Character Connections

Jesus allowed some of his disciples to see a brief glimpse of his power and glory. They were amazed and didn't want to leave. When Jesus comes back, he will restore all creation. We will see his power and live with him in glory forever!

A Gentile woman who asked Jesus for a miracle knew she didn't deserve it, yet Jesus healed her daughter. None of us are entitled to God's forgiveness, but God has given it freely through Jesus!

Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean an easy life. John the Baptist faithfully spoke God's words and he was killed for it. We don't know why things happen the way they do, but we know for certain that Jesus will come back and make things right. We will be raised from the grave and live forever with our Lord!

Jesus took the hand of a dead girl and told her to get out of bed. She did. Jesus will return in glory and tell all of his followers to get out of their graves...and we will!

The disciples were amazed to see that Jesus was calm during a terrible storm. He showed his control over nature and kept them safe. We can rest secure knowing the same truth – God remains at our side during every storm that we face.

Have you ever planted a garden? The way you put seeds in the ground can determine how the plant grows. In this week's parable God is described as a farmer who wants a large harvest and generously throws seeds in all kinds of soil.

Jesus wasn't afraid to reach out to a man who had a contagious skin disease and heal him with the touch of his hand. Jesus reaches into our lives and pulls us out of our sin and isolation. He won't leave you alone!

Jesus has all authority. He showed it in the way he preached and in the way he cast out evil. It just took one word from him to silence demons. It was true then and it is still true today!

Have you ever failed to notice something that was right in front of you? John the Baptist prepared the people to recognize the coming of the son of God, but many didn't realize its importance. God comes to us today in His word and sacraments, even when we don't realize how amazing that is!

Mary and Joseph were migrant peasants with a small child. Can you imagine their shock when wealthy scholars from a foreign country knocked on their door? God has a way of surprising us with blessings that we never anticipated!  

When God sent his only son to save the world, angels announced it in the sky…and yet only poor field-workers saw it. The king of the universe was born to migrant peasants. God turned everything up-side down and became a servant. Christmas is more than it seems!

The fact that God would become a human in order to save humans is an act of love we can never comprehend. That single act has changed history and all eternity. Join us as we discuss Matthew's perspective of the birth of Jesus.

God worked through many individuals to bring his written word to us. Each of the four Gospel writers tell the same true story, but from a unique perspective. The Gospel of Mark uses the word "immediately" twice as many times as the other gospels. Stay tuned this semester to find out more!

King Rehoboam followed the advice of selfish men and took advantage his power. God's people followed his leadership and turned to evil and idolatry. Israel turned away from the Lord, but God didn't abandon them! He continued to pave the way for the coming Savior.

King Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel faced enemy armies too strong to fight. They cried out to the Lord and he heard their prayers. God fought for them and kept them safe. We can't fight sin, death, and the devil on our own. Jesus won the battle for us!

God reminded Job of the works of creation. From dust to dinosaurs, the Lord made it all. The God who created the universe has promised to be with his people and restore them through his son, Jesus. You are in good hands!

When we are in the midst of a struggle, it is easy to question God's love for us. Despite the catastrophes that Job faced, he clung to his redeemer. God is God, and God is good!

Where does God live? God is everywhere, yet he gave his people a physical location where they could find him. Solomon's Temple was a preview of something even greater; God's presence with us in Christ.

David offered forgiveness to his son, but the fractured relationship ended painfully. Our heavenly Father's forgiveness is total and complete. Through faith in Jesus, our relationship has been restored!

King David was a hero, faithful to God and to God's commands…until one sin led to another and he became a murderer. God reached into David's life, called him to repentance, and offered him forgiveness. He does the same for us!

David had a chance to get back at his enemy, but instead he showed mercy to the man who was trying to kill him. God has treated us with mercy that we don't deserve. The punishment that should have been ours was suffered by Jesus instead. We have been shown incredible forgiveness, and we get to share it with others!

David and Jonathan had a "golden rule" friendship. They treated each other as they would want to be treated. God enables us to grow in our empathy for others as we look to our greatest friend - Jesus. He did more than empathize, he took the punishment we deserved.

Everyone knows the story of the little guy who beat the giant, but there's more. It wasn't David's courage that saved the day. God showed his power and worked through weakness. He will do the same for you!

God puts authority in place to keep order, but worldly leaders don't save our souls. Saul became the first king of Israel, but he was just a man; sinful like the rest of us. Jesus is the ultimate servant-king whose eternal kingdom is not of this world.

Samuel was just a boy when the Lord called him and gave him a job to do. God speaks to us today through his Word and calls us to live lives of servant leadership.