WELCOME TO - Central Gathering - August 24 th, 2014

NEW HOPE NEWS Pick up the BRAND NEW edition of our NEW HOPE NEWS on the Programs Table after the Central Gathering!

SAFE FAMILIES The Classens’ LIFE Group is going to soon be starting a 6-week video series on marriage. They are excited to invite anyone not already connected with a LIFE Group to join them! Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm, Sept. 4 th -Oct. 9 th. There will be some cost for materials. For more information or to RSVP, contact Tony or Carmen Classen at or

Looking to go deeper with God and others? LIFE Groups are on-going dynamic small groups of people seeking to experience LIFE together and extend LIFE to others. All our groups are open to anyone! For more info Or to get connected, respond on a Welcome Card or pick up the sheet on the Welcome Table. L earning Biblical Truth I ntercession (prayer) F ellowship E xtending LIFE to others LIFE Groups

Mark your calendars for the LIFE U. “Geography of the Soul” weekend seminar with New Hope alums Dr. Liam & Precious Atchison! Friday night, Sept 19th-Sat. the 20th at The Greenhouse. Geography of the Soul

Setup & Teardown Helpers Needed Looking for a way to serve your church? Please consider helping with a Setup or Teardown Team. We’re in great need both for point leaders and helpers for both Teams going into the fall. Volunteering is typically once a month. If you’re interested, please indicate that on your Welcome Card ASAP.

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LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ 20 “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina.

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) I have kept it hidden away in a cloth 21 because I was afraid of you, for you’re a tough man: you collect what you didn’t deposit and reap what you didn’t sow.’ 22 “He told him, ‘I will judge you by what you have said, you evil slave! If you knew I was a tough man, collecting what I didn’t deposit and reaping what I didn’t sow, 23 why didn’t you put my money in the bank? And when I returned, I would have collected it with interest!’ 24 So he said to those standing there, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has 10 minas.’ 25 “But they said to him, ‘Master, he has 10 minas.’ 26 “‘I tell you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. 27 But bring here these enemies of mine, who did not want me to rule over them, and slaughter them in my presence.’” 28 When He had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ 20 “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina.

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ 20 “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina.

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ 20 “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina. = ~100 Days Wage for a common laborer = ~$6000

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. until 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ 20 “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina.

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ “As the nobleman distributes gifts to his servants, he is in effect saying, ‘Once I return, having received kingly power, it will be easy to declare yourself publicly to be my loyal servants. I am more interested in how you conduct yourselves when I am absent and you have to pay a high price to openly identify yourself with me.’" -- Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ how much they had made in business 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much they had made in business. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ how much business they had transacted 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much business they had transacted. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ how much business they had transacted 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much business they had transacted. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ “From the second century onward the Syriac and Coptic versions of this text have consistently chosen the first meaning [“how much business has been transacted”]. Most of the Arabic versions have done the same. The difference is critical. If the master wants to find out what has been gained by trading, he will ask some form of "Show me the money." But if he is asking, "How much business have you transacted?" he is seeking to discover the extent to which they have openly and publicly declared their loyalty to him during the risky period of his absence. A quick perusal of the account books will reveal the scope of the servants' public exposure as loyal servants of the absent nobleman. … A full ledger will reveal that the entire community knew the servant in question was his master's man. A nearly empty account book will witness to the servant's fear of showing public loyalty to him.” -- Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ how much business they had transacted 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much business they had transacted. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away. because 12 Therefore He said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. 13 He called 10 of his slaves, gave them 10 minas, and told them, ‘Engage in business because I’ll come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us!’ how much business they had transacted 15 “At his return, having received the authority to be king, he summoned those slaves he had given the money to, so he could find out how much business they had transacted. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’ 17 “‘Well done, good slave!’ he told him. ‘Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, have authority over 10 towns.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 “So he said to him, ‘You will be over five towns.’ BIG IDEA of the parable: Jesus is going away for a while and he wants his servants to be publically loyal to him while he’s gone. He’s looking for faithfulness, not production. BIG IDEA of the parable: Jesus is going away for a while and he wants his servants to be publically loyal to him while he’s gone. He’s looking for faithfulness, not production.

LUKE 18:11-28 (HCSB) 20 “And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina. I have kept it hidden away in a cloth 21 because I was afraid of you, for you’re a tough man: you collect what you didn’t deposit and reap what you didn’t sow.’ 22 “He told him, ‘I will judge you by what you have said, you evil slave! If you knew I was a tough man, collecting what I didn’t deposit and reaping what I didn’t sow, 23 why didn’t you put my money in the bank? And when I returned, I would have collected it with interest!’ 24 So he said to those standing there, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has 10 minas.’ 25 “But they said to him, ‘Master, he has 10 minas.’ 26 “‘I tell you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. 27 But bring here these enemies of mine, who did not want me to rule over them, and slaughter them in my presence.’” 28 When He had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

BIG IDEA for us: 1) Jesus the King is coming back! 2) And as we wait for King Jesus to return, we are to faithfully and courageously live for Him in our culture – using the gifts He’s given us openly in His name.

BIG IDEA of the Parable: 1) Jesus the King is coming back! 2) And as we wait for King Jesus to return, we are to faithfully and courageously live for Him in our culture – using the gifts He’s given us openly in His name. What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us?

BIG IDEA of the Parable: 1) Jesus the King is coming back! 2) And as we wait for King Jesus to return, we are to faithfully and courageously live for Him in our culture – using the gifts He’s given us openly in His name. What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us? The Holy Spirit! What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us? The Holy Spirit!

BIG IDEA of the Parable: 1) Jesus the King is coming back! 2) And as we wait for King Jesus to return, we are to faithfully and courageously live for Him in our culture – using the gifts He’s given us openly in His name. What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us? The Holy Spirit! The Good News What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us? The Holy Spirit! The Good News

BIG IDEA of the Parable: 1) Jesus the King is coming back! 2) And as we wait for King Jesus to return, we are to faithfully and courageously live for Him in our culture – using the gifts He’s given us openly in His name. What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us? The Holy Spirit! The Good News Spiritual Gifts Money & Possessions Time Talents Personalities What Gifts Has Jesus Given Us? The Holy Spirit! The Good News Spiritual Gifts Money & Possessions Time Talents Personalities

1)Where do you see yourself in this story? 2)What’s a next step you feel called to take towards being more faithful to Jesus? 3)What’s something encouraging you saw God do in your heart this summer? 4)What’s something encouraging you saw God do in the lives of people around you this summer? 1)Where do you see yourself in this story? 2)What’s a next step you feel called to take towards being more faithful to Jesus? 3)What’s something encouraging you saw God do in your heart this summer? 4)What’s something encouraging you saw God do in the lives of people around you this summer?