Want to learn more about The Forgiven? Use these Bible Studies for personal devotion, group Bible studies, or teaching a church class. Below are links to the lessons in this 13-part series.
Introduction: We are starting a new twelve-week study on the topic of forgiveness. What does it mean to be forgiven? What are the steps to forgiveness? How much will God forgive? Can we leave guilt behind? How important is our obligation to forgive others? We have a great...
Introduction: Chances are you cannot read Hebrew. If so, you might be wondering whether a lesson with the title "Forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible" has any relevance to you. What is the Hebrew Bible anyway? Is it a Bible written in Hebrew? One of my dear friends is very acti...
Introduction: Last week, the students at the boarding school, where my daughter attends, put on a play. Although the students were very good, I went more out of a sense of obligation than desire. Obligation was rewarded, however, when one of my daughter's teachers, Harlen...
Introduction: This past week I went to a wonderful Easter play at a local Assemblies Church. The production was what you would expect from a professional company - really first class. The quality of the play allowed me to imagine being present during Jesus' life and cruc...
Introduction: Guilt has gotten a bad reputation these days. I have a friend who never attends church, is sure that what he learned about God when he was young is enough to carry him through the rest of his life, and who has turned to secular counseling to eliminate any fe...
Introduction: Many years ago, a pastor asked me to go along with him on a visit to begin the disciplinary process of a church member who was involved in a very serious sin. This was not a visit I wanted to make. My assumption was that this church member knew we were coming...
Introduction: The word "love" means so many things today that sometimes it is almost meaningless. What does it mean to have a God who loves us? What is required of us when we are called upon to "love our neighbor?" What kind of love is expected of us? Is love a substitute...
Introduction: Have you ever thought of applying for a position and then asked yourself, "What does this position require?" If you want to be a Christian, if you want to serve God, what does that require of you? What does God ask of those who want to follow Him? Obedience...
Introduction: One of my law school classmates had the practice of standing at the front of the class, before the professor arrived, and telling a joke. Often the joke was about God. The class would roar with laughter and I would try not to smile because I thought the joke...
Introduction: "I'll forgive, but I will not forget." Have you ever found yourself saying that? Should we forget as well as forgive? Or, is forgetting being foolish? What about the saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." How do these worldly sayi...
Introduction: This weekend was graduation at my daughter's school. I attended the services and then helped move my daughter out of the dormitory. A critical part of the move was a wonderful Dodge mini-van that I bought several years ago for $700.00 (US). I love that van m...
Introduction: "Selfless service." Does this idea make you shudder or does it give you a feeling of satisfaction or freedom? If the goal of life is simply to serve others, then (to continue a theme from last week) the guy who drives the $700 mini-van may be better th...
Introduction: We are at the end of our studies on forgiveness. Assume your personal life has made that same journey this quarter. You have repented, God has forgiven you, and you stand completely justified before God. Feels wonderful, doesn't it? Now tell me, how do live t...
