The Scarlet Thread The Scarlet Thread SeminarSeminarThe The Scarlet ThreadScarlet Thread describes God’s exciting plan for humanity describes God’s exciting plan for humanity

which stretches the span of eternity past into eternity future. He which stretches the span of eternity past into eternity future. He is the Sovereign King of all Creation, working from a blueprint is the Sovereign King of all Creation, working from a blueprint formed “before the foundations of the earth.” His Kingdom is a formed “before the foundations of the earth.” His Kingdom is a welcome alternative to the cold-hearted kingdoms built by welcome alternative to the cold-hearted kingdoms built by human hands, for those who take the time to understand it.human hands, for those who take the time to understand it.

The Scarlet Thread is a newly-published book by Martha and Keith The Scarlet Thread is a newly-published book by Martha and Keith McCallum. This seminar provides concrete tools for the McCallum. This seminar provides concrete tools for the advanced Christian to effectively disciple, teach and witness. It advanced Christian to effectively disciple, teach and witness. It addresses many of the objections raised by skeptics. It is addresses many of the objections raised by skeptics. It is especially exciting for seekers or young believers with questions especially exciting for seekers or young believers with questions about God’s participation in our lives. Students will grasp a about God’s participation in our lives. Students will grasp a bird’s-eye view of history from God’s perspective, joining “those bird’s-eye view of history from God’s perspective, joining “those who love the appearance of His coming.”who love the appearance of His coming.”

SyllabusSyllabus Kingdoms in Conflict, Part IKingdoms in Conflict, Part I

From ‘Revelation’ to Satan's RebellionFrom ‘Revelation’ to Satan's Rebellion Kingdoms in Conflict, Part IIKingdoms in Conflict, Part II

From Abraham to the Coming of the KingFrom Abraham to the Coming of the King A Conquering Love, Part IA Conquering Love, Part I

The Kingdom Revealed to the Garden of The Kingdom Revealed to the Garden of DespairDespair

A Conquering Love, Part IIA Conquering Love, Part II The Kingdom Multiplies to God's Eternal The Kingdom Multiplies to God's Eternal

KingdomKingdom

Getting the Most Out of the Getting the Most Out of the SeminarSeminar

Goal: Teaching how to teach this Goal: Teaching how to teach this material.material.

Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:1.1. For IndividualsFor Individuals

Reads like a story: Reads like a story: God’s love-letter to humanity.God’s love-letter to humanity. USA TodayUSA Today layout for the MTV generation. layout for the MTV generation.

Sifting through content.Sifting through content. Breakup long bodies of text – pausing to consider.Breakup long bodies of text – pausing to consider. Assertions Assertions identify the major points.identify the major points. Consider ThisConsider This highlights motivation. highlights motivation. Further StudyFurther Study removes (important?) details out of the removes (important?) details out of the

narrative.narrative.

Getting the Most Out of the Getting the Most Out of the SeminarSeminar

Goal: Teaching how to teach this material.Goal: Teaching how to teach this material. Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:

1.1. For IndividualsFor Individuals2.2. For Cell GroupsFor Cell Groups

Sidebars & Further Consideration provide Sidebars & Further Consideration provide discussion and teaching topics.discussion and teaching topics.

Scripture quotations are springboards for deeper Scripture quotations are springboards for deeper study or assignments.study or assignments.

CG Teachers still need to study the background, CG Teachers still need to study the background, however!however! See FootnotesSee Footnotes

Getting the Most Out of the Getting the Most Out of the SeminarSeminar

Goal: Teaching how to teach this Goal: Teaching how to teach this material.material.

Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:1.1. For IndividualsFor Individuals2.2. For Cell GroupsFor Cell Groups3.3. For Disciplers: passing along our key values.For Disciplers: passing along our key values.

a)a) Outreach-orientedOutreach-oriented Apologetics (see sidebars, Apologetics (see sidebars, Further ConsiderationFurther Consideration

sections)sections) Salvation by grace (Salvation by grace (Plan A+BPlan A+B, entire book’s theme), entire book’s theme) Narrative nonfictionNarrative nonfiction reads quickly reads quickly

Getting the Most Out of the Getting the Most Out of the SeminarSeminar

Goal: Teaching how to teach this material.Goal: Teaching how to teach this material. Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:

1.1. For IndividualsFor Individuals2.2. For Cell GroupsFor Cell Groups3.3. For Disciplers: passing along our key values.For Disciplers: passing along our key values.

a)a) Outreach-orientedOutreach-orientedb)b) Word-orientedWord-oriented

Text is closely anchored to specific scriptures.Text is closely anchored to specific scriptures. A bird’s-eye view of the Bible.A bird’s-eye view of the Bible. A bird’s-eye view of theology.A bird’s-eye view of theology. The point: the Bible is understandable!The point: the Bible is understandable!

