#fsair by Reed Hernandez

We all need rest as humans. We’re not infinite, we can’t keep going and going. One of the best ways the infinite God cares for us as limited beings is by giving us the Fourth Commandment. Discover how to rest and worship the way God intended. // 1. What do you like to do to rest? What are you usually resting from when you get to rest? Why is it hard for us to rest sometimes? // 2. How does resting keep other things (idols) from becoming “gods” in our lives? How does resting show that we trust God to provide for us, rather than ourselves? // 3. Read Exodus 16:17-30. This is the story of God providing manna (bread) for the Israelites in the wilderness—where they had no other source of food. Did God provide enough bread for the people each day? (vv.18-21) What was the command for them “on the sixth day”? (v.22) By not going out and working on the Sabbath day (seventh day), how were they trusting God (or not trusting God…) to provide for them? (vv.28-29) If we work hard and never stop to rest, how does this show who we’re really trusting to provide for us? How does it take trust in God to stop and rest? // 4. What is one thing you could rest from on Sunday—or maybe another day when you have downtime? Why is it important that we do “cease” from our routine to worship on Sundays? If that wasn’t a part of the Fourth Commandment, would it be easier to skip church or view it as optional?

When two men crowdsourced a new “Ten Commandments” for the 21st century, the results were… amusing, to say the least. We all have a sense that we “ought” to live a certain way — a sense from God Himself. Join us this series as we explore God’s clearest, most direct expectations for us as His people: the Ten Commandments. // 1. Why are laws good for societies? Do people protest things like traffic lights and seatbelt laws? If people are fine with laws that protect us, why do people get offended that God would have Laws for us to follow, too? 2. Read Exodus 20:1-3. What is the order of salvation and obedience: which does God do first? Why is this important to remember when we think of our own salvation? Did we do anything—or can we do anything—to deserve it? Why is that good news? // 3. If we end up worshipping other people or things besides God, what could that lead to in our own lives? Are we ever permanently, perfectly satisfied when we get something we want? // 4. Is it jealous for God to demand we only worship Him? Isn’t jealousy a bad thing, or is there a good kind of jealousy? Think about marriage: Is it wrong for a husband and wife to demand that they only love each other—and no one else? If husbands and wives let someone else get in the way of their love for each other, what could happen to their marriage?

The Trinity is the most foundational belief to our faith. It’s simple and complex, straightforward and profound. It is a marvelous mystery that invites us to know God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. // 1. Do you know anyone who has fallen for a prank, a scheme, or a counterfeit before? Have you seen YouTube videos where people are tricked or fooled? How were they misled? What information were they missing that could have kept them from being deceived? // 2. Describe and define the Trinity. Draw on your whiteboard a triangle and label each person of the Trinity. How are each of them different from each other (do they have different roles)? How are they all the same God (what characteristics do they share)? // 3. How does the Trinity keep us from falling for false religions? If a belief system denies that Jesus is God, how should we talk with those who believe those things? Read 2 Peter 3:16-17, 1 John 2:22-23, and 2 Timothy 4:3-4. How do these verses urge us to know what’s true and right about the Triune God? // 4. Read Acts 17:10-12. How did the Bereans react when Paul and Silas taught them? Did they accept everything without thinking about it, or did they go somewhere elseto confirm? How is this an example for us when we hear others talk about who they think God is?

If God cannot prevent evil, is He truly all-powerful? If God can prevent evil, but doesn’t, is He truly all-good? There is another way. Tune-in for the truer, better solution to the problem of Faith + Evil. // 1. What is karma? Is karma always true? Do bad things happen to people who seem pretty good? And do good things happen to bad people? Read Psalm 73:1-5 to hear Asaph’s words about wicked people who prosper. Now think of people in the Bible like Joseph, Job, and even Jesus. What happened to them? How did God work through those bad things for good? // 2. Read the following verses. Think about how each verse turns our perspective of pain and suffering upside-down: Psalm 119:71, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, James 1:2-4 // 3. Read Luke 24:7 and Acts 2:22-24. What happened to Jesus? Was His crucifixion out of God’s plan or in God’s plan? What good came out of His death? How is this evidence that God can bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil? If He can do that, is there anything He cannot do when something goes bad in our lives?

“You must give up your childish faith in God if you ever want to have a future in science.” What if your college professor told you that to your face with several other professors watching? How would you respond? Hopefully by saying that we believe in the God who is over science, rather than belief in God in spite of science. Listen on to find out more. // 1. What are the good things that science has accomplished in the world around us? What progress do you see that science (technology) has produced? Are these good things or bad things? Can they ever replace our need for God? // 2. Why do you think many people choose to believe in science rather than believing in God? Why don’t people like the idea of a God who created and rules over everything? // 3. Sir Francis Bacon, the father of modern science who developed the scientific method (Observation, Hypothesis, Test, Analyze, Accept/Reject Hypothesis), had this to say about God: “God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book He wrote, namely Scripture. But He has written a second book called creation.” What does he mean by “a second book called creation”? What can we learn about God through creation? What can we learn about God only through Scripture? If God “wrote” creation and the Bible, could they ever contradict? // 4. Read Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20. How does creation “speak” for God? (This is called “general revelation,” how God has revealed Himself generally to everyone on earth.) Can we be “saved” by “general revelation,” or do we need more knowledge?

Coke or Pepsi? Star Wars or Marvel? Faith or Reason? Our world puts religious faith and rational reason as opposites — like it’s a game of “This or That?” But Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, invites us to think differently as Christians. // 1. Think about the definitions of “faith” and “reason.” Are faith and reason opposites? How do they relate? What are the real opposites of “faith” and “reason”? // 2. Now think about two categories: reasonable belief and unreasonable belief. What are some things that belong in either category? (reasonable belief: a chair can hold my weight, an airplane can fly safely in a storm, a rollercoaster can carry me safely, an elevator won’t drop when I step into it... unreasonable belief: the Earth is flat, something bad will happen on Friday the 13th, every dog wants to attack me, there’s monsters in my closet…)  In which category does Christianity belong? What are some things about Christianity that might seem unreasonable to believe? (miracles, Jesus rising from the dead, etc.) How would you explain to someone that Christianity is reasonable to believe? // 3. Read Acts 2:1-13. Something pretty hard to believe happens in these verses—what is it? How did the crowd respond? Were they having a hard time reasoning about the Holy Spirit? After Peter gives a sermon about Jesus, what was their response in v.41? How did their reason and faith work together? // 4. What could happen if we only use reason and never have faith? Read James 1:19. What could happen if we only use faith and never have reason? Read Galatians 1:8 and 1 John 4:1.

Is Christianity real history? If not, even the apostle Paul says we should give it up — for we are to be pitied more than anyone. But if Christianity is real history, it’s history that can change our eternity. Let’s begin our Apologetics series answering this question together. // 1. Have you been to Washington, DC before? Which monuments have you been to? How were they designed and what do they represent? Why is Washington, DC full of history and how does that change us? // 2. In our lesson, we opened a “time capsule” and read from four historians who lived right around the time of Jesus. Who were they? What did they say about Jesus and Christians? How does that line up with what we know from the Bible? How does this help us know that what the Bible says is true? // 3. How did most world religions begin? How is this different from Christianity? Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-7. Did all of these things happen privately or publicly? How does history help us know that what we believe is true? // 4. Read 2 Peter 1:16-18 and 1 John 1:1-4. Were Peter and John claiming to have private ideas about God, or a public experience with Jesus? What was their faith based on? What do we now have because we know Jesus really did live, die, and rise again for us?

Each new year is a new opportunity for a fresh start. But for all the limitless things we could be this year, Jesus actually distills everything down to just four identities. Listen to find out which you might be, and the one we should all strive to become. // 1. Read Luke 8:5-15. What were the four types of soils that Jesus mentioned? What did the “seed” represent? How many types of soil are “good” and how many are “bad”? What is the point of the parable? // 2. How can our faith sometimes be built on emotion? If we don’t always “feel” close to God, how does that hinder how we’re doing spiritually? How do we make sure our feelings don’t drive our faith? // 3. Read v.14. What are things that rival and stifle our faith? What are things that are bad that harm us as Christians, things that we should definitely avoid? What are things that are good and fine, but can be distractions and take up our time and attention? // 4. In which of these four categories do you find yourself? Which category is the hardest one to resist in your own life? What can you do this year to foster accountability and growth with others?

