Doug Batchelor as Host
Episodes 131
Lesson 1 – God’s Love for Man
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
Read MoreLesson 2 – Revelation of the Love of God
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Read MoreLesson 3 – We have found a Saviour
“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth…” John 1:45.
Read MoreLesson 4 – Harmony with God
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Read MoreLesson 5 – A Sign from the Experience of Jonah
“…It is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present Him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples and in the wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men.” –Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 363.
Read MoreLesson 6 – Confession
“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:2, 3
Read MoreLesson 7 – True Consecreation
“Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:2.
Read MoreLesson 8 – Faith and Acceptance
And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:52
Read MoreLesson 9 – The Test of Discipleship
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26, 27.
Read MoreLesson 10 – Growing Up into Christ
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15.
Read MoreLesson 11 – The Joy of Cooperation
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.
Read MoreLesson 12 – Can we Communicate with God?
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.
Read MoreLesson 13 – Fountain of Joy and Happiness
“Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.” Jeremiah 7:23.
Read MoreLesson: 1 - Paul and the Ephesians
Scripture: Ephesians 1:9-10
How can the message of Ephesians be summarized? From prison, Paul sets forth a vision of God’s Christ-centered plan for the fullness of time and the church’s role in it.
Read MoreLesson: 2 - God’s Grand, Christ-Centered Plan
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3
What does it mean to you that through Christ’s atoning sacrifice you are forgiven and redeemed? What if you feel that you are unworthy of it? (Hint: you are unworthy; that’s the whole point of the cross.)
Read MoreLesson: 3 - The Power of the Exalted Jesus
Scripture: Ephesians 1:19-20
Why is it important always to thank God in prayer for what you have to be thankful for?
Read MoreLesson: 4 - How God Rescues Us
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5
Who hasn’t experienced just how corrupted our own nature is, even after we have given ourselves to Jesus? What should this teach us about how important it is that we cling to Him every moment of our lives?
Read MoreScripture: Ephesians 2:13-14
How might your church play a positive role in actualizing the unifying work Christ already has accomplished on the cross? How might you participate in that work?
Read MoreLesson: 6 - The Mystery of the Gospel
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
How can we learn to trust God and His ways amid what can be very trying circumstances?
Read MoreLesson: 7 - The Unified Body of Christ
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12
Paul’s picture of a healthy, unified body helps us understand God’s goal for us: to be parts of a fruitful church united in Christ.
Read MoreLesson: 8 - Christ-Shaped Lives and Spirit-Inspired Speech
Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24
Think about the power of your words. How can you use them to be uplifting, encouraging, and faith-building?
Read MoreLesson: 9 - Living Wisely
Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17
What are some of the “empty words” that in our day and age we need to be wary of? What strategies might believers today employ to “discern what is pleasing to the Lord”
Read MoreLesson: 10 - Husbands and Wives: Together at the Cross
Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-27
Paul cites the example of Jesus to both wives and husbands. What can you learn from Jesus about loving those in your own family circle?
Read MoreLesson: 11 - Practicing Supreme Loyalty to Christ
Lesson: 12 - The Call To Stand
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-11
What should Paul's warning that we fight not against flesh and blood but against supernatural enemies teach us about where our only hope of victory is?
Read MoreLesson: 13 - Waging Peace
Scripture: Ephesians 6:16-17
In what ways can we, as a corporate body, work together in the great controversy, in order to help each other in our struggles against evil, in whatever form it comes?
Read MoreLesson: 14 - Ephesians in the Heart
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10
What important truths embedded in Ephesians should continue to shape our lives as believers?
Read MoreLesson: 1 - God’s Mission to Us: Part 1
Lesson: 2 - God's Mission to Us: Part 2
Scripture: Matthew 28:19
God has chosen to manifest Himself to us in such a way that we can understand His nature and purpose.
Read MoreLesson: 3 - God's Call to Mission
Scripture: Acts 1:8
How would you define the word “mission” as you apply it to your own life? In what ways could you, daily, express mission in your attitude and behavior? How can you be more mission minded in your day-by-day tasks?
Read MoreLesson: 4 - Sharing God's Mission
Scripture: John 13:34-35
How can praying for others in need help us grow spiritually and experience more the reality of God’s love for sinners?
Read MoreLesson: 5 - Excuses to Avoid Mission
Scripture: Isaiah 6:8
Winning souls is hard, too hard for humans to do on their own. How can we learn, instead, to let God win souls, but through us and our life and witness?
Read MoreLesson: 6 - Motivation and Preparation for Mission
Scripture: Luke 24:44
What are some of the experiences you have had with the reality of God and His love? Why are these times so precious to you, and how do they motivate you to reach out to others with the good news?
Read MoreLesson: 7 - Mission to My Neighbor
How can we learn to distinguish between working for salvation, which is a fatal mistake, and revealing in our lives the salvation that we already have in Jesus?
Read MoreLesson: 8 - Mission to the Needy
Scripture: Matthew 25:40
Whatever the situation, we are called to be God’s helpers for all people in need, regardless of their background. Whatever the needs are, we must be ready to do what we can to help. This is a central part of what it means to be a Christian and what mission must include.
Read MoreLesson: 9 - Mission to the Powerful
Scripture: Matthew 16:26
Why must we be careful of the trap of thinking that because “we have the truth”, then the knowledge of this truth alone is enough to save us? How many souls will be lost who had more than enough knowledge, even of the three angels’ messages, to be saved?
Read MoreLesson: 10 - Mission to the Unreached: Part 1
Scripture: Acts 17:24
What bridges and points of contact can you think of that would open opportunities for deeper conversation with others with whom you come in contact?
Read MoreLesson: 11 - Mission to the Unreached: Part 2
Scripture: Matthew 15:28
What is the difference between faith and belief? Why might people who have the correct belief be found void of faith when Christ returns?
Read MoreLesson: 12 - Esther and Mordecai
Scripture: Isaiah 49:6
In its own unique way, this story shows how God’s people, even in foreign environments, can witness for truth. What are some of the challenges to your faith that you face in your own culture? How do you respond to them?
Read MoreLesson: 13 - The End of God's Mission
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11-12
In this quarter’s final lesson, we will see that Revelation is a missionary book focused on a missionary God who is calling us to be a missionary church.
Read MoreLesson: 1 - How To Read the Psalms
Scripture: Luke 24:44-45
The Psalms are inspired prayers and praises of Israel, and so in the Psalms the voice is that of God intermingled with that of His people.
Read MoreLesson: 2 - Teach Us To Pray
Scripture: Luke 11:1
This week we will look at the role the Psalms played in helping God’s people traverse their life journey and grow in their relationship with God.
Read MoreLesson: 3 - The Lord Reigns
Scripture: Psalm 34:17
God has both the perfect knowledge of us and of our circumstances, and also the means to help us. Therefore, His promises of help and deliverance are not shallow platitudes but firm assurances.
Read MoreLesson: 4 - The Lord Hears and Delivers
Scripture: Psalm 34:17
We should remember that the proper response to the Lord’s nearness consists in a life of faith in Him, and of obedience to His commandments.
Read MoreLesson: 5 - Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land
Scripture: Psalm 137:4
As we already have seen, the psalmists acknowledge God’s sovereign rule and power, as well as His righteous judgments.
Read MoreLesson: 6 - I Will Arise
Scripture: Psalm 12:5
The Lord is longsuffering and holds His wrath in His great forbearance, not wanting anyone to perish but to repent and change their ways (2 Pet. 3:9–15).
Read MoreLesson: 7 - Your Mercy Reaches Unto the Heavens
Scripture: Psalm 57:9-10
God’s people take comfort in the fact that the Lord is faithful to His covenant.
Read MoreLesson: 8 - Wisdom for Righteous Living
Scripture: Psalm 90:12
Wisdom for righteous living is gained through the dynamics of life with God amid temptations and challenges.
Read MoreLesson: 9 - Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord
Scripture: Psalm 118:22-23
In all the Psalms, through the psalmists’ laments, thanksgivings, praises, and cries for justice and deliverance, we can hear the echoes of Christ’s prayer for the salvation of the world.
Read MoreLesson: 10 - Lessons of the Past
Scripture: Psalm 78:3-4
Each generation of God’s people plays a small but significant part in the grand historical unfolding of God’s sovereign purposes in the great controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 11 - Longing for God in Zion
Scripture: Psalm 84:2
The blessings of Zion overflow to the ends of the earth because the Lord’s person and grace exceed the boundaries of any holy place. Zion is the joy of all the earth (Ps. 48:2), affirming that the whole earth belongs to God.
Read MoreLesson: 12 - Worship That Never Ends
Scripture: Psalm 104:33
The Lord’s people are identified with the righteous, who worship the Lord and whose hope is in Him and in His love.
