Reformation 2: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 9-14; Romans 6:1-4; John 3:1-6, 16: Baptism

A Syrian commander, a well-respected military leader, who won the respect of his King.  Still, something can come along in your life and undo much of what you built up […]

Church History, Lesson 9: Letters to Non-Christians about Christ and His Church

Intro Today, we focus on two sets of letters written to non-Christians.  The first is by Pliny the Younger, a provincial Roman governor; the second by Justin Martyr, a Christian.  […]

Church History, Lesson 1: The New Covenant Begins

This is a new study series, which begins with Jesus establishing the New Covenant and finishing (we hope) with the Church recognizing and listing the texts of both the Old- and […]

The Passion and the People: Nicodemus

John 3:1-9, 14-16: From Bystander to Believer   With Jesus crucified, the Apostle John identifies Nicodemus as “the man who earlier visited him at night” (John 19:39).  So, we travel […]

Matthew 3:13-17: The Baptism of Jesus

You’re standing in the wilderness across the Jordan River.  A voice calls out from a distance, “Prepare the way of the Lord!”  A figure approaches, a wild-haired, bearded man.  His […]

Romans, Lesson 11: God’s Work in Baptism Frees You from the Law

In Romans 5, Paul spoke of what Jesus did objectively for all: save them.  He also spoke that faith receives and trusts in what Jesus did and does.  We know […]

Romans, Lesson 6: Circumcision and the Christian

The overall culture in the church at Rome is one of division between the Jewish and Gentile Christians.  The Jews want the Gentiles to follow the Old-Covenant rituals, as they […]

How We Got the New Testament

This is part two on the lesson in adult catechesis on how we got the Bible.  Click here if you want to go to the Old-Testament Lesson.   The Early […]

Our Life with God, Lesson 14: Evangelism, Part 2

Evangelism takes place within our everyday vocations.  Through Word and Sacrament, the pastor evangelizes as He brings Jesus to others and the life Jesus gives.  This is the pastor “discipling” […]

Galatians 1:1-10: Don’t turn what God does for you into what you do for Him

Paul begins Galatians by burning down the barn.  “What in the world is wrong with you?  You’re deserting God, who called you to be His people!  You turned away from […]