so appreciate of those who came! Included in those who came out were my parents (above picture, far back). They really welcomed Will mother's Sue.
As it turns out, Sue lives out towards my parents, and so they invited her to their small group. Coincidence, or God at work? Sue was really interested in the small group, and plans on getting together with them. It is clear that she is open. One of the things that she said to me was, You all really seem to came about my son. Indeed, we do. I am excited about continuing to get to know Sue and hopefully the rest of Will's family.
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The above picture is that of Will with a couple of our elders, Terry Davis and Ron O'Neal and his family, with Will. This was taken after Will took communion after his baptism. It was great to have them show pastoral care for Will.
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The above picture is a picture of Will with Phil Prosser. Phil has done a great job teaching our Young Professionals class. Phil made a great connection with Tiffany and Will and came out to the baptism as well.
My brother and his family live in Houston (suburb of Katy), and we will get Will and Tiffany hooked up with them. They worship at the Cinco Ranch Church of Christ, where Tiffany's grandmother, Mary Lou Lively, used to attend when she lived in Katy.
As you can see, reaching people for Christ comes through many different people showing love and care for those who are seeking. It is all about relationships. Tiffany was influenced by her grandmother and was baptized, she met and shared Christ with Will, we studied, Phil taught the Young Professionals, Will invited his mother, my parents invited her to their small group. This is how the gospel spreads.
Please keep Will, Tiffany, Sue, and all of their family in your prayers. The angels are rejoicing in heaven over Will's decision to follow Christ!
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How many different people were involved in you coming to faith in Christ? How have you seen the gospel spread?
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Permalink Reply by James Nored on
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Will's mother, Sue, came to my parents' small group on Sunday. She stayed quite a while and apparently had a good time. Wonderful! Let's pray that we can touch Sue with the love of Christ.
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