God’s gospel isn’t merely an entry point into the Christian life. It’s our ongoing source of forgiveness, peace, rest, identity, perseverance, hope, and future glory.

In the first half of the series, we’ll focus on Christ’s invitations: to come and be forgiven, reconciled, rested, united to him, discipled, and sent into the world.

In the second half, we’ll focus on gospel assurances: we are loved, kept, adopted, built together as God’s people, destined for resurrection, and welcomed into eternal fellowship with God forever.

Christ freely calls sinners to himself and he faithfully keeps all who come.

Use the schedule below to read the text in advance. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is related to how much heart preparation you do.

[ Sermon Schedule ]

Major Themes

• Christ’s Gracious Invitation to Sinners — Jesus welcomes the guilty, weary, helpless, and burdened to come freely to him by grace.
• Assurance Grounded in God’s Promises — The believer’s confidence rests finally not in ourselves but in Christ’s finished work, ongoing intercession, and preserving power.
• Union with Christ — Every blessing of salvation flows from being united to Christ by faith.
• Rest for the Weak and Hope for the Suffering — Jesus provides peace for troubled consciences, endurance for suffering saints, and hope for those who feel spiritually fragile.
• The Church as God’s Kept People — God not only saves individuals, but forms a people who belong to him, care for one another, proclaim the gospel together, and await the coming kingdom.
• The Presence of God with His People — The goal of salvation is joyful fellowship with God forever.

Series Outline

1. Come and Be Forgiven - Luke 7:36-50
2. Come and Be Reconciled - Romans 5:1-11
3. Come and Find Rest - Matthew 11:25-30
4. Come and Be United - John 15:1-11
5. Come and Follow Me - Mark 1:16-20
6. Come and Be Sent - John 20:19-23
7. You Are Loved - Romans 8:31-39
8. You Are Kept by God - 1 Peter 1:3-5
9. You Are God’s Child - 1 John 3:1-3
10. You Are God's House - Hebrews 3:1-6
11. You Will Be Raised - 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
12. You Will Dwell with God Forever - John 14:1-6

Memory Verse

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 1-2 ESV)

Starting January 4, we start a sermon series in Second Corinthians. It’s a deeply personal, theological, and pastoral letter written by the apostle Paul to a church in danger of being led astray by worldly values. In a culture obsessed with image, strength, and vainglory, Paul presents a gospel-shaped vision of life and leadership marked by weakness, suffering, reconciliation, and resurrection power. The letter confronts worldly values and calls the church to see true spiritual power through the lens of the cross.

Second Corinthians trains us to value faithfulness and obedience in an age that prizes the illusion of strength and freedom.

The letter takes about 45 minutes to read. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is closely related to how much heart preparation you do in advance.

[ Sermon Schedule ]

Quick Info on Second Corinthians

• Author: The Apostle Paul
• Date: 55 or 56 A.D.
• Purpose: Paul defends his apostolic ministry in order to strengthen and restore the Corinthian church, to call them to grace-shaped generosity, and to expose the false claims of the so-called “super-apostles.”

Major Themes

• Strength / Weakness — God’s power is displayed not through self-sufficiency or rhetorical skill, but through suffering, dependence, and faithfulness
• Comfort / Affliction — God comforts his afflicted people so they may comfort others, revealing resurrection life in the midst of suffering
• Glory / Shame — True glory is found not in public honor or visible success, but in sharing the life of the crucified and risen Christ
• New Covenant / New Creation — We believers currently live in the inaugurated new realm, where the age to come has broken into the present through Christ and the Spirit

Key Concepts

• Reconciliation — Through Christ, God reconciles sinners to himself and restores broken relationships within the church through repentance, forgiveness, and renewed trust
• Apostleship and Ministry — True Christian ministry is authenticated not by outward impressiveness or credentials, but by faithfulness to the gospel, suffering love, and transformed lives

Suggested Outline

1. Christlike Ministry (1–7)
New Covenant ministry shaped by the cross and empowered by the Spirit
2. Christlike Generosity (8-9)
Gracious generosity reflects God’s gracious character
3. Christlike Strength (10–13)
Christlike strength is displayed through weakness, humility, and truth

Memory Verse

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

This year marks 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), the gathering that helped the Church carefully articulate and defend who Scripture reveals Jesus to be: the eternal Son of God, “begotten, not made.” For seventeen centuries, this confession has guided Christians to think rightly about God, worship Him faithfully, and pass the truth of the gospel to the next generation.

But the Creed is more than an artifact of history. It’s a vital confession of the triune God we adore. It reminds us that right belief matters, that doctrine safeguards worship, that salvation depends on the God-man, and that our hope reaches forward to the resurrection and life everlasting.

Together we’ll celebrate how this confession anchors our faith and unites Christ’s people across time and nations—one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one church.

Use the schedule below to read the text in advance. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is related to how much heart preparation you do!

We believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;
by whom all things were made;

who for us and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried;
and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
and he shall come again, with glory,
to judge both the living and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spoke by the prophets;
and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church;
we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;
and we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Quick Info on the Nicene Creed

• Adopted: A.D. 325 at the Council of Nicaea; expanded in A.D. 381 at the Council of Constantinople
• Purpose: Convened by Emperor Constantine to restore peace and unity within the Church after years of persecution and growing division over the nature of Christ
• Setting: Held in the city of Nicaea (modern-day İznik, Turkey), the council gathered about 300 bishops from across the ancient world to deliberate together for the Church’s harmony

Major Themes

• The Trinity — The Creed proclaims one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—coequal, coeternal, and worthy of the same glory and worship
• The True Deity of Christ — The Son is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,” sharing the same divine essence as the Father
• The True Humanity of Christ — The eternal Son truly became man for us and for our salvation, taking on flesh to redeem humanity and to bring us into fellowship with God
• The Work of the Spirit — The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, giving life, applying redemption, and sanctifying the church

Series Outline

1. We Believe in One God — Deuteronomy 6:4
2. Begotten, Not Made — John 5:26
3. And Was Made Man — Galatians 4:4-5
4. The Lord and Giver of Life — 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

Key Figures

• Arius: A theologian who denied the eternal divinity of Christ, claiming there was a time when the Son did not exist
• Athanasius: A theologian who rightly affirmed the NT truth that the Son is eternally God and that our salvation depends on his true deity
• Constantine: The Roman emperor who convened the Council of Nicaea, seeking unity in the empire
• The Council Bishops: Nearly three hundred pastors from across the ancient world gathered, confessing with one voice that the Son is “true God of true God, begotten not made.”

Memory Verse

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:3 ESV)

It's available in our bookstall, but you can buy it here.

For many Christians, emotions are a blind spot in discipleship. Should we suppress them or follow them?

Stoicism says, “Emotions are dangerous—suppress them.” Romanticism says, “Emotions are truth—follow them.” Both distort God’s design. Scripture says, “Emotions are God-given—form them.”

The Bible teaches that the heart is the center of who we are — our thoughts, desires, choices, and worship. From it flow our affections, passions, and emotions.

In this series, we’ll see how Christ redirects our affections, disciplines our passions, and steadies our emotions so that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—takes root and grows in us. By guarding the heart in this way, we become whole disciples—head, heart, and hands—fully devoted to Him.

Use the schedule below to read the text in advance. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is related to how much heart preparation you do!

Key Words

• heart: The center of who we are — our thoughts, desires, choices, and worship. The heart is the seat of the will. What rules the heart rules the whole person.
• affections: The settled convictions of the heart — desires that guide us toward what we see as good, true, and beautiful. As disciples, we must actively reorder them, through the Spirit, so that we love what God loves.
• passions: The sudden impulses of the heart — cravings that press in upon us. They are not always sinful, but they easily overwhelm reason and must be disciplined by God’s truth.
• emotions: The language of the heart — felt expressions that communicate our desires to ourselves and others. They reveal the loyalties of our heart and can be holy or harmful depending on whether they are aligned with God.

