Mark 3 & 4

Jesus introduces his teaching method in these two chapters. Unlike any of the great teachers and prophets before his time, Jesus taught in parables. This was very confusing for his disciples and even more so for many of his followers. We take an in depth look this week at the Parable of the Sower. Which type of soil are you?

Mark 3 & 4 Podcast
Mark 3 & 4 Slideshow

What Did Jesus Do?

We are beginning a new series titled "What Did Jesus Do?" This is a study based on the Gospel of Mark. As we walk through Mark, we will be going back to the original Greek text to gain insight on all of the actions Jesus took while he walked the earth. Do you act like Jesus? Join us for this study and learn what Jesus did so that you can learn to act more like him.

Retreat 2007 - Pictures

Although the audio isn't posted, this is a Scripture-heavy lesson that you will benefit in simply reading through the lesson. Your value to God can be described in three ways: You are accepted. You are secure. You are significant. Take a few minutes and remind yourself how valuable you are to God.

Pictures Slideshow

Lesson 5 - Attitudes & Behaviors

There is very little correlation between the circumstances of people’s lives and how happy they are. Happiness is an attitude that you choose. Your behavior is in large part determined by your attitude. Thus, your behavior can be based on an attitude of contentment or an attitude of entitlement. The choice is your's to make.

Lesson 5 Podcast
Lesson 5 Slideshow

Lesson 4 - Gratitude

Gratitude is the key to happiness. Gratitude is also a choice. In gratitude, we recognize that we are not ultimately producers and consumers, but above all, recipients of gifts. If you can cultivate gratitude, happiness will follow.

Lesson 4 Podcast
Lesson 4 Slideshow

Lesson 3 - Images and Expectations

Many of us struggle with happiness because we have unrealistic images for who we should be by now or expectations for our lives that we cannot live up to. How often do you find yourself unhappy because your day just didn't go as well as it should have? Maybe you have unrealistic expectations for your day. Or maybe you should decide to be happy regardless of how your day goes. In this lesson, we discuss images and expectations as well as gratitude.

Lesson 3 Podcast
Lesson 3 Slideshow

Lesson 2 - Major Obstacles

What are the major obstacles to your happiness? Do you find yourself being happy regardless of your circumstances or do you find yourself looking for other people to make you happy. This week we look at the obstacles of success and emotions.

Lesson 2 Podcast
Lesson 2 Slideshow

Lesson 1 - Table Manners

Do you know your table manners? What do you do with your napkin when you go to the restroom? How do you indicate to your waiter that you are finished with your meal? Which way do you pass the green beans? All this and more in a much needed lesson on table manners.

Lesson 1 Podcast
Lesson 1 Slideshow

Lesson 1 - The Pursuit

The main idea is this: We have an obligation to those around us to be happy. No one wants to be around an unhappy person. Even worse, unhappy Christians give Christianity a bad reputation and drive people away. Can you be happy regardless of your circumstances?

Lesson 1 Podcast
Lesson 1 Slideshow

The Pursuit of Happiness

We will be beginning a new series on September 15th titled "The Pursuit of Happiness." This is a study of contentment. Please download the flyer and send it to anyone you would like to invite to the lessons. I hope you will join us for class as well during the 5 week study. If you struggle with contentment, this study will change your life.

Flyer

Lesson 5 - Gimmes and the Media

The last lesson in the NO series. Does your child have the case of the gimmes? The gimmes generally elicit a sense of entitlement and a lack of appreciation in our children. How does the media contribute to the gimmes and how can we get rid of them? Lesson based on the book NO by David Walsh.

Lesson 5 Podcast
Lesson 5 Slideshow

Lesson 4 - Toddlers to Teens

Sorry no podcast for this one. We discuss in this lesson the different stages of childhood. The brain and hormones develop differently at different times in a child's development and it generally causes children of the same ages to act the same way. You may just learn why your child acts the way they do. Lesson based on the book NO by David Walsh.

Lesson 4 Slideshow

Lesson 3 - No and the Brain

Why do our kids act the way they do? We tackle that question in this lesson by learning how the human brain works and how it develops during childhood. Saying No to our children is crucial to their brain development even sooner than you think. Lesson based on the book NO by David Walsh.

