In this session we look at the end of chapter 4 and the beginning of chapter 5 in which the people begin to reject Jesus. Because He heals on the Sabbath and claims to be equal with God by calling Him His Father, the leaders begin to make plans to kill Him. In this context Jesus clearly teaches that He has the authority to give life or to confirm condemnation. In this face of this Truth Jesus makes the Gracious call to trust Him, believe in Him in order to pass from death to life.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the complete set of notes here.

We finish our discussion of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. We also discuss the Way of Jesus - the way in which He gives people a glimpse of His Glory full of Grace and Truth.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

*Download the additional handout here.

>>Download the complete set of notes here.

In this session we hear John the Baptist’s final testimony about Jesus, John’s own exhortation to trust Jesus and the move into Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. By graciously drawing the shamed samaritan into the light (literally and spiritually), Jesus welcomes the most unlikely group of people into His Kingdom.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the complete set of notes here.

We finish dealing with Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus and John’s commentary and application of this episode: Jesus has come into the world as the Light; not to condemn us but to save us. We are all called to trust Him so that we will not be destroyed.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the complete set of notes here.

We begin to work through Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus. How can someone see and enter the Kingdom? It cannot happen unless you are born again or from above. Jesus uses this foundational truth to tear down Nicodemus’ “intellectual fortress” that keeps Him from trusting Jesus.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the complete set of notes here.

In this session we look at Jesus’ first sign - the transforming of water to wine at the wedding in Cana and His “cleansing” of the Temple. In these stories, we hear how The King begins to define His true family, gives people a taste of the “newness” of His Kingdom and reorients our understanding of the Temple.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the complete set of notes here.

In this session we focus on the Philip and Nathanael and their following Jesus. John shows that Jesus - as “God in the flesh” - is forming a New Israel based on faith in Him - The Rabbi, The Son of God, THE King of Israel.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the notes here.

John the Baptist was sent to give witness to the Chosen One. When the Pharisees send a delegation to question John about his identity and authority, he points them to Jesus - the Chosen One to come. In the same way, the Baptist points his own disciples to the Lamb of God.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the new notes here.

In the first 18 verses of his Gospel, John introduces all the key themes that he will develop in the rich stories of his biography of Jesus. Jesus is the Word who was with God, who is God who has now become flesh in order to reveal the unseen God to us all.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Download the Notes here.

We begin our study of the Gospel of John by placing the book in its historical context. John was a disciple and apostle (emissary) of the Lord Jesus who “saw His glory.” He was so captivated by the inexhaustible, profound beauty of Jesus that he could not stop talking about Him. This book calls to “see His glory” and trust Him in order that we may have true life.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the notes here.

Tags: John | Jesus | Glory

In our final session, we simply consider some conclusions about the significance and the importance of our praying both in the context of the “smaller stories” of our lives and the “Larger Story” of the Lord’s work in our word. Our praying can affect us and the world in which we live.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the notes for this session here.

In this session we consider some of the ways Paul teaches on prayer, but more importantly how Paul modeled prayer. We look at prayers from Colossians and Ephesians to see how thanksgiving, supplication, the reciting of hymns and exhortation are all blended together in Paul’s “Prayer-Theology.”

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the Notes for this session here.

Kristen Thornton has been busy teaching this Summer and we are delighted to be able to offer another of her sessions. In this talk, Kristen teaches a group of teenage girls how to “build the relationship cake.” This is a fantastic talk that will be helpful to teens and parents alike.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the Visual here.

>>Download a PDF of the presentation here.

Tags: Kristen Thornton

In this session we continue learning how Jesus changed the way we should view prayer. When He as “in the pit” instead of praying for the destruction of His enemies, He prayer, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Forgiveness is central to our prayer life as well as our following Jesus.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we consider the ways that Jesus prayed and also how He instructs us to pray. We focus on the Lord’s Prayer (The Disciple’s Prayer).

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the notes for this session here.

I also mention a series of lectures given by Michael Frost and you can find these here:
Michael Frost at DTS | World Evangelization Conference 2010

This is the Fourth part of Kristen Thornton’s series “Two Things Your Kids Can’t Live Without.”

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the handouts for this session here.

Tags: Kristen Thornton | for moms

In this session we consider the Lamentations (and supplications) that we find in the Psalms and also how these cries to the LORD for salvation, intervention and help are transformed by the experience of our Lord Jesus. Jesus cries out, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me!?” on the Cross so that all God’s people will never have to experience that terrible reality. He has promised to NEVER leave us or forsake us and this foundation of our hope and faith should shape the way we pray.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the notes for this session here.

This is the Third part of Kristen Thornton’s series “Two Things Your Kids Can’t Live Without.”

