My students used to joke that the answer to every question in the class on the Gospel of Mark was “the authority of Jesus.” They were right. Mark 2:1-12 focuses on the authority of Jesus to forgive sins–and its implications for His identity! Implicitly, Jesus faces those around Him with the question, “Who do you say that I am?” For an explanation of this passage click below.

Have you had an encounter with the living Christ like the one Peter had on that morning on the Sea of Galilee not far from the Capernaum shore? Learn about what happened to Peter that day by listing to this podcast explanation of Luke 5:1-11.

At the inauguration of His ministry Jesus proclaimed that He was the Spirit-anointed Servant of the Lord who would bring “the year of the Lord’s favor.” We find this incident in Luke 4:14-30, the Sunday School lesson for January 3. Can 2021 be an “a year of the Lord’s favor”? Here is a podcast explanation of this passage:

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” With these words John the Baptist prepares the way for the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to “repent”? How was the “Kingdom of Heaven” coming “near’? What is the baptism with the Holy Spirit? For answers to these questions, check out the podcast below:

What did it mean for the Magi or Wise Men that Jesus was “King of the Jews”? What did it mean to Herod? What does it mean for the world, and for us? Why not check out the explanation of Matthew 2:1-18 in the podcast below?

Who is this Son born of a Virgin? Why is His Virgin Birth significant? What does it mean for the way I should live? If you are interested in these questions, listen to the explanation of Mathew 1:18-25 below:

We identify ourselves by our heritage. Our country, our state, our family and friends, our Christian faith, our church, etc. What can we learn about Jesus by examining His heritage? Check out the podcast explanation of Hebrews 1:1-5 and Matthew 1:1-6, 16-17 below. The Hebrews passage looks at Jesus’ heritage from the viewpoint of heaven looking down toward earth. Matthew, from the earth looking up to heaven. And what should we do when we begin to realize who He is?

This lesson from James brings our study of love in the Bible to a fitting conclusion. What does it mean to love without partiality? Listen to the brief explanation of James 2:1-13 below:

Should the church today be like the early church in Acts 4:32–5:11? Check out the explanation of this passage in the podcast below.

Many of the things we have been studying in these lessons on love come together in 1 John 3:11-24. John clarifies love by contrasting it with its opposite–non-love or hate. The beauty of those who love, and enjoy eternal life in Jesus stands out clearly from those who hate, and live in death because they belong to “the evil one.” You are invited to listen to the exposition below: