Linder Road church of Christ

Before the Throne of God Above

It is an awesome thing to come before the throne of God above!  This lesson, taken from Revelation 4:2-9, delves into the key attributes of a proper attitude when we come before God’s throne.  The main points covered are: 1) Behold the beauty, 2) Our Glorious God, 3) Holiness is honored, 4) Humanity humbled, 5) Praises proclaimed, 6) Respect is rendered, and 7) Worship!  The lesson concludes with an invitation from Hebrews 4:16 to “draw near to the throne to receive mercy and find grace in time of need”.

Bad Advice for Our Graduates

This lesson is themed to address words of guidance we often receive at milestones in our lives, such as graduation from school.  Guidance (advice) comes from many sources, and this lesson focuses in on 3 common statements that sound good, but are not necessarily so when evaluated using the scriptures and God’s instructions for our guidance.  The statements looked at are:

1. Education is the key to success
2. Follow your passion
3. Chase your dreams

The lesson concludes with the encouragement to “seek first the Kingdom of God” and all the rest will follow in due time, when God is at the center of your life.

John 17

He Saved the Best for Last

In this lesson presented on Mother’s Day, the creation story from Genesis, chapter one and the book of Ruth are explored to delve into how God created woman as the perfect companion for man, and the ideal mother.  God made the woman to be everything the man needed, fulfilling all God’s purposes including motherhood. The lesson moves into the account of Ruth and Naomi where the characteristics of love, honor, loyalty and devotion are noted in the character of Ruth.  The lesson ends with an invitation to follow the Lord and be born again.

Mastered by Nothing...but God

Mastered by nothing but God

What (or who) is your master?  This lesson, presented by guest speaker, Jeremy Roberts, focuses in on the critical principle of having God be the master over everything in our lives.  1 Corinthians 6:12 is used as a starting point to discuss three basic facts: 1) everyone serves a master, 2) you cannot serve two masters, and 3) only one master is worth serving.  Jeremy ends the lesson with an invitation to turn or return to God with your life!

Building a Bridge: The Cost of Following Christ

The Cost of Following Christ

In this continuing series on building bridges, this lesson discusses considering the cost of following Jesus.  In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus lays out the requirements for commitment as his true disciples. The three main points covered are considering the cost of following Jesus, counting the cost of following Jesus, and the reward that is worth the cost of following Jesus.  The lesson ends with an invitation to choose the abundant life that Christ has to offer while there is still time to make the choice.

Four Incredible Moments

This lesson explores four incredible moments from the life of Jesus, the implications of their reality and the eternal impact of their meaning. The moments under consideration are the record of Jesus’ conception, the crucifixion on Golgotha, the moment of Jesus’ resurrection, and the future moment of his return.  The lesson concludes with the challenge to make these relevant moments personal and the basis of your eternal reality in this very moment.

Fitly Spoken Words

A Bridge that Shines

In this continuing series on Building Bridges, Matthew 5:16 is used as the anchor verse for exploring Jesus’ teaching of “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Attributes of a bridge (the church) that shines are to: Seek the lost, Help one another, Include new people, Nurture one another into Christ-likeness, and Exalt God.  All of these characteristics fulfill the overall purpose of the church which is to glorify God. The lesson concludes with encouragement from Revelation 4:11 “you are worthy, our Lord and God” and an invitation to follow Jesus.

Seeing Thru the Eyes of Jesus

In this lesson from Luke 7:36-50, the necessity for Christians to develop Jesus’ perspective in how we view and interact with others is explored.  The concepts covered in the lesson include looking past the externals to gain a deeper understanding of people’s actions, responding compassionately to the broken and desperate people like Jesus did, and developing our character to reflect Jesus more perfectly.  The lesson ended with the encouragement to obey the gospel, come to Jesus and be added to God’s kingdom in baptism.

 

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine

Spring Redemption

Spring is a special time of year that brings renewal and a fresh start.  This lesson uses Ephesians 1:7-14 as the scriptural pivot to explore the re-connection found in redemption.  The main points discussed are the spring of redemption, the spring of forgiveness, the spring of grace, and a spring of knowing.  The lesson concludes with the encouragement that we are God’s most treasured possession and with an invitation to reconnect to God.

Philemon and Onesimus

More Than a Bridge

“Do this in remembrance of me.”  The Lord’s Supper, the memorial established by Jesus on the night he was betrayed, is the central reason for Christian worship.  More than a bridge, the shared memorial reminds Christians of the significant sacrifice of Jesus. This lesson explores various scriptures to discover the significance of this command, the importance of self-examination during the meal, and the meaning of the emblems used.  The lesson concludes with the taking of the Lord’s Supper and the scripture reading of Matthew 26:26-29.

A Bright Light of Discernment

A Toll Bridget to God

In this continuing series on building a bridge to God, 2 Corinthians 8 is used to begin exploring the idea of giving as an integral component of our relationship to God.  Key concepts in the lesson include why giving is necessary, what giving accomplishes, and the blessings that giving with a proper attitude can bring. The lesson concludes with the encouragement to deeply contemplate our giving as we consider Jesus as our example of the greatest giver.

One Who Brings Help

Seasoned by God

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 is used as the foundational section of scripture in this lesson which explores how we can be “seasoned” to live our lives modeling God’s laws to our children.  In verses 1-3, Moses tells the people that God instructed him to teach them all his commands so they could live long, multiply greatly and all would go well with them. Verses 4-9, known as the “Shema”, provide the outline for “how to” go about teaching and living with love for God as the central focus of daily life.  The lesson ends with an invitation and challenge to “do as you can, not as you can’t”.

Kneel Before the Father

Finding yourself in the doldrums spiritually is a challenge.  This lesson focuses on strategies to motivate us out of listlessness and onward to spiritual growth.  Based on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, the plan of action includes who to pray for, what to pray for, the proper attitudes to have in prayer, and encouragement to pray big.  The lesson ends with an invitation to trust that God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”.

Resist!

More

A Bridge that Matters

In this continuing series on bridges as components of public worship, preaching is the third bridge we explore. This important bridge is defined as a method God has chosen to communicate with us. Essentially, preaching the Word is where heaven touches earth as God talks directly to us through His Word.  2 Timothy 4:1-5, Hebrews 4:12 and other scriptures are examined to help us develop understanding of the reasons for preaching, the effects of preaching, ineffectual preaching, and the relevance of preaching in every Christian life. This lesson concludes with an invitation to cross the most important bridge by submitting to scriptural baptism, and beginning the journey as a child of God.

Hold Fast to Your Integrity

A Singing Bridge

Singing is a universal language among human cultures, and as one component of public worship, this bridge connects us vertically to God and horizontally with one another.  In this continuing series on bridges, Psalm 146 and other scriptures are probed to develop more deeply our understanding of this powerful tool of song. The two main concepts we explore are the purpose of singing and how we can get the most benefit from our singing in worship.  The lesson concludes with the encouragement to connect with God and one another in song, and also to make the first, most important bridge crossing by submitting to scriptural baptism, taking the bridge of the cross back into a right relationship with God.

Absorbing the Truth

A Bridge Called Prayer

My Atonement

Crossing a Scary Bridge

The Nature of a Worshiper

In this lesson, Psalm 24 is one section of scripture the lesson uses to explore the nature or character of a worshiper who is acceptable to God.  True and sincere worshipers demonstrate three characteristics as seen in Psalm 24: a right relationship with God, respectful reverence towards God, and a relevant response to God.  The lesson concludes with encouragement from Psalm 95 to “Come let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before our God, our maker.”

He Still Came

The Nature of Worship

In this continuing series on Building Bridges, and specifically to God in this lesson, the distinct nature of God and worship is explored.  The nature of worship, understanding biblical worship, and the central object of worship are the focused topics covered in this lesson, which challenges us to look deeply into our motivations and ideas of what acceptable worship is, and how this influences our lives.  The lesson concludes with the encouragement to soberly evaluate our attitudes and actions with the goal of being true worshipers, who give God their “best”.

Lions in the Shadow

Building a Bridge to God

Simply stated, the purpose of a bridge is to bring people and things together.  This lesson explores the idea of building a bridge between God and men. The two major themes of the lesson are learning “Who is God?” and delving into the central core of God’s nature, the attribute of love.  The lesson concludes with the encouragement to trust in God’s steadfast, faithful love.

Building A Bridge

Physical bridges are built to bring people and things together, and they are designed to be beneficial to man.  In the spiritual sense, bridges are also needed to connect us to one another and to God relationally. This lesson begins a series of studies exploring bridges to God, our community, and in our relationships.  Covered in this first study are the concepts of bridges as symbols, walls as symbols, Christ the bridge builder, and Christians should be bridge builders. The lesson concludes with the idea that bridges need to be repaired at times, and the encouragement that the most important bridge to cross is the one Christ built on the cross.

8760, Now is the Time!

As 2018 is coming to an end, this lesson focuses on the idea of looking at time and how we use this valuable commodity.  In the book of Ephesians 5:15-17, Paul encourages us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time because the days are evil. This lesson looks at three aspects of time management.  First, time is limited; second, opportunities are limited; and third, what is the Lord's will and limits. The lesson concludes with the encouragement to establish our priorities, making our relationship with God first on our list, and learn to live today.  Each of us has 8760 hours in 2019 that we will choose how to use, so walk wisely, doing the will of the Lord!

