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”

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)”

Jesus Saves Us to Follow Him (Matthew 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; John 12)

Easter Bonus Session 2 Dear families, Happy Easter! Today, we celebrate the most important event in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the Friday before was filled with the sadness of the cross, Sunday brought the miraculous news that changed everything—the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive! The resurrection reveals the astounding natureContinue reading “Jesus Saves Us to Follow Him (Matthew 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; John 12)”

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)

Easter Bonus Session 1 Dear families, This week, we looked at the contrasting images of the Triumphal Entry: the joyful celebration of the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the heartbreak Jesus felt as He wept over a city He desired to save. While the people were excited by the arrival of a miracle-performing prophet,Continue reading “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)”