Major Themes

• Reordering Affections — Discipleship is more than right belief or outward obedience. It includes cultivating the fruit of the Spirit as our desires are redirected to love what God loves.
• Resisting Unruly Passions — Left unchecked, passions overwhelm reason, distort judgment, and enslave the heart, leading us away from God’s will.
• Guarding the Heart — Believers are called to train their hearts, practicing habits that strengthen holy affections and restrain sinful passions in light of God’s Word.
• Being Formed in Christ — Self-examination must always drive us deeper into Christ. Otherwise, we’ll fall into despair or pride.

Series Outline

1. Love vs. Hate — Luke 15:11-32
2. Joy vs. Apathy — 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
3. Peace vs. Anxiety — Philippians 4:4-9
4. Patience vs. Anger — Genesis 4:1-16
5. Goodness vs. Cruelty — Luke 10:25–37
6. Faithfulness vs. Neglect — Hebrews 10:19-25
7. Gentleness vs. Harshness — 2 Timothy 2:24-26
8. Self-Control vs. Impulsiveness — Matthew 4:1-11

Memory Verses

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Galatians 5:22–24 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Elisha's story, recorded in 2 Kings, is a theological and historical witness to the power, compassion, and faithfulness of God. Set during a dark and rebellious chapter in Israel’s history, Elisha serves not as a king or warrior, but as God’s chosen voice—bringing healing, hope, provision, and judgment to a nation on the edge of collapse.

Elisha is the heir to Elijah’s prophetic mantle. His ministry continues the mission of calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness—but with a noteworthy difference: Elisha’s work is mostly quieter, more personal, and marked by grace to the overlooked and lowly.

Read through 2 Kings 2 - 13 to prepare and use the schedule below to read the text for each Sunday. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is related to how much heart preparation you do!

MAJOR THEMES

• God’s Continuing Mission Through Faithful Servants: God's redemptive work continues through generations and isn’t dependent upon any particular person.
• Grace for the Ordinary and Overlooked: Elisha’s ministry is largely among everyday people—widows, soldiers, lepers—showing God’s concern for the lowly and overlooked.
• The Power of God's Word and Spirit: Elisha’s ministry isn’t built on his personality but on the prophetic word and Spirit he inherits.
• Judgment and Hope in a Compromised Culture: Elisha’s miraculous ministry represents God’s covenantal faithfulness—both His judgment on apostasy and His mercy toward those who turn to Him.

QUICK INFO

• Elisha ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel, beginning around 853 BC, near the end of King Ahab’s reign.
• He served as prophet for about 50 years during a period of widespread idolatry, political instability, and moral decline.
• Elisha’s call to ministry came through Elijah’s symbolic act of placing his cloak on him (1 Kings 19:19–21). Elisha responded by burning his plows and sacrificing his oxen—renouncing his old life and showing total commitment.

SERIES OUTLINE

1. Chariots of Fire and the Fallen Mantle — 2 Kings 2:1–15
2. Overflowing Oil — 2 Kings 4:1-7
3. A Resurrected Son — 2 Kings 4:8–37
4. Cleansing in the Muddy Waters — 2 Kings 5:1–27
5. Axe Heads and Angel Armies — 2 Kings 6:1–23
6. From Famine to Feast — 2 Kings 6:24–7:20
7. A Legacy of Resurrection Hope — 2 Kings 13:14–21

CHARACTERS

• God (Yahweh): The true King of Israel, faithful to His covenant, active in both judgment and mercy, empowering prophets to call His people back to obedience.
• Elijah (“Yahweh is my God”): A prophet of fire, known for his confrontations with kings and false prophets. His ascension in a whirlwind marks the transfer of authority to Elisha.
• Elisha (“My God is salvation”): Successor to Elijah, marked by compassion, miraculous power, and a long ministry of spiritual renewal among ordinary Israelites. He begins his work with the Spirit of Elijah and ends with miracles even after death.
• Gehazi (“valley of vision”): Elisha’s assistant who eventually falls due to his greed and deceit
• Jehoram, King of Israel: Son of Ahab and Jezebel; often fearful and resistant to God’s word. His weak leadership highlights Israel’s need for a prophet.
• The Sons of the Prophets: Communities of prophetic disciples located in Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho. They represent the faithful remnant of Israel and a continuing witness in a corrupt culture.
• The Shunammite Woman: A hospitable, discerning woman whose faith is tested through loss and restored through resurrection. She exemplifies trust in God’s promises and highlights his care for the faithful lowly.

