4G Family

In this Christmas themed lesson we look at Philippians 4:8 where we are instructed to think on “whatever” things. Examples where people have been inspired by good things from the past are given and we closed with “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”.

A link to the video we played during the lesson is here.

So many themes land together in this passage: God/Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows and calls His sheep (those in the [Israelite] fold and those without), bad shepherds who cause problems for the sheep, sheep that are in danger who can be rescued by a Shepherd who can lay His life down for the sheep.

John uses the amazing story of a blind man receiving his sight from Jesus as an excellent example of how Jesus gives new life as promised in John chapter 3.

Speaking around the time of Passover Jesus transitions the crowd from a discussion about literal bread to a discussion about the metaphorical Bread of Life that can give eternal life. Of course, the Passover instruction to the Israelites was that they were supposed to eat everything!

In a very rich passage (which is only partially covered by today's teaching) John displays Jesus the Rabbi who calls the people to consider God as the source of the Bread that they should be desiring. There are glimpses of human nature, of the tension between election and belief, and of a God who is always working.

This miracle, the only one recorded in all four gospels, is famous for many wonderful reasons: the power of God is demonstrated, we get the opportunity to speculate on how things played out, and we think it's cool that Jesus did so much with so little. But, John's treatment highlights how this miracle ushers in a deep discussion later in the chapter about the true nature of the bread that Jesus provides.

At the end of class, this music video was shown.

There is a reason why John 3:16 and the verses around it are so popular with evangelical Christians that even popular culture has developed an awareness:  it is a very concise explanation of the gospel and it is very good news!  In these verses we are reminded that by our very nature we are apart from God. Yet, God, through the work of Jesus being "lifted up" made a way for us to enter the light of His good favor. The ultimate purpose is so that we can show how wonderful He is!  

 

There is also a reason that some "progressive" (i.e. heretical) pastors choke on this verse: it's clear that Jesus is described as the only path to God. Anyone promoting reconciliation with God apart from faith in Jesus is simply wrong.

The conversation with Nicodemus continues as Jesus calls him to a deeper understanding of who God is and how He works.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee recognizes Jesus’ signs as being from God and comes to Jesus with questions. Jesus then informs him that he needs a new and better qualification to partake of God’s kingdom.

Moses asked to see God and the only safe thing he could see was God's back. John (and other witnesses) saw what Moses couldn't: God, in the flesh, bringing us grace upon grace.

Using scripture to shed light on scripture, Bill Morris unpacks the truth that Jesus is God. Most of the major world religions and also many “Christian“ cults can be defined (and unmasked) by examining what they think about Jesus and His divinity.

Though many have debated the authorship, structure, purpose, and dating (and more) of this book, the traditional view that this work of Good News is brought to us by John, the son of Zebedee, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" and coparent (along with Peter) of the early Jerusalem church seems to have stood the test of time. Archeology and scholarship provide ample support for a trustworthy document that views Jesus as God and worthy of belief.

Our study of Samuel completes in this lesson and we see how this shepherd-king foreshadows The Good Shepherd and King of Kings!

The consequences of David’s sin echo in this passage where his (horrible) example and his guilt are in full display.

As David appreciated his own "house", he considered that the ark was still in a tent.  God replied, in essence, that a dwelling wasn't really at the top of his priority list. Rather, God describes his plans for David and his legacy; what is called the Davidic Covenant. This blessing is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

In 1 Sam 26 we learn that the Spirit of the Lord was upon David. In this arc of three chapters we see a king in the making who is listening to God through his conscience and through Abigail. Big themes of providence, vengeance, leadership, humility, patience, are all available to be explored in this passage.

Once again, David is on the run from Saul. But, this time we get a behind the scenes look at what he was feeling. We see parallels to when Jesus cried out to God, as well.

In this extensive narrative we learn how Saul determines to kill David and how David, with the help of Saul's son and David's covenant friend Jonathon, eludes him.  The class listened to the story from The Message.

 

If you want to listen, go here and then click the speaker icon.