26-0114wc - Detailed Summary

The class begins with Teacher Scott announcing that they are now in Tour 9, the final tour of Del Tackett’s "The Engagement Project." He mentions there is one additional wrap-up video featuring Del Tackett in conversation with students reflecting on all ten tours.

Scott explains the plan for the evening: to cover the "Themes and Further Study" article provided by Del Tackett, read the summary of Part 1 of Tour 9 (covered last week and available on the website), and complete the session in about 10-15 minutes. This will prepare the group for watching Part 2 of Tour 9 the following week, weather permitting.

The "Themes and Further Study" section marks the end of the personal quest to gaze upon God and the beginning of the shared task of engagement. Previous tours aimed at deepening personal encounters with God, which can be revisited like Moses returning to the tent of meeting.

These divine encounters are not the final goal but equip believers to bear fruit in relationships with others, flowing from deep bonds within a "band of brothers."

Christians differ from Old Testament saints: instead of temporary glory that fades (requiring Moses to veil his face), believers permanently indwell the Holy Spirit since Pentecost, filled with the fullness of the triune God.

The task is to let this fullness overflow to others through genuine love, fulfilling the royal law: "love your neighbor as yourself." The key phrase "as yourself" requires understanding true agape love (from Tour 3): sacrificial zeal that steadfastly seeks the shalom (true good) of others.

Loving ourselves biblically means seeking our own true good, defined as fruitfulness. This requires two actions:

This demands learning to say "no" to ourselves when necessary, contrary to cultural messages.

The strength to live this way comes from being part of a "band of brothers." As iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), mutual accountability within a committed group enables true self-love and neighbor-love. When pride, depression, or selfishness hinders fruitfulness, brothers and sisters can correct and restore. Del Tackett strongly advocates for every Christian to join a small, dedicated life group committed to going the distance together.

The "Points to Watch For" section highlights over 30 Scripture passages cited in the video that deepen understanding of Jesus' new commandment: "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). A list of these references is available on the website.

King Josiah’s rediscovery of the Torah (2 Chronicles 34:14-19) illustrates the modern church’s need to rediscover the royal law. Tackett questions how it could have been lost and calls for conviction and rededication.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 describe believers as the aroma of Christ in God’s triumphal procession—fragrance of life to some and death to others. Though inadequate in ourselves, success is assured through the indwelling Spirit and His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The session returns to the Tour 0 concept of being a "remnant of hope" in a broken world filled with grieving people, even next door. The prayer is for believers to become the salt and light they are called to be.

Scott reviews the summary of last week’s Part 1 lesson on Tour 9, "The Band of Brothers." The tour shifts focus to practical communal engagement rooted in biblical truth.

Tackett contrasts Moses' fading glory and veiled face with New Testament believers who, through the permanent indwelling Spirit, behold God’s glory with unveiled faces and are transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3).

The full triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) dwells within every believer (John 14:23), not for comfort alone but for empowerment to live out kingdom life.

Central is Jesus' new command to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34), modeled on Christ’s sacrificial, humble service. This love is deep, authentic, and binds the body together.

Tackett highlights numerous "one another" commands (bear burdens, forgive, confess, encourage) showing practical, mutual edification in community.

He urges joining intentional life groups—not casual Bible studies, but committed bands that train, share life, and hold each other accountable.

Addressing "love your neighbor as yourself," Tackett rejects cultural misinterpretations promoting selfish self-fulfillment. True self-love applies agape to oneself: denying fleshly desires and pursuing God-designed shalom through:

These pursuits are not selfish but equip believers to overflow in love to the body and world.

Part 1 establishes God’s indwelling presence and biblical self-love as the foundation for forming a committed "band of brothers" for kingdom engagement, setting up Part 2.

Scott concludes the evening’s lesson, expressing hope to show the Part 2 video in person next week at the building, with transcript and summary to follow afterward. This ends the current session.