Starting on September 8th, we’ll begin a sermon series in The Book of Revelation.

Many Christians think of this as a difficult, even frightening book. The style of writing is unfamiliar to us. The imagery is disturbing. The symbols are confusing. We’ve heard enough unhinged interpretations of it that we might be tempted to avoid it altogether.

In times of social upheaval and religious compromise, Christians have often turned to Revelation in an effort to gain clarity about their own circumstances. Unfortunately, that obsession with finding ourselves and our current events in the text has led to all kinds of misguided interpretations, ranging from unhelpful to dangerous. But when we read Revelation carefully with an eye towards Christ, we find that it holds an encouraging message of joy, peace, and hope.

Our goal is modest: we won’t answer every question or chase every detail. We simply aim to be encouraged just as the original recipients were—by gaining a vision of the exalted Christ calling His embattled church to endure in faith in anticipation of eternal glory.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll see:

• Things are not as hopeless as they may appear. Our questions about the apparent victory of evil and unanswered cries for justice are quieted when circumstances are viewed from heaven’s perspective.
• We don’t need to reach to make it relevant. Revelation's timeless truths, warnings, and promises relate to Christians in every generation.
• The hard-earned value of being distinct. First-century Christians stood out among a pagan society, often facing persecution and suffering for their distinct beliefs and practices. But the risen Christ encourages his sheep to endure and remain faithful to the end in the face of societal pressures and threats.
• Human kingdoms won’t sustain your hope. The political systems of this earth are temporary and flawed, ultimately falling under God’s judgment. The true hope of the world lies in the eternal Kingdom of God, where Christ reigns supreme and justice prevails.

It takes a little over an hour to read Revelation. Consider using the suggested outline below as a guide to read manageable portions over the next few weeks. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is related to how much heart preparation you do in advance.

Quick Info on Revelation

• Author: most likely the Apostle John, the son of Zebedee
• Date: 80s or 90s AD
• Purpose: to comfort and challenge the Church with a vision of Jesus’s ultimate victory over sin and suffering (17:14)
• Genre: epistle; prophetic; apocalyptic

The "Apocalyptic" Genre

• The term “apocalyptic” comes from αποκαλυψις (apokalypsis), used in Rev 1:1. It means “unveiling” or “revelation.” This kind of literature seeks to give a view of reality from God’s perspective, introduced by a specific historical crisis, using symbols and pictures to illustrate God’s victory that introduces the final state of heaven or hell.
• It is intentionally surreal. The visions disorient us so we can gain a renewed vision of God, our own present, and the end of history. It is designed to offer ethical guidance by presenting truths in unexpected and attention-grabbing ways.
• This genre has a few distinctive features we need to be aware of in order to interpret it appropriately:
  • Symbolism: A symbol is a sign that points to or represents one or more other things. For example, Jesus is represented by both a lion and a lamb, but he’s not two animals. The intentional use of symbols means we must adapt to interpreting it literarily, not literally.
  • A Heavenly Vantage Point: Human history is viewed from a heavenly perspective, revealing that God orchestrates it all from His throne room. It is presented in three horizons (near future, intermediate future, and end-time future) and sometimes all three horizons are in view and overlap each other.
  • Historical Context: Revelation was meant to provide hope and guidance for its first readers/hearers. So the circumstances for the original audience must be kept at front of mind as we interpret.
  • Recapitulation: This is a literary technique of revisiting a single theme or event multiple times from different perspectives. Like a sports play reviewed at different speeds from different angles, it provides a more complete picture.

We must faithfully interpret it according to the way it was designed to be interpreted:
⇢ Romans communicates ideas through a series of logical arguments.
⇢ The Psalms communicate ideas through poetry.
⇢ John’s Gospel communicates ideas through a progressing historical narrative.
⇢ John’s Revelation communicates ideas through a kaleidoscope of surreal visual clips.