Getting the Most Out of the Getting the Most Out of the SeminarSeminar

Goal: Teaching how to teach this material.Goal: Teaching how to teach this material. Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:

1.1. For IndividualsFor Individuals2.2. For Cell GroupsFor Cell Groups3.3. For passing along key values.For passing along key values.

a)a) Outreach-orientedOutreach-orientedb)b) Word-orientedWord-orientedc)c) Relational-OrientedRelational-Oriented

““Relationship of Faith” vs. a “Religion of Merit” themeRelationship of Faith” vs. a “Religion of Merit” theme The The Scarlet ThreadScarlet Thread is the is the Love of GodLove of God revealed in history. revealed in history. The basis for the Church, Discipleship, servant-leadership, The basis for the Church, Discipleship, servant-leadership,

etc.etc.

Getting the Most Out of the Getting the Most Out of the SeminarSeminar

Goal: Teaching how to teach this material.Goal: Teaching how to teach this material. Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:Using the Scarlet Thread as a Tool:

1.1. For IndividualsFor Individuals2.2. For Cell GroupsFor Cell Groups3.3. For passing along key values.For passing along key values.

a)a) Outreach-orientedOutreach-orientedb)b) Word-orientedWord-orientedc)c) Relational-OrientedRelational-Orientedd)d) Significance-OrientedSignificance-Oriented

God works with God works with willing heartswilling hearts, not , not professionalsprofessionals or powerful people. or powerful people. We are co-heirs with Christ, A Royal Priesthood, we have a future We are co-heirs with Christ, A Royal Priesthood, we have a future

with substance – see through the mask of the with substance – see through the mask of the KosmosKosmos..

The Scarlet Thread in a The Scarlet Thread in a PhrasePhrase

Luke 8:10 Luke 8:10 “To you it has been granted to “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God…”know the mysteries of the kingdom of God…”

God is working from a Plan that stretches God is working from a Plan that stretches from Eternity Past into Eternity Future: the from Eternity Past into Eternity Future: the Scarlet Thread of Redemption.Scarlet Thread of Redemption.

See Introduction:See Introduction:““How amazing it is: the same God who formed the How amazing it is: the same God who formed the

grandeur of this Universe also prepared a grandeur of this Universe also prepared a wondrous and satisfying opportunity for you, wondrous and satisfying opportunity for you, lasting into Eternity Future – if you want it.”lasting into Eternity Future – if you want it.”

Overview (see Syllabus)Overview (see Syllabus) Kingdoms in ConflictKingdoms in Conflict

The growth of the Kosmos: “The world around The growth of the Kosmos: “The world around us is under the power and control of the evil us is under the power and control of the evil one.” one.” 1 John 5:19 (NLT)1 John 5:19 (NLT)

A Conquering LoveA Conquering Love God’s Kingdom is launched: “In this way, God God’s Kingdom is launched: “In this way, God

disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over shamed them publicly by his victory over them…” them…” Col. 2:15 Col. 2:15

First Things First (Ch.1)First Things First (Ch.1) God has God has spoken! spoken! Means addressing issues… Means addressing issues…

The The absurdityabsurdity of a silent, confused God. of a silent, confused God. The The obscenityobscenity of human replacements. of human replacements.

Only the Bible tells a coherent story.Only the Bible tells a coherent story. See See The Problem of RevelationThe Problem of Revelation..

This is This is not abstract:not abstract: His plans affect you His plans affect you profoundlyprofoundly..

The Creation of Angels: we are not aloneThe Creation of Angels: we are not alone A Universe teeming with Free Will: an awesome A Universe teeming with Free Will: an awesome

powerpower

Ch. 1: First Things FirstCh. 1: First Things First God has God has spoken! spoken! Means addressing Means addressing

issues…issues… We do not exist in a vacuum.We do not exist in a vacuum.

Angels existAngels exist: powerful, beautiful, relational, : powerful, beautiful, relational, well-organized, ancient, marvelous, well-organized, ancient, marvelous, plentiful…plentiful… And And free to choose!free to choose!

We live inside turbulenceWe live inside turbulence, violence – the , violence – the stream of history is moving.stream of history is moving. God is at work in the universe.God is at work in the universe. ““Never forget how close you were to the Kingdom Never forget how close you were to the Kingdom

of God” of God” – Luke 10:11b (Living)– Luke 10:11b (Living)

Ch.2: SCh.2: Son of the Dawnon of the Dawn The Heart of RebellionThe Heart of Rebellion

““I will ascend…” Is. 14:13I will ascend…” Is. 14:13 a twisted creature (Ez. a twisted creature (Ez.

