Fusion: week of 1/31

 FAMILY THEME: FAITH WILL BE TESTED

Genesis 22:1-19 

Genesis 22 shows us Abraham's greatest test of faith.

✞   God Tests Our Faith

     (Genesis 22:1-2)

     This was a God-ordained test for Abraham's benefit (not God's)

     to grow his faith and set an example for all believers.

✞   Trust and Obey God, Even When it is Difficult

     (Genesis 22:3-10)

     Abraham's faith in God took him to a place he didn't want to go,

     to do something he didn't want to do. This was extreme faith.

✞   God Provides What is Needed to do His Will

     (Genesis 22:11-19)

     God provided the perfect sacrifice when Abraham obeyed.

Fusion: week of 1/24

 FAMILY THEME: GOD PROMISES BLESSINGS

Genesis 12:1-9 ; 15:1-6

Abraham is called the father of faith because he believed God about

some big promises. Genesis 12 reveals to us God's call of Abraham

and his response of faith.

✞   God Promises Blessings to Those Who Trust and Obey Him

     (Genesis 12:1-9)

     God made specific and incredible promises to Abraham,

     conditioned on Abraham's obedient faith.

✞   God Reassures Those Who Trust Him

     (Genesis 15:1-5)

     When years later, Abraham and Sarah remained childless,

     God came again to confirm His covenant with Abraham.

✞   We Are Saved by Faith

     (Genesis 15:6)

     Despite any doubts he may have had, Abraham trusted God.

     Throughout Scripture, this testimony is used for our example

     (see Romans 4:3, 22 ; Galatians 3:6 ; and James 2:23).

Fusion: week of 1/17

FAMILY THEME: SEEK THE LOST

Luke 15:1-32

When the religious leaders could not figure out why Jesus would be

willing to associate with sinners, Jesus told a series of parables to

help them understand.

✞   Even Sinners are Priceless in God's Sight

     (Luke 15:1-10)

     While all sheep were important, the shepherd's priority was to

     rescue the one that was lost; the woman searched for her lost

     coin.

✞   Going Our Own Way Leads to Brokenness

     (Luke 15:11-19)

     While the world gives the lost some sinful pleasure, it takes far

     more than it gives. Sin overpromises and under-delivers.

✞   God Welcomes All Who Repent and Return to Him

     (Luke 15:20-32)

     The father rejoiced to see his son come home. No one has

     strayed so far or been gone so long that God will not welcome

     their return.

Fusion: week of 1/10

 FAMILY THEME: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

Luke 10:25-37

Christians are to love their neighbors, but who is our neighbor? 

Jesus answers this question in today's lesson.

✞   Our Neighbor is Anyone We Come in Contact With

     (Luke 10:25-32)

     While loving God is obvious, loving others is just as

     foundational in being a Christian. The religious leaders

     of the day often looked for reasons not to consider

     someone a neighbor.

✞   Genuine Love Results in Action

     (Luke 10:33-37)

     While the Samaritan felt compassion for the man,

     he went beyond emotions and feelings; he acted

     on his compassion. He gave his time and money;

     he planned for the ongoing care of the wounded 

     man. He took risks. So the despised Samaritan

     became the hero of the story, the model neighbor.

Fusion: week of 1/3

FAMILY THEME: JESUS TEACHES A NEW WAY OF LIVING

Matthew 5:1-48

No one avoids having his or her toes stepped on in the

Sermon on the Mount. As He taught, Jesus emphasized

our motives and attitudes, not just our behavior.

✞   Godly Living Brings True Happiness

     (Matthew 5:1-16)

     The poor, the mournful, the defenseless, and needy

     were the ones Jesus proclaimed blessed - not the rich

     and powerful. This was countercultural thinking!

✞   Godly Living Goes Beyond the Letter of the Law

     (Matthew 5:17-48)

     Jesus addressed the issues of anger, lust, divorce,

     integrity, retaliation, and equity in His sermon. His

     expectations of those who followed Him extended far

     beyond appearances. God's law gets to the heart of

     the matter.