Relationships can be complicated. We regularly interact with people of a different gender, age group, political persuasion and race. Often times these interactions occur through technology which can add even more complexity. We need God’s Word to help us think Biblically and relate carefully in all our relationships because, as we know . . . “it’s complicated."

God designed men and woman to mutually reflect His image. Men and woman are by design different--making relating well, complicated. Yet, in Christ our differences are for the good of our families, our churches, and our world. It’s complicated yet different is needed and purity is required.

In this fast changing culture, the issues we face seem to be more and more complicated. Today, we lay the foundation for the series, examining some guiding principles that give wisdom regarding these topics or any issue in your life where relating well is a challenge.

There are times in our life that we are overwhelmed by life situations. We receive news we were not expecting or we have an unexpected loss of a job or loved one. Where do we go when we just can’t take it anymore? Can we stand to be overwhelmed by one more thing that will overwhelm everything else in life?

Jesus Christ is The Way to God—no one comes to the Father except by Him. Jesus Christ is The Truth about God—more than just teaching the truth, Jesus embodied the truth. In this episode Jesus Christ is also The Life of God—the best news of the good news is that the life Jesus lived then, He wants to live now, in us.

Jesus said He is “The Way, The Truth and The Life” (Jn 14:6), the only way to the Father. That way had been blocked completely by sin. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection from the dead opened the way. In this episode, The Way to God is also The Truth about God—Living Truth, the Whole Truth and nothing but The Truth.

The Remnant is limping along in Jerusalem. The Rest are establishing synagogues in their exile. Israel’s palpable sense of diminishment heightened their sense of anticipation. But over 400 years have passed and nothing much has changed . . . until now.

In exile for 70 years, left for dead, Israel suddenly got a pulse. Persian King Cyrus decreed Jerusalem be rebuilt, and Jews would rebuild it. Although alive from the dead, Israel was still on life support. Only a small remnant of Jews returned. They remained a subject people. And only with great difficulty did they complete a scaled-back version of the Temple and city walls. That was Season 3, Episode 4, of The One Story.

But what about The Rest—the majority of Jews who didn’t return? They take center stage in Episode 5, and in the fascinating books of Daniel and Esther. It’s The Rest who will prepare us, albeit unwittingly, for what we’ve all been waiting for in the up-to-now mostly down and dreary The One Story—The Way Up & Out.

Israel as a nation was divided in two and the people exiled across the ancient world. The prophets were God’s spokesmen, sent to warn and woo His people. Then The Remnant returned and Israel had a pulse. Temple and walls rebuilt, The Law reinstated, and the Jews worshipping the LORD again in a restored Jerusalem. Is all right again in The One Story? Let’s find out.

One day Israel was a great nation, the next a divided nation, then 10 tribes . . . gone, soon the remaining 2 tribes . . . gone. During this devastating time the Prophets are the mouthpiece of God’s displeasure with, and hope for, His people. Return and repent was their message. Would the people listen? Will we?