Key Concepts

• Eschatology: the doctrine of "the last things" related to cosmic history (e.g. the return of Christ, the general resurrection, the final judgment, heaven, and hell).
• God's Sovereignty: God's unshakable, almighty authority over all his creation
• Christ's Victory: Jesus Christ's victory over evil includes his role as the Lamb who was slain and his return as a victorious warrior King
• Judgment and Justice: Revelation speaks extensively about divine judgment, including the final judgment and the destruction of evil forces. This is depicted through various symbolic images and events.
• Worship and Witness: We gather weekly between the already and the not yet of God's kingdom to worship him on earth as he is in heaven, witnessing to his work of redemption in anticipation of the coming consummation.

Suggested Outline

1. 1st Vision: Christ and His Lampstands (1-3)
   • Jesus addressing his churches with tough love letters
2. 2nd Vision: Heaven and the Seals (4-7)
   • God’s plan for history, judgment on earth, and the sure salvation of the elect
3. 3rd Vision: The Seven Trumpets (8-11)
   • God’s judgment over creation and Jesus’s return from one angle
4. 4th Vision: The Relentless Hostile Dragon (12-14)
   • The second coming again, as the great dragon, Satan, persecutes the church
5. 5th Vision: The Seven Bowls (15-16)
   • God’s wrath poured out climaxing in a final battle
6. 6th Vision: The Beast and Babylon Fall (17-19)
   • The world’s powers in opposition to God fall
7. 7th Vision: The Consummation (20-22)
   • Christ’s ultimate victory over evil and the new heavens and new earth revealed

Memory Verses

Revelation 1:8 (ESV): “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 17:14 (ESV): They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Equip Class Overview

• Detailed Handout

Millennial Views Overview [ Handout ]

Articles and Resources

• The history of Revelation's reception in the church (Text and Canon Institute)

Starting on October 22nd, we’ll begin a sermon series in the Gospel According to John. We’ll begin slowly in the first few verses and then pick up the pace, covering large portions of text to make sure we’re keeping the big picture in mind. Lord willing, we’ll complete the series next June.

John’s Gospel is a theological and historical biography of the person and work of Jesus Christ. It presents Jesus as the eternal Son of God who became flesh to bring “light” (a fuller revelation of God) and “life” (salvation in his name) into the “world” (mankind in rebellion against God, characterized by darkness and death). He is the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament—both its prophecies and historical events.

John is eager to prove Jesus’s true identity for his readers to provoke saving faith that leads to eternal life.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll see:

• Our Desperate Condition. Left to ourselves, we are in darkness and bound for death. Apart from Christ, we are “condemned already” (3:18).
• Our Powerful, Loving Christ. The Son willingly left the Father’s side to enter our world and endure rejection and death to bring us eternal life.
• Our Invitation to Faith and Worship. The glorious Christ saves perfectly and satisfies abundantly. He is the bread and the water that leave us without hunger or thirst. He is worthy of our devoted worship in spirit and in truth.

It takes nearly two hours to read John’s gospel. Consider using the suggested outline below as a guide to read manageable portions over the next few weeks. Remember, what you gain from Gathered Worship is related to how much heart preparation you do in advance.

Quick Info on the Gospel According to John

• Author: most likely the Apostle John, the son of Zebedee
• Date: around A.D. 80
• Purpose: to testify to Jesus’s identity as Israel’s Messiah and the divine Son of God, so that those who read it may believe in him and have eternal life. (20:30-31)

Major Themes

• The Identity of Jesus — the eternal Son of God who assumed a human nature, brings light and life into the world, and fulfills the entire Old Testament
• Signs — the miracles Jesus performed to reveal his divine identity and inspire belief in him
• Belief/Faith — accepting Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. It includes (1) knowledge of the facts of the gospel, (2) agreement that the gospel is true, and (3) a commitment to trust and obey Jesus as Lord.
• Eternal Life — salvation; an undeserved gift received by those who believe in Jesus. It is an abundant, meaningful, and fulfilling existence that begins in this life and continues into the next.

