Lessons

Fred has taught Sunday School classes for over 35 years.  Almost always, people say: “I’ve never thought about it that way before.”  Every week we will add lessons to this archive.

Luke 6:27-37

January 11, 2021 No Comments

It is always important to consider three things in looking at a passage. Otherwise, we simply cherry pick verses or lift things out of context and distort their meaning. So, let’s look first at context and circumstances and then audience Context and Circumstances: Jesus is early on in his ministry. Up until now he has been an obedient son, a delight to the teachers in Jerusalem and grown in wisdom ...[Read More]

Caesar Augustus and Jesus: Luke 2

December 20, 2020 No Comments

When I taught the book Eric Metaxas wrote on Bonhoeffer, I looked at it through the lens of the story of two men who collide without ever having met. Had there not been an Adolph Hitler we would have probably never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Had there never been a Dietrich Bonhoeffer things might have turned out differently in Germany. Their lives were joined together. This is the same kind of ...[Read More]

The Magnificat

December 13, 2020 No Comments

The Song of Mary Over the holidays we have time again to think about images of Mary, the mother of Jesus and also the subject of our text this morning. Traditionally, what is our picture of Mary? An innocent virgin, humble servant, surprised and disturbed by what she hears from Gabriel, frightened by losing the young Jesus who has stayed behind in Jerusalem. She is the patient mother at the weddin ...[Read More]

Luke 1:1-25

December 7, 2020 No Comments

Luke 1:1-25 1. Luke has been called the writer who most presents Jesus through the eyes of women and the Gospel starts from the beginning with two women – Elizabeth and Mary. Not just two women but women in very difficult circumstances. One with no child late in life and the other with a child early in life but unmarried. There are several miracles in the Bible related to a woman not having a chil ...[Read More]

Isaiah 65

November 30, 2020 No Comments

I feel somewhat like I do when the kids and grandkids leave for home after a short visit. I wish I would have had more time with them.  However, I know they will be back and we will have more. On the other hand, at this stage of life I doubt if I will have another opportunity to teach Isaiah and that makes me regret we do not have more time. We barely skimmed the surface and next week we move on t ...[Read More]

Isaiah 58

November 24, 2020 No Comments

  This morning we are in Isaiah 58 and, like last week, it helps to have a little context.  In Isaiah 55 the Lord invites the people to come to him and be healed.  “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” “Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.” “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peac ...[Read More]