Category Archives: Church Life

The Day the Church Was Born (Acts 2)

Posted on March 26, 2023 by salooper57

We are looking today at Acts 2, which recounts the origins of the Church. When God poured out his Spirit on the 120 Jesus-followers who had gathered in Jerusalem, they went from being friends and associates with a shared history … Continue reading →

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All That I Have Commanded You (Following Christ Today)

Posted on February 21, 2023 by salooper57

In this class, we look at what Jesus has commanded and what it would look like for individuals to obey (observe/keep) his commands. We explore scenarios in individuals’ and churches’ lives and ask what commands of Jesus might apply.

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The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

Posted on February 12, 2023 by salooper57

The church of Jesus Christ has repeatedly divided over what we did a few minutes ago when we took the Lord’s Supper. In the Fourth Lateran Council, held in 1215, the Church of Rome officially adopted the view known as … Continue reading →

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Forgiveness (Following Christ Today)

Posted on January 31, 2023 by salooper57

These classes are all about what it means to follow Christ today, but we are not following Christ when we refuse to forgive; we are standing still. So many of us have trouble with this, but forgiveness – and the … Continue reading →

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Forgive Him (#2): Following Christ Today

Posted on January 24, 2023 by salooper57

The church of Jesus Christ was intended to be a society of forgiveness, modelling God’s forgiven in its relationships with others. This is a chief way the gospel is conveyed. Yet, we are not very good at forgiving. One reason … Continue reading →

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Get Ready, Get Set, and Wait: Observing Advent

Posted on November 26, 2022 by salooper57

Why do some churches begin their celebration of Advent, which is Latin for “arrival” and refers to Christ’s coming, a month before Christmas? Are they taking their cue from Walmart and trying to leverage the holiday to maximize worship attendance? … Continue reading →

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Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Posted on October 23, 2022 by salooper57

What did Jesus mean when he said, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors?” Will we not be forgiven if we don’t forgive? And for that matter, why do translations have “debts” when we pray “trespasses”? This message … Continue reading →

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Communities of Love and Belonging

Posted on October 1, 2022 by salooper57

The people of this generation are living through a sea change but as is often the case, those on the sea are liable not to notice it until it is too late. The term “sea change” has had two primary … Continue reading →

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They Prayed: Prayer Together (Acts 4:23-31)

Posted on August 1, 2022 by salooper57

When a group is so led by the Spirit, a remarkable thing occurs. Though various individuals speak, only one prayer comes through them. When that happens, people don’t lift their voices; they lift a voice; and it is the true voice of the Body of Christ. Continue reading →

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Why We Can’t Seem to Forgive

Posted on May 17, 2022 by salooper57

Why do we have so much trouble forgiving? We either don’t want to forgive or, wanting to, we find ourselves incapable of it. It probably not that we aren’t trying hard enough, but that we aren’t in a place in … Continue reading →

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