Read MoreLesson: 13 - Wait on the Lord
Scripture: Psalm 27:14
If there is a final word that we can draw from the Psalms, it should be “wait on the Lord.” Waiting on the Lord is not an idle and desperate biding of one’s time. Instead, waiting on the Lord is an act full of trust and faith, a trust and faith revealed in action.
Read MoreLesson: 1 - The War Behind All Wars
Scripture: Revelation 12:7-8
If God is so good, why is the world so bad? How can a God of love allow so much evil to exist? Why do bad things happen to good people? In this week’s lesson, we will explore the age-long conflict between good and evil.
Read MoreLesson: 2 - The Central Issue: Love or Selfishness?
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10
We will study Satan’s twofold strategy both to deceive and destroy God’s people. What the evil one fails to accomplish through persecution, he hopes to achieve through compromise. God is never caught by surprise, and even in the most challenging times He preserves His people.
Study this week’s lesson, based on The Great Controversy, chapters 1–2
Read MoreLesson: 3 - Light Shines in the Darkness
Scripture: John 12:35
Yet even in life’s most difficult times, God was continually with His people. They found Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life” and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they stood firm, even in the face of overwhelming pressure to yield their conscientious convictions. They stayed loyal to God’s revealed will in Scripture and unflinchingly stood for the truth of His Word, regardless of the pressure placed on them, either overtly or subtly.
This week’s lesson is based on The Great Controversy, chapter 3.
Read MoreLesson: 4 - Standing for the Truth
Scripture: John 3:14-15
This week we will look at some biblical principles that motivated the Waldenses and later Reformers, such as Huss and Jerome, to stay faithful to the Lord no matter what—even at the threat of death from the same power that killed Polycarp: Rome, but now the papal phase.
Study this week’s lesson which is based on The Great Controversy, chapters 4–6
Read MoreLesson: 5 - Faith Against All Odds
Scripture: Psalm 119:11
In this week’s study, with examples from the Reformation, we will explore how the life-changing teachings of Scripture provide the basis for genuine purpose and true meaning in life.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 7–11 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 6 - The Two Witnesses
Scripture: Isaiah 40:8
This week, we explore one of the most vicious attacks on the Scriptures and the Christian faith.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 12-17 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 7 - Motivated by Hope
Scripture: Isaiah 25:9
In this week’s lesson we will examine why the second coming of Christ has filled the hearts of believers with joy through the centuries and how we can be ready for that great event.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 18–21 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 8 - Light From the Sanctuary
Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-2
This week we explore Christ’s ministry in heaven.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 22–24 and 28 of The Great Controve
Read MoreLesson: 9 - The Foundation of God’s Government
Scripture: Revelation 12:17
The aim of this lesson is to show the link between the sanctuary, God’s law, the Sabbath, and the coming crisis over the mark of the beast. We will also explore the relevance of the Sabbath to an end-time generation.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 25–27 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 10 - Spiritualism Exposed
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The aim of this lesson is to show that our only safeguard against Satan’s last-day delusions is a personal relationship with Christ and a solid grounding in the teachings of the Bible. This includes its teaching about death, regardless of what our eyes and ears and hearts might try to tell us.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 31–34 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 11 - The Impending Conflict
Scripture: John 17:17
Lesson: 11
The aim of this week’s lesson is to reveal the coming conflict over worship. This week’s study emphasizes Jesus’ strength to take us through earth’s final conflict.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 35 and 36 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 12 - Earth’s Closing Events
Scripture: Proverbs 23:23
The aim of this week’s lesson is to reveal what the prophetic Word says about the closing events and discover a new Christ’s strength to take us through earth’s final conflict and get us home.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 37 and 38 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 13 - The Triumph of God’s Love
Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4
In this quarter’s final lesson, we will see Christ’s steadfast love during the most exciting time in the history of the universe and His complete and total triumph in the great controversy between good and evil. The Bible’s last book, Revelation, gives us hope for today, tomorrow, and forever.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 39-42 of The Great Controversy.
Read MoreLesson: 1 - The Beginning of the Gospel
This week's first step will be to learn about Mark as reported in Scripture, to see his early failure and eventual recovery. Then the study will turn to the opening section of Mark with a look forward to where the story is headed and a look backward at why a failed and then restored missionary would write such a text.