The story of the Magi—the Wise Men—is one of the most familiar parts of the Christmas story. Yet we have lost something with this familiarity: just how unlikely it was for them to be present at the birth of Jesus… and just how unlikely it is that we can be counted with Him, too. Spread some Christmas cheer by listening and sharing this special episode with your friends and family. // 1. Who were the Magi? Where were they from? Why would they be “unlikely guests” to Jesus and His family? // 2. Read Matthew 2:3-8. What was the reaction of Herod, the chief priests, and the scribes? What did they have knowledge of that the Magi didn’t? How should this have changed their reaction? // 3. Look back at verses 1, 2, 6, and 11. What is being said and done that proves Jesus is a King? What does “Judah” have to do with this? Who else came from Judah that set the stage for Jesus? So is Jesus the promised Messiah from the Old Testament, or should we keep looking for someone else? // 4. How does this story of the Magi motivate us to go on mission trips—maybe even become a missionary one day? If Jesus is King, what does that mean we are? Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. What does an ambassador do? How can you embody this in your own life?

How will the world end? It’s the stuff movie makers and novelists daydream about. But what if we actually knew the answer to this question? How would it change our lives today? Tune into this episode to hear how King Jesus says the world will end. // 1. What are the most common theories about how the world will end? Why don’t people seem to take the return of Jesus seriously as how the world will end? // 2. Think of the following statements like dominos falling. The first domino is "Jesus is God," the next is "so the Bible is true," which means "Jesus fulfilled every prophecy," which proves "Jesus never lied," including when "Jesus said He'll return," so "He will return." Believing each of these "dominoes" means the next one must be true. So is it logical and reasonable to believe Jesus will come back and judge everyone like He said? Why are each of these dominoes important for our lesson? // 3. Read Matthew 25:31-33. What are the several things that are going to happen at the end of the world? Is Jesus coming back to judge a good thing, a bad thing, or a little of both? Do we know when this will happen? Read Matthew 24:36-44. What is the timing of Jesus’ return compared to? Did those people know what was coming? // 4. Read Matthew 25:34-40. Do people go to Heaven because they do good stuff? (Look up Galatians 2:16 and Ephesians 2:8-10 for a reminder). How do these “good works” from Jesus’ sheep relate to the sheep being saved? If a “goat” claimed to be a Christian but their life didn’t show it, what could we conclude about their faith?

We all have a date with death. But what comes after that? Is there any hope for life beyond the grave? Listen to the words of Jesus as He stood by Lazarus’ tomb on this episode of What Jesus Said About Everything. // ·1. Why are people afraid of dying? Are people more afraid that they’re going to die or how they’re going to die? What do people try to do to numb or ignore the reality of death? How is that not a good thing? // 2. Could Jesus have prevented Lazarus from dying—even from a distance? Why didn’t He prevent Lazarus from dying? Read John 11:4, 40-42 – talk about how an even greater-good came from death. // 3. Read John 11:32-35. What do you notice about Jesus’ emotions here? How is His response a human one? What does this tell us about the character of God when it comes to death—is He cold and indifferent or does He deeply care for our sorrow? // 4. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Answer the following questions: If it’s impossible for people to rise from the dead, what does that mean about Jesus? (vv.12-13) If Jesus hasn’t been resurrected, what does that mean for our faith? (vv.14-19) If Jesus has been raised from the dead, how does that give us confidence that we will have life after death, too?

Everybody worries. But we don’t have to worry. Tune in to learn about how to overcome worry with trust in the One who takes our worries upon Himself. // 1. Have you ever worried about something that didn’t end up coming true? What was that fear? How often do we worry about things that never come true? // 2. Does “do not worry” mean that we don’t need to work or plan in life? Is there a healthy and unhealthy way to be concerned about something? Read the following verses and talk about working, planning, and having good concerns that don’t turn into worry: Proverbs 6:6-11, Genesis 41:46-49, 53-57, 2 Corinthians 11:28. How can we tell when a hope, plan, or concern turns into worry? // 3. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What should we do when we worry? How does “petition/supplication” and “thanksgiving” help chase our worries away? What does God promise to give us if we take our worries to Him in prayer? // 4. Read Matthew 6:32. What does it mean when Jesus says that “Gentiles eagerly seek these things?” How is worry like living without God in our lives? How does the rest of v.32 help us not fall into the trap of worrying like the rest of our world?

Few things are more hotly debated in our culture today than the issues of gender, sex, and marriage. Surprisingly, most people want Jesus on their side of the argument. Find out what Jesus says about gender, sex, and marriage on this episode of What Jesus Said About Everything. // 1. Why do people—even non-Christians—want Jesus on their side when it comes to gender, sex, and marriage? How does Jesus bolster someone’s opinion if they think He’s on their side? Talk about this quote, especially the last part: “Conservatives want Jesus. Progressives want Jesus. I’ve even seen atheists appeal to Jesus. Everyone wants Jesus on their side…as long as you get to limit who Jesus actually is.” // 2. Read Matthew 19:1-4. The Pharisees were asking about divorce, so why did Jesus feel the need to go all the way back to Genesis with Adam and Eve? How does vv.5-6 answer the Pharisees original question about divorce? What is Jesus showing us about gender, sex, and marriage by going all the way back to Creation in Genesis? // 3. How does sin warp our view of ourselves—like a carnival mirror? How does sin create in us insecurities about our bodies and our gender? If there was no sin, would there be eating disorders, body image issues, and mental illness? Read Psalm 139:13-15, then Genesis 3:7 and Proverbs 14:12. How do these passages explain how God created us male and female, but how sin warps and breaks our self-image and inner identity? // 4. How does our culture promote sex as cheap, easy, and casual? But how does our culture react when there is a sexual crime or allegation, like Harvey Weinstein—do they respond casually or seriously? How does this show our world’s confusion with whether sex is casual or serious? Is it better to have a cheap view of sex, or a valuable view of sex?

People do terrible things to each other in this world, and forgiveness seems impossible. But not to Jesus. Listen in as we consider how greatly we’ve been forgiven in Him, so that we can now offer great forgiveness to others. // 1. Go watch the video "The Riches of His Grace: Ike Brown's Story" on Vimeo. How was what happened to Ike’s son “unforgiveable?” How was he still able to forgive his son’s murderer? Does this show that forgiveness is a feeling or a choice? // 2. Read the following verses. Talk about how our ability to forgive others flows from how God has forgiven us in Jesus: Psalm 103:10-12, Luke 23:34, Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 1:9 // 3. If we only forgive when we feel like it, how will that limit our forgiveness? Can we say we forgive someone, but not really forgive them? // 4. In Matthew 18:35, it says that God will do to us what the King does to his servant if we don’t forgive “from the heart.” Does this mean if we don’t forgive someone, we’re going to hell? Or is there a difference between a moment of unforgiveness verses an attitude of unforgiveness? What does an attitude of unforgiveness reveal about our hearts that God will hold us accountable for?

In 1996, Disney created a fairytale-come-true in the town of Celebration, Florida. But its citizens quickly found out all is not what it seemed. Tune in this episode to learn how what Jesus said about human sinfulness goes much deeper than we'd like to admit. // 1. List some crimes people commit. Underneath each crime, list a “root” issue or sin that might cause someone to commit that crime. For example, under “murder” you might write “anger” or “hatred.” What are the common heart-motives for why people do bad things? // 2. Create a definition for sin. Look up a few verses together to shape your definition: James 1:14-15, James 4:17, Genesis 4:7, Romans 6:23 // 3. Read Mark 7:6-8. What is Jesus telling the Pharisees they’re doing wrong? How do we sometimes do this as Christians? How can we make sure that we don’t fall into this same rut that the Pharisees did? // 4. Ultimately, how does God fix our sin-sick hearts? Read Titus 3:3-7. Focus on words like “washing... rebirth... renewal” in v.5. Are we saved by following rules and doing good stuff, or something better? How should we praise God for this truth?

Everyone loves love! But if we’re being honest, we’re not as good at love as we think we are. We love good things in bad ways and love bad things in sinful ways. We need Someone who can help us rightly order our loves. Thankfully, that person is Jesus, the one who loved perfectly. // 1. How would most people in our world today define “love?” Is it just a feeling for most people? Is it more than a feeling? // 2. List in two columns: Good things people love and Bad things people love. List some things that go under each. Do some of those “good things” become bad things if we love them too much? Why do people love bad things that hurt themselves or hurt others? Is it really “love” if someone is getting hurt? // 3. Read John 15:9-12. How do we make sure we’re “remaining in God’s love?” How does obedience bring us “joy?” Isn’t obeying God hard or boring? // 4. Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. What did Solomon love? Did he have any order or restraint to his love? How did he feel about the things he thought he loved after all was said and done? (vv.10-11) What does this teach us about what we love? How do we make sure we don’t love the wrong things or people? How does loving God most help us put these things into perspective?

When we consider what Jesus said about, well, everything, we need to start with what He said about Himself. If Jesus is who He said He is, then we must listen to what He says about everything — because there’s no one with a higher authority than God Himself. // 1. What kind of authorities would you go ask for help in the following situations: Help with homework • Want to buy a house • Want to learn a new instrument • Leak in your basement • Computer is broken • Your ankle hurts • Why does asking the right kind of authority matter? What could happen if you ask the wrong kind of authority, or someone who has no knowledge of what to do? // 2. Read John 10:24-25. What are the “works done in My Father’s name” that Jesus has done? What do those works prove? If you saw Jesus do works like that, what would you think about Him? // 3. Read John 10:27-30. What assurance does Jesus give His sheep? (us as Christians) How does this make you feel? When you begin to doubt that you’re saved, or that you’ll go to Heaven after you die, why are these good verses to return to? // 4. C.S. Lewis said that Jesus was either “a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. What does each of those 3 options mean? Could Jesus be just a “good teacher” or “good example?” Why or why not? Which do you think He is? Why do people not want to accept that Jesus is God?

In this episode, we tackle one of the most bizarre passages in Scripture: the story of Elisha the prophet, some rowdy boys, and a bear attack. What does it all mean? Tune in to find out. // 1. Have you ever gotten in trouble with someone in authority? (not your parents) What happened? Who was in authority over the situation? How did it turn out? // 2. Read 2 Kings 2:23-25. What is shocking about this story? What is this story not about? Is God terrible for sending bears to attack these boys? // 3. Read Leviticus 26:21-22. Why did God give this warning? Is God fair to have given Israel this warning ahead of time? Even if God had left those boys alone, would they have still been in eternal, spiritual danger? // 4. Read the following verses about youthfulness in the Bible: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 22:15, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:1-4. What does this tell us about being young? Are we more likely to be obedient or rebellious by default? How does this show us what’s wrong with the boys of this story? How can we as young Christians be different?

God takes our words much more seriously than we do. In this episode we turn to Jesus’ words in Luke 6:43-45 to find help and hope for raising the bar when it comes to the words we speak. // 1. Share about a time when your words got you in trouble. Did you mouth-off to your parents? Did you hurt a friend’s feelings? Did you curse in front of someone? How did your words turn into a bad situation? // 2. Re-read Luke 6:43-45. What does Jesus mean by “trees” and “fruit” here? Is he talking about actual trees and fruit, or something else? Why is the “fruit” of your life important to consider? What does that tell you about your own heart? // 3. Read Ephesians 4:29. What does your Bible use for the adjective of “words” – unwholesome/corrupt/foul/abusive? Is this just talking about cuss words, or more? How does the term building up/edifying challenge us to leave other types of talk like gossip, sarcasm, and insults behind? // 4. How does Jesus’ example of His words impact us as Christians? How did He speak to different groups of people? Even when He was mad, how did He speak? Perhaps His most stunning words were on the cross: “Father, forgive them [those who put Jesus to death], for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Think about those words and how they go against every instinct we have as humans. Ask God to give you the same grace with your words.

In our series finale, let’s turn up the heat and learn how 3 men who stood for God before an evil king found out they weren’t standing alone. // 1. Have you ever felt pressured to do something by friends before? Maybe it was something silly, like a dare, or serious, like breaking a rule. How did you feel in that moment? Was it easy or hard to resist peer-pressure? How did the situation end? // 2. Read Daniel 3:1-7. How big of a worship gathering is this for Nebuchadnezzar’s statue? Why was the punishment so serious for refusing to worship the statue? What was the easier choice: bow-down and worship, or be thrown into the fire? What does that say about the choice to follow God—is it usually easy or hard? // 3. Our world, especially America, demands that everyone “bow down” and “worship” certain things in our society. Can you think of anything in American culture that demands our support and submission? List them out. What happens to Christians who disagree with those things? // 4. Read 2 Timothy 2:8-13. Remember: Paul is currently in prison for his faith as he writes this letter. What are the encouragements and promises? What are the warnings? How does this and Daniel 3 help us endure in a hostile world today?

If God were to wrestle a human, who do you think would win? You might be surprised at the answer Genesis 32 gives us. This theophany has some surprises and plot-twists in store — join us this episode ring-side for a fight of biblical proportions. // 1. Have you ever tried to get something you really wanted? Maybe it was a toy, a game, or a piece of technology. Did you end up getting it? Did you have to work hard for it? Did you rely on yourself or ask for someone’s help? // 2. All throughout Jacob’s life, he tried to get what he wanted by his own cleverness and ability. What should we admire about that? What should we be careful not to imitate? Look at Genesis 27:41 (Esau), Genesis 29:31-33 (his wives), and Genesis 31:1-2 (Laban) to see the carnage Jacob left in his path. // 3. Read Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 26:24. Why did God bless Abraham and Isaac: because they deserved it or because God is gracious? So did Jacob need to wrestle with God for his blessing? What was God trying to teach Jacob by wrestling him? // 4. Read Luke 11:11-12 and James 1:17. Is it wrong to ask for blessings from God? How did Jacob show us how not to gain blessings from God? Why does God bless us: because we deserve it or because He is gracious? How does this give us patience and contentment in our lives today?

Not just anyone gets courtside seats to an NBA game. It requires special access. The same goes for God’s presence. Tune-in to this episode to learn how God appearing as a thunderstorm on Mount Sinai is both terrifying and glorious news for how we can have access to Him. // 1. Have you ever gotten to go somewhere that has restricted access? What did it require to get in? How did you feel getting to go somewhere that not many people get to go? // 2. Read Exodus 19:16-19. What natural and supernatural chaos was going on? What do those things represent? List on your whiteboard what these things show us about God. // 3. We sometimes fear powerful people or people in authority over us. Why do we have a healthy fear of them? What does it mean to “fear God?” Is there a good kind of fear and a bad kind of fear? How should we fear God as Christians? How should non-Christians fear God in a different way? // 4. Read Matthew 27:45-54. What is similar to the theophany of God on Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19? What does this tell us about Jesus? (Hint: look at what the Roman soldier says in v.54) Pay special attention to v.51 – why did the curtain in the Temple rip from top to bottom? What did the curtain symbolize to the people?

Theophany. It’s a new word to most of us, but one that means a lot to our understanding of the Bible and who God is. Join us as we begin a study through the theophanies of Scripture to learn more about the God we love. // 1. What is something exciting or dramatic that you’ve witnessed before? Maybe it was a sports event, a concert, a car crash, or a natural disaster. How did you feel when you were watching it with your own eyes? How did it affect you afterward? // 2. Throughout the Bible, God shows up to people visibly (theophany). What are some of the ways people respond to encountering God in the Bible? Read Genesis 3:8 again—how did Adam and Eve respond? Why did they respond in that way? // 3. Is God everywhere in general, or is He specifically in certain places? Read the following verses and compare: Everywhere in general: Jeremiah 23:24, Proverbs 15:3, Acts 17:24; Specifically present: Ecclesiastes 5:2, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:18, 1 Corinthians 3:16. How do these two truths go together? How is that good news for us as Christians? // 4. How is Jesus the “ultimate theophany”? Read Matthew 1:23, John 14:9, and Hebrews 1:1-3. Some churches think God can still appear to them as a cloud, dust, smoke—even gold or feathers! (Bethel Church, Bill Johnson) How do these verses keep us from falling for those teachings? Do we need to look past Jesus for some other revelation of God, or is He the theophany of all theophanies?

“Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Tune in this episode to learn how Satan and his demons influence the world around us. They are already defeated by Christ, but want to take as many people down with them. // 1. What is the common cultural view of demons? How do people speak of demons? How are demons portrayed in movies? // 2. Read 2 Corinthians 11:14. How is Satan described? Does that sound like a beautiful or hideous appearance? How does this go against how most people think about the devil and demons? How does this make them more dangerous? // 3. What is demon possession? Are all demon “possessions” the same? Why is it better to think about demonic activity as a spectrum of “demonic influence”? Read the following verses and chart them on a line from "More Obvious" to "More Sinister": 1 Thess. 3:5; Matt. 17:14-18; Luke 11:14; 2 Cor. 4:4; Matt. 13:4, 18-19; 1 Cor. 10:20; Luke 4:31-36 // 4. Read Hebrews 2:14. How does remembering that Jesus has already defeated demonic powers strengthen us?

Aren’t angels just little, cute cherubs that float on clouds and strum harps? Nothing could be further from the truth. Tune in on this episode as we discover more about these mighty beings who accomplish God’s unstoppable plans among us. // 1. How do people normally picture angels? Do any of your family members have little angel statues or angel figures on shelves or picture frames? What do angels usually represent? // 2. What do angels actually do? What is their purpose? Look up the passages covered in this episode and list what you learn: (Luke 1:11-13, Genesis 19:15-16, Hebrews 1:14, Genesis 3:23-24, Genesis 19:11, 2 Kings 19:25, Revelation 19:11-14) // 3. After Jesus died and rose again, some people began to think He wasn't actually human, but just an angel with the appearance of a human. Read Hebrews 1:1-4 and Hebrews 2:14-18. How does Jesus compare to angels? Was He just a "spirit-being" or a truly flesh-and-blood human? Why is this important to believe? // 4. If someone asks you the question, "Do people become angels after they die?" how would you respond? Read 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 3:20-21 to explain what happens to our bodies after we die.

There are some things you just don’t talk about with other people. For Christians, the reality of Hell has become one of those things. Yet Jesus was not shy about it, but warned of it earnestly and tragically. Let’s learn to do the same starting here. // 1. Why do people like the idea of Heaven but not Hell? List-off reasons why people like Heaven and don't like Hell. // 2. If you saw someone walking along train tracks and noticed a train coming their direction, what would you do? How is this similar to God warning us about the reality of hell? What if God knew hell was real, but didn’t tell us? Why are warnings like these important? // 3. Read John 3:16-21. What is the good news of Jesus? If we believe in Him, what happens? If we don’t believe in Him, what happens? Why do some people reject Him? (Hint: look at vv.19-20) // 4. Many people object to Hell because it is "unloving" of God. But think about this sentence: God is loving, but He doesn't love everything. Is it possible for God to be loving, but also hate and punish certain things? If God let everyone into Heaven, or let everyone escape punishment after death regardless of what they did, would that be fair and loving of Him?

Most people believe in Heaven, but many of them get their heavenly ideas more from culture and cartoons than from Christ. We begin this series on “The Supernatural Realm” learning how to get Heaven right, according to God Himself. // 1. Write out a definition for Heaven, starting with “Heaven is...” Look for ways to incorporate what you learned about Heaven from this episode. Look at John 14:1-9 if you need some help. // 2. Most people understand something has to happen for people to go to Heaven after they die. What do most non-Christians think people have to do to go to Heaven? If Heaven is based on what we do, how could we ever know if we’ve done enough? // 3. Read Revelation 21:1-8. What does God show John in this vision? Which direction is Heaven coming: is it coming “down” to us or are we going “up” to it? How does this directional-shift change way we view Heaven? In Heaven, what is gone? Who is there? And who is not there?  // 4. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In v. 13, how were Christians responding to the deaths of others around them? Have you lost someone you love who has died? How do these verses help us cope with the loss of friends or family?

Politics has taken over our world, and everyone seems to have an opinion. Before we form our own, shouldn’t we stop and ask, “What does God think about politics?” Let’s explore the book of Proverbs for His answer. // 1. How can politics be a good and bad thing? What are the ways that governments can help or hurt their citizens? Why isn’t government perfect? // 2. Why do people get very upset about politics? How should Christians respond differently? How should we act toward those who disagree with us politically? // 3. Read Romans 12:14-21. How does this apply to how we view politics? How do people break these commands when it comes to politics? // Read Daniel 3:8-23. This is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. How did the King’s politics affect them? What were they pressured to do? How did they respond, what happened, and how did God intervene? Read vv.24-30 for the miraculous ending.

It takes effort to make friendships “stick” — especially godly ones. Learn this week how to keep the godly friendships you have, and grow deeper with them. // 1. How do you keep up with your friends? What do you do together? How do you know your friend is actually your friend? // 2. Read Ephesians 4:29 and Ephesians 5:4. How do our words affect our friendships? Have you ever had a friend who was rude or discouraging with their words? What did they say? How did that make you feel? Did you still want to be friends with them afterward? // 3. Read Romans 1:32 and Matthew 18:6-7. Why do people invite others to sin with them? Why is it dangerous to invite someone else to sin with you? What is a millstone, and why is it better to be drowned by one than to cause someone else to sin? // 4. How does what we’ve learned about godly friendships parallel into godly dating? What kind of boyfriend/girlfriend do we need to be pursuing as Christians? Why is it so easy for Christians to compromise their standards in their dating relationships?