Fusion: week of 5/19

FAMILY THEME: WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANITY UNIQUE?

1 Corinthians 15:1-19 ; Mark 1:14-20 ; John 21:25 ; 

Matthew 8:27 ; Romans 3:21-26

History declares Jesus lived, died and rose again, but we also

see the evidence in our own lives and in the lives of others.

1.  Christianity is Historically Testable

     (1 Corinthians 15:1-19)

     Historical evidence proves what Christianity declares;

     Jesus lived, died, and rose again on this earth.

 
2.  Christianity is News, Not Advice or Philosophy

     (Mark 1:14-20)

     Christianity has good news for all who will hear and

     receive it.

     

3.  Christianity is Based on the Life, Teachings, Death,

     and Resurrection of Jesus

     (John 21:25 ; Matthew 8:27)

     While other religions acknowledge Jesus was a man

     Who lived on earth, Christianity is the only one that

     requires a relationship with Him.

4.  The Christian Faith is Based Upon Grace, Not Works

     (Romans 3:21-26)

     Christianity is the only religion the offers grace and

     salvation, even though we don't deserve either.

Fusion: week of 5/12

FAMILY THEME: WHY IS EVERY LIFE VALUABLE?

Genesis 1:26-27  ;  2:7  ;  9:5-6  ;  Jeremiah 1:5  ;  

Psalm 139:13-16

People are important to God. God thought so much of man that He

made him in His own image. The worth of man cannot be measured

for he is made in the image of the immeasurable God. God's estima-

tion of mankind gives us our true value.

1.  Every Human Being is an Image Bearer of the Creator

     (Genesis 1:26-27  ;  2:7)

     God could have created us any way He wanted. He 

     chose to create us to bear His image.

 
2.  Every Image Bearer of the Creator Has Purpose

     (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

     The only people who will achieve lasting success

     are those who fulfill God's purpose.

     

3.  Every Image Bearer of the Creator Has Great Value and Dignity

     (Genesis 9:5-6  ;  Psalm 139:13-16)

     God is the giver of life and wants every life to be

     protected from harm.

Fusion: week of 5/5

FAMILY THEME: HOW CAN I KNOW GOD EXISTS?

Genesis 1:1 ;  Romans 1:19-20 ;  2:12-15 ;  Psalm 19:1 ; 148:1-14 

Hebrews 10:16

The Bible teaches that God is from everlasting to everlasting. If you have 

difficulty comprehending that truth you are not alone. All of us have been

perplexed by the esistence of God. Both the Scriptures and the world

around us give us reasonable evidence to believe God exists.

1.  We Know God Exists Because Life Exists

     (Genesis 1:1)

     Movies begin and end with credits to all the people

     who make it possible. The Bible begins with one

     credit. "In the beginning God created..."

 
2.  We Know God Exists Because of the Design and

     Fine-Tuning of the Universe

     (Romans 1:19-20 ;  Psalm 19:1 ; Psalm 148)

     

3.  We Know God Exists Because Morality Exists

     (Romans 2:12-15 ; Hebrews 10:16)

     Right and wrong matter to everyone. If you do not believe

     that, just observe the reaction of people when they think

     they are mistreated.

Fusion: week of 4/28

FAMILY THEME: SEEKING THE SAVIOR

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus was a wee little man whose life was profoundly changed

when he met Jesus.

1.  The Spirit Draws All Kinds of People to Jesus

     (Luke 19:1-4)

     Zacchaeus would not have been a likely candidate to need

     or to want anything from Jesus, but the Spirit was at work.

 
2.  Jesus Responds to Those Who Seek Him

     (Luke 19:4-7)

     Jesus stopped at the tree where Zacchaeus was and

     invited Himself over to his home.

 
3.  Meeting Jesus Changes People's Lives

     (Luke 19:8-10)

     Jesus came to seek and save sinners, even sinners

     like Zacchaeus.

Fusion: week of 4/21

FAMILY THEME: FROM DEATH TO LIFE

Luke 23:26-46 ; 24:1-12

The death and resurrection of Jesus are the most important 

events in human history.

1.  The Sinless Savior Paid the Penalty for Our Sins on the Cross

     (Luke 23:26-43)

     Jesus had experienced so much pain, blood loss, and 

     exhaustion that He couldn't carry His cross all the way

     to the place of crucifixion. He was nailed to a cross

     between two thieves, but even then He offered forgive-

     ness to others.

 
2.  Christ's Work on the Cross Removed the Sin Barrier That

     Separated Us From God

     (Luke 23:44-46)

     Everything that happened at Jesus' death demonstrated

     "it was finished".

 
3.  Jesus Conquered Death Just as He Said He Would

     (Luke 24:1-12)

     The women returned to the tomb to anoint Jesus'

     body for burial but found a surprise.

Fusion: week of 4/14

FAMILY THEME: SEEKING THE LOST

Luke 15:1-32

The religious leaders could not figure out why Jesus would be

willing to receive sinners. Jesus told a series of parables to

help them understand.

1.  The Lost Are Precious 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.

 
2.  The Lost Find Themselves Empty and Broken

     (Luke 15:11-19)

     While the world gives the lost some sinful pleasure, it

     takes far more than it gives.

 
3.  God Longs for Sinners to Repent and Come to Him

     (Luke 15:20-32)

     The father rejoiced to see his son come home.

Fusion: week of 4/7

FAMILY THEME: LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR

Luke 10:25-37

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

Jesus answers this in today's lesson.

1.  God Expects Us to Love Our Neighbors

     (Luke 10:25-28)

     While loving God is obvious, loving others is just as

     foundational in being a Christian.

 
2.  Our Neighbor is Anyone We Come in Contact With

     (Luke 10:29-32)

     The religious leaders of the day often looked for

     reasons not to consider someone a neighbor.

 
3.  Loving Our Neighbor is Demonstrated by Actions

     (Luke 10:33-37)

     While the Samaritan felt compassion for the man,

     he went beyond emotions and feelings; he acted

     on his compassion.