Broward Church: In the Meantime

 “Jonah – Who’s Your Ninevite?” I. Introduction: The Challenge of Jonah Jonah is more than a fish tale—it’s a deeply layered story about God’s character, human resistance, and grace to outsiders. The lesson asks us to wrestle with this: Who is your Ninevite? (i.e., who do you resist extending grace to?) The story functions on multiple levels: historical narrative, parable, and theological mirror....

Revelation - Eschatology Week 06 I. Introduction Focus of this lesson: High-level overview of the Book of Revelation Goals: Review interpretive frameworks Discuss symbolic structure Examine timeless themes  II.The Five Major Views of Revelation Futurist: Most events still to come Includes ideas like Pre-/Post-Trib Rapture, 1,000-year reign Dispensationalist elements: Antichrist, 3rd temple, Israel...

The Spiritual World - Eschatology Week 05 I. Introduction Main theme: Exploring the reality, structure, and function of the unseen spiritual realm Foundational Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–18 – The spiritual battle and the armor of God II. God and the Spiritual Realm A. God is Spirit John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” John 1:18 – Jesus reveals the...

Heaven & Hell - Eschatology Week 04 Big Ideas: I. Definitions and Origins of Heaven and Hell A. Sheol / Hades Hebrew ( Sheol ) and Greek ( Hades ) terms for the realm of the dead. Described as the invisible world of departed souls. Differentiation: Wicked go to “hell” Righteous go to “paradise” Referenced by Jesus in the parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16) and on the cross (Luke 23:43). B....

The Rapture, Tribulation, and The Kingdom - Eschatology Week 03 Big Ideas: I. The Rapture: Hope or Misunderstood Doctrine? Definition : The belief that believers will be “caught up” to meet Christ at His return. Diverse Interpretations : Some see it as a separate event from the Final Judgment. Others interpret the “Rapture” as part of the final return of Christ. Critical Observations : The same sc...

The End of Time - Eschatology Week 02 Big Ideas: There are various eschatological perspectives, such as: Futurist – Believes most biblical prophecies will be fulfilled in the future. Preterist – Holds that many End Times prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, particularly during the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Historicist – Views prophecy as unfolding throughout church history. Idealist (...

Life After Death - Eschatology Week 01 Big Ideas: There are more theories than facts about the afterlife, so beware of overconfidence. Resurrection , not reincarnation, is the biblical hope. The soul’s immortality may not be intrinsic , but a gift from God . Eternal life is defined by a relationship with God, not just unending time. Our ultimate hope is the return of Christ and the resurrection of...

Enoch, the Man Who Never Died I. Introduction A. Scripture Reference – Jude 14–15 B. Introduction to Enoch: The seventh from Adam C. Overview of Enoch’s unique legacy: He did not experience death II. Enoch Walked with God A. Genesis 5:21–24 – A life marked by faithfulness B. The metaphor and reality of walking with God C. The intimacy of relationship – “My God and I” hymn excerpt D. Reflection: Wh...

Contending for the Faith I. Introduction to Jude     A. Authorship: Jude, brother of James (and likely Jesus)     B. Audience: Jewish Christians familiar with OT and apocryphal texts     C. Purpose: Address false teachers misusing grace     D. Date and Location: ~60 AD, possibly from Southern Israel II. Structure of the Epistle     A. Greeting (vv. 1–2)     B. Body Introduction (vv. 3–4)     C. Bo...

"Living with the end in mind" II. Introduction A. Purpose of Peter’s Letter (v.1-2) B. Reminder to Think Wholesomely and Remember God’s Word II. The Reality of Scoffers and the Last Days (v.3–7) A. The Rise of Scoffers (v.3–4) B. Their Willful Ignorance of God’s Past Judgment (v.5–6) C. Future Judgment Reserved by God’s Word (v.7) III. God’s Patience and Perspective on Time (v.8–9) A. God’s Timele...

"Exposing False Teachers" I. Introduction A. Purpose of the Letter B. Structural Overview (ABBA pattern) NT Apostles (1:16–18) OT Prophets (1:19–21) OT False Prophets (2:1a) NT False Teachers (2:1b–3) II. The Rise and Traits of False Teachers (2:1–3) A. Origin “Among You” – Internal Threat B. Characteristics Destructive Heresies Denial of Christ (in doctrine and practice) Depraved Behavior Exploit...

