Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I free?” You may think you are, based on your earthly citizenship, but consider instead the essence of the question. Have you chained yourself to a lifestyle or to beliefs that restrict you from a purer and more free existence? We live in the land of the free, but…
Can you think of something that everyone needs? Something that would bless everyone who receives it? Forgiveness is a gift of mercy; a gift without which we cannot survive (eternally); a gift we all desperately need. Because, what do you have to do to be forgiven? Sin. And we all do that very well. As…
Consider your identity. Who are you? Who are you trying to be? Who are you supposed to be? If you’re looking for something more, if you thirst for something better, seek water that will quench your thirst forever. “Through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” be justified by the grace of…
We flip lots of things in our life: houses, coins, sides, etc; Dean explores how we may flip in everyday life, as well as how we may flip spiritually. Finally, he asks what can we do to make “the flip” to finally see, listen, open our heart, repent, and decide to follow “the Lord who…
In today’s lesson, Dean asks, “what are we declaring?”
COLOSSIANS 1:24-29 The apostle Paul discovers and shares his role in Christ (Colossians 1:24-26). How does our culture strive for self-discovery? How does Paul realize and then live in the only real way that discovers self? The mystery revealed to all believers now supplies the hope of glory (v.27). How does living for Jesus discover…
LUKE 23:40-43 When life is as bad as it can get, with Jesus there is hope (Luke 23:40-43). What was the only hope for the thief on the cross? What is the greatest and the only hope for us? (I Peter 1:8-9) We have already been seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). How can a realization…
JOHN 17 This is how Jesus prayed for Himself (v.1-5). For what purposes was Jesus praying for Himself? For what purposes should we be praying for ourselves? This is how Jesus prayed for His disciples (v.6-19). Why does Jesus choose to not pray for the world? Why pray for protection, unity, joy and sanctification? What…
MATTHEW 16:13-28 Jesus asked two serious questions and Peter answered the hard one. (v.13-16). What do both of these questions tell us about the disciples? How well can you answer these two questions? What will help us to have a faith like Peter? Peter was specifically blessed for his confession (v.17-20). Why was Peter blessed…
MARK 2:13-22 Levi/Matthew was transformed by a call to follow Jesus (v.13-14). What would motivate a successful man to leave his profession to follow Jesus? What will lead us to leave anything that hinders us from following Jesus? Transformed Levi/Matthew wanted all of his friends to meet Jesus (v.15). When he was leaving his job,…