Read MoreLesson: 2 - A Day in the Ministry of Jesus
Scripture: Mark 1:17
The Gospel of Mark recounts the calling of four disciples and describes a Sabbath in Capernaum and what followed. This “Sabbath with Jesus” at the beginning of Mark gives the reader a sense of who Jesus is. In the entire section for this week’s lesson there are very few of His words recorded: a brief call to discipleship, a command to a demon, a plan to visit other locations, and the healing of a leper with instructions to show himself before a priest to be clean. The emphasis is on action, particularly healing people. The Gospel writer likes to use the word immediately to illustrate the fast-action movement of Jesus’ ministry.
Read MoreLesson: 3 - Controversies
The Gospel writer uses a technique that is called “Sandwich Stories.” This narrative pattern appears at least six times in Mark. In each case some important aspect of the nature of Jesus and His role as Messiah, or the nature of discipleship, is the focus.
This week, we will read some accounts about Jesus and see what we can learn from them.
Read MoreLesson: 4 - Parables
Scripture: Mark 4:24-25
For many years scholars have argued over the meaning and interpretation of Jesus’ parables: How to interpret them, what they mean, why Jesus used them, what kind of lessons they were intended to reveal, and how literally they were to be taken, or whether they were purely allegory, and so forth.
Obviously we are not going to solve all these issues in this week’s lesson. Instead, we are going to look at them and, by God grace, come away with an understanding of the points Jesus made through these parables.
Read MoreLesson: 5 - Miracles around the Lake
The main goal of Mark's Chapter 5 dramatic stories is to let the reader see who Jesus is. He is the One able to calm a storm, heal a demoniac, heal a woman who simply touches His clothes, raise a dead girl, preach in His home town, send out His disciples on a preaching mission, feed 5,000 with a few loaves and fishes, and walk on water—incredible displays of power that are drawing the disciples closer to an understanding that He is the Son of God.
Read MoreLesson: 6 - Inside Out
Scripture: Mark 7:15
This week’s study is Mark 7 and the first half of Mark 8. At the beginning of Mark 7, Jesus stirs up controversy by His rejection of religious tradition. However, He does it in a way that is strikingly supportive of something deeply relevant to Christian life today.
Read MoreLesson: 7 - Teaching Disciples: Part I
Scripture: Mark 8:34
In the last part of Mark 8 through the end of Mark 10, Jesus focuses on teaching His disciples about His journey. In these chapters, He will give predictions about the cross. These will be followed by special instruction on discipleship. These powerful lessons remain relevant today.
Read MoreLesson: 8 - Teaching Disciples: Part II
Scripture: Mark 10:45
This week covers Mark 10, completing the special section in which Jesus teaches His disciples in preparation for the cross. About half of the chapter deals with the disciples themselves, and the rest with issues important to discipleship but told through the lens of others who interact with Jesus. Pharisees come and argue with Him over the subject of divorce. Parents bring their children for Jesus to bless. A rich man asks about eternal life, and a blind man asks for sight.
This chapter of Mark carries important teachings about what it means to follow Jesus, particularly as it relates to living in the here and now: marriage, children, how to relate to riches, and the reward and cost of following Him.
Read MoreLesson: 9 - Jeruselem Controversies
Scripture: Mark 11:25
Lesson: 9
In this week’s lesson, when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, He has a series of six controversies with the religious leaders. The religious leaders come to confront, confound, and defeat Jesus, but they never succeed. Part of this week’s lesson will include analyzing just what it is that brings people into opposition to God and consideration of what Christians can do to break through prejudice and speak to the hearts of those resisting the Spirit’s call.
Read MoreLesson: 10 - The Last Days
Scripture: Mark 13:26-27
This week’s lesson starts with a very brief story at the end of Mark 12, where Jesus makes a profound statement about a small act by a widow. The main portion of this week’s lesson, however, deals with Mark 13, a striking prophecy about the fate of the Jerusalem temple and more. This chapter, along with its parallels in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, tell about both the fall of Jerusalem and beyond, even to the end of the world. Jesus not only predicts the future but also instructs His disciples both then and now in how to prepare for the coming trials.
Read MoreLesson: 11 - Taken and Tried
Scripture: Mark 14:36
This week’s lesson focuses on Mark 14, beginning with the fifth Sandwich Story, which interlinks two opposite actions in relation to Jesus. This is followed by the Last Supper, followed by His struggle in Gethsemane. There He is arrested and taken before the leaders to be tried. The trial scene is linked with Peter’s denial of Jesus, forming the sixth and last of the Sandwich Stories in Mark. Again, two opposite actions occur, but by an ironic twist, they affirm the same truth.
