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On-Going Mini-Series

Bible Studies

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Class Codes
[A] = summary lessons
[B] = exegetical analysis
[C] = topical doctrinal studies
What is a Mini-Series?
A Mini-Series is a small subset of lessons from a major series which covers a particular subject or book. The class numbers will be in reference to the major series rather than the mini-series.

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Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

Messages with tag - Joy

Thursday, September 24, 2015
Passage: 1 Peter 1:6-7
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 59 mins 50 secs
How can a Christian have joy and rejoice when everything in their life seems like a disaster? Listen to this lesson to learn that it’s not something we can do on our own. Find out that we can only have joy in suffering and disappointment and grief when we are learning God’s Word and walking by means of the Spirit. Learn about two words used for joy in the New Testament and the significance of each. Hear six aspects of joy and that it is supernatural. See similar passages in 1st Peter and James as they deal with joy. Understand that even if we face persecution for our faith in Christ, we can rejoice because we know about the eternal rewards we will receive.

At the beginning of this class Dr. Dean showed a video on Mormom missionaries.

The book Dr. Dean references in this class is called The State of the American Mind: 16 Leading Critics on the New Anti-Intellectualism.

Dr. Dean also mentioned Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America by Robert Whitaker.

Thursday, September 17, 2015
Passage: 1 Peter 1:6-7
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 54 mins
Be happy and full of joy when all these troubles are staring me in the face? Impossible! Listen to this lesson to learn that faith is the means of this seemingly impossible rejoicing. Learn the meaning and the purpose of the trials that all Christians endure. See that happiness is a choice. Find out two things absolutely necessary for us to handle our trials with joy and what we must not base our happiness on. Prepare for the many tests that are sure to come your way by learning the Word of God and being motivated by love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Passage: Romans 15:13-16
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 2 mins 30 secs
"Now, what?" you ask, throwing your hands in the air as a steady stream of bad news spews out of your TV. How should we handle all the threatening events in our lives and in our country? Listen to this lesson to learn that God is always in control and we can have confidence that all is working according to His perfect plan. Understand the ten spiritual skills available to believers in Christ that enable us to have this firm hope in God and the peace and joy that follows even in the midst of disaster. Focus daily on the many Scriptures that encourage us and take us out of the mire of despair.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Passage: Romans 15:9-13
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 51 mins 48 secs
Terrorists. Wars. Diseases. Violent weather. What can we do to be safe in all these disasters? Listen to this lesson to learn about God's promises of protection as we face whatever comes our way. See how Paul uses quotes from the Old Testament to point out that God's plan was always for Jews and Gentiles to worship God together. Understand that God the Holy Spirit gives us a confident hope as we grow spiritually with the result that we have joy and peace in our lives.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4
Series: 1 Thessalonians (2013)
Duration: 1 hr 8 mins 13 secs
When an old-fashion teakettle whistles, we need to turn down the heat. The same is true when we find pressures building up in our lives and we feel ready to blow. Listen to this lesson to learn how to handle the adversities of life from a Biblical framework. See the importance of practicing the basic habits that lead to spiritual growth. Move on to advanced spiritual practices and discover the importance of grace orientation so that even in the most tense situations in life we can have peace and calmness as we express our gratitude to God.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 53 mins 43 secs
Can believers truly find joy in the midst of adversity? Does the Bible spell out the mechanics of joy? As we continue to study this verse in Colossians, we learn that true joy is a process, a culmination of growth which is only fully realized when we reach spiritual maturity. Until then, our life is really sub-normal. Spiritual joy differs from the joy we think of coming from circumstances or our own personalities.

In this lesson, we learn the difference between Christ's sufferings on the cross and His afflictions. We learn that His afflictions, while not redemptive, did set a pattern of how we are to face adversity in our own lives. As we grow and apply learned doctrine and walk and abide in Him, spiritual joy results from the Holy Spirit producing character qualities above and beyond personality or circumstances, which is why believers can have joy in the midst of the adversities of life.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 48 mins 8 secs
In our continuation of the Sufficiency of Christ segment of this study, there is much Paul has to say about suffering, and includes some very interesting comments about joy and happiness. Many questions are raised.

What is the true meaning of joy and happiness? How can you rejoice in your sufferings, as the Bible instructs us to do? Can a believer actually have joy in the midst of adversity? These questions cause us to look back to the suffering and afflictions Christ endured. What did He rely upon? Our attitude should be one focused upon the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in all areas. He didn't leave anything out, did He? To have that joy we keep our eyes on the end game - on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. And through that, we learn to love the battle!