Leading Our Kids to Love God

Joe Botti

2 Timothy 3:14-15

In our culture today, kids are leaving their Christian lives behind in huge numbers as they grow up into adulthood. And it is certainly no easy task to help our children develop a love for the Lord! This workshop first discusses our role in this area and the correlation between our relationship and influence with our kids. Our own modeling of sincere faith and time spent relationally investing in our children are imperative. Next, the class addresses the need to withstand cultural pressures and provides some age specific ideas for how to engage our kids spiritually and relationally. \r\n

The Dynamic Work of the Holy Spirit

Jeff Gordon

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

When Paul said that only Christians can say 'Jesus is Lord', what he meant is that it is only by the Holy Spirit leading us to faith in Christ that that truth is revealed to us. In making a choice to accept the grace of Christ, we have a second, spiritual birth. A life of faith means doing things outside of our abilities, through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.

God's Intrusion into Human History

Dennis McCallum

Philippians 2:4-8

Jesus' birth was a miraculous event that God orchestrated by having him conceived through the virgin Mary. Mary's attitude towards God's plan is one of willingness and personal trust. Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus' entrance into the world as God incarnate begins with him in a manger, essentially a feeding trough where he is rejected and excluded. This would be the first instance of many as Jesus' life was a portrayal of humanity's rejection of God. Despite all the suffering, rejection and pain, Jesus' birth signifies God's desire to have people come to know Him personally through the cross.

Dealing With Negativity

Dennis McCallum

Romans 8:5-7

Christians are called to forbear with one another's faults and to cultivate a positive mindset. For most believers though, negativity is natural and accepted, \r\nbut this casual attitude blinds them to the truth that negativity is self-fulfilling and a serious sign of unbelief. In contrast, believers with positive mindsets focus on what is good and choose to be grateful in the midst of difficult circumstances, and this mindset provides relief from anxiety and self-absorption. A video testimony from Joe Botti is included.

What Does Spiritual Maturity Look Like?

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:3

Our culture believes that the path to personal peace is based on our good circumstances and developing an inner sense that nothing is bothering us. The Bible, however, says that personal peace comes from a relationship with God and is the sense of security and purpose that comes from trusting in God's love. This peace is accessible to all believers no matter what their circumstances, and anxious believers can experience it through practicing gratitude.

The Flow of History (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Daniel 8:20-22

Predictive prophecy is God's revelation of His plan for history. This is important for us because God wants us to know what He is doing and has done so that it can be an objective foundation for faith. Biblical prophecy should be interpreted in light of its self-interpretation, its context in the Bible, and by known history. The visions that Daniel receives correspond to a succession of kingdoms in history, and indicate the end of history: that justice and grace will triumph, and that the Son of Man will rule.

Jesus Calms The Storm

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 8:22-25

Jesus taught several lessons when he calmed the storm: 1) following Jesus does not mean immunity from "storms"; 2) "storms" expose our little faith in Jesus; 3) Jesus responds to our little faith in him; and 4) Jesus challenges us to grow stronger in our faith in him. The best ways to grow our faith are to consider God's promises, ponder previous instances of God's faithfulness, and to act in faith during the storms.

Living in Exile

Jim Leffel

Daniel 1:1-21

For the Jewish people living in exile, there were challenges to their identity as their lives were controlled by the Babylonians. They chose neither to assimilate to their spiritual hostile culture nor to totally separate from it, but instead to be different in a good way. Modern-day culture is just as spiritually hostile as in the time of Daniel. Believers today should be different in a way that lends credibility to God and His message, without compromising in important areas of morality and truth.

Daniel Introduction

Jim Leffel

Daniel 1:1-4

The book of Daniel takes place in a unique time of captivity for the Jewish people. Three interwoven questions are answered throughout the book: 1) why are the Jewish people in Babylon?; 2) how do they live in Babylon?; and 3) where does history go from here? The book of Daniel, with its many prophecies, withstands textual criticism by both external sources and internal accuracy. God desires for us to be brought into an authentic faith through books like Daniel.