Key Concepts

• Light / Darkness — “light” represents revelation, truth, salvation, and God's presence; “darkness” represents ignorance, falsehood, judgment, and separation from God. Jesus brings light into darkness.
• Life / Death — spiritually speaking, “life” is communion with God that brings abiding love, joy, peace, and salvation; “death” is separation from God, the consequence of sin and rebellion against him. Jesus brings life out of death.
• From Above / From Below — “above” refers things that come from God or are of divine origin; “below” refers to things that are of earthly or human origin.
• “world” — One of the most common words in John’s gospel, occurring 78 times. Most often it’s used to refer to mankind set in rebellion against God. It sometimes also refers to either mankind in a neutral sense, or the earth/universe.
• The Person of Christ — the eternal Son of God assumed a human nature at his incarnation. Jesus is truly divine and truly human (one person with two natures).
• The Holy Spirit — Divine person sent by the Father and the Son who convicts, illuminates, regenerates, sanctifies, and comforts.
• Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are truly and equally God. God is one in essence and three in person, distinguished only by eternal relations of origin.

Suggested Outline

1. Prologue (1:1–18)
   
   
2. Bringing Light: The Book of Signs (1:19–12:50)
   1. First Followers (1:19–51)
   2. The Cana Cycle (2:1–4:54)
   3. Revelation and Rejection (5:1–10:42)
   4. Preparation for Death and Glory (11:1–12:50)
3. Bringing Life: The Book of Glory (13:1–20:29)
   1. The Farewell (13:1–17:26)
   2. The Passion (18:1–19:42)
   3. The Resurrection (20:1–20:29)
4. Epilogue (20:30–21:25)
   1. The Book’s Purpose Statement (20:30–31)
   2. Conclusion (21:1–21:25)

Seven “I AM” Statements

1. The Bread of Life (6:35)
2. The Light of the World (8:12)
3. The Door (10:9)
4. The Good Shepherd (10:11–14)
5. The Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
6. The Way and the Truth and the Life (14:6)
7. The Vine (15:1–5)

Seven “Signs”

1. Changing water to wine (2:1–11)
2. Healing the official’s son (4:46–54)
3. Healing the invalid at Bethesda (5:2–15)
4. Feeding the five thousand (6:1–15)
5. Walking on water (6:16–21)
6. Healing the man born blind (9:1–12)
7. Raising Lazarus (11:1–44)

Memory Verses

John 20:30–31 (ESV): Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 3:16 (ESV): For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:6 (ESV): Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The book of Ruth is a beautifully crafted short story about a Moabite widow who comes to know the covenant love of the one true God through her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. The drama of human actions and divine providence play out in a way that is captivating, instructive, and encouraging.

Over the Coming Weeks, We’ll See:

• The Mysterious Providence of God—In challenging situations and through ordinary people, the LORD is at work even when we can't see or understand it.
• Redemption—The LORD uses Boaz to redeem Ruth and Naomi from their difficult circumstances, and ultimately provides a King from the line of Judah who will redeem all his people.
• Faithfulness, Kindness, and Compassion—On both the human and divine levels: Ruth remains loyal to Naomi, Boaz shows compassion to them both, and God is faithful to his own promises (Gen 49:10, Matt 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38).

Prepare your hearts and minds by taking 15 minutes to read through the whole book each week for the next four weeks!

See you Sunday.

Quick Info on the Book of Ruth

• We do not know for certain who wrote Ruth or when it was written (perhaps between 950 to 700 BC?)
• The narrative takes place during the "time of the judges," a period in Israel's history between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy, which is generally dated from around 1400 BC to 1050 BC. This dark, violent period is characterized by a recurring cycle of rebellion, judgment, and deliverance, as recounted mostly in the book of Judges.
• The central conflict in the book of Ruth focuses on Naomi's sorrow and emptiness. She's been left without a husband or sons to protect and provide for her. Yet through the faithful kindness of Ruth, God introduces Boaz who would provide for them both.
• The genealogy at the end traces Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of King David, highlighting God's over-arching redemptive design. Death itself would not prevent him from providing a King from the line of Judah. David anticipates a greater descendent—the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Ruth is placed in different positions within the various lists of the Old Testament. There is no consensus about which was the original order, but each highlights different elements of the book.
    — In the Septuagint, it was positioned between Judges and 1 Samuel, which places it within its historical context of the judges.
    — In various Hebrew lists, it was placed just before the Psalms (largely written by King David) or just after Proverbs (highlighting Ruth as a "worthy woman" from Prov. 31).

