Encounters with Jesus: Love is Our Treasure (Chris)

In the final lesson of our "Encounters with Jesus" series, we consider the last encounter that Christ himself chose just before his crucifixion.  It was a moment of humility and tenderness that shocked his disciples and showed intimately what following him is all about.  Listen to the lesson to hear about this demonstration of love by Jesus and what it means for us and our lives in Christ.

Listen to Love is Our Treasure
Handout

Foot washing video Chris referenced

Encounters with Jesus: Big Faith (Chris)

Have you ever been worried or anxious?  Of course you have!  Fear is part of the human condition.  It also is the enemy of faith and of faithful action.  This week, Chris will lead us as we look at a teaching from Jesus, the personal example of Jesus, and an encounter with Jesus that help to address how we can faithfully overcome our fears and can be more like the bold and empowered people God intends for us to be.

Listen to Big Faith

Handout

Encounters with Jesus: Overcoming Evil (Chris)

This week, we will consider Matthew 3:13 to 4:11 -- the baptism and temptation of Christ.  Our "Encounters with Jesus" in the Gospels so far have been with ordinary people and have helped to illuminate the different ways in which we engage with Christ as he engages with us.  Now, we will see how Jesus interacted with supernatural entities: his father the Lord God and the devil.  The fate of creation was at stake, and how Christ dealt with evil has much to teach us about our own relationship with the broken world around us.

Listen to Overcoming Evil
Handout

Encounters with Jesus: The Woman at the Well (Randy)

Through Jesus's amazing encounter with the Woman at the Well, we see how God seeks the least and lost (including us), how we tend to misunderstand him and his offer, and how our lives can be transformed when we finally “get it.” Based on how most Christians behave, myself included, it is clear that most of us tend to miss out on the eternal blessings that Jesus promises. Come and see what Jesus has to offer us this Sunday!

Listen to the Woman at the Well

Encounters with Jesus: Living Fully in God's Love (Chris)

This Sunday, Chris leads us into our next Encounter with Jesus. Specifically, the encounter between Jesus and Jewish leader Nicodemus produced the most famous verse in the Bible.  You likely can quote John 3:16 by heart: "For God so loved the world...."

This week, we will explore how the conviction and conflict experienced by Nicodemus parallels our own opportunities and challenges as Christ's disciples.  What does Jesus ask of us, and how should we respond?

Listen to Living Fully in God's Love
Handout

Encounters with Jesus: Easter Transformations (Chris)

Last week in "Encounters with Jesus," we recognized Mary Magdalen as "The First Christian" based on her meeting with the risen Christ on the original Easter morning.  Continuing the theme, this week we will review other eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus.  Each person had a different experience based on their individual needs and circumstances.  Likewise, each of us has a unique connection to Jesus.  What can we learn from the first disciples as we prepare for our own Easter witness?

Listen to Easter Transformations
Handout

Encounters with Jesus: The First Christian (Chris)

Continuing our series "Encounters with Jesus," this week we will explore the hinge of history: Christ's resurrection.  More specifically, we will see how Mary Magdalen meeting the risen Christ in John chapter 20 demonstrates what Christian faith is and how it transforms us.  We will see that the first Christians were just like us and will consider how their testimony in the Gospels is a foundation for our own faith in Jesus.

Listen to The First Christian
Handout