Lessons Archive

The Holy Spirit (Pt. 2 of 3): The Mission of the Holy Spirit

Understanding the nature, purpose, and role of the Holy Spirit is essential to our Christian faith. In this second of three lessons on the Holy Spirit, we begin by looking at the Trinity. We borrow from early Christian insights to understand (and explain to others, including 1.6 billion Muslims in the world) the "oneness" of

The Holy Spirit (Pt. 2 of 3): The Mission of the Holy Spirit View Lesson

The Holy Spirit (Pt. 1 of 3): The Nature of the Holy Spirit

The night before He was crucified, Jesus told His closest disciples that He must depart in order to be able to send them the Holy Spirit: a Helper who would abide with them and be in them. Yet some churches today virtually ignore the role of the Spirit! We start this lesson by recounting the

The Holy Spirit (Pt. 1 of 3): The Nature of the Holy Spirit View Lesson

Let No Root of Bitterness Spring Up, Pt. 3 of 3 (Paul and Jesus)

Paul is able to write that he takes "pleasure" in his infirmities, needs, persecutions, and distresses. How can this be? In this third lesson on dealing with bitterness in our hearts, we focus on Paul’s example in the face of extreme suffering, and the unexpected ways God used Paul’s afflictions (and Christ-like spirit) to His

Let No Root of Bitterness Spring Up, Pt. 3 of 3 (Paul and Jesus) View Lesson

Let No Root of of Bitterness Spring Up, Pt. 2 of 3 (David)

Since the beginning, Satan has sought to use injustice and man’s sin to turn people against one another and against God. Yet God has a very different plan. In this second of three lessons, we examine the example of David, who faced terrible injustice and persecution, but responded with great faith and righteousness. We also

Let No Root of of Bitterness Spring Up, Pt. 2 of 3 (David) View Lesson

Let No Root of Bitterness Spring Up, Pt. 1 of 3 (Naomi and Job)

Since the beginning, Satan has used bitterness as a weapon to turn men and women against God. Most of us have been, or will be, tempted to become bitter about different things in our lives, including sickness, injustice, and being wronged by others. In this three-part series, we examine the lives of men and women

Let No Root of Bitterness Spring Up, Pt. 1 of 3 (Naomi and Job) View Lesson

Jesus Prays for Unity (John 17:9-26)

In John 17, Jesus prays that His followers may be one as He and the Father are one. The goal of this unity was so that the world might know that God sent Jesus and loved the world as God loved His Son. Sadly, not only does this unity not exist today, but most Christians

Jesus Prays for Unity (John 17:9-26) View Lesson

Jesus Will Return to Glory (John 16:5-17:8)

Jesus has much to say in his farewell discourse. In this passage, we learn more about Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also speaks directly about His departure and return. Jesus then begins to pray, with a focus on the glory He shares with the Father and His longing to return to His Father's

Jesus Will Return to Glory (John 16:5-17:8) View Lesson

The World Will Hate You (John 15:18-16:04)

In John 15, Jesus promises that the world will hate His followers. In this lesson we look at what Jesus had to say about persecution, including why the world will hate His disciples. We also look at examples of martyrdom and accounts of Christian persecution in the early Church. May Jesus' teaching on persecution and

The World Will Hate You (John 15:18-16:04) View Lesson

Now I Call You My Friends (John 15:11-17)

Jesus, the Son of God, through whom the universe was made, opens the door in John 15 for everyone to become His friend. But what does it mean to be Jesus' friend? What blessings did Jesus promise to give His friends? And what did Jesus say was required to be His friend? This lesson answers

Now I Call You My Friends (John 15:11-17) View Lesson

The Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-10)

A third of the world's population calls itself Christian. Yet most believe that following Jesus and making it to heaven do not actually require obeying what He taught. In John 15, Jesus provides an allegory of the Vine and the branches, a beautiful picture of how to understand our relationship with Jesus and what is

The Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-10) View Lesson