Tag: Christian education

Colossians Study: Taking Responsibility

[Colossians 3:5-14] [V. 5] THEREFORE consider dead… Because you are alive with Christ – seek things above (v. 1-4)Because we died with Christ Put off earthly life / past sin Put on Christ (clothe yourselves) Result – more like Christ [V. 5] Consider dead to… Immorality – “porneia” – where word pornography comes Includes fornication, … Continue reading Colossians Study: Taking Responsibility →

Colossians Study: Realities of Heaven

[Colossians 3:1-4] He is your life So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around … Continue reading Colossians Study: Realities of Heaven →

Colossians Study: Men of Rules

Men of Rules [Colossians 2:16-23] Let no one steal your freedom (v. 16) Legalism = slavery/bondage à Christ accomplished the Law Spiritual elitism – believed if circumcised, watched diets, observed days – then elite Asceticism (self-denial and self-modification) – Christ does more than restrain—He puts new desire within a person Let no one disqualify or … Continue reading Colossians Study: Men of Rules →

Colossians Study: The Will of God

[Colossians 1:9-14] Prayed for: “Wise minds and spirits attuned to His will” [MSG] “All the wisdom & understanding that His Spirit gives” [CEV] “God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding” [NLT] Prayed for: Practical Obedience (1:10) – Knowledge & obedience go together True spiritual wisdom … Continue reading Colossians Study: The Will of God →

More Than a Story: Readiness

[The Ten Bridesmaids: Matthew 25:1-13] Also known as the Parable of the Ten Virgins Not good and bad women– WISE and FOOLISH women. Context: Disciples requested knowledge of a sign or signal of the coming of Jesus. (see Matthew 24:3) These ten women are waiting to escort the bridegroom for the torch lighting procession at … Continue reading More Than a Story: Readiness →

More Than a Story: Responsiveness

[Great Feast: Luke 14:15-24] In Luke 14 we see that Someone is hosting a dinner – the person is “a ruler of the Pharisees” Verses 1-6 speak about healing of a person with dropsy on the SabbathVerses 7-11 speak about the place of honor [[PARABLE OF THE AMBITIOUS GUEST]] This parable was told to the … Continue reading More Than a Story: Responsiveness →

More Than a Story: Compassion

[The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37] Compassion – Deep awareness of the sufferings or misfortunes of another with a desire to relieve it. Verse 37 - And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same." [NASB] Mercy – eleos (el'-eh-os) – pity, mercy, compassion, tender … Continue reading More Than a Story: Compassion →

More Than A Story: Persistence

More Than A Story: Persistence [Friend at Midnight: Luke 11:5-13 / Persistent Widow: Luke 18:1-8] “Prayer is not an exercise. It is the life of the saint.” – Oswald Chambers 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 – “Rejoice always; pray continually.” [NIV] Pray without ceasing, pray constantly, never stop praying, continually be prayerful      Unceasingly - Adialeiptós (ad-ee-al-ipe'-toce) … Continue reading More Than A Story: Persistence →

More Than a Story: Forgiveness

More Than a Story is a 12 week study of the parables of Jesus. This is the second week: FORGIVENESS. [The Unforgiving Debtor: Matthew 18:21-35] Unforgiveness is the POISON we drink hoping another will die When you hold tight to an unforgiving spirit you slowly die to TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS – PRISONER Peter came and … Continue reading More Than a Story: Forgiveness →