Throughout the narrative, two contrasting story plots march hand in hand. In a crisp style, Mark sets before the reader these clashing plots while revealing the triumph of Jesus.
Read MoreLesson: 12 - Tried and Crucified
Mark 15 is the heart of the Passion Narrative. It presents the trial of Jesus, His condemnation, the mockery by the soldiers, His crucifixion, and then His death and burial. The events in this chapter are presented in stark, crisp detail, likely because the author let the facts speak for themselves.
This week, from the question of Pilate, “ ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ” to the mocking soldiers to the sign above the cross to the mocking of the religious leaders, “ ‘He saved others; Himself He cannot save’ ” to the unexpected appearance of Joseph of Arimathea, the chapter is filled with painful ironies that nevertheless reveal powerful truths about the death of Jesus and what it means.
Read MoreLesson: 13 - The Risen Lord
Scripture: Mark 16:6
The crucifixion of Jesus proved the death knell to the hopes and faith of His disciples. It was a dark weekend for them as they not only grappled with their Master’s death but feared for their own lives, as well (John 20:19).
In Mark 16, the final chapter in his Gospel, we will look at what followed His death. This study will close with a challenge to the reader of Mark to take the gospel throughout the world.
Read MoreLesson: 1 - Signs That Point the Way
Scripture: John 20:30-31
Why did John write his Gospel? Did he wish to emphasize Jesus’ miracles? Or to emphasize some specific teachings of Jesus? What was the reason for writing what he did?
This week we’re going to look in John at some of Jesus’ early miracles—from His turning water to wine at a wedding, to restoring to health someone’s very sick son, to the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda.
Read MoreLesson: 2 - Signs of Divinity
Scripture: John 11:25-26
This week’s lesson looks at three of Jesus’ greatest signs of His divinity. What is striking is that in every case some people did not believe the miracle or perceive its significance. For some it was a time of turning away from Jesus; for others, a time for deepening blindness; and for others, a time to plot Jesus’ death. And, for others—a time to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
Read MoreLesson: 3 - The Backstory: The Prologue
Scripture: John 1:1
This week’s lesson will begin with the Prologue (John 1:1–18) and summarize its major themes. These themes will then be looked at in other places in John’s Gospel, as well.
Read MoreLesson: 4 - Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah
Scripture: John 3:3
Lesson: 4
This week begins with the powerful witness of John the Baptist. Other witnesses come on the stage as well: Andrew and Simon Peter, Philip and Nathaniel, and a most unexpected witness, the Pharisee Nicodemus. But another witness stands back in the shadows (that other disciple with Andrew, in John 1:35, 40)—John himself.
Read MoreLesson: 5 - The Testimony of the Samaritans
Scripture: John 4:42
Lesson: 5
At the time of Christ, this animosity continued. The Jews avoided Samaria as much as possible. Though commerce may have gone on, other interaction was taboo. The Jews would not borrow from Samaritans or even receive a favor from them. Within this context, John recounts the encounter between Jesus, the woman by the well, and the people of the Samaritan city of Sychar.
Read MoreLesson: 6 - More Testimonies About Jesus
Scripture: John 12:32
This week’s lesson looks at some of those who witnessed and testified about Jesus. In each of these incidents, some aspects of who Jesus really is are revealed, and together they create a deeper vision of Jesus, the Messiah.
Read MoreLesson: 7 - Blessed Are Those Who Believe
Scripture: John 20:29
Throughout his Gospel, John has a diversity of people—people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences—all testifying to who Jesus was. Who were some of these people, and why did they testify as they did to the identity of Jesus?
Read MoreLesson: 8 - Fulfilling Old Testament Prophecies
Scripture: John 5:36 Lesson: 8
This week we will look at more ways John revealed Jesus as the Messiah, and also, we will look at why some people still continued to reject Him—despite all the powerful reasons affirming Him as the Christ. What can we learn from their mistakes?
Read MoreLesson: 9 - The Source of Life
Scripture: John 14:6
Lesson: 9
This week continues with the revelation of God as given us in John. We will also more fully explore the flip side of things, in which, despite the powerful evidence for Jesus as the Messiah, some rejected Him. We will study this idea for two reasons: to avoid the same mistake, but also to consider how we might be able to reach out to those in danger of making that mistake, as well.
