Journal #1
Called Into Relationship
A. What is the one key idea of this chapter.
The main idea in the first chapter deals with our relationship with Jesus through the scriptures in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God makes two covenants. The first one is with Abraham, when God says that he was be king of many nations and have a great land and the other one is with Moses, when God gives Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. We learn that in the New Testament Jesus renewed the covenant when he died on the cross and when he resurrected from the dead. The Bible also gives us many examples of Jesus’ work leading up to his death and resurrection in the four Gospels. For us to commit to this relationship, we must have a good knowing of these Gospels and strive to act in the same way that Jesus would.
B. Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it.
The first thing that I would like to remember would be the life of Sister Thea Bowman. Sister Bowman became a sister at a very young age; however, she helped many people throughout her time as a sister. She gave many presentations around the world to help inspire other people. Even after being diagnosed with bone cancer at age 51, Sister Thea Bowmen preached to many people while sitting in a wheelchair.
The other thing that I would like to stick with me would be all the different facts about the evangelists. I thought that it was very interesting that each one wrote at different times, to different people, in different locations, and even about different opinions of Jesus. Also, I did not know anything about there being such thing as the synoptic Gospels. The fact that John's Gospel is way different than the other three Gospels I thought was very interesting.
C. One image that captures the chapter for you.
D. One significant question you have from this chapter. It can be intellectual or personal. Just write out the question.
Were there more Gospels than just Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John's? If there were, why weren't they in the Bible? Also, why did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John's scriptures get singled out to be known as Gospels and just not as other books in the Bible?
E. What experiences in your freshman year brought you closer to Jesus? Explain.
There were two main experiences in my freshman year that brought me closer to Jesus. One of these experiences would have to be the Examen. I really liked this time since it would put a pause in our chaotic lives. Through the Examen, I could focus on all the good and bad things that I had done throughout the day or could just talk to God. The other experience would have to be the Freshman Retreat. During the Freshman Retreat, we had group discussions on different things in our lives, good and bad, and how we could change the way we do things so it won't happen again.