Course Schedule

What is the “fear of God”? What does it mean? How should it shape our thought?

The concept of the fear of God is mentioned in the first book of the Bible and the last book of the Bible. And when we begin to notice it, we will find it woven throughout the Scirptures. But we don’t often discuss it, pursue it, or even think much about the fear of the Lord.

Over three consecutive Thursday evenings, we will step into both Old Testament and New Tesatment passages to explore the idea of the fear of God–and we will discover how very important this dimension of life with God truly is.

The class will meet online (June 1, 8, and 15) at 6:30pm (EST).

After you have registered, you will be sent details about signing in for this online class.

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, June 6, 13, 20. 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.

Throughout the Bible we can find passages that talk about how to live in the midst of hardship. There are two truly key texts that discuss that idea; one in Romans 5 and one in James 1. And, taken together, they can provide us a way to live in genuine and sincere joy even when we are facing hardship.

On Thursday evening, June 22, we will look closely at these two passages and come to grips with the Biblical call to discover how to taste joy while we find ourselves in the midst of trouble.

The class will meet online and although the class is free we ask you to register so we can plan accordingly. Those who register will be sent the information needed to sign on for the class.

Yes, because of God’s grace that comes to us through the sacrifice of the Son and brought home to our lives by the Spirit, we are blessed. Paul describes this as being “blessed with every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). But what is this blessed life? What is it that God has done in Christ in blessing us? For many who know Jesus, the richness of God’s grace is under-experienced, because it is not fully understood.

On Tuesday June 27 (starting at 6:30 pm, EST), The River will host a one-evening, on-line Bible Intensive entitled “Understanding our Blessed Life: Reflections on Ephesians 1.” This class will draw us into richer understanding and appreciation of the grace and kindness that has been bestowed on us in Christ, opening the door to a fuller experience of this blessed life.

Daniel, the Old Testament prophet, lived hundreds of years ago. He was taken into captivity by an invading king and made subject to that king’s harsh rules. And yet, Daniel seemed not only to live well in that setting, but understood a great deal about how God deals with kings and rulers and nations.

Over two Thursday evenings, July 6 and 13, 6:30 – 8:30 pm (EST), we will dip into the book of Daniel and see what this ancient prophet might have to say to us about the current state of the world–the world we live in.

This is an online class. After you have registered you will be sent information about how to sign on to the class.

This six evening course will equip you to read and understand the Bible for yourself. Unlike some Bible study methods and books, this class starts with what you already know about reading and applies it to reading Scripture, rather than starting with what you don’t know. The class is filled with “lab time” where you will experience the joy of personal discovery in reading Scripture. 

After a recent “Reading Scripture” course, Lindsay W wrote: “We finished the 6-week course last night, and I am blown away by how much I learned, how insightful the course was, and how FUN it can be to read and enjoy God’s Word. When I began reading the Bible years ago, it was out of duty and obligation. Several years ago, I joined a local Bible Study Fellowship group, and my love for God’s Word grew immensely, but I still wasn’t ‘excited’ about it. After taking this course, I can honestly say that I am EXCITED to read and understand God’s Word.”

This course will meet online for six consecutive Tuesday evenings, starting July 11 (Joy 11, 18, 25, Aug 1, 8, 15), meeting from 6:30 until 8:30 pm (EST) each evening.

Although there is no charge for the class, we would like you to register if you would like to attend so that we can plan accordingly.