Lessons Archive

Those Who Are With Us Are More Than Those Who Are With Them (2 Kings 6:16)

This opening devotional for our retreat was a call to open our eyes to the spiritual battle we are in, and to recognize that God's supernatural power is far greater than the power and authorities that oppose God. May we have the faith of Elisha and the righteousness described in Scripture, to see God's Kingdom

Those Who Are With Us Are More Than Those Who Are With Them (2 Kings 6:16) View Lesson

Isaac Marries Rebekah and the Birth of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 23:1-25:26)

In this passage of Scripture there is much to learn! We see God's hand and Spirit at work in the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. We come to the end of Abraham's life and take the time to recognize the legacy of faith and righteousness Abraham left for God's people for all time. We are

Isaac Marries Rebekah and the Birth of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 23:1-25:26) View Lesson

Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)

At God's command, Abraham takes his beloved son, through whom God has promised to build a great nation, to a mountaintop to sacrifice him on an altar. This is yet another disturbing story. Why would God command such a horrific thing? Why is this in the Bible? Why do the Scriptures include so many specific

Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22) View Lesson

Isaac Born, Ishmael Cast Out (Genesis 21)

In Genesis 21 we find another disturbing story: Abraham casting out his own son Ishmael and his maidservant Hagar, who both nearly die in the desert. While it would be easy to pass over this story, there are significant lessons here, some which Paul explains in Galatians 4. This story offers significant challenges and hope

Isaac Born, Ishmael Cast Out (Genesis 21) View Lesson

Two Disturbing Stories (Gen. 19:30-20:18)

Sometimes we read the Bible and stumble across a passage that is troubling. We might even wonder why this is included in the Scriptures. This lesson includes two (of three) disturbing stories that take place between the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the birth and sacrifice of Isaac. Yet, in these stories, we learn

Two Disturbing Stories (Gen. 19:30-20:18) View Lesson

More Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:29 cont.)

This message brings three additional lessons for us from the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, beyond what was covered in the prior message. We first learn that the root sin of Sodom that brought about judgment was not sexual sin. Instead we learn that those who lived in Sodom "had pride, excess of food, and prosperous

More Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:29 cont.) View Lesson

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:4-29)

There are many lessons for us from this story of Lot and his family, which includes the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Many consider the concept of judgment to be a big joke. Yet Jesus and the New Testament writers spoke (and wrote) directly about judgment with specific reference to Sodom and

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:4-29) View Lesson

Unusual House Guests for Abraham and Lot (Genesis 18-19:3)

The Scriptures teach that no person has ever seen God. Yet in Genesis 18 we learn that Abraham spoke with, washed the feet of, and fed God. What does this mean? This story also provides wonderful examples for us today in the life and character of Sarah, in Abraham's pleading with God for the people

Unusual House Guests for Abraham and Lot (Genesis 18-19:3) View Lesson

The Covenant of Circumcision (Genesis 17)

In Genesis 17, God gives Abraham and God's people the "everlasting covenant" of circumcision. What is this covenant? Does circumcision have anything to do with Christians today? Why should we care? This lesson is packed with the heart of God, foreshadowing of Christ, and an explanation of the circumcision made available to us under the

The Covenant of Circumcision (Genesis 17) View Lesson

Abraham's Faith, a Strange Vision and the Birth of Ishmael (Genesis 15 & 16)

Genesis 15 opens with a most amazing promise, one in which we appear! We then look at the faith of Abraham, who trusts God with his future. We are called higher by his example, as well as by Jesus' and Paul's teaching on the sin of worry. We also take a hard look at how

Abraham's Faith, a Strange Vision and the Birth of Ishmael (Genesis 15 & 16) View Lesson