Christianity is essentially knowing Christ, listening to and believing Christ, obeying and imitating Christ. It’s about Jesus. Thus, the four gospels are our primary means of watching Him and hearing Him, the basic tool of our discipleship. Read them!

Reference text: Ephesians 4:17-24

tags: Ephesians, Summer 2011

In this power packed section Peter gives some final instructions to the believers he's been encouraging over the course of this letter.

Reference text: I Peter 5:5-11

     [5] Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

     "God opposes the proud
          but gives grace to the humble."

     [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
     [8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
     [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.



Question of the week:

• What is your reaction to Mary and Martha?
• What can you take from this?
• "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." --Luke 10:41-42

Additional references: Luke 10:38-42; Ephesians 3:17-19

tags: I Peter, Luke, Ephesians, Spring 2010

Peter instructs what to do to love people as well as what not to do if you want to love people within the church.

Reference text: I Peter 1:22 - 2:3

[22] Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. [23] For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. [24] For,

     "All men are like grass,
          and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
     the grass withers and the flowers fall,
          [25] but the word of the Lord stands forever."

And this is the word that was preached to you.

[2:1] Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Additional references: I John 3:16-20; John 12:24; James 1:11; Ephesians 4:22

tags: Spring 2010, I John, I Peter, John, James, Ephesians, Church

Understanding the third person of the Trinity, and learning how to allow Him to have greater control of our lives.

Reference texts:
His work Glorifies Christ - John 16:14
Convicts - John 16:8-11
Illuminates, Teaches - John 16:12-15
Provides power to witness - Acts 1:8
Will give eternal life - Romans 8:11
Leads and Guides - Romans 8:14
Assures - Romans 8:16
Prays for us - Romans 8:26
Gives spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11
Produces fruit - Galatians 5:22-23
Directs - Acts 20:22
Warns - Acts 20:23
Comforts - Acts 9:31
Regenerates - John 3:5-8
Sanctifies - 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Seals - Ephesians 1:13, 14
Instructs - John 14:25, 26
Testifies about Jesus - John 15:26

tags: Holy Spirit, Fall 2009, John, Acts, Romans, I Corinthians, Galatians, II Thessalonians, Ephesians

In this teaching we examine the church, and how it is through the church that God wants to accomplish his mission of Redemption in the world.

Reference texts: I Corinthians 1:2, 6:15, 12:12-14, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:28-30; Revelation 19:6-8; Matthew 28:18-20

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tags: Church, Fall 2009, I Corinthians, Ephesians, Revelation, Matthew