Lessons learnt from "Jesus Culture"

I. Overview of book.
This book is a book about revivalists. Banning starts the book off by introducing the readers to the era that we are in now, living through the greatest hour of history and bringing up a new generation of revivalists. He then breaks the book down through the  four sections outlining the characteristics these revivalists ought to have including: an ability to honour the older generation; a passionate love for others that burns from the love they received from Jesus; a prayerful life knowing that God desires to respond to them; and constant demonstration of the supernatural power of God through their lives. He does base the points that he was making by using a lot of scriptural references. 

II. 2 Points learnt from the book. 
A. Banning made a very sobering point about the battle of the generations occurring in the body of Christ. He mentioned how in Exodus 17:8-16, the story of Joshua's victory against the Amalekites was dependent completely on Moses being in position with the rod of God. It was Moses' covering of authority that was essential to Joshua's success as Joshua was properly aligned with Moses. 

Everyone is called to be under some sort of authority in life. Submission to authority is an ongoing matter regardless of how long we have held a role of authority. 'We cannot walk in authority without being submitted under authority.' (page 74) The age of the people of authority that you are called to submit to really doesn't matter. God has strategically placed these people to be used in His Kingdom according to His plans. 

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 NIV) We have our biological parents to honor. But we cannot ignore those who have spent countless hour pouring into our spiritual lives namely our Godly, spiritual parents or any other elders that have helped us grow.  A continuity of power and blessing occurs when we actively honor those people we can call our 'parents'. 

By ensuring we are honoring and submitting under those authoritative cover, we are being aligned like Joshua was. 

B. A life of prayer is a life of power. Prayer shifts the atmosphere and allows for access to the realm of authority that nothing else can tap into. Prayer is a time where He reveals His heart out to us. Prayer is established in that 'secret place' that releases an anointing like no other. Jesus taught us how to pray and led by example with the amount of time He spent with the Father. 

There are four keys to a prayerful life: 
1. Intimacy. Intimacy with God through loving Him and letting Him love me. 
2. Responsibility.  Realizing that I have the responsibility to pray. Whether it be for the salvation of my family members, breakthrough in my own lives or even to see a change of attitude around my campus. 
3. Belief. I must believe that breakthrough is around the corner, knowing that God responds to my prayer. 
4. Revelation. There are different types of revelations including prophetic (words, dreams or scriptures), friendship (where He calls me His friend), and sonship (knowing that I have received the Spirit of adoption so that I can cry out "Abba Father" to Him)

III. Discuss God's character evident from the book. 
God's love is so evident throughout this book. Out of the love we have received from Him, we will find the passion to love on others and all humankind. His love is also what sustains our relationship with Him. It is what gives us the confidence to know that He longs to respond to our prayers.  His love is what made Him send his Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He calls us His friends because of it. His love is the basis of the Spirit of adoption that allows us to call Him as "Abba Father", a very intimate term to be used. His love to everyone is what will move Him to exercise His supernatural power of prophecy, signs, healing, etc to those who needs it. 

I want to experience more of His love, become more aware of it, appreciate it more, so I can be empowered to do the things He has created me to accomplish in my life!

IV. Discuss a quote/paragraph from the book. 
 "History makers are risk takers, and radical obedience is the key to supernatural fruit" page 198

If I want to become a true ambassador of the Kingdom of God on earth, I cannot just keep talking about it but rather demonstrate the power of the Kingdom. This demonstrations includes healing of the lame, sick, deaf; word of knowledge; and prophetic words. For this to happen, I have to act in 'radical obedience' and by asking for His power to be released. The anointing of God is released through faith when I take a risk. Only then will I start seeing supernatural fruits. 

I realize that fear of failure and people will prevent this power to flow. Disappointments and deficiency should be expected. But don't view it from a man's perspective. See it from an educational/experience perspective where every situation needs to be embraced as an opportunity to grow. 

I need to believe that the simple acts of obedience will result in a breakthrough!!! Let risk-taking be my signature as a history maker, world changer and Kingdom shaper!