Immediate relief rushed into Joe Sacco’s life. When he began to study and read his Bible, he noticed the stress and worry fall away, as if a refreshing light covered him. He attended church and was surrounded by Christians most of his life, but it was when he took a Discipleship Equipping class at Citylight where understanding sparked. From that spark, a renewed and lifegiving faith entered his soul and life, knowing what he was missing when God’s word revealed it.
“My wife, Stephanie, and I thought it would be fruitful to build more fellowship and dig deeper into the Bible,” Joe described why they signed up for the Christian Story class last year. “I’m a lifelong learner. I read every day. I appreciate context and application, but I was missing important context in my understanding of biblical people and events and, ultimately, God’s plan for us. Sunday sermon narratives at Citylight are uplifting and exceptional and they encouraged me to gain a deeper understanding of God’s love for us, through Jesus.”
At the first Christian Story class an illustration, a working biblical timeline, was was presented. He didn’t initially grasp the process and the intention, but soon the context would become very clear.
“About week three the light bulb really went on,” Joe exclaimed. “I understood why we returned to build the timeline every week. Creation, Moses, kings and judges... I saw and understood where key pieces in Biblical history fit, and why. Isaiah and the prophets. And how Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophecies... clearly grasping why all of God’s people had to live by faith. And had to live many years, and many generations, to see God’s work manifest itself in promises kept, and fulfilled. Some of the “whys” I had were definitely being answered. The Jesus story is so much bigger than I had imagined!”
In studying the details, the people and the context of the Bible, Joe developed a deeper appreciation for God’s plan, our purpose in it, and the legitimacy of His word. He was beginning to form a clearer picture that everything in the Bible pointed to Christ. He saw the faithfulness of God for his people. He saw the faithfulness in the people of the Bible for the Lord. Joe was becoming more convicted. What did he believe? Better yet, who did he believe in and put his trust in every day?
“My faith has grown,” Joe confessed with sincerity. “My faith has always been tied to understanding a loving God, but it was also tied to man-centered interventions to determine our role in God’s purpose. That is a world-based perspective. The Christian Story added to my understanding that God is, and always has been, intentional, and the way to be more fulfilled is following His way; staying grounded in His word; developing an understanding of the reason and purpose for God’s actions with and for His people.”
“My daily events capture me in a world of politics,” he stated, “full of loyalties, decisions, and debate. I see people triggered by human events. But I have the freedom to plant my flag in the ground for Christ and know that today is temporary and fleeting. The Christian Story presented me with a way to assess our world through God’s plan for all of us.”
“Find the source of your internal happiness in Jesus and understand where God wants you in His plan for eternity. It’s all about getting right with Jesus. When you live in that, you treat yourself and everyone in the right way... God’s way.”
“I also try, as best I can, to avoid clichés. I want to live in what’s right and what’s true, but also, I want to live what is genuine. I see people hiding behind clichés because it feels comfortable and accepting. If Jesus were here today, he wouldn’t use clichés nor would he be politically correct. There is relief from this world’s demands. The Christian Story class is interesting, fun, enlightening, and eye opening. Expect discovery. Expect to gain a deeper understanding of the moments where God touched the world.”
The next Discipleship Equipping class starts up after Labor Day. In June, there is a 2-day Discipleship Equipping event open to all. Citylight will host Jonathan Pennington for a discussion on Engaging Culture in the Kingdom. Jonathan will lead discussion on what it looks like to follow Jesus in today’s world — not just in church, but in our work, our neighborhoods, and our everyday decisions. Be sure to register with the link below. Bring your family, friends and City Group.
https://citylightomaha.org/engaging-culture/