Fed and Formed by the Word of God
Believers, families, and churches are fed and formed by the reading and teaching of the Word of God.
Nehemiah 8:1-8
Lessons for Disciples – The Kingdom, Disciples, and the Little Children
Unlike the kingdoms of this world, the Kingdom of God does not give preference to the powerful or wealthy but is open to everyone who will receive it like a little child by recognizing their helplessness and great need that only Jesus can meet.
Mark 10:13-16
Lessons for Disciples – Marriage (Part 3) – Joined Together By God
When a man and a woman take covenant marriage vows God supernaturally joins them together, creating a new union that they must spend the rest of their earthly life nurturing through healthy practices so that their marriage flourishes to the glory of God and their joy.
Mark 10: 5-9
Lessons for Disciples – Marriage (Part 2)
Jesus taught that God made humans male or female and that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. Therefore any alternative ideas of “marriage” or contexts for sexual activity violate God’s design and intent.
Mark 10:1-12
Lessons for Disciples – Marriage (Part 1)
Jesus taught that marriage was given by God at creation to be the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and disciples must look to strengthen marriage, not seek excuses to divorce.
Mark 10:1-12
The Family of Jesus
The true family of Jesus and His followers is not defined by biological relation but rather by a common obedience to the will of God.
Mark 3: 31-35
Ancient Present Future Faith
God’s people must have a faith that is rooted in the truths He has revealed in the ancient past, is experienced in a life of present trust and obedience, and that labors to build for the generations to come.
Psalm 78:1-7
Freedom – Embracing the Limits of Marriage and Sex
Freedom is found in embracing the truth that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and it is the only proper context for human sexual activity.
Genesis 1:28; 2:20-25
The God of Generations
God is the God of generations and calls his people to pray and work to pass the faith from one generation to the next.
Deuteronomy 4:9
The Covenant of Creation – Part 2
In creation, God entered into a covenant with humanity as the image of God, calling us to worshipful obedience through proper relationships with creation, other humans, and God Himself.
Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 2:18–24
The Indecisive King
Unlike Jesus and His Gospel, David’s indecisive actions provided neither full justice or restoration, and thus provided the seeds for future troubles in his kingdom.
2 Samuel 13-14 (2 Samuel 13:21-22; 13:38-39; 14:1)
#TamarToo
Sexual abuse is devastating and must never be minimized or covered up, but responded to with the redemptive grace of God to help those who have been abused to receive healing from Jesus.
2 Samuel 13:1-22
Marriage: When Two Become One
God intends marriage to be a lifelong, vital union between a man and a woman, and anything less is a distortion or rejection of God’s will.
Matthew 19:4-6
Shema – Hear and Speak God’s Word
The Shema is the most important command in Scripture, and it teaches us that to love God with all our being we must hear and speak God’s Word regularly.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Manipulationslips
Relationships are damaged when we act out of the improper motivation to manipulate others to meet our needs but are repaired when we follow Christ and let our actions be driven by the motivation to minister to the deepest needs of the other person.
Philippians 2:3-11
Love and Respect
Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, and therefore must be centered on Him, and built on love and respect.
Ephesians 5:31-33
Humanity – Created For Community
As the image of the Triune God, the Divine Community, humans are by nature a relational, created to be part of a community.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25
Called To Family
Christians are called to serve God in their families by loving and respecting their spouse, raising their children to love God and His kingdom, and honoring their parents, all with a view to being a blessing to the wider world.
Ephesians 5:22-6:4
Relationships and Responsibilities in Christ the Lord
Our new status in Christ has not freed us from the relationships and responsibilities in our culture, but we now fulfill these under the Lordship of Christ.
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Living in Godly Submission (Part 3)
As God’s exile, sojourning people, Christian wives are called to submit to the husbands God has placed over them – even if they are ungodly, and Christian husbands are called to show honor to their wives.
1 Peter 3:1-7
Reaching Future Generations
God calls to us through the law and the Gospel to love Him with our entire being, and to raise future generations to turn to Christ so they can do the same thing.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Living with a Multi-Generational Perspective
God calls His people to live with a multi-generational perspective, focusing on how the faith will be passed on to the generations to come.
Psalm 78:1-8
Divorce and Remarriage Today
God may allow remarriage, but the sinful conduct which destroyed the previous marriage must be rectified first through repentance and proper actions.
Matthew 19:1-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
Does God Ever Allow Divorce?
Although God hates divorce, He does allow it if there has been sexual immorality or if an unbeliever leaves a believer.
Matthew 19:1-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
The Tragedy of Divorce
Divorce is a tragedy arising from man’s sin which produces devastating effects on all involved, so Christians should always work to save marriages.
Matthew 19:1-9; Malachi 2:16