The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, the promised Christ, and the beginning of His church. In it, we find the good news of the Kingdom of God, our King’s teaching, the revelation of God’s nature and character, and what it means to follow Christ. We hope that our study of the New Testament books helps you understand the love of God more fully and to love Him and others with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
Jude is an extremely important book as it deals with evil men sneaking into the church and leading people astray. This doesn’t just happen in "those other churches”! As he addresses this, Jude exhorts us to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Embracing this challenge can transform
We begin this series by considering the background of the church in Corinth and why Paul wrote this letter. The more we understand the culture of ancient Corinth, the better we can appreciate how counter-cultural Paul's admonitions were! In this message we also tackle the first problem Paul addresses: disunity in the church. Although Jesus
Introduction and Disunity in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:1-13) View Lesson
Introduction and Disunity in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:1-13) View Lesson
About ten years after planting the Philippian church, Paul writes his encouraging letter to them from a prison in Rome. In this single lesson overview of Paul's letter, we focus on his main themes: rejoicing in the face of suffering and unity produced by humility. Paul's personal example and practical instruction inspires and equips us for our
Paul preached the message of Jesus' death on the cross, demonstrating both the wisdom and power of God. Why did so many in Paul’s day reject that message? And why do most churches today promote a very different gospel message? With the help of Paul and insights from early Christians, we return to the original gospel:
The Message of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:14-25) View Lesson
The Message of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:14-25) View Lesson
Paul explains there are two types of wisdom: the world's wisdom and God's wisdom. He clarifies that while God's wisdom is greater by far, it is a mystery: something hidden from view that now has been revealed. May we embrace God's wisdom in our own lives and share it with others! Teaching Notes 1
They Mystery of God's Hidden Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16) View Lesson
They Mystery of God's Hidden Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16) View Lesson
Paul gives three analogies to illustrate how people can be doing different things, yet still working together in unity to build the church. We consider the spiritual foundation that Paul laid as an “expert builder”, in contrast with the faulty foundations so popular today. In this text we also find a statement that an early
Three Analogies for a Healthy, Unified Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-17) View Lesson
Three Analogies for a Healthy, Unified Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-17) View Lesson
Paul contrasts the kind of wisdom valued by the world with the wisdom of God. Worldly wisdom includes focusing on prominent human leaders, fostering division in the church. We explore how to gain true Godly wisdom and how Paul relied on the Old Testament to bring God's wisdom to the Gentile church in Corinth. Should
The Two Kinds of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:21) View Lesson
The Two Kinds of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:21) View Lesson
In what would be considered quite controversial today for many Christians, Paul instructs the Corinthian church to expel a wicked brother from the fellowship. We consider the various reasons Paul gives for this public discipline. We also tackle an extremely misunderstood topic: what the Scriptures teach about judging others, including when we are called to
Judging and Expelling Wicked People from the Church (1 Corinthians 5) View Lesson
Judging and Expelling Wicked People from the Church (1 Corinthians 5) View Lesson
Here Paul first addresses conflicts among brothers that had escalated to lawsuits in secular courts. Paul explains how and why such conflicts must be resolved solely within the church. Second, he admonishes Christians to "flee from sexual immorality”, providing several reasons why this terrible sin must be uprooted from the body of Christ. Two memorable
On Sexual Immorality and Lawsuits (1 Corinthians 6) View Lesson
On Sexual Immorality and Lawsuits (1 Corinthians 6) View Lesson
Paul offers practical teaching on the relations of husbands and wives, including refraining from intimacy during times of prayer and fasting. He also tackles a number of questions. Should widows or widowers remarry after the death of their spouse? During times of struggle, is separation from your Christian spouse ever appropriate? What about divorce? And finally, what if a
On Marriage and Separation (1 Corinthians 7:1-24) View Lesson
On Marriage and Separation (1 Corinthians 7:1-24) View Lesson