Surprised, Once Again

Session 5.13 for March 31, 2013

Today’s verses tell the greatest story in Christianity – when people where at their worst, God was at God’s best. Jesus triumphed over his cruel death. Last week, we talked about Jesus doing the unexpected. The Resurrection was surely the most surprising and powerful of all. Jesus teaches us that the worst things, no matter how bad, are never the last things, because God is more powerful that even the toughest times.

Bible Background Video
featuring Nikki Hardeman

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Scripture: John 20:1-18

Session Pages

FaithElement offers several flavors of Bible study, all based on the same scripture passage for the day. Click on an approach to download the PDF of that session page.

Links

These videos or songs are referenced in the session pages:

Media

Star Wars Spoilers
Gandalf Falls
Gandalf Returns

Youth

Amazing Things
Amistad

Nurturing Faith

Adult
Youth

Expect the Unexpected

Session 5.12 for March 24, 2013

In Luke 19:28-40, we hear the story of Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem. This account is full of divine foreshadowing. We know that Jesus surprised the people, even his disciples, by taking their expectations turning them upside down. They expected a King who could overthrow the Roman government – Jesus opened a heavenly kingdom that transcended boundary lines and political parties. They expected justice and judgment against their enemies – instead, Jesus teaches to love our enemies. The people had been expecting a Messiah for a long time. Jesus’ actions and teachings, however, were anything but expected.

Bible Background Video
featuring Nikki Hardeman

To toggle between the hi-def and standard-def versions, click the "HD" on the video.

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Session Pages

FaithElement offers several flavors of Bible study, all based on the same scripture passage for the day. Click on an approach to download the PDF of that session page.

Links

These videos or songs are referenced in the session pages:

Media

Rudy
Earning Respect
We Have Failed

Youth

Wedding Entrance
Up In the Air

Mystic

“The Effect of Expectations”

Nurturing Faith

Adult
Youth

A Model Disciple

Session 5.11 for March 17, 2013

In today's session, we read the story of when Mary washes Jesus' feet with an expensive perfume and her hair. In spite of Judas' complaint about how many people Mary could have helped with the cost of the perfume, we see the picture of a model disciple — one who truly understands what it means to serve another.

Bible Background Video
featuring Nikki Hardeman

To toggle between the hi-def and standard-def versions, click the "HD" on the video.

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Session Pages

FaithElement offers several flavors of Bible study, all based on the same scripture passage for the day. Click on an approach to download the PDF of that session page.

Links

These videos or songs are referenced in the session pages:

Media

Gift Wrapped
Pope’s Blessing
Poverty

Youth

Church Humor
Love God, Love neighbor

Mystic

Funeral Costs

Nurturing Faith

Adult
Youth

Perplexing Grace

Session 5.10 for March 10, 2013

In these parables in Luke, we read about the ever reaching, always welcoming power of God’s grace. These parables teach us that God seeks the lost. We can expect that God will show us this same grace if we ourselves are lost. As Christians, we can stand with open arms to show God’s grace.

Bible Background Video
featuring Nikki Hardeman

To toggle between the hi-def and standard-def versions, click the "HD" on the video.

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Session Pages

FaithElement offers several flavors of Bible study, all based on the same scripture passage for the day. Click on an approach to download the PDF of that session page.

Links

These videos or songs are referenced in the session pages:

Media

Leaving
Found Your Way Home
Jealousy

Youth

Les Miserables
Prodigal

Nurturing Faith

Adult
Youth

Repent!

Session 5.09 for March 3, 2013

In Luke 13:1-9, we hear Jesus calling the people to repentance. He reminds us that no one is perfect. No matter how well we think things are going, we are never promised even one more day on earth. In our busy culture, distractions provide a barrier to penetrating soul-searching and repentance. Instead, we turn outwards. The misfortunes of others provide a barometer for our own piety and success. In this passage, however, Jesus reminds us that bad things don’t happen to people who are bad – misfortunes can befall any of us.

Bible Background Video
featuring Nikki Hardeman

To toggle between the hi-def and standard-def versions, click the "HD" on the video.

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Session Pages

FaithElement offers several flavors of Bible study, all based on the same scripture passage for the day. Click on an approach to download the PDF of that session page.