Rembrandt in the Wind – Study Session 1

Adapted from the study, and book, by Russ Ramsey. Audible book available.

YouTube: Watch Session 1.

“Have you ever tried to create art, like drawing, painting, or sculpting? What was that experience like for you?”

Discussion Questions

Art and Self-Expression: 

How does art, like the self-portraits of Vincent van Gogh, help us understand and express our own emotions and experiences?

Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Reflects on the beauty and intricacy of God’s creation, including humanity.) What if we are His self-reflection?

Brokenness and Beauty: 

In what ways can our personal brokenness lead to beauty, especially when viewed through the lens of compassion and healing? 

2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (Speaks to the beauty and value in our brokenness and imperfection.)

Truth in Art: 

Why is it important to depict truth in art, and how can this be compared to living a life of truth as a Christian?

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Emphasizes our creation in God’s image and our purpose in His plan.)

Goodness, Truth, and Beauty: 

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Encourages the pursuit of goodness, truth, and beauty.)

How do goodness, truth, and beauty reflect the nature of God, and how can we pursue these in our daily lives?

Creativity and God’s Image: 

What does it mean to be made in the image of God, especially in terms of creativity and our call to create?

Genesis 1:26-27 – “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Highlights the creative aspect of being made in God’s image.)

Community and Creativity: 

How does community enhance our ability to create and appreciate beauty? 

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another…” (Illustrates the importance of community in fostering growth and creativity.)

Honesty in Self-Reflection: 

James 1:23-24 – “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (A metaphor for self-reflection and honesty in our spiritual walk.)

How can being honest in our self-reflection, much like an artist creating a self-portrait, help us grow spiritually?

Value and Worth: 

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (Reminds us of our value and purpose in God’s eyes, despite our imperfections.)

How does understanding our value in God’s eyes, despite our flaws and brokenness, change the way we interact with others?

Scripture References

Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Genesis 1:26-27 – “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another…”

James 1:23-24 – “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

My Personal Notes from the Video

• We hide what needs redemption
• Concerned with goodness and truth
• Created to be creative
• God gave Adam and Eve as others and gave them others  -community
• We are drawing the self-portrait pretending I am ok.
• Broken but unimaginably valued by God