Fusion: week of 9/13

 FAMILY THEME: EVIDENCE ALL AROUND US

Genesis 1:1 ; Rom. 1:19-20 ; 2:12-15 ; Psalm 19:1 ; Heb. 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 at times have been perplexed by the existence

of God. Both the Scriptures and the world around us give us

reasonable evidence to believe God exists.

✞   Something Caused It All

     (Genesis 1:1)

     Movies begin and end with credits to all the people

     who make them possible. The Bible begins with One

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

✞   Design Indicated a Designer

     (Romans 1:19-20 ; Psalm 19:1)

     The more complicated the design, the more skilled

     the designer. In this world of electrons and quarks,

     glaciers and mountains, brain cells and bloostreams,

     and infinite variety and interlocking systems, we have

     strong evidence of a Designer.

✞   Our Sense of Right and Wrong Point to a Righteous God

     (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. Our sense of

     morality and justice point to a Creator who is moral

     and just.

Fusion: week of 9/6

FAMILY THEME: GOD CREATED EVERYTHING

Genesis 1:1 - 2:3

Where did we come from? Written by Moses, the book

of Genesis answers this critical question.

✞.  God is the Master Designer and Creator of All Things

     (Genesis 1:1-25)

     The very first page of the Old Testament introduces us

     to God and reveals His power. He created everything

     and stamped it with His approval. All of creation was

     good.

✞.  Humans Have a Special Place in Creation

     (Genesis 1:26 - 2:3)

     Humans are made in God's image, an expression used

     of no other part of the creation. God gave us a perfect

     environment and meaningful work to do.

     

Fusion: week of 8/30

 FAMILY THEME: GOD REIGNS FOREVER

Daniel 7:1-28

On some occasions in Scripture, God pulls back the curtains and

gives us a glimpse of what is ahead. Daniel's vision may leave 

more questions than answers, but it certainly points to the 

sovereignty of God in all of time an eternity.

1.  Earthly Rulers and Empires Will Rise and Fall

     (Daniel 7:1-8, 15-17)

     Daniel's prophetic vision was interpreted before the

     dream was over!

2.  The Fourth Great Ruler and Kingdom Will Rise Up

     Against God and His People

     (Daniel 7:19-25)

     The unusual foourth beast, with all the big and little

     horns, concerned Daniel most.

     

3.  God Will Sit in Judgment and Christ Will Reign Forever

     (Daniel 7:9-14, 18, 22, 26-28)

     Daniel saw more than the fearsome beasts in his vision.

     He also saw the Lord, the Ancient of Days, and His

     everlasting kingdom.

Fusion: week of 8/23

 FAMILY THEME: REMAINING FAITHFUL DURING OPPOSITION

Daniel 6:1-28

Though this is probably the most familiar story from the book of

Daniel, there is still much to learn from it.

1.  The Lost May Be Jealous of the Success Our Excellent

     Character and Work Ethic Bring Us

     (Daniel 6:1-9)

     Daniel's promotion to governor put a target on his back.

     His jealous coworkers planned to discredit him.

2.  Our Faithfulness to God May Cost Us Dearly

     (Daniel 6:10-18)

     Daniel continued his faithful walk with God even in

     opposition to the king's decree.

     

3.  We Can Trust God in All Circumstances

     (Daniel 6:19-28)

     Daniel did what was right and trusted God with the

     results.

Fusion: week of 8/16

 

FAMILY THEME: GOD RULES IN THE KINGDOM OF MEN

Daniel 5:1-31

Pride has been the downfall of man including Belshazzar.

Thinking himself safe, he exalted himself against God and

learned God alone is to be glorified.

1.  God Can Use Any Means Necessary to Humble Those

     Who Disregard Him

     (Daniel 5:1-6)

     God used supernatural means to humble Belshazzar

     and strike fear into his heart.

2.  God Uses His People to Share His Truth With the

     Lost World

     (Daniel 5:7-16)

     The king and his rulers were greatly alarmed by the

     writing on the wall, and none of his wise men could

     interpret what was written.

     

3.  The Sovereign God Humbles the Proud

     (Daniel 5:17-31)

     The written message was that time had run out for

     Belshazzar. His kingdom would be given to others.

Fusion: week of 8/9

 

FAMILY THEME: STANDING AGAINST IDOLATRY

Daniel 3:1-30

One of the hardest temptations to resist is the temptation to

fit in. This isn't merely true for children and teenagers, but 

for adults as well. In Daniel 3 we learn how to stand out 

instead of fitting in.

1.  Remaining Faithful to God May Put Us in the Minority

     (Daniel 3:1-7)

     King Nebuchadnezzar had an enormous golden image

     made and set up, and gathered all the officials of his

     empire to dedicate it.

2.  Remaining Faithful to God May Put Us at Risk

     (Daniel 3:8-23)

     Some of the Chaldeans came to the king to report

     that three Hebrew appointees refused to worship

     the king's golden image.

     

3.  Remaining Faithful to God is a Witness to Those

     Around Us

     (Daniel 3:24-30)

     The Hebrews' faithfulness provided and opportunity

     for God to be glorified.

Fusion: week of 8/2

FAMILY THEME: CHOOSING RIGHT IN AN UNGODLY CULTURE

Daniel 1:1-21

Daniel lived in a world hostile to his faith and devotion to God.

While there was a very real temptation to conform to the world

around him, Daniel stood strong.

1.  An Ungodly Culture Will Seek to Make Us Like Them

     (Daniel 1:1-7)

     The Babylonians sought to assimilate the Israelite 

     captives into their culture and to train them for service

     to the king.

2.  Honor God by Choosing What Pleases Him, Rather

     Than Following the Ways of the Lost Culture

     (Daniel 1:8-16)

     Daniel and the others exemplified how Christians 

     should choose what pleases God, rather than 

     becoming like the ungodly culture around them.

     

3.  God Will Use Us for His Glory When We Put Him

     First in Our Lives

     (Daniel 1:17-21)

     God blessed them with wisdom and skill they could

     use to serve the king.