This week, we ask what it means for Christians to be patrons of the arts. Can we support and encourage them to pursue their calling? Additionally, there is an interview with Steve Thrall, who works with artists in France.

To download this week’s handout, click here.

This week, we considered ways to understand art in order to understand our neighbor. We discussed the ways that artists are treated and perceived in society at large and in the church specifically, and then looked at three ways to engage with the arts.

Visit the list of recommended books with this Amazon Book List.

This week, we look at how human creativity stems from being created by God in his image, and how God has called us to be creative in the world.

Visit the list of recommended books with this Amazon Book List.

This week considers “Why We Need Beauty and the Arts.” Why does Beauty exist in the world? Do the Arts matter? Are there benefits from experiencing Beauty and the Arts?

Visit the list of recommended books with this Amazon Book List.

Exploring this week’s question, “What is marriage for?” Jimmy Agan presents tips for how to have healthy conversations with others about the reasons people marry one another. Download his class notes here.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Tim and Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage 
Christopher Ash, “A Biblical View of Marriage”

In episode 2, David Fisk presents a case study of a discussion between two people about commitment in marriage.

Download the handout that also includes discussion questions here.

The pastors of Intown explore the question "Is marriage still relevant?" In a world where our understanding of relationships seems to be constantly changing, why is marriage needed? What are the benefits of marriage, and does it make sense to see these as gifts designed by God? How might a covenantal view of marriage differ from a contractual view? Whoever you are, and whatever your relationship status, these questions are impacting you. Join us for an exploration of marriage in contemporary culture and of ways Christians can lean into the conversation with grace and wisdom.

In episode 1, David Fisk compares statistics on marriage in the culture and in the church and sets the stage for the rest of the series, emphasizing that we don’t want to set up an “us vs. them” mentality but rather a posture of curiosity about the way things are in the world and how they got that way.

For the original presentation, a handout was given to participants to follow along. Download that handout here.

The following books were referenced during this discussion.

C. John “Jack” Collins, Did Adam and Eve Really Exist?: Who They Were and Why You Should Care

J.P. Moreland, Stephen C. Meyer, Christopher Shaw (editors), Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique