Feed My Sheep

The Jews yearned for a Savior who would free them from Roman oppression. What they didn't expect was a Messiah who would suffer and die. In this lesson, we discuss... What kind of Messiah did the Jews expect? A watershed moment in the Gospel of Mark What Jesus meant by handing Peter the "keys to the kingdom" Jesus' surprising announcement of how the Son of Man would suffer The moment Peter acted o...

Faith means trusting God, even when you don't have all the details, and God's plan doesn't completely make sense. Last Sunday, I had the joy of preaching at Pillar Church in Twentynine Palms. In this study, we learn... What is faith? Why it's essential to trust in Jesus and no one else The danger of thinking good works get you into heaven Abraham and David as examples of faith The result of faith...

This week we learn the importance of thinking biblically about our problems. Instead of using secular psychological terms, try to use biblical language whenever possible. This will help you make better biblical diagnoses and solutions. We also discuss four ways of data gathering to help us understand people's struggles. Week 8 of our "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" counseling class. 

The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 is well-known, but no less amazing. In this lesson, we discuss... What makes this story unique in the gospels God's promise to supply all your needs Some encouraging testimonies of how God provided in hard times Why do the wicked seem to prosper, while many believers barely scrape by? How Jesus responds when the crowds press in A call to trust in the Lord, wait, an...

Before you counsel someone, you need to make sure you know them. This lesson will help you go beyond skin-deep relationships by learning... Four types of questions to break the ice with any new person What scripture means that the heart is like "deep waters" How God models good question-asking in Scripture Tips on asking better questions A real-life case study Thanks for listening! This is week se...

God is rich in mercy, and offers to forgive whatever sin you've committed. Yet there's one sin Jesus says will never be forgiven. This passage has baffled Christians over the years, and we take a look at it together. In this lesson, we... Share a discussion on what Jesus means by "Son of Man" How Jesus' family reacted to his ministry Who is "Beelzebul"? What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Is it...

Suffering is the gift no one wants, but that everyone needs. One of the main ways we grow in our faith and build loving relationships is through affliction. In this week's lesson we learn... How suffering helps us minister to others One of the ways we build loving relationships is by a shared experience in suffering How God redeems our suffering for his good purposes The kind of trials we face whe...

In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts and a threat to public health. But on one occasion, a leper broke etiquette and walked straight toward Jesus. Even more surprising, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. Last Sunday, in our Bible Study Community, we looked at this remarkable story in Mark 1:35-45. In this passage, we learned... How Jesus balanced a busy ministry life with priva...

Whether it's sharing the gospel, counseling a friend, or rebuking a loved one, before we can speak truth, we must establish a loving relationship. In this lesson, we discuss... How discipleship is like gardening What are the features of the "ideal growing environment"? Find out who Paul called "one of a kind, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare" The first step to a relationship with G...

Every relationship has some kind of introduction. Mark is a great place to start if you want to know more about Jesus. In this lesson, we learn... Why we all should study Mark's Gospel What makes Mark different from the other gospels What does it mean that Jesus is the "Christ"? How baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place in the life of a believer Thanks for listening. This is our opening study fro...

How can God use you to help others? In this study, we learn... How Jesus is the "Great Physician" What it means that he is "Wonderful Counselor" Our role as ambassadors of Christ Four aspects of all personal ministry: love > know > speak > do Thanks for listening. This is week four in our 11-week counseling series, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Tonight's lesson was a bit shorter,...

Have you ever hit "rock bottom" before God got finally got your attention? The nation of Judah did. In this study, we learn... That it's OK to cry... and that many godly people have The dazzling symmetry and poetry of Lamentations How moments of shame can lead to repentance and renewal Where Jeremiah drew hope in the midst of affliction Thanks for listening. If you live in the Highland area, we in...

Not a day goes by we don't experience some kind of conflict. What causes all these fights and quarrels? James 4 gives the answer. In this lesson, we learn... The heart is more than just the place for feelings and emotions Key passages that teach behavior stems from the heart How our "passions" war within our members to create conflict Some practical examples of how wants can morph into needs and e...

"Follow your heart," Cinderella sings. "Trust your feelings" Master Obi Wan says. In the real world, is this actually good advice? In our study of Jesus' sermon in Luke 6:43-46, we learn... The connection between behavior and the heart Examples of bad fruit vs. good fruit related to our speech Why behavioral modification is not enough Jesus' evaluation of the human heart How idols can pop up in th...

For many years, Babylon had been the hammer in God's hands, smashing other nations and carrying out judgment for their wickedness. Now the time had come for Babylon itself to experience God's judgment. In this lesson, we learn... A quick overview of the final chapters of Jeremiah How Jeremiah connects to other events happening in the ancient world Who is the "nation from the north"? How to respond...

Have you ever asked God for direction, only to be unhappy with the answer he gave you? In this lesson I share... Our goal for this new Bible Study Community A quick fly-over of Jewish history How to figure out the quirky order of the Book of Jeremiah God's surprising advice to the nation of Israel Why we don't need to be afraid, even when the odds seem overwhelming The danger of asking God for adv...

Everyone needs help. In fact, we were created by God with an intrinsic need for guidance and accountability. We need someone to help us understand life, to know how to act, and to interpret our circumstances properly. This brand new class will teach us how to face everyday problems like anger, worry, grief, lust, abuse, and addiction as we pursue a vibrant relationship with Christ. In our first le...

Wayne Grudem says, "Out of all the creatures God made, only one creature, man, is said to be made 'in the image of God.'" What does it mean to be made in God's image? What sets us apart from the animals and the rest of God's creation? In this lecture, we discuss: The nature of Genesis as history The many facets of being made in God's image This doctrine does not teach God has a physical form Some...

The opening chapters of Genesis lay the foundation for basic Christian doctrines like God, man, sin, and judgment. In this week's lesson, we saw evidence for a world not millions of years old, but only several thousand years old. Hard to believe? Join us as we look together at... Six key doctrines spelled out in Genesis 1-11 How the universe is distinct from, yet dependent on God That creation, li...

With the waving of palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna," Jesus entered  Jerusalem and presented himself as king. In this look at Mark 11, we learn... The atmosphere on the Sunday before Christ's death How Mark has building the "kingdom" theme throughout his gospel The significance of Jesus riding on a donkey God's promise to David and his royal family What Jesus' kingship means for us in the 21st...

"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all" (Psalm 104:24 NLT). The Book of Genesis lays out a historical account of God's creation, followed by a worldwide catastrophic event (the Flood). In this series, we are learning how science actually confirms this biblical record. Tonight, we share... A review of week one material A contrast in two methods of viewing...

The Book of Genesis teaches that God created the world in six days. How then do we respond to scientists, textbooks, and museums that tell us the universe is billions of years old? Today we begin a new study looking at both biblical and scientific evidence for a young earth, the importance of Noah’s flood, and how to talk with those who still favor evolution. In this opening talk, we... Look toget...

One of the most well-known chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23 provides a beautiful picture of God's loving protection and faithful leadership. Has 2023 got you excited? Maybe a little nervous? Join us as we learn... How God provides for all our needs Ways God restores our soul Hope in times of deep darkness Delighting in God's goodness even when surrounded by enemies Thoughts on the overflowing mercy...

God has a lot to say about fear, worry, and anxiety. It's as though he knew this would be a common problem! In the final week of our Anxiety class, I summarized what I consider to be some of the key Bible verses on the subject. These will help us battle temptation and equip ourselves against the schemes of the enemy. In this episode, we... Answer some great questions from the class Review key pass...

Have you ever been around someone who always seemed to be complaining? We can usually spot it in others, but may not be aware of it in our own lives. This week, we learn how to detect and fight back against this sin. Join us as we learn... How we convince ourselves a little complaining is OK The relationship of complaining to anxiety to failing to trust God Are we ever allowed to be frustrated or...