Fusion: week of 1/28

FAMILY THEME: REPENTANCE AND RESTORATION

2 Samuel 11:1  -  12:25

David received forgiveness, but, sadly, he and his family

experienced consequences.

1.  No One is Above Falling Into Sin

     (2 Samuel 11:1-27)

     We must constantly be on guard against temptation.

 
2.  Our Sin Rarely Looks as Bad to Us as Those We See

     in Others

     (2 Samuel 12:1-9)

     David was blind to the fact that he was the main

     character in Nathan's sad story.

 
3.  Sincere Confession Results in Forgiveness, But We
     May Still Suffer Sin's Consequences

     (2 Samuel 12:10-25)

     David repented and received forgiveness, but he
     experienced the consequences of his choices.

Fusion: week of 1/21

FAMILY THEME: A HEART FOR GOD

2 Samuel 6:1-15 ; 7:1-29

David expressed his heart for God by seeking to return

the ark of God and building a place of worship.

1.  A Person With a Heart for God Seeks to Worship God

     and Obey His Word

     (2 Samuel 6:1-15)

     David prioritized personal an national worship of God.

 
2.  A Person With a Heart for God Will Receive the Favor

     of God

     (1 Samuel 7:1-17)

     David sought to honor God by building Him a 

     permanent dwelling place.

 
3.  A Person With a Heart for God Gratefully Accepts

     God's Will

     (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

     David accepted God's plans for his son to build the

     temple and thanked God for His provision.

Fusion: week of 1/14

FAMILY THEME: COURAGEOUS FAITH

1 Samuel 17:1-58

Displaying great faith, young David fought and defeated the 

champion Goliath.

1.  Our Faith Will Often Be Challenged

     (1 Samuel 17:1-3 , 16 , 28 , 33)

     David faced challenges both from the Philistines

     and from his own brothers.

 
2.  Challenges to Our Faith Are Often Intimidating

     (1 Samuel 17:2-24)

     By all human measures, Goliath was an intimidating,

     indomitable obstacle.

 
3.  God Can Prepare Young and Old Alike for

     Great Acts of Faith

     (1 Samuel 17:25-40)

     Because of his faith, David was convinced and was

     able to convince others that he could defeat Goliath.

4.  God Honors Courageous Faith

     (1 Samuel 17:41-58)

     God gave David the victory because of his faith in Him.

Fusion: week of 1/7

FAMILY THEME: THE IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE

1 Samuel 13:1-23

Saul impatiently offered a burnt offering to God, breaking the

command of the Lord.

1.  Both Obedience and Disobedience Have a Ripple Effect

     in Our Lives

     (1 Samuel 13:1-7 , 13-14)

     Saul's disobedience would have lasting effects on

     future generations.

 
2.  Impatience Can Undermine Obedience

     (1 Samuel 13:8-12)

     Saul's impatience and desire to do things his way

     led to disobedience and all its consequences.

 
3.  Disobedience Leads to Oppression

     (1 Samuel 13:15-23)

     Because of Saul's disobedience, the Israelites 

     experienced oppression at the hands of the

     Philistines.

Fusion: week of 12/31

FAMILY THEME: THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:20-58

No matter how difficult life is, the believer has hope because

of the resurrection of Jesus.

1.  Jesus Paved the Way for Resurrection

     (1 Corinthians 15:1-34)

     Christ rose and paved the way for all who are in Him

     to be raised when He returns.

 
2.  We Will Have a Body Fit for Heaven

     (1 Corinthians 15:35-49)

     The resurrection body will be quite different from the 

     earthly body planted in burial.

 
3.  The Assurance of Resurrection Motivates Us to Live 

     for the Lord

     (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

     The return of Christ and hope for our future resurrected

     bodies should motivate us to stand firm in our faith and 

     work for the Lord. 

Fusion: week of 12/24

FAMILY THEME: THE GREATEST GIFT

Luke 2:1-21

Luke's straightforward telling of the birth of Jesus grounds it in

history and connects it to prophecy.

1.  Jesus' Birth Fulfilled Scripture

     (Luke 2:1-8)

     Caesar's decree was a fulfillment of Scripture.

 
2.  Jesus' Birth is Joyful Good News

     (Luke 2:9-14)

     The news of Christ's birth is a source of joy for all who

     believe and accept Him.

 
3.  We Spread the Good News of Jesus' Birth

     (Luke 2:15-21)

     When the angels left, the shepherds went to Bethlehem

     and found Mary, Joseph, and the Baby.

Fusion: week of 12/17

FAMILY THEME: THE EXCELLENCE OF LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

How should believers live out a life of ministry using their spiritual gifts?

Paul dealt with this question in 1 Corinthians 13.

1.  Value Love Above All Gifts, Abilities, and Virtues

     (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

     Without love, all our spiritual gifts and virtues are hollow 

     and meaningless.

 
2.  Love is Demonstrated by Attitudes and Actions

     (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

     Love is an expression of trust, hope, and perseverance.

 
3.  Love Will Never End

     (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

     All the spiritual gifts will come to an end. Love, however,

     will never fail.