Read MoreLesson: 10 - The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Scripture: John 1:18
Lesson: 10
This week’s lesson will begin with the purpose of the farewell discourse and its introduction with the significant episode of Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet. Then it will turn to the “I AM” statement in chapter 14 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”).
Read MoreLesson: 11 - The Father, the Son, and the Spirit
Scripture: John 14:26
Lesson: 11
This week’s lesson looks at how the Gospel of John presents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but now within the context of the farewell discourse (John 13–17).
Read MoreLesson: 12 - The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection
Scripture: John 18:37
Lesson: 12
The four Gospels present the death of Jesus in different ways. But John presents the cross as the enthronement of Jesus, particularly tied to the idea of the hour, which is referred to numerous times throughout the book (John 7:30, John 8:20, John 12:27).
Read MoreLesson: 13 - Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word
Scripture: John 5:39
Lesson: 13
In this, our last week in John, we will look at some of this Gospel’s key points, which can help us move beyond the mere head knowledge of Jesus to, instead, knowing Him better and more closely abiding in Him and in His Word.
Read MoreGod Loves Freely
Scripture: Hosea 14:4
Lesson: 1
God not only asks us, “Do you love Me,” but God Himself loves each person, and does so freely. Indeed, He freely loves you and me and every other person more than we could possibly imagine.
Read MoreCovenantal Love
Scripture: John 14:23
Lesson: 2
Some might think that they are unlovable, or that God might love everyone else, but not them. Yet, the Bible consistently proclaims that every single person is loved by God. There is no one whom He does not love. And because God loves everyone, He also wants everyone to be saved, as well.
Read MoreTo Be Pleasing to God
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17
Lesson: 3
Hard as it is for us to imagine, God considers each person of incalculable value, which is why He rejoices over the salvation of even one soul.
Read MoreGod Is Passionate and Compassionate
Scripture: Isaiah 49:15
Lesson: 4
How can we model our lives after the life of Christ, focusing on the felt needs of others, and, thus, not merely preaching God’s love but showing it in tangible ways?
Read MoreThe Wrath of Divine Love
Scripture: Psalm 78:38
Lesson: 5
Though God’s compassion is often celebrated, many find the idea of His wrath disturbing. If God is love, they think He should never express wrath. That notion, however, is false. His wrath arises directly from His love.
Read MoreGod’s Love of Justice
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:24
Lesson: 6
Throughout Scripture, love and justice go together. True love requires justice, and true justice can be governed by and meted only out in love.
Read MoreThe Problem of Evil
Scripture: Revelation 21:4
Lesson: 7
Perhaps the greatest problem facing Christianity is the problem of evil—how to reconcile the fact that God is perfectly good and loving, with the fact of evil in this world. In briefest terms, if God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil, and so much of it, too?
Read MoreFree Will, Love, and Divine Providence
Scripture: Jeremiah 2:24
Lesson: 8
The God of the Bible could not be more different from these demonic forces. Yahweh is perfectly good and His character changeless. And it is only because of God’s constant goodness that we can have any hope, now and for eternity.
Read MoreThe Cosmic Conflict
Scripture: Genesis 3:15 Lesson: 9
The theme of a cosmic conflict, in which the kingdom of God is opposed by the devil and his angels, is not one that we can neglect without missing a great deal of what the biblical narratives are about. The Gospels alone are filled with references to the devil and demons who oppose God. This week, we will address how the two following questions might be answered according to some crucial biblical passages:
1- Where does Scripture teach that there is a cosmic conflict between God and Satan?
2- According to Scripture, what is the nature of the conflict?
Read MoreRules of Engagement
Scripture: 1 John 3:8 Lesson: 10
For the cosmic conflict to occur, God must allow the enemy some freedom and power within certain parameters, though the details are unknown to us. Even God's angels operate within these "rules of engagement." Understanding that God governs by love, not coercion, helps us grasp this concept and better understand the great controversy.
Read MoreWhat More Could I Have Done?
Scripture: John 18:37
Lesson: 11
Many struggle with the question: If God is good, why is there so much suffering? Where is He in the midst of pain? The cosmic conflict helps shed light on this crucial issue, yet many questions remain. But when our search for answers falls short, we can look to Jesus on the cross and see that God is trustworthy, even when some questions remain unanswered—for now.
