Bible Studies

WHEN YOU PRAY is a verse-by-verse study of six prayer passages in God’s Word designed not as a formula for “how to pray” but as an invitation to “listen in” as fellow believers model the act of prayer for us. We will learn that prayer is so much more than asking God for things – it is about a conversation with our Heavenly Father, every single prayer a means of positioning ourselves to hear from God and know Him more. Six different authors will help us unpack the Scripture passages to show us that when we pray, our faith is strengthened and our love for Jesus grows deep: Your Kingdom Come (The Lord’s Prayer) Kelly Minter My Heart Rejoices in the Lord (Hannah’s Prayer) Jackie Hill Perry Your Works are Wondrous (Psalm 139) Jen Wilkin How Long, Oh Lord? (Prayers of Lament) Jennifer Rothschild May You Be Filled (Paul’s Prayers in Ephesians) Jada Edwards May They Be One (Jesus’ Prayer) Kristi McLellan

Begins January 10
9:30-11:30am, Room A209
Beth Azer & Sarah Pinkley, Leaders ($20)

Before Israel ever had a king, God set the standards and He warned what would happen if His people did not listen. In Deuteronomy 17, kings were warned not to multiply wives so that their hearts would not turn away from God. Solomon did not listen and the consequences were disastrous. His heart turned away from God and his heart was no longer totally devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been. The Lord tore the kingdom in two, giving ten tribes into the hands of Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant. Solomon’s death marked the end of an era (the united monarchy). The stage for Israel’s division and moral decline was set. Jeroboam led Israel (the Northern Kingdom) into sin and idolatry. Eventually Judah (the Southern Kingdom) followed her sister’s ways. God could not remain silent. He raised up prophets to warn His people of the dire consequences of abandoning His ways.

God Searches for a Heart Fully His – Neither Solomon, his son Rehoboam, nor his son Abijam followed God fully, nor did Jeroboam in Israel. Their hearts were divided. Would God ever find anyone to serve Him like David? Would He ever find one whose heart was fully His? God says that we are to love Him with all of our heart.

Passing the Mantle – Could there be a man or woman like Elijah in our time – someone with his mantle who would boldly believe God and proclaim His Word. This study will help you experience the unchanging power of God in changing times!

Spare Your People, Lord – Obadiah and Joel prophesied about the judgment of all the nations in the coming day of the Lord. Edom was singled out by Obadiah because of how they treated Israel. In these last days, as we wait for the Day of the Lord, we should remember that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He calls people to return to Him with their whole heart.

Where Are You Going? Jonah: Can a mere man hide from the presence of an all-knowing, all-powerful God? God used a reluctant prophet to tell an evil city of His compassion for them. God has called us to deliver His message of redemption and the truth of His Word. When you encounter someone you don’t love, will you run, get angry, or comply? Will it take a calamity to get our attention? What are we to do? And what if we don’t? The book of Jonah has answers. It’s much more than a whale of a story!

God’s message to the kings and nations of old is no less relevant today. We pray this study will illumine your heart and encourage you toward a life of true worship.

Begins January 10
9:30-11:45am, Room A206-208
Barbara Faught, Leader
($40)

This yearlong study in I & II Samuel will help you behold the character of the LORD and what it looks like to follow, love, and reflect His heart through the mountain tops of victory and the valleys of disappointment, suffering, and failure. We will provide you with an ESV Scripture Journal and a three-ring binder for notes and weekly homework questions provided by the teacher(s). There will be a teaching time each week followed by small group discussion and prayer time ending with whole group worship.

Begins January 10
9:30-11:30am, Room A207
Jody Lubenec, Leader
($20)

This course will equip women to be discerning about the lies and empty deceit of our culture by providing tools to help you engage on various, relevant issues of the day. Learning Biblically-sound answers will help women navigate this world’s minefield with confidence and grace and enable you to accurately articulate the truth of the Gospel, particularly as we work to raise the next generation.

Begins January 17
9:30-11:30, Room A107
Robin Fouse & Sarah Giddens, Leaders
($15)

With an emphasis on Biblical theology, we will trace the promised seed of the woman from Genesis 3:15 through seven Old Testament stories. As we examine these timeless stories, we will get a glimpse of the greater salvation accomplished by Jesus. This study by Courtney Doctor and Melissa Kruger will be supplemented with teaching on the theology of salvation, Bible study methods and how to share the good news of salvation with others. Our hope is that we will develop a deeper appreciation of our salvation as expressed in David’s prayer, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Ps. 51:12), and that we will respond with eagerness to share our own salvation stories!

Begins January 25
9:15-11:45am, Room A207-209-211
Kathy Holley, Deshua Joyce, & Laura Fay, Leaders
($15)

Romans Part 3, 8 lessons – The Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of Man God doesn’t go back on His promises. He can always be trusted. Chapters 9-11 is an extended discussion of the subject of God’s sovereignty – election, predestination, and responsibility – focusing on His choice of Israel and His faithfulness to His covenant.

Romans Part 4, 8 lessons – Life as a Living Sacrifice The righteous shall live by faith! Do you live out your faith? What practical things can you do to show that you have been justified? Chapters 12-16 are very practical chapters! You will learn how redemption, justification, and propitiation enable you to live righteously as you serve God.

Begins January 11
9:15-11:45am, Room A206-208
Debi Davis, Leader
($40)

John (the Apostle) writes “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31 ESV). John provides two primary themes in his purpose statement: belief and life. This study will dive deep into the “signs” that John did write about and how they relate to the primary themes of belief and life. If you are new in your understanding of who Jesus was/is or have received decades of teaching, this study will provide an opportunity to study and discuss John’s eye witness account of who Jesus is, his life, and what “life in his name” is. This is full year study (Fall 2023 – Spring 2024) of John’s Gospel, using observation of what the text says, interpreting its meaning, and discovering it’s meaning to our lives (inductive study method).

Begins January 9
7:00-8:30pm, Room A206
Debbie Rafi, Leader
($10)

Everyone likes a good story. For years effective teachers and preachers have told stories in order to “bring home” an important point. Jesus was certainly an effective teacher and the gospels are full of his stories - parables. He used them to illustrate deep truths he was teaching. Many in the audience understood these truths but Jesus said some would not because of hard hearts. (Matt. 13:10-13)

This is an inductive study using homework passages from the gospels followed by group discussion. Our goal is to understand the main truth in each parable and how it applies in our lives today.

Begins January 9
7:00-8:30pm, Executive Conference Room
Cindy Benson & Charlene Chesley, Leaders
($10)

Come and study 2 Corinthians and learn more about His strength in our weakness. Here Paul demonstrates how God heals the wounds and shows His saving power in our weaknesses. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 as a key verse. You'll need your Bible and access to online commentaries, come and join us!

Begins January 10
7:00-8:30pm, Room A201
Bethany Barham, Leader
($0)

Are denominations biblical? For what sins can a person be excommunicated from church? Is it right for a believer to take another believer to court? What place is given to marriage in the New Testament? Should women wear head coverings in church gatherings? What is the gift of tongues? What will our resurrected bodies be like? These are just some of the questions Paul addresses in his first letter to the Corinthians. And you’ll want to know the answers, not just for yourself, but to explain them to others as well. This letter was originally written to answer certain questions that arose in the church in Corinth. But many of these issues persist among us and will continue to do so until the end of the age. Therefore, the message of 1 Corinthians is both current and eternal, from start to finish.

There is no cost for this Bible study, but the study guide (1Corintios by Emmaus) is available for purchase in our Bookstore. (This study will be taught in Spanish.)

Begins January 16
7:00-9:00pm, Room A207-209
Ana Ugalde & Liz Zalles, Leaders