I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

God loves you. But are you convinced? If we’re not careful, those words can lose all meaning. Hosea was a prophet to the nation of Israel thousands of years ago. His ministry was as personal as one could get. The anguish of a husband betrayed and his gut-wrenching journey to get his wife back – that is the picture the ancient prophet Hosea gives us of God’s relentless love. Will we allow that picture to correct our misconceptions about the God of the Bible? Will we allow it to lead us away from and out of anything that has taken God’s place in our lives?

When God calls us to Himself, He also calls us into a people. Scripture describes the church as “fellow citizens,”“members of the household of God,” and a “dwelling place for God by the Spirit”. Community is not optional—it is central to the Christian life and God’s plan for the world. Yet for many, it is also one of the most difficult parts of following Jesus. This class will explore the spiritual nature and purpose of Christian community as found in Scripture and offer practical guidance for living it out faithfully in everyday life.

So much comes at us each day that leads to distraction and anxiety. Short bits of information, disjointed and unrelated, fill our minds and tell us what we should run after and what will satisfy. As a result, it’s easy to feel spiritually disoriented, deflated or numb. In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus’ parables break through all that noise with beautiful simplicity. They reveal the Kingdom of Heaven not as some distant, abstract reality we’re to keep at arm’s length, but as a treasure beyond compare – one that produces delirious joy, wholehearted devotion and glad surrender.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline by which we deny ourselves food for a certain period of time so that we can grow in our dependence on God. Fasting is not about trying to impress God, manipulate him, or make ourselves more acceptable to God. Fasting has been described as, “an intensifier of spiritual desire.” Ultimately the purpose of fasting is to draw near to God. In this class we explore the Biblical purpose of fasting and ways to incorporate this practice into your life.

Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of Heaven answer some of the deepest questions of the human heart. Ones like: “Why is the world so broken? Why does evil seem to be winning? God, do you care? Are you going to do anything about this mess?” And “Why do your purposes seem to move so slowly? How will you accomplish your will through what seems weak, hidden and insignificant?” In Matthew 13:24-43 when Jesus communicates three more parables, he isn’t interested in simply giving you information – he is fiercely interested in your spiritual formation. The Kingdom of Heaven is a reality he wants you to enter and go on to embody. A reality that brings comfort in the face of evil, patience when all we want are immediate results and trust in the hidden, but totally pervasive, work of God.

Have you ever had someone tell you something important but because you weren’t really listening you forgot what they told you? Yet when you contemplate a beautiful painting or read an epic novel you can’t forget its meaning. Jesus understood this dynamic; so he taught Truth like an artist. In Matthew 13 Jesus begins to teach in parables, ordinary stories that explain the kingdom of God. His first parable about sowing seeds illustrates why there is such a varied response to those who hear God’s word. This simple farming story challenges us to think deeply about how we are hearing the word of God.

Their way of life was at stake. If they admit Jesus’ ability to cast demons out is the work of the Spirit, it will mean his message and ministry might actually be the work of God. Instead, in Matthew 12:22-50 the religious leaders of Jesus’ day intentionally write him off, rebrand him as some kind of sorcerer, in league with the Devil. Between deliberate rejection and humble obedience we find a warning that “something greater” is here and neutrality is not an option – there’s no middle ground when it comes to Jesus.

What happens when man-made traditions, originally intended to honor God, end up missing his heart entirely? They have to be broken apart. In Matthew 12:1-21 the true rest we’re intended to find in Jesus is overshadowed by exhausting religious practices – and Jesus isn’t having it. His words and actions bring both controversy and comfort as he breaks it all apart and identifies himself as the one with the authority to do it. What misconceptions do you have? What well-intended traditions are you leaning on? Jesus will break  it all apart. But it’s the way he’ll do it - with such gentleness and humility - that might be the most surprising thing of all.