Year: 2012

It’s  a short note–only 350 words or so as Paul wrote it. It provides no doctrinal insight the way most of Paul’s letters do. Paul identifies himself in a unique way as this short epistle begins. The reason for the letter is also unique–he’s writing about a run-away slave named Onesimus. So just what are we to make of the Epistle to Philemon?

In this one-evening class we will wrestle with what Paul wanted Philemon (and others who read the letter) to understand. Most importantly for us, we’ll come to see why Luther was driven to say that we are all “the Lord’s Onesimuses” and why the way Paul writes this little letter has value to us in understanding how the Gospel is lived out.

One attendee to this intensive commented: “Wow. What a treat this study was! I had seriously overlooked this book, barely remembering it was there. Since the class, in the past couple of days, this book has been at the forefront of my thoughts. Suddenly it’s the ‘little book that could!’ Truth has come home to my heart through Philemon.”

This class will meet online on Tuesday, Dec 13, at 6:30pm (EST). Although there is no cost to attend, we’d love to have you register so that we can plan accordingly.

Every year we celebrate Christmas. And, with that regular celebration, it is easy to just go through the holiday without thinking deeply, thinking freshly, about what Christmas is truly all about.

If you want to refresh and reinvigorate your thinking (and celebration) of Christmas, join us for a one-night, online class to discover how angels spoke about Jesus’ entrance into the world. On December 20th, starting at 6:30 pm (EST), we will dip into the Gospels and listen and learn from the angels who were involved in God’s plan to bring His Son into the world. 

An attendee at a previous intensive in Romans 1-5 explained: “We were plunging into the deep truths of the Gospel and we were challenged to think clearly and fully about all that Jesus did for us on the cross. Words matter–words like righteousness, justification, redemption, atonement, propitiation. Upon these hang all that makes our calling and election sure in Christ.”

This class will take a deep dive into a portion of Scripture that requires something more than a Sunday morning message to unpack. This intensive, Gospel Essentials, is a three-evening exploration of Romans 1 through 5. In the first five chapters of this letter Paul explains his understanding of the foundation for our life in Christ Jesus. Our evenings will be caught up in thinking Paul’s thoughts (and the Spirit’s inspired words!) after him.

The class will be held online on three consecutive Tuesday evenings, January 10, 17, and 24. We’ll begin at 6:30 pm (EST) and run until . . . . the questions are answered!

If you long to deepen your understanding of the greatness of the Gospel and the kindness of God toward us in Jesus, join us for these evenings in Romans.

Even those who do not regularly read the Gospels remember the stories Jesus told—the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the Pearl of Great Price. Those stories—a few of Jesus’ notable parables—are memorable. But, are they well understood? Have we listened and learned well what Jesus was teaching?

Jesus did not teach in parables to hide the truth from His listeners; He was sharing wonderful insight into Kingdom life. But because of the way His parables are popularly shared, we may need to learn to “re-hear” them so that we don’t simply take away from the parables only what we want.

This two-evening Bible intensive is part reading Scripture lab, part Gospel exploration, and part coming to see the wonders of the Kindgom in a fresh way. Two nights, rich Kingdom understanding, fresh insights into Jesus’ parables. The class will meet online over two Thursday evenings, January 12 and 19, beginning at 6:30 pm (EST).