• Chapter 1 What experiences in your freshman year brought you closer to Jesus? Explain.
• Chapter 2 Do one of the "Living the Gospel" question at the end of the chapter, page 40. Write out the question and then answer it well.
• Chapter 3 Pick one organization working for social justice today. Describe the organization and what it does. Make sure to provide a link to its web site.
• Chapter 4 Do a three level interpretation on the "Parable of the Sower," Mark 4:3-9.
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6 Do the "Living the Gospel" question at the end of the chapter, pae 118. Write out the question and then answer it well.
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8 What is your favorite parable or miracle story? Cite the passage (book, chapter and verse) and explain why you chose this.
• Chapter 9 What is your most favorite passage from an epistle? Copy the passage and tell why it is important to you.

Through my 15.5 years alive, I have seen an incalculable number of miracles, anywhere from my Great Aunt being becoming healed miraculously by the skilled doctors, or anytime I consider how anything came to be how it is. However, I think that the single most mind-boggling event that I considered was a miracle, happened to someone who I did not even know. It was in Mr. O'Keefe's Biology class, and we were covering the Reproductive system. Mr. O'Keefe had said that we were going to watch a movie, that was kind-of graphic because it showed the process of a fetus from fertilization to birth. At first I gave the typical teenager response, "Cool! Oh wait, EEEEEWWWWW!!!!" The fertilization, and the fetal development was not the part that shocked me, because I had seen the same thing over and over again in just about every science textbook since 6th grade. However, when it came time for the birth, Mr. O'Keefe said, "Okay, you may want to look away if you want to." At first I thought that I should turn away, but then I thought to myself, "Hey! If you want to be a doctor, then, you better get used to it." It turned out that it was an uncensored birth, and when I saw the baby emerge from this woman, I just thought, "Wow!" The textbook that I had once known became life. There was a real human that had emerged from her. What had just started out as an egg and sperm, had become a real living and breathing organism. I just had to sit back and take a breather from that 15 seconds, as the video showed the head emerge, then the body. I just drew back. I just was overtaken with God's presence, and I was just in a state of wonder and awe.

One thing that I have learned from this chapter is that Jesus is continuing his miracles throughout time, and even into the present. I used to think that all of the miracles that Jesus had performed were just one-time deals to convince people that he was the Messiah. However, now I realize that his miracles are continuing throughout the world as we speak. The mere continuance of life is a miracle in and of itself.

This is important to me because for a long time, I always wanted God to send me a sign, so that I would know that I was doing things right, and that he was still looking out for me. Well, I kept waiting and waiting for that sign to come to me, but it never did. So, I started bargaining with God, "Okay send me a sign in a dream, or make it rain now, or make it snow in July, or just do something that I know that you're there." Well, needless to say nothing happened. Until, one day in theology class, the teacher said that God can be found everywhere and in everyone, and it was at that moment that I knew that God was sending me a sign through everyone that I came into contact with. I had gotten my sign, and the best thing is that it is a perpetual sign, that can and will never go away.

The second thing that I learned is: that one of the worst sins is having "an obtuse spirit." This means that you either recognize that you aare sinning, but you do not repent, or you deny that you are sinning. Jesus criticized the Pharisees and Scribes of being like this.

This is important to me because I had always thought that all sins were bad, and yes, some were worse than others, but in general most were pretty much in the same level. Now, having "an obtuse spirit" is the absolute worst sin? It makes me feel better, but I think that the part of sinning is that you are supposed to punish yourself, otherwise, you would not be sorry or having trouble with what you did. Like, if I kill someone, and I feel sorry about it, then is that better than stealing from a store, and not feeling sorry for it. It is quite a perplexing concept.

You can click on the image below to see where I got this picture from.

The book would probably answer this question by saying that the reason why they did not understand, is because they did not have faith. However, I am not contempt with that answer because it is too easy. It just like if the poor people could figure out the true meaning of the parables, then why could the Pharisees and Scribes not figure them out. If the Scribes were considered the teachers and interpreters of Scripture, then they should be able to solve a simple parable like the The House Built on Rock. It just makes no sense to me. If you think that you could offer some insight to this dilemma, then could you please email me at [email protected]

My favorite parable is: The Talents (Matthew 25: 14-31; Luke 19: 11-27)

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave 5 talents, to another,two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received 5 talents went and traded with them and got 5 more talents. In the same manner the one who had received 2 talents gained 2 more. But he who received 1 talent went off, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came back settled accounts with them. The one who had received 5 talents came up and brought 5 more talents, saying, "Master, you entrusted 5 talents with me. See, I have gained 5 more talents." His master said to him, " Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." Also the one who had received 2 talents came up and said, "Master, you entrusted me with 2 talents to me. See, I have gained 2 more." His master said to him, " Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." And the one who had received the one talent came up and said to him, "Master I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours." But his master answered and said to him, "You wicked, lazy slave, you knew I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in a bank, and on my arrival I would have received money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the 10 talents." For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.