Read MoreLove and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments
Scripture: 1 John 4:20
Lesson: 12
Part of loving one another is sharing a concern for the well-being of those around us. When others are afflicted by poverty, oppression, or any kind of injustice, we should be concerned. When others are oppressed, we should not turn a blind eye. Instead, we should ask ourselves what we can do, individually and corporately, to advance God’s love and justice in a way that reflects to our broken world our Lord’s perfect character of righteousness and love.
Read MoreLove Is the Fulfillment of the Law
Scripture: Romans 13:8
Lesson: 13
God’s law is not a set of abstract principles but commands and instructions intended for our flourishing. God’s law is, in its totality, an expression of love as God Himself expresses it.
Read MoreSome Principles of Prophecy
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:24
Lesson: 1
Why does Bible prophecy cause so much confusion—even among Christians?
Some avoid it altogether, thinking it's too complicated or divisive. But that wasn’t always the case. For centuries, believers found unity and clarity in God’s prophetic Word.
In this week’s lesson, we’ll explore simple, powerful principles that bring prophecy into focus—and show how it can still inspire faith and understanding today.
Read MoreThe Genesis Foundation
Scripture: John 1:29
Lesson: 2
This week, we are going to study a handful of big concepts at the core of Revelation. There are many, and so we will choose a few to illustrate the all-important point that understanding the ancient foundations behind Revelation enables the student to see countless nuances in the text, each of which can yield important lessons about the nature of humanity, of God, and of the conflict being waged in our universe and, thus, in our lives, as well.
Read MoreImages From Marriage
Scripture: Revelation 19:9
Lesson: 3
This week we will explore different ways the Word of God talks about marriages, good and bad. We can then draw lessons from these examples to understand better how God relates to His people, even when they fall short, and we can learn some truths about His love that can help us better grasp last-day events.
Read More'The Nations: Part 1'
Scripture: Daniel 7:14
Lesson: 4
In this lesson, we will explore humanity’s long and often tragic journey of self-government through the lens of Scripture. From the table of nations in Genesis to the hopeful vision in Revelation, this lesson traces how human attempts to rule without God have consistently fallen short. With key texts from Genesis, Samuel, Daniel, and Revelation, we uncover the contrast between earthly kingdoms and the everlasting kingdom of Christ—one that will never be destroyed. Join us as we reflect on God’s ultimate solution to our broken world and the hope of His eternal reign.
Read More'The Nations: Part 2'
Scripture: Psalms 46:10
Lesson: 5
This week, we will continue looking at the problems caused by the Fall and the desire for human government as opposed to God’s governance. These truths are powerfully revealed in the book of Daniel, which shows that God was right when He warned His people about what would happen when they turned away from Him and chose earthly monarchs instead. This is exactly what they got: earthly monarchs instead, and sinners lording it over sinners—never a good combination.
Read MoreUnderstanding Sacrifice
Scripture: Revelation 5:9
Lesson: 6
This week we will look at some of the themes of sacrifice that inform our understanding of Jesus, the slain Lamb, the clear protagonist of the throne room scene. He is accepted as worthy, where no one else is, and His unique worthiness speaks volumes about what the Lord was doing through the sacrificial system. It reveals Him as a God of infinite love who made the ultimate sacrifice, an act that we, and the other intelligences in the universe, will marvel at for eternity.
Read MoreFoundations for Prophecy
Scripture: Isaiah 6:8
Lesson: 7
This week, we move further into the vision of the throne room and consider how the human race relates to a holy God and how the sacrifice of Christ restores us and brings us close to the throne. God plans to restore us, not just as individuals but also as a race, so that we once again reveal His glory to the rest of Creation. By searching through the rest of the Bible, we can find important clues that help us understand and begin to appreciate the high calling that God has extended to us, a race of forgiven and redeemed sinners.
Read More'In the Psalms: Part 1'
Scripture: Revelation 14:1
Lesson: 8
The book of Psalms offers rich spiritual insights that deepen our understanding of Revelation, especially chapter 14. This inspired poetry reflects the human journey with God and highlights themes of worship, repentance, and salvation. As God's people are called to share a final message with the world, the Psalms provide meaningful context and encouragement for that mission. We’ll explore this connection further throughout the week.
