The desire for love and the capacity to love have been hardwired into every human being. Most people do not recognize when they love in a worldly way or in a godly way. Knowing the difference between the two is essential if Christians are truly going to love as God loves. This teaching gives perspective on what it means to love God’s way.  Verses: 1 John 4:16; 2:13; 3:16; Luke 11:43; John 3:16, 19; 12:42-43; 21:14-19; 2 Tim. 4:10; 2 Pet. 2:15; Eph. 5:1; 1 Cor. 13:3-13  Teacher:  Dan Gallagher  ...

Two natures, sin nature and the nature of God, reside within an individual who is born again of God’s spirit, and those natures war against each other. So we sin. Often worse than the sin itself is the shame and condemnation we feel because of our sin.  Scripture teaches us what we can do to mitigate our feelings of failure and shame that often derail our walk with God.    Verses: 1 John1:9; Ps.103:11-14; 2 Cor. 7:8-11; 1 Cor. 15:54-56; Rom. 4:14-15; 5:20; 6:9-11; 7:1-25; Gal.5:16-17.  Teacher: John Schoenheit ...

Learning that God loves you is an amazing and necessary first step for a relationship with God. Maturing in that relationship and love includes discovering how real Jesus is, how Jesus and God have equipped all believers for discipleship, and how the gifts and ministries given help Christians grow. Altogether, this helps Christians become imitators of Jesus, strengthening unity in the Body of Christ.  Verses: John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-11; Matt. 28:18-19; 5:43-48; Acts 9:3-6; Eph. 4:1-4, 11-13; 6:18; 1 Cor. 10:33-11:1; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Thess. 2:11-12; Rom. 14:19; Col. 1:27-29; John 14:12; 18:4  Teacher: Dave Hanson  ...

God’s desire has always been to have a relationship with mankind. For much of man’s existence, God has been limited in the type of relationship He can have. The “Old Covenant thinking” of mankind creates the limitation. “New Covenant thinking” embraces our relationship to God as His children and helps us mature into being led by the spirit of God within us.   Verses: Lev. 26:1-5; Rom. 2:14-16; 5:20; 8:1-4, 14-15; Exod. 19:56; Deut. 14:2; Gal. 3:24; Jer. 31:31-33; Luke 22:20; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 8:13; 9:15; Eph. 2:14-16, 18; 2 Cor. 3:6; John 16:12; Phil. 1:29-30; Prov. 1:3; 2:9-10  Teacher: Dan Gallagher ...

What is the first and greatest commandment? Jesus was asked this and quoted from Deuteronomy. Having a full understanding of the Gospel record and the Old Testament commandment helps us understand that God “alone” is to be our God. Also, understanding some secondary meanings of the commandment help us to love Him with “all” our heart, soul, and might.  Verses: Mark 12:28-34; Deut. 6:4-5; 4:35, 39; Zech. 14:19; 13:2; Isa. 2:20; Luke 2:27  Teacher: John Schoenheit ...

Christians are God’s children, and He loves us with an undying love. This simple truth is most profound, yet how often we forget it! We disobey; we make mistakes. We feel badly about our sins. Sometimes we get so caught up in our feelings of failure that we forget God loves us. Worse, we can begin to believe that He does not love us, is angry with us, or is marshaling His spiritual forces against us. We need to get past these feelings, and we can!  Verses: 1 John 1:8-9; 3:1-2; Rom. 3:10-18, 23-24; 5:1, 8, 20; 6:11; 7:14-25; 8:3, 18, 31-39; Rev.12:10; Ps. 103:2-17; 1 Sam. 1:6-8; 17:28-29; 1 Pet. 3:14, 17; 2 Tim. 3:12  Teacher: John Schoenheit ...