Fusion: week of 1/1

FAMILY THEME: RULES TO LIVE BY

Exodus 20:1-21

God gave us the Ten Commandments to promote good relationship

with Him and with our fellow man.

1.  Love the Lord Your God

     (Exodus 20:1-11)

     God gave the Israelites four commandments relating 

     to His Lordship and their worship of Him.

 
2.  Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

     (Exodus 20:12-17)

     The last six commandments provided guidance and 

      instructions for their relationships with each other.

 
3.  Have Proper Respect and Reverence for God, but Don't Be

     Afraid of Him

     (Exodus 20:18-21)

     Our respect and love for God should be the source 

     of our obedience. 

Fusion: week of 12/25

FAMILY THEME: THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Matthew 1:1-25

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and King.

1.  Jesus' Birth Satisfied Royal Ancestry Requirements

     (Matthew 1:1-17)

     Matthew made a special point of validating Jesus' lineage in

     order to establish His royalty.

 
2.  Jesus' Birth Was Miraculous

     (Matthew 1:18-21)

      Jesus was born of a virgin, through the power of the

      Holy Spirit.

 
3.  Jesus' Birth Fulfilled Prophecy

     (Matthew 1:22-25)

     The unique circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth had

     been prophesied long ago.

Fusion: week of 12/18

FAMILY THEME: THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS

Matthew 17:1-13

Jesus' transfiguration revealed the diving glory that was His

in Heaven.

1.  The Transfiguration of Jesus Revealed His Glory as the Son

     of God

     (Matthew 17:1-2)

     Jesus revealed His glory as the Son of God to Peter, James,

     and John.

 
2.  The Transfiguration Confirmed That Jesus Was the Son of

     God and Long Awaited Messiah

     (Matthew 17:3-8)

      At the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed Himself to be the Son

      of God, the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets.

 
3.  The Transfiguration Demonstrated Jesus' Foreknowledge

     (Matthew 17:9-13)

     Jesus told His disciples not to spread the news of this

     occurence until after He had risen from the dead.

Fusion: week of 12/11

FAMILY THEME: THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus overcame temptation by knowing and applying God's Word.

1.  Jesus Faced Temptation Just as We Do

     (Matthew 4:1-2)

     Jesus faced temptation when He was weak and hungry.

 
2.  Temptation Can Be Strategic and Persistent

     (Matthew 4:3,  5-6,  8-9)

      Satan used what he perceived to be specific areas of 
      weakness to tempt Jesus.

 
3.  God's Word Was Jesus' Primary Source of Defense in
     Times of Temptation

     (Matthew 4:4,  7,  10-11)

     Jesus used Scripture relating to the specific temptations
     as defense against Satan's tactics.

Fusion: week of12/4

FAMILY THEME: BAPTISM OF JESUS

Matthew 3:1-17

God confirmed Jesus' authority as His Son at Jesus' baptism.

1.  John the Baptist Prepared the Way for Jesus by Preaching

     That Everyone Must Acknowledge Sin and Turn From It

     (Matthew 3:1-12)

     John preached salvation through repentance and personal

     commitment rather than religious pedigree.

 
2.  A Sinless Jesus Gave Us an Example to Follow in Baptism

     (Matthew 3:13-15)

      Although He had nothing to repent of, Jesus offered

      Himself as a model to follow in baptism.

 
3.  Jesus' Deity and Authority in Our Lives Was Confirmed

     at His Baptism

     (Matthew 3:16-17)

     God spoke, acknowledging Jesus' identity as His obedient

     Son, when Christ was baptized.