tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411570645486866541.post2888379622340748570..comments2023-11-03T03:59:24.575-05:00Comments on Creative Madness that Makes Me Myself: FIRST Chapter: The Lost Commandment by Dave GreberCherryBlossomMJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18440914569835398109noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411570645486866541.post-24301813991130000592010-02-24T11:22:22.630-06:002010-02-24T11:22:22.630-06:00Blessings, andreaBlessings, andreaAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082891172963869545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3411570645486866541.post-35994552626572813852010-02-24T10:29:20.654-06:002010-02-24T10:29:20.654-06:00Thanks for letting people know about my book, The ...Thanks for letting people know about my book, The Lost Commandment: Have We Missed What Jesus Really Wants?<br /><br />Even after finishing the book, I continue to learn more about the importance of Jesus’ command that we love others as he has loved us (John 13:34)(what I call “the Lost Commandment”). For example, after Jesus' resurrection, he told us to make disciples of all nations by baptizing new Christians and teaching them to obey everything that he has commanded us (Matt. 28:18-20). I feel sure that Jesus intended us to teach each other to obey all of his teachings, but what is the only "command" that Jesus actually gave us? You guessed it. He said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12)(NIV). I somehow managed to omit that from the book.<br /><br />Another thought that occurred to me after writing the book is the importance of obeying this commandment in order to remember Jesus' love for us. Jesus gave the new commandment at the same time he gave us what we now celebrate together as communion. Jesus told the disciples to eat the bread and drink the wine (or grape juice :) ) in remembrance of him. As human beings, we are so prone to forgetting what Jesus has done for us. Well, it strikes me that obeying the Lost Commandment is a great way of remembering Jesus' love for us. The Commandment prompts us to recall Jesus' love for us in order to direct how we are to love each other. Most of us don't take communion every day, but we do encounter other people every day. So obedience to the Lost Commandment is a more constant reminder of Jesus' love than communion!<br /><br />The Lost Commandment is also so important when it comes to teaching children about Jesus. I think that most of us grew up hearing something like this when being discipled / disciplined by our parents: "Now, Billy, you don't want to share your toy with Johnny. But is that the way you would want Johnny to treat you?" Or, "What if everyone in the world acted the way you are acting, Dave?" These are good questions to ask if you are training a child to obey the Golden Rule. But this approach doesn't point Billy, Johnny, or Dave directly toward Jesus, or teach them how Jesus has loved them, or give them the true model, means, or motivation for loving others. To me, this is huge. How much better would it be to say to our kids, "Now, Billy, you know that Jesus loves you so much that he blessed you with that toy. And he wants you to love other people the way he has loved you. So don't you think you should share your toy with Johnny?" The teaching moment becomes a true moment of discipleship, by giving the parent the opportunity to teach the child about the love of Christ, and then demonstrate how that love should be paid forward in obedience to Jesus' command in a very practical, personal way. This is how I think we are supposed to train up our children in the way they should go. I can't help but think that if we did this, our children would be better equipped to fully embrace their faith, so that when they are on their own, they are prepared to stand as Christian adults.<br /><br />I wrote The Lost Commandment with personal devotional study and small group study in mind. The application questions at the end of each chapter are primarily intended for personal devotional study, but they can also be used for small group study. Your readers may be interested to know that I also have a small group study guide, questions for an eight-week study, and chapter questions, available for free download on my website: www.davegreber.com. Also, if your readers are looking for a speaker, I would be delighted to come speak to their church or other group.<br /><br />Thanks again for your review.<br /><br />Love in Christ,<br /><br /><br />Dave GreberDave Greberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09917265718920835390noreply@blogger.com