Read More'In the Psalms: Part 2'
Scripture: Psalms 67:3-4
Lesson: 9
The Psalms also deal with these issues in great depth, exploring nearly every possible human emotion—from dark despondency to unbridled joy. We see Israel preparing for battle against the forces of darkness. We read about individuals wrestling with the question of why doesn’t God address evil more directly and immediately, a question that no doubt we all have asked. We are directed to the sanctuary for answers, and there are also repeated appeals to God’s status as Creator. Are these not issues and questions that we, in our context today, wrestle with, as well? Of course—which is why we will continue unpacking Psalms in order to learn more about these crucial truths.
Read MoreUpon Whom the Ends Have Come
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
Lesson: 10
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be searching through a number of key stories in order to see what they might have to say about events such as the Second Coming, the investigative judgment, the final crisis, and more. And, through it all, we find Christ as the center, for He must be the foundation as well as the end goal of all our prophetic endeavors.
Read MoreRuth and Esther
Scripture: Esther 5:2
Lesson: 11
In prophecy, a woman is a powerful symbol for God’s church, shedding much light on how God regards His people. Let’s look at the biblical accounts of these two women, whose life circumstances have been immortalized in the Word of God, and seek to draw whatever lessons we can from their experiences.
Read MorePrecursors
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7
Lesson: 12
Over and over, Jesus said things like “Do not fear,” and “Why do your thoughts trouble you?” It is important to remember that the focus of prophecy is Christ, and, as such, we must be able to find the same counsel throughout the scenes portrayed in earth’s closing moments. “ ‘Let not your heart be troubled,’ ” He taught His disciples, “ ‘you believe in God, believe also in Me’ ” (John 14:1, NKJV). In other words, yes, last-day events will be difficult and trying for those who seek to stay faithful to God. But ultimately, we should view these events with hope, not fear.
Read MoreImages of the End
Scripture: Jonah 1:9
Lesson: 13
At the same time we must remember one thing for all these stories that appear to foreshadow last-day events: we must be careful to look at broad themes and allusions and not try to parse every detail to the point of creating prophetic absurdities. As in the parables of Jesus, we should look for the major points and principles. We should not milk every detail in hopes of finding some hidden truth. Instead, we should look for the outlines, the principles; and from these we can discover elements relevant for the last days.
Read MoreOppression: The Background and the Birth of Moses
Scripture: Exodus 2:23-25
Lesson: 1
The book of Exodus is a powerful reminder that God sees, hears, and acts on behalf of the suffering. Its stories of deliverance speak to anyone who feels forgotten, oppressed, or burdened by life’s injustices. Just as God rescued the Israelites, He is still working today to redeem and restore. Exodus is more than ancient history—it points us to Jesus, our ultimate Deliverer, and reminds us that through faith, we too can experience freedom and salvation. In life’s darkest moments, we can find hope by fixing our eyes on God, who leads us toward His eternal Promised Land.
Read MoreThe Burning Bush
Scripture: Exodus 3:7-8
Lesson: 2
When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He wasn’t just showing a miracle—He was calling Moses to a new purpose. At first, Moses hesitated, unsure about such a radical change. Like him, we often have our own plans, but God may lead us in a different direction—one that’s harder, but better. Following His call may not always be easy, but it’s the path to true purpose and blessing.
Read MoreRough Start
Scripture: Exodus 5:1-2
Lesson: 3
Many believers think that when one decides to follow God, he or she will experience only happiness, prosperity, and success. That’s not necessarily the case, however, as the Bible itself often shows. Sometimes many obstacles appear, as well as new difficulties. Those who trust in God will face numerous trials. When we persevere, however, God brings solutions that come on His terms and in His time. His ways may conflict with our expectations for quick and instantaneous solutions, but we must learn to trust Him, regardless.
Read MoreThe Plagues
Scripture: Exodus 9:35
Lesson: 4
Pharaoh does not want to let God’s people go. The Scriptures never explicitly explain why Pharaoh was so reluctant, despite the military threat that the Egyptians feared the Hebrews could pose (see Exod. 1:10). Most likely, as is often the case with slavery, it was pure economics. They were cheap labor, and so he didn’t want to lose whatever economic advantages these slaves gave him. Thus, he was going to need some persuasion not only to get his attention but also to change his mind.
Read MorePassover
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Through the Red Sea
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The Bread and Water of Life
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Covenant at Sinai
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Living the Law
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The Covenant and the Blueprint
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Apostasy and Intercession
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"Please, Show Me Your Glory"
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The Tabernacle
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