1. Opening Scripture But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities… Isaiah 53:5–6 This passage highlights two related but distinct terms: transgression and iniquity. Other Scriptures (such as Exodus 34:7 and Psalm 32:5) list iniquity, transgression, and sin together, showing that while they overlap, they carry distinct meanings. 2. Definitions…
Take up your cross This one explores Jesus’ teachings about “taking up your cross” and “bearing His own cross.” 1. Key Scriptures Luke 9:23–24 (ESV) – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but…
We all need to be aware of our behavior, thoughts and actions. When pride comes then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 “Okay God,” he said. He knew that instead of reading the Los Angeles Times sports page that morning he would be reading something from a Bible that he had been…
This session we a parable Jesus used to teach his disciples about prayer and the response to need. The parable is found in Luke chapter 5. This parable follows Luke’s shorter version of the Lord’s prayer and is meant to clarify God’s love, and commitment to His children. 5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he…
This week we come upon one of the longest parables taught by Jesus. Some translations call it the parable of the talents, others call it the story about investments, bags of gold, parable of three servants All of the translations to communicate the same message, but have different details that can cause confusion and sometimes…
In this weeks parable, Jesus emphasizes two things: (1) hearing and (2) doing. Men hear, but few obey His commands. Knowing what is right is one thing—doing is quite another. Many know the Bible, but few practice it. In this passage, Jesus uses two words—wise and foolish. The measure of success and failure in the…
In a discussion about true and false discipleship, Jesus strings four foundational teachings together in the Sermon on the Mount, the first being the Golden Rule, or sometimes referenced as the Narrow Gate (Luke 11:9-13). In this parable, Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to live. Not so much the teaching of the law,…
This weeks discussion is based on the teaching of Jesus about a rich man and another man named Lazarus. It is found in Luke chapter 16. The first thing to be clear of is that the Lazurus in this message is not the same relative of Martha and Mary, in other parts of the Bible.…
As we continue reviews of the Jesus’ parables, this week we head to Luke chapter 10, and learn about who are neighbor is and how a lowly samaritan showed us the way. The Parable of the Good Samaritan 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what…