In the next part of God's unfolding plan for humanity, we study the Age of the Promise and the Age of the Law. John Abernethy, our Care Pastor, has the students line up in a timeline and walks us through what it would be like to relate to God in each era.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you resonate with some of the confusion people feel when trying to understand the Old Testament; esp. the sacrifices and the Law?

2. How does understanding the Old Testament help you understand the New Testament; esp. Jesus's words and actions?

3. God uses two imperfect, even unwilling, men and keeps His promises to them. How does that make you feel about His using you for His glory?

4. How might learning about the Tabernacle and the mercy seat help you understand and appreciate more the sacrifice that Jesus completed on the cross?

This is the first of a three part series on the history of a God that redeems. Kevin walks us through God's plan for His relationship to humanity through the seven ages of Scripture. Through the ages, God's righteousness becomes clearer as his plan unfolds progressively.

We have a tendency to compartmentalize our lives, picking and choosing what parts we want to devote to God and which we want to devote to ourselves. Yet, salvation urges us to see that every part of our lives matter because God has chosen us to represent His heavenly interests.

The love of Christ should determine our decisions, alter our identity and create our calling.

How we view the resources we have will deeply impact our heart connection to God. Stewardship is generously and wisely managing the resources entrusted to us to reflect the grace of God to a broken world.

What has God entrusted you with? How can you increase your trust and reliance in God with resources you desperately want to call "mine" to?

Chris and Chanae Abernethy show us through a progression of God's "temples" throughout Scripture how radical it is to understand that we are now God's dwelling place. After exploring how God dwelled on earth at Creation, in the tabernacle & temple, in Jesus & us, and then in Revelation, we see how this reality has huge implications for our lives. We see that we can draw near to God with full access to Him, live holy as He is holy, and walk in step with the spirit instead of our flesh.

Kevin Bradford, our Global Outreach Director, taught through Genesis 12, Exodus 19, Matthew 28, and Acts 1 to outline God's Plan for the Nations to bring Him glory. We learned that we are blessed to be a blessing to the nations, called to be priests and lead others to Christ, make disciples of all nations, and be a witness to the ends of the earth.

The definition of hope by the world's standards is a temporory feeling sought after to accomplish a goal. The Hope of Jesus is a permenant reality of assurance in God's promises, character, and pursuit of us. We can live in that type of hope today.

Studying the context, words, and implications of Luke 2, Mike Beckham encourages us with the reality of God coming to earth in a shocking way. Reflection questions: What do the circumstances of Jesus' birth reveal about the relationship God desires with you? How will more embracing these truths (that Jesus was a servant King & empathizes with us in every way) impact your relationship with God?

On Family Weekend, Kevin taught on repentance and the act of making Jesus the Lord of our life. We saw that we cannot obey God on our own, but how salvation should lead to obedience. In Romans 1 and Luke 6, we see that God's grace helps us withstand life's storms and motivates our obedience.

In our 3rd week breaking down the good news, or "Gospel," Mike Beckham teaches on Grace and Mercy.