learning labs

a few posts back i mentioned that i fear we focus a great deal on knowing and we miss the way that translates into doing and being. "discipleship" programs tend to be heavy on data and fairly light on practice. i mentioned that Jesus' discipleship program would probably not fly too well within our current faith communities. it had a great deal to do with doing things, sometimes scandalous things. i am excited about an adventure the youth community will be heading out on this coming school year. our sunday nights will revolve around this idea of putting faith into action. we will define a follower of Jesus not just as someone who knows what Jesus taught, but rather as someone who does what they know Jesus taught. this will lead us to engage the various invitations of Jesus, causing us to enter into monthly "projects" which would shape us and our world. we hope these experiences and conversations find their way into each student's home, causing dialogue within families about how we might enter into these invitations of Jesus together. Here are the "projects" per month:

September: value/worth of God's creation "love your neighbor as you love yourself"
October: generosity "store up treasure in heaven"
November: hospitality "when you give a dinner, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind"
December: servanthood "whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant"
January: justice "woe to you who tithe spices but forget about justice, mercy, and faithfulness"
February: sabbath "come unto me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest"
March:forgiveness "don't forgive seven times only, but seventy-seven times"

I am excited about where this may lead us. I am wondering what it will ask of my life as I participate in these "learning labs" with students. I think there are wonderful things waiting on the other side of these invitations...