28:15f)28:15f) A New Principle: SinA New Principle: Sin

“…“…sin is simply ‘I Will’”sin is simply ‘I Will’” A perversionA perversion A driving forceA driving force

The Rebellion SpreadsThe Rebellion Spreads 1/31/3rdrd of the angels joined of the angels joined

(Rev.12:3,4, 7).(Rev.12:3,4, 7). The Lie of “Freedom”.The Lie of “Freedom”. Confined to Earth (Confined to Earth (1Jn 1Jn

5:19)5:19)

The Counterfeit KingdomThe Counterfeit Kingdom Intoxicating promisesIntoxicating promises Autonomy from God Autonomy from God (Ps.10:4)(Ps.10:4) Chaos, Destruction and DeathChaos, Destruction and Death

““A A RegimeRegime of Chaos” of Chaos” The New “King”: The New “King”:

Frustrated!Frustrated! The Destroyer (1Pet.5:8).The Destroyer (1Pet.5:8). A pervasive, evil intelligence.A pervasive, evil intelligence.

Why let it continue? Why let it continue? For our sakesFor our sakes Only a temporary interruptionOnly a temporary interruption A solution in sight: Is.52:15A solution in sight: Is.52:15

““The perfection of wisdom and The perfection of wisdom and beauty” Ez.28:12beauty” Ez.28:12

“It is important to remember that Satan has always looked upon this world as his personal property. There is much that will remain incomprehensible if we overlook this fact.”

What the Counterfeit Kingdom cannot offer is workable relationships: nobody trustworthy!

Ch.3: Human History Ch.3: Human History Begins Begins

The MysteryThe Mystery The Epicenter: Planet Earth (Eph.1)The Epicenter: Planet Earth (Eph.1)

Enter: Man (the star)Enter: Man (the star) Weak, but powerful (Gen.1:27a)Weak, but powerful (Gen.1:27a) ““Eternity in their Hearts” – members of a Eternity in their Hearts” – members of a

KingdomKingdom A Relational Being (like God) – A Relational Being (like God) – more than more than

angels!angels! The First Marriage: sexuality, intimacyThe First Marriage: sexuality, intimacy An Honored Race of An Honored Race of RulersRulers (Gen.1:28; Ps.8:6) (Gen.1:28; Ps.8:6) ConquerorsConquerors (1 Cor. 6:3) (1 Cor. 6:3)

Two Trees (Gen.2:9)Two Trees (Gen.2:9) Free Will: Dangerous, not complicated; not Free Will: Dangerous, not complicated; not

instinct.instinct. The Tree of Life: ties The Tree of Life: ties everythingeverything together. together.

What are mortals that you should think of What are mortals that you should think of usus ? – Ps.8:4a

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Ch. 4: The Fall Ch. 4: The Fall The threat: Satan opposes the invasionThe threat: Satan opposes the invasion

Discontent (Gen.3:1) from “The Accuser”Discontent (Gen.3:1) from “The Accuser” To Become Divine (Gen.3:6a) – disorienting (3:7)To Become Divine (Gen.3:6a) – disorienting (3:7)

The Satanic Victory: The Satanic Victory: creative moralitycreative morality.. The lie (Jn.8:44) – proud, but terrified and deceived The lie (Jn.8:44) – proud, but terrified and deceived

(Gen.3:8)(Gen.3:8) Alienation->Resentment->Loneliness->Hardened Heart Alienation->Resentment->Loneliness->Hardened Heart

(Gen.3:12; Heb.12:15b)(Gen.3:12; Heb.12:15b) Missed Opportunity: without life, Missed Opportunity: without life, trappedtrapped…… Finally, Death: an obscenity (Rev.21:4)Finally, Death: an obscenity (Rev.21:4)

Beginning with spiritual…resulting in physical death.Beginning with spiritual…resulting in physical death. Artificial Life: because everyone is born dead – denseArtificial Life: because everyone is born dead – dense

Hope from God’s Hope from God’s Redemptive PlanRedemptive Plan (Col.1:13; (Col.1:13; Gen.3:15)Gen.3:15) The first prophecy of Christ: “born of a virgin…” (Gal.4:4-5)The first prophecy of Christ: “born of a virgin…” (Gal.4:4-5)

“…this one man, Adam, brought death to many” Romans 5:15b

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Ch.5: The Cult of ManCh.5: The Cult of Man