Living with Isolation: Surrounding Ourselves with Christian Friends and Resting in Our Redeemer (Randy)

 As we continue our series on Living with Adversity, we will look at the challenge of being socially isolated in a lesson called, Living with Isolation: Christian Fellowship and God’s Redemption.  Through the story of Ruth and Naomi, we’ll examine how we can rely on one another and our faith to weather the pandemic.  We hope you will join us!

Watch Living with Isolation
Presentation

Living with Senseless Suffering: Trusting God (Chris)

In the second installment of "Living with Adversity as Christian Disciples," we further explore the uniquely Judeo-Christian perspective on suffering.  Reflecting on the Biblical Book of Job and the real-world grief and horror of 9/11, we see that darkness and difficulty are opportunities to trust the Lord.  Doing so opens the door to God's blessings including peace, joy, hope, and salvation.

Watch Living with Senseless Suffering
Presentation

Living with Adversity Introduction: Why Does God Allow Suffering? (Randy)

The pandemic coupled with recent social unrest has created enormous stress in our daily lives. Polls taken by the American Psychological Association suggest stress levels among American adults are in the 70% range due to fear of catching the virus, economic or work concerns, kids at home and the accompanying education challenges, the government’s response to the pandemic, and more.  Our own class poll suggests we share these concerns with worries over the political climate, stress from our jobs, and fear of catching the virus topping the list.  All of this has created a degree of anxiety and depression in our society – and among our classmates – unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes.  Why has God allowed this pandemic to happen?  What possible good can come from it?  How are we supposed to live with the adversity it has created? How can we find meaning and hope in it through our faith in Jesus?  We contemplate these questions in this series with the goal of providing the class with faith-based resources to transform adversity into a more intimate walk with God.  

Watch Living with Adversity Introduction
Lesson Plan

The Book of Romans: Conclusion (Chris)

We conclude our study of Romans today!  

Watch Romans Conclusion Lesson

The Book of Romans: Unity (Randy)

Paul concludes his letter to the Romans by calling for unity.  He reminds us that faith sets us free from legalism (the law of sin and death), but love requires us to limit our actions so that we may bear others’ weakness and build them up.  Following Christ and living this way brings unity and harmony to the community.

Listen to Unity
Lesson Plan
View Slides

The Book of Romans: Our Relationship to the Weak (Randy)

Paul wants us to understand how to relate to one another, including to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Because we mature in the faith at different rates, we each have our own convictions about what we can and cannot do in the faith, but that can lead to divisions.  In Romans 14, Paul warns us not to judge one another and not to do things that would cause others to stumble.  He reminds us that, in the end, the Kingdom of God is about righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and we therefore should see to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.  We must act out of faith rather than freedom to ensure we live up to this ideal.

Listen to Our Relationship to the Weak
Lesson Plan
Slides

The Book of Romans: Our Relationship to Authorities (Chris)

We focus on Romans 13:1-7 in this lesson, which is about submitting to rulers and worldly powers.  America is the "land of the free," and we are raised as individualists compared to most other cultures in the world. The Apostle Paul has an important lesson for us about order, humility, balance, freedom, and faith.  During coronavirus and quarantine, this message is particularly timely.

Watch Our Relationship to Authorities 
View presentation slides