Seven woes and the widow’s offering are the texts in our study today. The majority of our reading comes from Matthew which makes sense as we recall that he was presenting the compelling case of the Gospel primarily to Jewish readers. The lessons in this brief reading concerning integrity, and devotion are essential to the life of every disciple so that we ourselves should not fall prey to nor become false spiritual leaders.
Mini-series 15 min Podcast:
60 min […]
Today we will be studying part 2 of 2 on Holy Monday, the events of which are only found in John’s Gospel account. The lesson is of utmost importance, and especially to people on the fence, those who have not fully engaged with the Gospel message, or allowed their lives to be transformed by a Gospel-centered world view.
Holy Week Mini-Series Podcast:
60 min Podcast: Coming soon
Section 130a | The Request of some Greeks to see Jesus
Jerusalem
John 12:20-36a
20 Now there were certain […]
The fig tree – It was one of the most important and recognized trees in Israel. It was a staple food and stories of its value and peril have been woven into Scripture since the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:7). In today’s study we will tackle the morning events on Holy Monday including: a fruitless fig tree and the second cleansing of the temple.
Mini-Series Podcast (map):
(15 min podcast)
Podcast: Coming soon
Section 129a | Cursing of a Fig Tree
From […]
As we begin the final phase of our study your group members should be developing as mature ministry leaders. In this phase, we recommend that you intentionally meet with each individual in your group to, convey your confidence in them, revisit certain lessons and principles, and (if you haven’t already) ensure that each is active in a ministry which reflects their unique strengths and gifts.
Our study today tackles the events on Palm Sunday found in Sections 128a,b.
You […]
In this week’s study we examine the last words and actions of Jesus before he enters Jerusalem for the final time. This is the close of Phase 5c. Like Zacchaeus, we would be blessed if in our desire to accept God’s grace through Christ and follow him we were ready to make amends and do well. Similarly we would do well to heed the warning in Jesus’ parable – choosing to honor his reign rather than rebel or resist.
Audio: Coming Soon
Section 127a […]
Our study today is a lesson of honor, respect, faith and value. In today’s reading Jesus attends to the cries of a blind beggar from amidst the crowd. Though he was on his final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus was happy to give him the time of day, recognize his faith, his need, and heal him immediately restoring his sense of value, love, freedom and dignity. Moreover, the story was shared to impress on the listeners that Jesus is the Son of […]
As we study this parable about grace its important to see it in the context of our lesson last week in §124a when Jesus first answered the rich young rulers question about how he might live eternally, and Peter’s question about their own future life, role and reward. It is in that context that Jesus offers his disciples another parable – a stern lesson. This is a suitable lesson for today as so many struggle to understand the justice and grace […]
It can be disturbing to see the holiness of God. In today’s lesson we learn of a man who was wealthy, young, religious, and moral yet he knew something was missing in his life. His habits may have resulted in his success but he knew that his soul was vulnerable and had not reached its potential. In our study today we will examine the condition of our own soul, our mindset and, and devotion.
Audio: Coming soon
Section 124a […]
Interesting that after 3 years of traveling with Jesus that it would be the disciples themselves who would try to prevent the children of the village from approaching Jesus. Sometimes its difficult for us to shift gears, He had just finished teaching them more about love, marriage, divorce and forgiveness. Though Jesus is still intent on reaching Jerusalem he’s not about to pass up an opportunity to pass reach out to the children and impart a blessing to […]
Today’s lesson is designed to embolden Jesus’ disciples and each of us as we face trials, delays and persecution. Jesus affirms the action and attitudes of prayer and humility as essentials to victory, justice and peace. God doesn’t require us to clean ourselves up or pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps before we come to him, but instead to come humbly to him, reliant on his grace, confident of his faithfulness not our own. This […]