Topic: Law

What is the relationship between law and grace for Old Covenant Jews and New Covenant Christians? Is there a difference? What is the purpose of law? Does salvation by grace excuse disobedience? Why does God want to free us from lawlessness?

What is the relationship between God's law and His covenant? What does the law tell us about God, His will, and the intended harmony of Creation? What role does the law play in the New Covenant? In what ways are covenants about relationships? Why would a covenant of grace have a law if not to earn salvation?

What can we learn from God's law? Is it still important for Christians today? What was the difference between the Old and New Covenants? How does the law help to educate future generations? What lessons can we learn about obedience and the cost of disobedience? Is there a difference between fearing God and loving God? What is the relationship between grace, faith, and obedience?

How should we interpret the words of the Bible? Why is it important to consider the sentences, passage, book, and even the author? How does translation play a role in our understanding of certain words and phrases? How can we understand certain passages and what is emphasized when the original language has no punctuation?

How do we interpret the Bible using the Bible? Can scripture be understood or is it too ambiguous? Is there unity in scripture? How does unity impact how we interpret scripture? How did Jesus and the Bible writers view scripture? Can extra Biblical material be used? Do prophets need to be apart of the Biblical cannon?

Tradition, experience, reason, culture and the Bible all play a role in matters of faith. But, what is the proper role of each? What is the most authoritative in matters of faith, religion, practice, and theology? What does the Bible say is most authoritative? How did Jesus value tradition? How do you know when the Holy Spirit is leading? Can we trust what we feel and experience?

How did scripture form the basis for everything that Jesus did and taught? What emphasis did He place on scripture for justification of His ministry, actions, and fulfillment of prophecy? How did the apostles view scripture? What should this teach us about the Bible today? How did Jesus use the Word of God to combat the devil? Is there a difference between faith and presumption?

Was the Sabbath only for Jews or for all of humanity? How did Jesus put the Sabbath in its proper context? Who was to abstain from work and enjoy God’s rest? How can relieving the suffering and burdens of others lead to rest in God? Is it a sin to heal on the Sabbath? Why did God give the land a rest? What principles can we learn from Sabbath rest about Creation, redemption, and the pursuit of happiness?

What was God’s plan through the nation of Israel? How did the laws, commandments, and years of Jubilee send a powerful message to the surrounding nations about equity and caring for the marginalized and oppressed? Does God care about the less fortunate? What does it mean to love your neighbor in times of hardship? What is the difference between the letter and Spirit of the law?

In life we experience many changes. What does the Bible say about marriage, raising children, getting old, and preparing for death? How can we prepare for the major changes life has for us? How can knowing God impact the manner in which we go through these changes?

This quarter we start a new series on family and relationships? Did God create man for relationships? Is there an order to life and to all things in Creation? What did Solomon mean when he talked about the different times and seasons for purposes under heaven? What patterns, changes, and cycles do we experience in life and also around us?

What is the connection between the mark of the beast and the everlasting gospel? How do the messages of the 3 angels prepare us for the end time conflict and final test of loyalty between God and the satan? Who is Babylon and who are her daughters? What does the judgment mean for those who live in these end times?