Focal Passage: Jeremiah 1:4-19 

Introduction: Jeremiah’s call to prophesy emphasizes a powerful reminder that God calls and equips us for His work. In this lesson, we will explore Jeremiah 1:4-19 and discover how God’s call to Jeremiah applies to us as Christians today.

What Does the Text Say? In Jeremiah 1:4-19, we see God calling Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah was reluctant to accept this call because of his youth and lack of experience, but God reassured him in verse five.  

God then touches Jeremiah’s mouth and puts His Words in his mouth (v. 9), empowering him for His task. He warns Jeremiah of the opposition he will face but assures him that He will be with him (v. 18). [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 21:15-23

As you think back over the course of your life, do you ever struggle with regret? 

For most of us, regrets are plentiful and painful, and some have changed the direction of our lives. But regardless of the mistakes we’ve made in the past, nothing compares to the feeling of regret that we often carry after we’ve failed the Lord. 

It could have been a consequential sin that you committed years ago, and you continue to feel guilt and shame to this day. Perhaps during a time of crisis you turned your back on the Lord, and have sensed distance from God ever since. 

Perhaps you had an opportunity to take a stand for Christ in public, but you became filled with fear and followed the crowd in opposition.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 20:19-29

One of the most tragic and dangerous developments in recent times is what’s known as Christian deconstructionism. Just as one deconstructs a building by tearing down the roof, the walls, and eventually the foundation, some today are claiming that persuasive arguments from science, philosophy, and other religions have filled them with enough “reasonable doubts” to deconstruct their faith, thus tearing down biblical beliefs they once held about Jesus and leading them to abandon Christ. 

It’s even become popular for teenagers, college students, and others to post “deconstruction videos” on social media, proudly explaining why they are no longer Christians.

But while doubt may not lead all believers to abandon the faith, it is true that all believers at times have experienced doubt. There are moments of crisis when we wonder if God really cares about us.  [Read more…]

Have you ever experienced a dark time in your life? A moment when it seemed like everything good was unraveling. It could have been a major health crisis when you were diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease. 

It might have been receiving word that you lost your job, and you didn’t know how you were going to make ends meet. It could have been a season of intense sadness or depression, and you wondered if it would ever end. Some of you may be walking in a dark time right now, possibly over something that no one knows about. 

But even though all of us have been through dark times, nothing compares to the darkness that Jesus experienced on the cross — the darkest time in human history. It was dark not only because the sky was literally blackened, but because Jesus’ innocent life was covered with the darkness of sin and judgment as He became our atoning sacrifice. We find the story of this dark day in John 19:17-30.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 18:28-40

One of the most thought-provoking literary devices is irony. Writers often grab our attention by describing situations that — to our surprise — turn out differently than we expected. We might read about a fire station burning down, or a marriage counselor filing for divorce or a pilot with a fear of heights. 

These twists are often given to display deeper truths, such as the vulnerability of those who seem strong or the flaws of those who appear to be perfect. However, ironies are often used to communicate powerful messages in unexpected ways, and we find a series of real-life ironies during Jesus’ trial in John 18. 

After being arrested and questioned by the high priest Caiaphas, Jesus was led to the governor’s headquarters to be tried by Pontius Pilate. While the religious leaders had wickedly conspired to put Jesus to death, ironically they didn’t enter the headquarters for fear of being “defiled,” which would prevent them from eating the Passover.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 18:1-11

In our fallen culture, it’s not uncommon for criminals to scramble from police to avoid arrest. A few weeks ago, a man in West Tennessee was accused of assaulting a family member. 

When the police arrived, the suspect barricaded himself inside the home and threatened to open fire on the officers. The standoff lasted for over four hours until a special response team carefully made their way into the house and took the suspect into custody. Thankfully no one was injured, and the man was brought to justice. 

Such a tactic is a natural reflex for criminals because the last thing they want is to be apprehended and punished. But this reality is what makes Jesus’ arrest so unordinary.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 17:13-26

One of the great blessings of having close relationships with other believers is the ability to call upon them to pray for us in a time of need.

As a pastor, I receive numerous prayer requests each week, where people ask me to pray for the most serious and urgent needs in their lives. 

Similarly, it’s not uncommon for me to call upon many others to pray for my personal needs in life and ministry.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 15:26-27; 16:7-15

One of the strangest elements in literature is what’s called a “paradox.” 

According to the dictionary, a paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory or illogical. In other words, it’s a message that seems backwards or doesn’t make sense. 

We encounter paradoxes when business owners say, “You have to spend money to make money;” or when a counselor states that “failure often leads to success.” One of the most memorable was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s axiom, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 20:1-18 

A few years ago, my girls and I were listening to a popular podcast where a Bible teacher was explaining Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. As he was describing all of the glorious details, my oldest daughter’s eyes began beaming with fascination and she said, “Oh, I just love the story of Jesus coming out of the tomb!” 

Hopefully that’s the emotion you feel when you think about Jesus being raised to life. There’s no event in world history more fascinating, mysterious and powerful than Jesus coming out of the tomb. But while each of the Gospel writers gives us specific details concerning Jesus’ resurrection, we find three unique pictures in John 20 that show us the hope we have in our risen Savior. We see a dark morning, a folded cloth, and a glorious gardener.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 15:1-17 

One of the most popular topics among believers is spiritual growth. It’s the subject of countless books and blogs, the theme of numerous conferences and events, and the aim of sermon series, church programs and small group studies. 

According to Barna Research, 75 percent of Christian adults desire spiritual growth in their lives. This desire comes naturally for true believers who are being sanctified in Christ, and hopefully you’re among the many who want greater spiritual growth in your life today. 

But even though the majority of believers long to grow spiritually, many have questions about how to get there. What are the keys for having a greater sense of God’s presence and comfort? How do we develop spiritual strength and wisdom and reorient our hearts towards God’s will? Where do we find the power to resist temptation and remain obedient to Christ?  [Read more…]