Has modern innovation in education and technology made attending church irrelevant? As we look at the history of Israel, we see that without the hearing and following of the word of God, his people descend into idolatry. In Nehemiah, we see how the returning exiles try to overcome past failure by assembling around the word of God being declared by Ezra and taught by the Levites

How does the New Testament church relate to the Old Testament? The mass assembly of the Israelites at Sinai (Exodus 19) was the first of its kind, and one that completely overwhelmed the senses of those who attended. Should the modern church look back at this event and try to learn from it? The writer of Hebrews believes that there are better realities to explore than those experiences of the ancient church which we need to tap into.

Some start at the beginning when seeking to answer the question 'why church?'. But did you know the real answer starts BEFORE the beginning? Listen in to see how come?

How do we establish a healthy ecclesiology? By looking through The Bible, we will begin to see God has integrated 'the assembly' into his plan for establishing the the faithfulness and maturity of his people.

What prevents the Israelites from enjoying a close relationship with the Lord? The final call again is that Israel would repent and turn back to the Lord.

Are we to be blamed if our heart does not desire the Lord? Hosea writes to Israel and to us all that we remain responsible for reciprocating God's love and commitment to us.

What are you investing in your future? Hosea has some home truths for Israel who believe their future is looking bright. Their investment in the idol calves and king and military will come to nothing as they have not looked to the Lord first.

Fruit of deception, seed of wickedness and evil they are about to reap.

Has anyone made a comparison of your behaviour with something less than flattering? Hosea gives Israel an uncompromising view of their behaviour towards the Lord in the hope that it will correct them. Maybe we might also identify some of our own behaviour towards the Lord in this striking text.

Have you ever noticed how someone can plead their undying love one moment only for it to come to a short end the next moment. Hosea exposes the shallowness of Israel's love for the Lord. For all their outward display of loyalty to the Lord they are inwardly despising him