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Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

(Matthew 5-7; Luke 6) Dear families, The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known and recognizable sermons in all of history. The truth it contains, however, is quite polarizing, calling people into a new way of life that runs counterintuitive to our sin nature. When Jesus taught His followers the ways of His Father’s kingdom, He shared truths meant to guide them in repentance, obedience, and love for GodContinue reading “Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount”

The Lord of the Sabbath

(Matthew 12; Mark 2-3; Luke 6) Dear families, Jesus rules over all creation and cares deeply for His people’s needs. From satisfying their hunger to healing their ailments, Jesus intervened in the lives of His followers. He defended His place as the Lord of the Sabbath and the one who fulfills God’s laws. While the Pharisees viewed their obedience to God’s rules asContinue reading “The Lord of the Sabbath”

Jesus Chose Disciples

(Mark 2-3; Luke 6) Dear families, In the early chapters of Mark and Luke’s Gospels, we discover Jesus’ inviting His first disciples to join Him in ministry. Jesus initiated relationships with each of these men, taking the first step to bring them into His inner circle. The type of people Jesus called as disciples may have seemed like odd choices to some; the Pharisees, after all, disapproved at the company Christ kept.Continue reading “Jesus Chose Disciples”

Jesus Forgives and Heals

Jesus Forgives and Heals (Matthew 9; Mark 2; Luke 5) Dear families, Jesus posed an intriguing question in today’s passage: “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’?” We’re presented with quite a few crises in this story: a man suffering from paralysis was carried into Jesus’ presence by hisContinue reading “Jesus Forgives and Heals”

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4)

Dear families, (Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well reveals the omniscience of Christ and His kindness toward sinners. Just as Jesus pointed out the woman’s sin, so, too, does the Holy Spirit reveal our sin to us today. The same kindness Jesus showed to the Samaritan woman is extended to those who trustContinue reading “Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4)”

John Pointed to Jesus (John 3)

Dear families, We see the humility of John the Baptist in John chapter 3 as he led more people to follow Jesus. We also learn that Jesus’ gift of eternal life is ours for the taking when received by faith. In this passage, we read that both John and Jesus were ministering and baptizing peopleContinue reading “John Pointed to Jesus (John 3)”

Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3)

Dear families, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus reveals the Lord’s patience and kindness toward us as we earnestly seek Him. Though Nicodemus had heard Christ’s teachings, he had not yet placed faith in the true Ruler and King of the Jews. But here in this chapter, he would learn what it means to be born again.Continue reading “Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3)”

Jesus at Passover (John 2)

Dear families, Jesus’ cleaning of the temple reveals His holiness as the Messiah and His willingness to take on our sin so that we, too, may be cleansed. In this passage, Jesus demonstrated His desire to honor His Father and do His will—a foretaste of the lengths He would go to cleanse us of ourContinue reading “Jesus at Passover (John 2)”

Jesus’ First Miracle (John 2)

Dear families, Jesus first miracle at the wedding in Cana reveals His power as the Messiah and His glory as the one and only Son of God. Jesus continued to draw people to Himself as He stepped into His public ministry, though He continued to move only in accordance with the will of His FatherContinue reading “Jesus’ First Miracle (John 2)”

The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed (2 Kings 17)

Unit 14, Session 4 Dear families, Hoshea was an evil king in the long line of the evil kings of Israel. In Hoshea’s ninth year as king, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, put Hoshea in prison, and moved all the Israelites to Assyria. The kingdom of Israel was officially destroyed. Why was Israel destroyed?Continue reading “The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed (2 Kings 17)”