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Saul has Doeg the Edomite slaughter the priests and all in the city of Nob for helping David – an unthinkably treacherous sin. He then continues to pursue David. But the LORD continually helps David escape. Even when David has two chances to kill Saul, he acts righteously, knowing that it is not his right…

Samuel leads the people in a time of turning back to the LORD and the LORD delivers Israel from the Philistines. But in time, Israel demands a King so that they can be “like the other nations.” Even after a stern warning from Samuel, the people will not relent and continue to demand a King.…

Samuel is called by the LORD and given the message of the downfall of Eli’s house. Then Israel is defeated by the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant is captured. After bringing a plague on the cities of the Philistines, the Ark is returned to Israel. In what seems like a catastrophic failure, the…

We work out way through the big ideas of chapters 1-2 and the birth of Samuel. Samuel is a transitional figure – he is the last of the Judges and the first of the “classical prophets.” We also hear about the downfall of the priestly line of Eli. Samuel will anoint the first king of…

We situate the books of Samuel in the larger context of the Former Prophets and the Hebrew Scriptures. We also talk about how the books of Samuel have come to us in their present form.

We conclude our study by looking at Paul’s final instructions. He urges Euodia and Syntyche to “agree in the Lord.” He then gives some final instructions about thinking on all “good things.” Finally, he thanks the church for their financial gifts while also telling them, “I am doing fine; you have done more than enough!”

Paul discusses “attaining to the resurrection” by any means necessary. We have not been made perfect/complete, yet. So Paul strives forward, running as hard as he can to “win the prize.” We are being saved In Christ. But that does not mean that we just sit around and do nothing. Part of “working our salvation…

We dig deeper into Paul’s warning about the “Judaizers.” This leads to an important discussion about one of the “Faith of Christ” passages in this paragraph. Our righteousness comes THROUGH Christ’s faith/faithfulness and our trust in Him.

Paul discusses his plans to send Epaphroditus back to the Philippians and eventually Timothy and himself. He then moves on to talk about the negative examples – the dogs, evil workers, mutilators – who could potentially lead the church astray.

Paul continues to explain and illustrate what it means to “live worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Paul’s prime example is Jesus Himself. Although He was God, He did not cling to His “Divine Prerogatives” – instead He emptied Himself and became a human and a slave. He sacrificed Himself for the welfare of others.…

Paul explains how his circumstances have providentially advanced the Gospel! Then he gets to the “main thing” in his exhortation: “Live as citizens worthy of the Gospel of Christ, striving together as ONE.” Everything else Paul says in this letter is an amplification of this main idea.

We begin our study of Philippians by reading the letter together. We then take a look at Paul’s introductions and prayers.

We complete our brief overview of Ephesians by considering Paul’s last admonitions to stand firm in the Lord’s power and put on the full armor of God. Paul tells us that we are standing firm and wrestling against the Spiritual Forces of evil in the Heavenly places.

We continue to discuss Paul’s final admonitions in the last half of Ephesians. What does it mean to live as Children of the Light? What does it mean to be overflowing with the Spirit? How do we submit to one another out of reverence for Christ? These are some of the final issues Paul addresses.

We continue to discuss the practical and ethical instructions of Paul in the second half of Ephesians. Understanding the purpose of the Body and means that Christ has given to us, we are to “walk as Children of Light” withe the goal of becoming like Christ our Great Teacher.

We take a look at the final sections in “theological” first half of the letter and move on to the “exhortation” part of the letter. Because of the incredible, unsearchable riches of Father God’s work in the Church (in Us) in Christ through the Spirit, we should live in a manner worthy of this calling.…

We consider the outworking of Father God’s great love in saving us “by GRACE through FAITH.” We also take a look at the “mystery” – secret – that has now been revealed: Father God is uniting both Jew and Gentile together in the Body of Christ. This is part of His New Work that was…

We finish looking at Paul’s Praise/Prayer in the Ephesians 1. We focus on Father God’s “good pleasure” worked out in His eternal purposes and plans IN Christ through the Holy Spirit.

We finish looking at Paul’s Praise/Prayer in the Ephesians 1. We focus on Father God’s “good pleasure” worked out in His eternal purposes and plans IN Christ through the Holy Spirit.

We consider Paul’s grand praise of the Father, Son and Spirit’s work for us. We focus on the inexhaustible greatness of “His Glorious Grace.”

We begin our overview of Ephesians by reading the letter together and then discussing some of the larger truths revealed. Most likely, Ephesians was originally a circular letter – meant to be read by a number of churches. In this powerful letter, Paul gives an “eternal perspective” on Father-God’s work IN Christ through the Spirit…

In our last class for the year, we take a listen to the Letter to Philemon. Although it is the shortest of Paul’s letters, the Letter to Philemon packs real power as a masterpiece of grace based persuasion. Paul seeks to encourage the reconciliation of Onesimus and Philemon through their fellowship in Christ.

We complete our discussion of Colossians by looking at Paul’s “household codes” and his final admonitions and greetings.

Now that Paul has addressed the false teaching that threatens the church, he now turns to the positive side of things. How should we live if we are to be faithful to Christ, representing Him in all things? We have put off the “old self” and now we put on the “new self” being renewed…

Paul gives examples of the types of the things the false teachers are teaching. As he had said earlier, these are all empty, deceitful, based in human traditions, and influenced by the elemental spirits. These teachings do not hold fast to the Head who is Christ. On the other hand, Paul encourages the Colossians to…

We get to the heart of the letter as Paul begins to address the false teaching that is threatening the church. This teaching is empty, deceptive, based in human traditions, and demonically influenced. We also discuss “the circumcision of Christ” and what has happened to us “IN Christ.”