Suggested Outline

1. Overture and Act 1: Misery, Emptiness, and Yet Hope (1:1–22)
2. Act 2: Finding Favor in the Fields of Bethlehem (2:1–23)
3. Act 3: The Promise of Redemption (3:1–18)
4. Act 4: Satisfaction and Fullness (4:1–17)
5. Coda: The Genealogy of the Royal Line (4:18–22)

Characters

• God: Referred to in three ways (1) elohim: general reference to deity; (2) Yahweh: personal, covenantal name; (3) Shaddai: Almighty, Most Powerful
• Elimelech (my God is king): Husband of Naomi, father of Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:3; 4:9). From the tribe of Judah. Took his family to Moab during a famine in Bethlehem. He died there, along with his two sons.
• Naomi (pleasant or sweet): Ephrathite from Bethlehem. The wife of Elimelech and the mother-in-law of Ruth. The main character around whom the narrative revolves.
• Mahlon (weakness): Ephrathite. Son of Elimelech. Went to Moab from Bethlehem in Judah. Mahlon dies in Moab, making Ruth a widow
• Chilion (wasting away): Ephrathite. Son of Elimelech. Went to Moab from Bethlehem in Judah. Mahlon dies in Moab, making Orpah a widow.
• Orpah (stiff-necked?): From Moab. Widow of Chilion, Naomi’s son, who returned to Moab when her husband died.
• Ruth (friend or companion): From Moab. The widow of Mahlon and wife of Boaz. Great-grandmother of King David.
• Boaz (in him there is might): A wealthy, godly relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, Elimelech. He married Ruth and became the father of Obed and the Great-grandfather of King David.

Memory Verse - Ruth 1:16

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. (ESV)

Paul ended his letter to the Romans by declaring that the mystery of the gospel was kept secret for long ages, but was made known through the prophetic writings. Lord willing, over the next six Sundays, we’ll be pursuing that principle by walking through the Old Testament prophetic book of Malachi together.

The book of Malachi is a profound collection of prophecies and dialogues that weaves together God's enduring love for His people, their shortcomings, and the path to spiritual integrity. The prophet’s timeless messages resonate with us as individuals and as a church community, offering insights into how to nurture our relationships with God and one another.

Over the Coming Weeks, We’ll See:

• The Steadfast and Faithful Love of God—Despite the disorienting circumstances facing God’s people, His steadfast love endures forever.
• The Vitality of Worshiping with Integrity—Worship, at its heart, involves every aspect of our lives. Empty rituals are no replacement for being a living sacrifice.
• The Importance of Right Instruction from God’s Word—God’s Word must be taught to God’s people faithfully and comprehensively.
• The Sanctity of Marriage—God hates the destruction of marriage through divorce.
• The Surety of God’s Promises—God will deliver his faithful people who are prepared to receive his Messiah.

Prepare your hearts and minds by taking 10 minutes to read through the whole book each week for the next six weeks! Bring your questions and come with an eagerness to receive what God has in store for us.

See you Sunday!

Quick Info on the Book of Malachi

• Malachi was the last of the 12 minor prophets. He wrote this book some time around 430 BC to challenge the sinful hypocrisy, skepticism, and impatience of Israel.
• Israel had been restored back to their lack after the exile for about 100 years at this point.
• The book is structured as a series of six dialogues (or disputes) between God and his people. Each dispute has three elements: (1) the prophet gives a statement from God (usually about the attitude or behavior of people), (2) the prophet then anticipates their objection to God’s statement, (3) and then provides the response to their objection.

Suggested Outline

• First dispute: The Lord’s love for Israel (1:1–5)
• Second dispute (1:6–2:9)
  1. The priests worship the Lord unworthily (1:6–14)
  2. The prophet warns the priests (2:1–9)
• Third dispute: Illegitimate marriage and divorce (2:10–16)
• Fourth dispute: The day of judgement/redemption is near (2:17–3:6)
• Fifth dispute: The people must repent of robbing God (3:7–12)
• Sixth dispute: God will reward those who are faithful (3:13–4:6)

Memory Verse - Malachi 4:2

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (ESV)