Fusion: week of 9/16

FAMILY THEME: FOLLOWING WISE COUNSEL

1 Kings 12:1-33

After the pinnacle of peace and prosperity, celebrating the

new Temple in Jerusalem and the worldwide fame of Solomon,

Israel's descent into idolatry and rebellion began with Rehoboam's 

reign and the division of the northern (Israel) and the southern

(Judah) kingdoms.

1.  Be Careful Whom You Listen To

     (1 Kings 12:1-15)

     Solomon's son lacked his father's wisdom. King Rehoboam

     listened to the wrong counselors.

 
2.  Rejecting Wise Counsel Often Leads to Division

     (1 Kings 12:16-24)

     When Rehoboam added to the tax burden and workload

     of the Israelites, they rebelled and ten tribes seceded from

     the union.

 
3.  Division Among God's People Hinders the Advance of

     His Kingdom

     (1 Kings 12:25-33)

     Though this separation was prophesied, the division of

     the 12 tribes left them vulnerable to false religion and 

     to enemy attack.

Fusion: week of 9/9

FAMILY THEME: SEEKING GOD'S PRESENCE

1 Kings 8:1-61

As the Temple was completed, Israel gathered for the

dedication and saw the glory of God's presence.

1.  God Responds When We Humbly and Obediently

     Seek His Presence

     (1 Kings 8:1-11)

     The dedication of the Temple was marked by

     sacrifice and celebration.

 
2.  God is Faithful to Keep His Promises

     (1 Kings 8:12-21)

     Solomon's speech at the Temple dedication

     focused on the faithfulness of God in

     fulfilling His Word.

 
3.  God Forgives and Helps When His People Repent

     and Call on Him

     (1 Kings 8:22-53)

     Solomon requested that God would forgive and

     restore the nation of Israel when they were

     unfaithful to Him.

4.  God's Presence and Work in Our Lives Points

     Others to Him

     (1 Kings 8:54-61)

     The glory of God and the advancement of His

     Name and reputation were the primary purposes

     of the Temple.

Fusion: week of 9/2

FAMILY THEME: CHOOSING GOD'S WAY

1 Kings 2:1-4 ; 3:3-15

As Solomon began his reign over the nation of Israel, he

wisely honored his father David's instruction and asked

God for wisdom in his new assignment. God answered

his prayer!

1.  Encourage Our Children to Choose to Live

     According to God's Ways

     (1 Kings 2:1-4)

     David's last words to Solomon equipped him

     to better serve as Israel's king.

 
2.  Choose Godly Wisdom Over Riches and Fame

     (1 Kings 3:3-9)

     An understanding heart, a discerning mind, and

     good judgment were the request of the young

     King Solomon when God offered to give him

     whatever he asked for. Anyone, at any age,

     would be wise to do the same.

 
3.  God Blesses Those Who Seek Wisdom

     (1 Kings 3:10-15)

     When Solomon asked God for wisdom instead

     of long life, riches, or fame, God gave him "all

     of the above". God rewarded his wise choice.

Fusion: week of 8/26

FAMILY THEME: DEFENDING THE TRUTH

Philippians 1:27-30 ; 1 Peter 3:15 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ; Jude 1:3

Because we understand the value and significance of God's Word,

we should defend it against critics. The evidence is on our side.

1.  Various Evidences Affirm the Truth of God's Word

     (Philippians 1:27-30 ; 1 Peter 3:15)

     Archaeological discoveries, verification of ancient

     historians, and fulfilled prophecies all affirm that

     Scripture is the inerrant Word of God.

 
2.  The Bible Does Not Contradict Itself 

     (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

     The clear and consistent testimony of Scripture 

     Itself is strong evidence of its truthfulness.

 
3.  Properly Understanding the Main Theme of God's 

     Word Helps Us Better Defend the Truth of God's Word

     (Jude 1:3)

     Even when reading secular literature, we understand

     more when we recognize the main theme. This is

     true when we read the Bible too.

Fusion: week of 8/19

FAMILY THEME: PRESERVING THE TRUTH

1 Peter 1:24-25 ; Matthew 24:35 ; 2 Peter 3:15-16 ; 

Matthew 5:18 ; Luke 3:1-2

We know God gave His Word through inspiration; He preserved

His Word accurately so that we can confidently trust It still today.

1.  We Can Trust That the Bible We Read Today is God's Word

     (1 Peter 1:24-25)

     In spite of the attacks of critics, we have strong evidence

     that our copies of God's Word have been preserved

     accurately.

 
2.  The Books of the Bible Have Been Recognized as God's

     Word Correctly 

     (Matthew 24:35 ; 2 Peter 3:15-16)

     The canon of Scripture was determined and verified under

     the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

 
3.  The Bible Has Been Relayed and Recorded Accurately

     (Matthew 5:18)

     God's Word was protected by the careful recording of

     scribes and dedicated copyists.

4.  The Bible Has Been Affirmed Externally

     (Luke 3:1-2)

     Ancient historians and archaeological evidences have

     given additional support to the record of Scripture.

Fusion: week of 8/12

FAMILY THEME: DIVINE TRUTH

Romans 1:20 ; Jeremiah 29:12-14 ; 2 Timothy 3:16 ; 

2 Peter 1:21 ; Hebrews 4:12 ; John 10:27

The truth we believe as Christians is not something we

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

1.  God Has Made Himself Known Through General

     Revelation and Special Revelation

     (Romans 1:20 ; Hebrews 1:1-2 ; Jeremiah 29:12-14)

     God has not hidden Himself from us, but instead He

     has shown us Who He is in a variety of ways.

 
2.  We Can Trust in the Truthfulness of God's Word

     Because of Its Inspiration

     (2 Peter 1:21)

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

     led by His Spirit to write the Scriptures.

 
3.  All Scripture Serves a Purpose in the Lives of Believers

     (2 Timothy 3:16)

     The entire Bible works to change our lives into

     Christ's likeness.

4.  Since God Has Spoken, Whatever He Has Said

     Must Have Authority in Our Lives

     (Hebrews 4:12 ; John 10:27)

     We don't stand in authority over God's Word.

     Instead, It stands over us.

Fusion: week of 8/5

FAMILY THEME: ABSOLUTE TRUTH

Psalms 119:89, 142, 160 ; John 17:17 ; John 8:31-32

In a world system that embraces relative truth, as Christians

we have truth that is absolute and sure.

1.  Because God Exists, There Is Absolute Truth

     (Psalms 119:89, 142, 160)

     Truth is true, not because we say it is, but because

     it ultimately comes from God.

 
2.  If God Has Spoken, Then His Words are True 

     and Life-Giving

     (John 17:17)

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

     our hearts and our actions too.

 
3.  Knowing Absolute Truth Sets Us Free

     (John 8:31-32)

     In God's absolute truth comes absolute freedom.