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28 Stories - Journalling the Adventist Faith
Published by Signs Publishing Company (Aus) - August 2011

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Would your study group like to Skype visit with the author? Email Dave!

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the 28 Stories experience. This Bible study journal will be your spiritual development companion for the next few months. Your personal faith will be invigorated as you enjoy retold Bible narratives and ponder the thought questions in each chapter.

28 Stories is designed to reawaken your Adventist Faith. Far too often, the beliefs we studied in preparation for Baptism have been left in the lukewarm water of the Baptismal font. The primary reason we don’t go back and explore the 28 Fundamentals again is that we were introduced to them as “tick the box” teachings. We sat through a lecture on a particular doctrine and then were asked, “Do you agree.” We gave a vacant nod and the proverbial box was ticked. “Good! See you next week!” And we returned. Well, some of us did.

The fact that you’re still around is testament to your truly enduring nature! I would like to reintroduce you to the teachings of our church using an approach that, as you journal your way through the 28 Stories, will cause you to stand up and shout, “I knew this stuff was exciting!”

I am sure you can tell my tongue is firmly in my cheek. I’m a well-practiced “cheeky” theologian. I am a storyteller, a children’s author, a pastor and a larrikin. Growing up in California taught me to say, “Whatever, dude!” And living in Australia my entire adult life has taught me the timeless art of understatement. That said, I am a Postmodern-bent Gen Xer and if something isn’t meaningful, I’m outta here.

So, why am I still enduring with the saints? Because the more I explore our Adventist faith, the more I am convinced that we have something worth saying, doing and being. And I am convinced that we need to be Seventh-day Adventist Christians with an unprecedented authenticity. We need to get real, be real and stay real in our faith.

Far to frequently, faith is reduced to “I believe” and belief is reduced an intellectual nod of the head. Faith is so much more. True faith is beyond belief! Beyond the head faith, which we Adventist are good at, there is so much more. These studies will take you on a faith journey in which you will explore the head, heart, hands and horizons of your faith story.

Each of the 28 studies in this journal follows the pattern of:

Bible Story – Rewritten to connect you to the Biblical character and to direct your thoughts toward a particular aspect of the doctrine in consideration.

My Reflection – Finding yourself in the Biblical narrative.

My Story – Finding the principles of the Biblical narrative in your experience.

My Assurance – Strengthening your faith by encouraging your heart.

My Commitment – Challenging your faith by considering what you can become.

My Outlook – Expanding your horizon of your God, your world or yourself.

My Response – Acknowledging the doctrine and considering it’s importance.

Each of these sections is to be savored slowly. One section a day is plenty. Soak yourself in the story and walk slowly through the writing sections, sitting on random park benches to ponder deeply. Write lengthily. Immerse yourself in your faith journey. You’ll be glad you did!

God bless,

Dave Edgren

(For my other writing, see my blog.)

SET 1: 1-8 --- Finding Faith (8)

Setting the Stage

The Word of God -- A King finds the Law

The Nature of Man -- The Mark of Protection

Jesus’ Story

The Godhead -- Reflected in the River

The Law of God -- The Heart of The Law

The Experience of Salvation -- A Changed Woman

The Sabbath -- A Saviour’s Sabbath