“A Legacy of Truth” I. Introduction A. Context: 2 Peter was written around 60 AD; Peter’s impending death (c. 64 AD) B. Central Question: What would you say if you knew you were dying soon? II. Peter’s Urgency to Remind (2 Peter 1:12-15) A. The importance of reminders in faith B. Living in the “tent” of the body C. Peter’s commitment to ensure remembrance after his death III. The Reliability of Ey...

Growing in Faith Through Knowing Jesus I. Introduction A. Context of 2 Peter Author: Peter (Simeon Peter) Date: Around 64 AD, shortly before Peter’s death Audience: Possibly the same as 1 Peter (speculative) Occasion: Farewell address Purpose: Combat false teaching, emphasize the return of Christ B. Central Theme: God provides everything for life and godliness II. The Foundation: Knowledge of Jesu...

How to Stand Against the Enemy I. Message to Older Christians - 1 Peter 5:1-4 II. Message to Younger Christians - 1 Peter 5:5 III. God is the One Who Strengthens & Lifts Up - 1 Peter 5:6-7, 10-11 IV. Be Alert to Satan’s Schemes - 1 Peter 5:8-9 V. This World is Not Our Home - 1 Peter 5:12-14 VI. Discussion Questions: If you are an older Christian, what is a lesson for you? If you are a younger Chri...

Be Strangers to the World I. Living with the End in Mind (1 Peter 4:1-7)     A. Arm Yourself with the Attitude of Christ     B. Cease from Sin, Not Suffering     C. The Time is Short – Live for God’s Will     D. Expect the World’s Surprise and Resistance     E. The End is Near – Stay Clear-Minded and Prayerful II. Loving One Another Deeply (1 Peter 4:8-11)     A. Love Covers a Multitude of Sins   ...

Christian Living in a Secular World I. Introduction A. Overview of 1 Peter  B. Theme: Living faithfully in a secular world II. Instructions for Wives and Husbands (1 Peter 3:1-7) A. Wives: Submission with a gentle and quiet spirit B. Husbands: Honor and understanding III. Living in Harmony with Others (1 Peter 3:8-12) A. Call to unity, sympathy, love, and humility B. Responding to evil with blessi...

A New Community In Christ I. A Holy Community (1 Peter 2:1-10) A. Characteristics of the New Community B. Failure and Success in Faith C. The Identity of God’s People II. Demonstrating Holiness (1 Peter 2:11-25) A. Living Honorably Before the World B. Submitting to Authority C. Suffering for Doing Good III. Identifying with Christ Through Suffering A. Christ suffered as an example for us to follow...

Living as Citizens of Heaven I. Citizens of Heaven A. Believers are God’s elect, exiles in the world B. First-century context of scattered Christians (Acts 18:1-4, Acts 18:24-26) C. Our inheritance is in heaven, not on earth D. Our true citizenship is in heaven E. Encouragement in our heavenly hope   II. Understand Suffering A. Suffering refines faith like gold in fire B. Examples of faith through...

Gratitude vs Complaining I. Complaining Offends God God's anger is aroused when people complain. Old Testament people complained despite God's provision after delivering them from slavery. Complaining led to the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years. Complaining takes away joy. II. The Root of Complaining: Self Complaining is often rooted in wanting change and feeling frustrated when it doesn'...

I. Honesty vs. Deceit Honesty is equated with truth, integrity, honor, and uprightness . Deceit involves lying, trickery, fraud, and duplicity . The concept of honesty/deceit involves more than just words. Integrity is defined as wholeness . II. Biblical Perspective on Honesty/Deceit Old Testament Examples : The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplic...

I. Introduction The concepts of honor and shame may not be easily understood or fit one's values . Goal: Be aware of Honor/Shame. The lesson will explore how Honor/Shame contrasts with Innocence/Guilt, Honor is essential to God . God values honor and expects it to be pursued. II. Understanding Honor and Shame Honor/Shame is about reputation and community connection, defined by others, and focused...

I. Why Submit? A. Submission is God’s Love Language John 14:15, 23-24 1 Samuel 2:35 B. Submission is Christlike John 10:17-18 Philippians 2:5-11  III. What Submission Looks Like: Jesus A. Example from Matthew 26:39-43 IV. Danger of Rebellion: God’s Opposition A. God Opposes the Proud 1 Peter 5:5 B. Obedience is better than Sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22-23 V. Discussion Questions What are the benefits o...

Tony touches on a few of the theological and practical points behind the story of Jacob coaxing Esau's birthright away from him in Genesis 25.