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.

Fusion: week of 12/27

 FAMILY THEME: JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE

Matthew 3:13 - 4:11

Jesus is our example in humility (John 13:15),

in suffering (1 Peter 2:21), and in righteous

choices and interaction with others. We want

to be like Christ in all we do.

✞   Jesus Set the Example in Baptism

     (Matthew 3:13-17)

     Although He had nothing to repent of,

     Jesus offered Himself as a model to

     follow in baptism. God spoke, acknow-

     ledging Jesus' authority and identity as

     His obedient Son, when Christ was

     baptized.

✞   Jesus Set the Example in Overcoming Temptation

     (Matthew 4:21-11)

     Jesus overcame temptation by knowing

     and applying God's Word. He used 

     Scripture relating to the specific temp-

     tations as defense against Satan's

     attacks.

Fusion: week of 12/20

FAMILY THEME: THE PROMISED MESSIAH IS BORN

Matthew 1:18 - 2:12

We marvel at the way God set the stage for

Jesus' birth.

✞   Jesus' Birth Was Miraculous

     (Matthew 1:18-21)

     Joseph knew he was not the father of the

     baby Mary carried. God revealed to him in

     a dream that the baby was the son of God.

✞   Jesus' Birth Was Promised in the Old Testament

     (Matthew 1:22-25)

     The Scripture foretold the Messiah's birth 

     over and over. The Jewish people had

     eagerly anticipated it.

✞   Wise Men Worshiped the Promised Savior

     (Matthew 2:1-12)

     Even as a newborn, before He had done

     any good deeds or miracles. Jesus was

     worthy of worship. The wise men from far

     away followed the star, gave gifts of tribute,

     and acknowledged Jesus as King.

Fusion: week of 12/13

 FAMILY THEME: CONSIDER THE SOURCE

Psalm 119:89, 142, 160 ; John 17:17 ; 

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ; John 8:31-32

In a world system that embraces relative truth, as 

Christians we have truth that is absolute and sure.

✞   God's Word is Always True

     (Psalm 119:89,142, 160 : John 17:17)

     Truth is rooted in the character of God. My 

     opinion of the truth does not change it.

✞   Life and Freedom are Found in God's Word

     (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ; John 8:31-32)

     God's truth isn't just for our minds, but it

     changes our hearts and our actions too. His

     Word is true and life-giving.

Fusion: week of 12/6

 FAMILY THEME: TRUTH WE CAN TRUST

Hebrews 1:1-2 ; 2 Peter 1:21 ; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; Hebrews 4:12 

The truth we believe as Christians is not something we have

made up; it finds its source and foundation in God.

✞   The Bible Reveals Truth About God

     (Heb. 1:1-2)

     God has not hidden Himself from us, but instead

     He has shown us who He is in a variety of ways-

     especially in His Word.

✞   The Bible is Inspired by God

     (2 Peter 1:21 ; 2 Timothy 3:16a)

     Men didn't fabricate God's Word, but instead were

     led by His Spirit to write the Scriptures.

✞   The Bible Gives Truth for Everyday Life

     (2 Timothy 3:16b-17 ; Heb. 4:12)

     The entire Bible works to change our lives into the

     likeness of Christ. We don't stand in authority over

     God's Word. Instead, It stands over us.