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: Kristen Thornton | for moms

In this first session we consider the basic question “What is prayer?” We begin with the Psalms - the prayer book of the Hebrew Scriptures. In the Psalms we find the basic patterns and rhythms of living life in a world that is not yet as it should be, but the LORD is moving things in that direction. Before we pray, we must hear from the LORD and receive His instruction (Torah) on how to be rightly related to Him and to our world.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

>>Download the notes for this session here.

This is the second part of Kristen Thornton’s series “Two Things Your Kids Can’t Live Without.”

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: Kristen Thornton | for moms

We are very pleased to share a series that Kristen Thornton is teaching in her home over the next several weeks.

Hey moms! What if instead of doing a million things so-so you could just focus on being really consistent with two things each day that would pay off huge in preparing your kids for life! Wanna know what I think those two things are? I'd love to share them with you! Please email questions, comments or feedback to Kristen Thornton at: kthorn10@hotmail.com

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

Tags: Kristen Thornton | for moms

In this last session on Ezekiel, we consider the final elements in the vision of the New Temple and the Land. We also consider 5 main themes that Ezekiel builds in the larger framework of The Biblical Story.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we begin the Vision of the New Temple that Ezekiel receives in the last eight chapters of the book. The Lord desires to vindicate His Holy Name through the Nation of Israel so that all other nations will come to know that He alone is LORD. In the Latter Days He will do this very thing. During the Reign of Christ on Earth Israel will finally become what the LORD had always intended.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session, we deal with some sideline issues relating to the reality of the Great Tribulation, The Earthly Reign of Christ, and the End Times.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we go through the enigmatic section that addresses Gog of the land of Magog, the leader of a massive coalition drawn out to attack Israel. The LORD God has taken an oath to never let His holy name be profaned again by allowing His people to be taken in exile. In this final “battle” against the LAST of Israel’s enemies, the LORD finally displays His power and holiness to all the nations.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session, we cover the Lord’s plans to cleanse, renew and give new spiritual life to Israel. In one of the most “famous” parts of the book, chapter 37, Ezekiel is given the vision of the valley of bones in which the Lord foreshows his future restoration of the people. In the latter days, the Lord will unite both the Northern and the Southern divisions of Israel - One people, with One King, in One Land.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we consider the turning point of the book as the LORD promises to act for the sake of His holy name to restore and redeem Israel. In this restoration, even the Land itself will be renewed. In this section we hear how the Lord’s salvation is holistic - He intends to redeem the spiritual as well as the physical.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this turning point of Ezekiel, the Lord reaffirms Ezekiel as the “watchman” for Israel. He tells Ezekiel that although the people have enjoyed his “prophetic show” they will not do what he has instructed. As the Lord turns to a message of Hope for Israel, He first deals with false shepherds who have fed on the flock. In the days to come, the Lord Himself will be the shepherd of Israel, overseeing them through David.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session, we consider the long judgment rendered against Egypt. Unlike the other 6 gentile nations that had treated Israel with contempt during the Babylonian onslaught, Egypt had sought to be an ally - but for the wrong reasons and motives. In this longest of the judgment speeches against the nations, the Lord condemns Egypt and Pharaoh for pride and for being unable to deliver on the false promises made to Israel.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we focus on the city of Tyre and its proud Prince-King. The Lord judges this King and city harshly because in standing opposed to Nebuchadnezzar, they are unwittingly standing opposed to the Lord God and his purposes. Behind this pride and hubris is the Satanic inspiration of the Devil Himself.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session, we begin the judgment speeches against the neighbor nations of Israel. In the first part of this section, the Lord addresses the 6 nations that treated Israel with contempt during the Babylonian turmoil and judgment.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session, we finish out the oracles against Jerusalem. After years of pleading with Israel to turn, the Lord finally allows the hammer to fall - Nebuchadnezzar begins the siege of Jerusalem. All of the oracles up to this point begin to be fulfilled.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session, we move closer to the end of the judgment oracles against Jerusalem. Ezekiel continues with a string of stories and parables which highlight both Israel’s rebellion and idolatry and the Lord’s desire for them to turn to Him.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we take a look at Lord’s retelling of the story of Israel. In the same ways that He has redeemed them in the past He will do so in the future. In this section begins a major theme that runs throughout the rest of the book: When the LORD acts, He acts for the sake of His Holy name and this results in the salvation of His people.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.

In this session we consider the question of the Lord’s justice: Is He making the children pay for the sins of their parents? Does the Lord simply lump everyone together in judgment? The Lord’s answer is NO! Each will be held accountable for their own wickedness or righteousness.

>>Listen to or download the audio here.