Total Victory

Joy to the World

In this most wonderful time of year, the Good News of Great Joy is Jesus.  The lesson probes the reality of how Jesus came to bring joy through all the ups and downs of our lives.  The three points of this lesson cover a few key scriptures on joy, the difference between joy and happiness, and the joy we find in the person of Jesus, our Savior. The lesson ends with the encouragement that salvation is for ALL people, and asks the questions have you prepared Him room and have you made Him Lord?

The Bride of Christ

Why the Church?

This lesson looks into scripture for answers to the question of why Jesus established the church.  In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared that building “his church” was part of his mission and that even the gates of Hades would not prevail against it! But why? Many in America today don't see the value in “church”, but Jesus poured himself out to establish his church.  The three main ideas explored are: 1) fellowship in the church satisfies our relationship needs, 2) worship satisfies our innate need to connect with God, and 3) the mission of the church to reach out to the world fulfills our need to find purpose in life. The lesson concludes with the encouragement that the church is “the body of Christ” and it is where people have real encounters with Jesus.

The Church--The Fragrance of Christ

Extravagant Love

How pure, how deep, how extravagant is your love for Christ?  This lesson challenges us to examine our hearts to discover the answer to this question.  John 12:1-8 and the parallel story in Mark 14, record the anointing of Jesus by Mary, who pours out a pound of expensive ointment made of pure nard and wipes it from the Lord's feet with her hair.  The account is simple, yet profound in how it reflects Mary’s complete love, devotion and commitment to Jesus. Extravagant love, Jesus’ response to this expression of love, and expressing our love for Christ are explored in this lesson.  It concludes as we look at Jesus and his extravagant expression of love, when he poured out his life for us on the cross! (1 John 3:16).

Pathway of Giving: From the Heart

Giving begins in the heart and is a reflection of our heart’s condition.  In this lesson, the need to guard our hearts against the dangers of worldliness is explored.  Jesus teaches us that we should be laying up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). David was a man after God’s own heart, but he sometimes lost his focus and trust in God (1 Chronicles 21:16-27).  As this lesson continues, the foundation of guarding our hearts is explored. Various passages of scripture are used to demonstrate 2 key concepts: 1) God wants our hearts to be completely given over to him, and 2) The gifts we give to God and others are a reflection of the heart condition of the giver.  The lesson concludes with an encouragement to evaluate the condition of our hearts, asking the question “Whom does your gift represent?” The answer: The gift represents our commitment, loyalty and heart for God.

Pathway of Giving: Sermon on the Amount

How much do I give of my income? In this last lesson in the 4-part series on Giving, 2 Corinthians 9:15 is presented as the key verse that should motivate our giving attitudes and actions.  God is the greatest giver and his giving is continuous. Biblical examples are explored in the following areas: 1) the Biblical method of giving, 2) how much should I give, and 3) how to plan to give liberally.  The lesson concludes with encouragement to honestly assess where your treasure is (Matthew 6:19-24), and we are reminded that the amount we give truly says something about where our hearts really are!

Pathway of Giving: A Matter of Trust

In this series on giving, trust is the next milestone explored on the Pathway (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust is one of the major features in the concept of faith, which is the whole basis of Christianity.  This lesson looks at the components involved in trust, reviews seven statements of trust from various passages of scripture, and concludes with the challenge to test God's promises. These verses teach us that we set the standard of how God will bless us when we trust enough to place God first in everything!

Pathway to Giving: Priorities & Values

God is pleased when we rise above mediocrity to live exceptional Iives of giving!  In this lesson on setting our priorities correctly as authentic, compassionate, and sacrificial followers of Jesus, Richard brings us four essential concepts regarding priorities.  First, the value of priorities being fundamental in choosing a path in life to take (Joshua 24:15 & Matthew 6:25-34). Second, the absolute focus of our priorities must be to have God first place in everything (Colossians 1:13-20).  Third, misplaced priorities can dominate our lives and draw us away from God (Luke14:15-24). Fourth, we should be reviewing our personal priorities to make sure we are not allowing property, possessions, or passions to take God’s place in our lives.  The lesson concludes with the encouragement to take the road less traveled that leads to the cross and self-denial, where we put God first and all other things fall into their proper place!

Psalm 126

I Was Blind; But Now...

The book of John shows many very personal encounters with Jesus.  This lesson is taken from John 9:1-41 and uses the account of the man born blind, who is healed by Jesus, to demonstrate several important concepts about our life stories and how Jesus is working in them.  The four concepts are: 1) Everyone has a unique story, 2) We don't yet know the complete story, 3) Expect opposition when you tell your story, and 4) The more you tell your story, the deeper your relationship with Jesus becomes.  The lesson concludes with the encouragement that we are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), and He is writing an amazingly, unique story in each of our developing lives that is worth telling!

Spiritual Success

Restoring the Importance of Parenting - Kevin Hahn

Confessing Matriarchs - Pattie Crawforth