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Brett Ullman Interview

Oct 23, 2018

This past week we interviewed Brett Ullman. Because of that we don’t have a regular recap. However, We’ve listed the questions we posed to Brett, with a paraphrase of some of his responses.

Also, for our small group discussion folks, their is a scripture text to read at the bottom, with some questions to think about for your small group this week.

(Brett Ullman Summary)

Why don’t you tell us a bit about who you are?
I’ve been talking to students part-time and full time for more than 15 years. I love to research and study and share valuable information that helps students and parents better navigate life and faith.
You used to be a school teacher. True? What led you into that? What led you out of that? And how did you sense or understand God’s call in your life to make that transition? 
Yes. I started out as a school teacher. I worked in the TDSB for almost 10 years. I would say that I fell into my vocation, as much of my family were involved in education. My university journey was unique in that I ended being accepted for one major and studied another. In regards to doing what I do now, it started with one talk about 15 years ago, on teen and music culture. That snowballed (short answer) into what I do now. I eventually left my teaching gig and began to do this full time.
Why are teens (and children) so important to you? What is it about investing in them that both excites you and challenges you?
It’s exciting because they have so much potential to do good and become the best version of who God’s calling them to be. Yet, it’s difficult because many of them are broken and have experienced things they now have to overcome.
I often say that the spiritual advice we give teens is similar to the advice we give adults, just framed differently. Does that ring true for you? If so why?
We’re all human and deal with the same things. Adults and students alike.
After all these year…why did you and why do you still follow Jesus? 
Because Jesus is True. The gospel is true. It’s not just what I feel, it’s what I’ve come to know as true. So even when things are difficult and I don’t ‘feel’ God, I still know that Jesus is true.
If you had one or two things to say to the local church (to us), what would it be? 
It revolves around spiritual growth and discipline. Be strategic about your spiritual journey. Don’t just let things happen, make things happen. Also, be intentional about your faith. Read, Pray, set aside time to do what you need to do to follow Jesus fully.
– – – – – – – – –
(small group discussion)
If you got a chance to listen to Brett’s Interview, what were some things you took from it? What did you learn? What was affirmed? Anything cause you to ask more questions?
Since we didn’t have a ‘formal’ teaching time on Sunday, let’s take some time to simply go through a few  scriptures, reading together, hearing together, learning together.
John 1:14 (msg)
The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish.
This week Eugene Peterson passed away at age 85. He paraphrased this scripture for us (The Message). What resonates with you as you read these words from John 1?
Mark 10:46-52 (msg)
They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.”
They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.
Jesus said, “What can I do for you?”
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”
In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

What stands out in this text? Is it the man’s calling out (twice)? Jesus stopping immediately? Any or all of it?

What can we learn from this man? How can we call out to Jesus? How about Jesus’ question, ‘what can I do for you?’

What may we be blind to or blind from?

Jesus ‘saved’ & ‘healed’ the man. How are these different & the same?