Scriptures Reviewed: Lue 4:19-28; Luke 5:22-25; Luke 6:6-11.

Discipleship Points: When Jesus first started preaching in the synagogue, He was accepted, all eyes were upon Him. But He knew the thoughts of those present; He demonstrated knowing the thoughts of a crowd in other verses. Jesus also knew and practiced this verse: No prophet is accepted in His own country. Those words soon proved true in Nazareth, Jesus's home.

Scriptures Reviewed: Luke 4:13-18; I Cor. 10:13; Rom. 12:6-8; Isa. 61:1,2a

Discipleship Points: Satan left Jesus after the temptations; Jesus ministered in Galilee & then Capernaum; Jesus faithfully attended synagogue (services) - we believers should faithfully attend, serve and support a local or online church; Jesus was not fully accepted in His hometown, fulfilling the verse "a Prophet has no honor in his hometown. Jesus ministered to the those fractured, shattered, broken, in ill health, et al, and so should we.

Scriptures Reviewed: Luke 1: 1-34

Discipleship Points: The Christmas story includes the many teaching points along with much of the supernatural. The Lord heard the prayer of Zacharias & Elizabeth and though advanced in years, they bore a son...who happened to be John the Baptist. Zacharias learned, as we all, to believe God when He speaks! John was filled with the Holy Spirit at birth, the only time in recorded history. Mary believed the angel speaking to her and was blessed.

Scriptures Reviewed: II Cor. 5:18-21

Discipleship Points: God has reconciled the world to Himself, not imputing their sins to them and given us the ministry of reconciliation. Believers are to take the Gospel to others to fulfil the ministry God has given us. Verse 20 furthers this point given we are ambassadors for God, as if God was pleading through us. And as verse 21 states, believers are MADE righteous. Some churches & leaders stumble at the second half of 21, preferring to belief we MUST do something to be righteous. i.e. the Good News cannot be that GOOD!

Scriptures Reviewed: II Cor. 5:16-18

Discipleship Points: Gary shares a testimony about being supernaturally refreshed. The verses reviewed include the following points: we regard no one according to the flesh; born again people are new as old things have passed away; all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Scriptures Reviewed: II Cor. 5:9-11; I Cor. 3:11-15

Discipleship Points: Given our security and confidence in Christ, we should aim to please the Lord. All believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and the works we do here will be tested. The I Cor. 3 verses include the types of materials used in our works; the precious ones will stand and not burn. The program ends with a testimony about a girl Gary met on a tennis court and how this was an answer to prayer!

Scriptures Reviewed: II Cor. 5:1-8; Eph. 1:13-14

Discipleship Points: II Cor. 5 includes many important points re: the life of believers including we have a temporal house and body but long for an eternal home and new body; God has prepared us for this home and His Spirit inside is a guarantee for us; and if we leave this body, we will be present with the Lord. Ephesians 1:13-14 confirms the Holy Spirit is our guarantee and we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures Reviewed: III John 2; I Thes. 3:8, 10-11; Prov. 6:6-11; Eph. 4:28; II Pet. 1:2-4; Matt. 8:16-17; I Pet. 2:24

Discipleship Points: The program covers two areas. First, what are the goals of the program. These include teaching the Word and Christian Doctrine; to present the Gospel as well as explain & defend the faith; and make disciples. The second focus is the biblical mandate and necessity of work. Gary discusses many scriptures re: health and divine healing; these are necessary for any believer to work long and hard.

Scriptures Reviewed: Heb. 10:32-39; James 1:2-4; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; I Cor. 9:25

Discipleship Points: This program concludes Heb. 10. The writer switches from those who walk, leave the faith and its warnings to encourage believers to resist falling back, remembering the victories in Christ from before, run the race with endurance and remember the just shall live by faith. A contrast is made between believers in the East and those in the West. The former may experience property loss and violence. The latter may be persecuted for their social stances.

Scriptures Reviewed: Heb. 10:31-32; Luke 24:12-46 (referenced verses, some read); Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 16:6-10.

Discipleship Points: The last couple programs centered on those who leave the faith, i.e. once save but walk away/apostates. Gary and Manny talk about sharing our faith and fellowshipping as much as possible. Perhaps someone will not walk away, perhaps someone considering the faith will be strengthened. Both share stories about witnessing.