Fusion: week of 4/17

FAMILY THEME: GOD IS THE SHEPHERD

Ezekiel 34:11-31

As the Good Shepherd, God provides for our deepest needs, leads

and protects us, and rescues us from our sins.

1.  God, Our Shepherd, Provides for Us

     (Psalm 23:1;  Ezekiel 34:13-15, 29)

     God used the symbol of a shepherd to describe how He would

     provide for His people.

 
2.  God, Our Shepherd, Leads Us

     (Psalm 23:1-3)

     David knew God as his shepherd, providing for his needs, and

     leading him in the best paths.

 
3.  God, Our Shepherd, Protects Us

     (Psalm 23:4;  Ezekiel 34:28)

     No matter what we may be facing, our Shepherd promises to

     be there with us.

Fusion: week of 4/10

FAMILY THEME: GOD IS THE ALMIGHTY

Genesis 17:1-8

The name El Shaddai gives us a clear and complete picture of the

power, justice, and mercy of the omnipotent God we serve and 

depend on.

1.  El Shaddai, God of Power and Sovereignty, Uses His Great

     Power to Bless

     (Genesis 17:1-8)

     God identified Himself to Abram as Almighty, powerful enough

     to keep His covenants and bless regardless of human

     expectations and limitations.

 
2.  El Shaddai, God of Power and Sovereignty, Uses His Great

     Power to Keep Covenant Relationships

     (Exodus 6:3-7)

     God promised to fulfill the covenant He had made with Abraham

     and his descendants by bringing them out of bondage and into

     the Promised Land.

 
3.  El Shaddai, God of Power and Sovereignty, Uses His Great

     Power to Show Mercy

     (Genesis 43:14)

     Jacob (Israel) knew God as Almighty with the power to grant

     mercy.

Fusion: week of 4/3

FAMILY THEME: GOD IS LORD

Exodus 33:12  -  34:8

Names are an important part of the lives of those in Scripture.

Because God has revealed Himself to us by name, we can

know about Him and have a personal relationship with Him.

1.  We Can Understand the Characteristics of Old Testament

     Personalities Through Their Names

     (Genesis 17:5)

     God changed Abram's name to Abraham to reflect His

     promise to make Abraham the father of many nations.

 
2.  We Can Learn About God and His Character Through His

     Names

     (Genesis 1:1)

     The first verse in the Bible indicates that in the beginning

     God (Elohim) was, and was so powerful He created the

     universe.

 
3.  Recognizing God as LORD Reflects a Personal 

     Relationship with Him

     (Exodus 33:12  -  34:8)

     God's people knew Him by His personal name (YHWH),

     reflecting their relationship with Him and His covenant

     with them.

Fusion: week of 3/27

FAMILY THEME: THE RESURRECTED SAVIOR

John 20:1-31

The Romans crucified many people in the time they ruled the

world. What makes Jesus unique among these executions is

that He didn't stay dead. The resurrection of Jesus is a crucial 

and life changing doctrine.

1.  Jesus' resurrection Changed Despair to Excitement

     (John 20:1-18)

     Despair was wiped away and euphoria took over when

     Mary saw the risen Christ.

 
2.  Jesus' Resurrection Changed Fear to Mission

     (John 20:19-23)

     Jesus calmed the fears of the disciples by appearing to

     them where they were hiding.

 
3.  Jesus' Resurrection Changed Doubt to Belief

     (John 20:24-31)

     Thomas was a doubter no more upon seeing the risen

     Christ.

Fusion: week of 3/20

FAMILY THEME: THE SACRIFICIAL SAVIOR

John 19:1-42

Jesus' death on the cross wasn't a tragedy. It wasn't the death

of a martyr. Jesus' death was the sacrifice of a Savior, and it was

all according to God's plan for our redemption.

1.  Pilate Deliverd the Son of God to Be Crucified

     (John 19:1-16)

     In an effort to appease the crowds, Pilate gave Jesus over 

     to be crucified.

 
2.  King Jesus Was Crucified for His People

     (John 19:17-22)

     Despite the Jewish leaders' objections, Pilate had a sign

     placed on the cross proclaiming that Jesus was King of the

     Jews.

 
3.  Jesus' Crucifixion Fulfilled Prophecies About the Messiah

     (John 19:23-42)

     At least four prophecies were fulfilled in these 19 verses,

     showing the reliability of God's Word.

Fusion: week of 3/13

FAMILY THEME: THE HUMBLE SAVIOR

John 13:1-20

Jesus demonstrates in a powerful way how His followers should

imitate Him.

1.  Christ Humbly Served Despite His Circumstances

     (John 13:1-5)

     Jesus demonstrated what it meant to be a servant.

 
2.  Christ Humbly Served Despite the Failures of His Followers

     (John 13:6-11)

     Jesus served all His disciples despite their present and

     future failures.

 
3.  Christ Humbly Served Despite His Position as Lord

     (John 13:12-20)

     He was master, teacher, and Lord, and that did not prevent

     Him from serving like the lowest servants of the day.

Fusion: week of 3/6

FAMILY THEME: THE COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR

John 11:1-44

Where is Jesus when we are suffering? Does He care? Why

doesn't He answer in the time we think He should? John 11

gives us some insight into these questions.

1.  Christ Waited to Raise Lazarus So His Disciples Might Believe

     (John 11:1-16)

     When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick He did an unusual thing-

     He waited two days.

 
2.  Christ Preached His Own Resurrection So His Followers Might Believe

     (John 11:17-29)

     Christ wanted Martha to understand that He is the Son of God

     and that resurrection and eternal life are in and through Him.

 
3.  Jesus Cared About People's Pain So They Might Believe

     (John 11:30-44)

     Jesus cared deeply about the brokenness and pain that sin has

     brought into the world.