Comments on: Humpty Dumpty and the ATL

By: Glenn Muncy

Glenn Muncy — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:38:42 +0000

Hey Greg, I attended the Atlanta training, have just recently purchased D2S books for our whole church. (Yes, we are currently a small church, but not for long, and yes, I am also the Sr. pastor.) Anyway, after this training, I came back, pulled out the D2S book and focused on “soul fuel” number 3 on hell. That Sunday morning I summerized what we’ve heard taught on hell, then read your statement, “I have a confession to make that may surprise you. I have a serious problem with the doctrine of hell.” I told them I had two groups of questions for them to discuss. I was out of this conversation, I was just a facilitator to keep the conversation moving. I told them if they didn’t speak up, we could sit and look at each others smiling faces the next 35 minutes. The questions were, “Do you think God is actually like this? If you think He did make this kind of hell, do you think God is fair in doing that? Why or why not?” Second, “If God did do this, how could a supposedly loving and forgiving God do such a thing?” The conversation started almost immediately, and when I had to step out for a second, I came back to a conversation in full swing! As it all continued (and they knew the bible pretty well), one of the guys who has been in a lot of trouble said, “Why is it the bible says so much about heaven, and so little about hell?” I read from the D2S section how Jesus mentioned hell more than heaven, and that of the 19 times it’s mentioned in the New Testament, 12 were by Jesus. He exploded, “Then why aren’t churches that way? People need to know that there will be a consequence for what they do. Why is it that some churches only teach certain parts of the bible over and over, but won’t teach other parts at all?” Then the discussion was really on! At that point I did a little more guiding of the conversation, but by then I was fully welcomed. I concluded by reading the D2S section to them in its entirety. They said they loved the format, and began discussing boring Sunday school teachers they’ve had in the past, and why they were bored. They asked me to do this exact same thing in the main church service next Sunday. I agreed to do that. Then they decided they wanted to look at the last chapter of Revelation and discuss it next week. During the main service, two of the girls gave their hearts to God, and one of the guys later asked me where he could get a bible. I gave him one, but my son (told me later he wanted to buy him (he has come with my son several times)a teen bible this week. My son told me his friend said he wanted to start coming every Sunday. He had recently lost his grandmother, and it got him thinking. Thanks! This little twist has made a huge difference. I know they are going to be inviting their friends now more than ever.

By: Rodney Mitchell

Rodney Mitchell — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:01:09 +0000

Greg, thanks for the great training. My wife came with me and we had an awesome time. Thanks for showing us that even after all the years you’ve been doin gthis you can still learn something new.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:37:02 +0000

Hey Greg I was there! haha well anyways I want to tell you the sermon was great and so was the food. Thank you for praying for my mom and my family please continue to do so. I’ll see you in March I guess. love ya man.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:20:06 +0000

It would be great if this training were available in written form somewhere. I would be thrilled to come but my schedule just won’t allow it.
This idea is one we’ve been using concerning Creation lately in teaching the kids that the Bible is literally true regarding our origins.
I would love to use the same approach for speaking about our beliefs in general.
Thanks for what you do.

By: Greg Stier

Greg Stier — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:37:18 +0000

We don’t have the training up on the web as of yet. We have to get through this cycle of training events and then we will figure out what we are going to do with the content after that. We have never really considered making the training available after the preview events before this Fall so we will have to consider that. Thanks for suggesting it!

By: Tulip Girl

Tulip Girl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:07:26 +0000

Since we are all “Youth Leaders” (yes, I was listening when you were at NHCC) I think I need this training too. Is there a plan to put it on the web as Sarah mentioned?

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:30:04 +0000

We are praying for you guys today!

By: Sarah in Minneapolis

Sarah in Minneapolis — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:05:39 +0000

We’re doing a youth leader training this weekend. Is the content of your free lunches going to be up on the web? Chicago is the closest to us at six hours away, but it sounds like just the stuff I need to know! Thanks-