Lesson 3 Podcast
Lesson 3 Slideshow

Lesson 2 - Saying No in a Yes Culture

Parenting is hard. Parenting is especially hard today as compared to 25 or 50 years ago. We live in a Yes culture that feeds our children's desires for more, easy, fast and fun. Parents need to learn how to say No to their children so that when the real world disappoints them, they know how to handle it. Lesson based on the book NO by David Walsh.

Lesson 2 Podcast
Lesson 2 Slideshow

Lesson 6 - Respect & Affirmation

What do men really want? Respect and Admiration. Our concluding topic this week deals with every man's nature to expect respect from all people especially his wife. Admiration is icing on the cake. If a man's wife respects and admires him, he is capable of conquering anything.

Lesson 6 Podcast
Lesson 6 Slideshow

Genesis 1

I guest taught the Fusion ABF class this weekend. Bill Heinz is the teacher of Fusion and is in the middle of a series entitled, "Great 1st Chapters of the Bible." In keeping with the lesson series, I taught on Genesis 1. Please see the link below to the slideshow. Also, please be aware that the AIG Creation Museam is having its grand opening tomorrow. You can learn more on this incredible opportunity we have to teach our children about the history of the universe from a Christian perspective by visiting Answers in Genesis on the web. And it's only an hour away!

Genesis 1 Slideshow

What Do We Really Want? Lesson 5 - To Be Loved

In lesson 5, we talked about the husband's role as spiritual leader of the marriage. Our culture today tells women that they are to be in charge and that to consider their husband as the leader of the home is demeaning. The Bible says otherwise. We discuss this week that it is the husband's responsibility to present his wife to God as pure and holy. We give the guys some practical suggestions of how to go about spiritually caring for his wife.

Lesson 5 Podcast
Lesson 5 Slideshow
Lesson 5 Handout 1
Lesson 5 Handout 2

What Do We Really Want? Lesson 4 - Male Sexual Nature

This is probably the most difficult subject of any topic to understand much less talk about. The male sexual nature is a very powerful part of the male genetic makeup. We delve into some of the much less discussed aspects of the male sexual nature in an effort to better understand how men are made.

Lesson 4 Podcast
Lesson 4 Slideshow

What Do We Really Want? Lesson 3 - Affection

Affection is the essential cement in a relationship for a woman. When a man shows a woman affection, she knows that he cares about her. In Lesson 3, we discuss this deep need for affection in women and how men can better meet that need.

Lesson 3 Podcast
Lesson 3 Slideshow

NO - Lesson 1

We took a break from our current series this week to talk about the word "NO." The kids were in class with us this week so I took this time to give an introduction to the series we will be discussing in July entitled "NO." This is a parenting series that will give us some great insights into our jobs as parents in raising our children to be adults who can be self-disciplined. Self- discipline is one of the greatest assests we can give to our children. They will need it in order to fight their own sinful flesh and desires in addition to being able to handle the frustrations and disappointments that they will encounter in their lives. I look forward to this topic in July!

Lesson 1 Podcast
Lesson 1 Slideshow

What Do We Really Want? Lesson 2 - All About Men

We spent Lesson 2 in our series discussing the four stages that all men go through in their lives: Page, Knight, Prince, & King. You will find the podcasts, slideshow, and homework links below. The homework links are two other podcasts of the Dennis Prager Show in which Alison Armstrong was the guest. The material I used for Lesson 2 was developed by Alison Armstrong. I hope that these podcasts help you better understand men as well as give you an insight into Alison's philosophy. Her website can be found at www.understandmen.com.

Series Podcast Subscription
Lesson 2 Podcast
Lesson 2 Slideshow
Homework Podcast #1
Homework Podcast #2

What Do We Really Want? Lesson 1 - Intimacy

We started a new lesson series today entitled "What Do We Really Want?" There is a host of information that I want to share with you during this series. The series concentrates on the differences between men and women and our goal is to be able to better understand each other so that we can improve our marriages. In case you missed class, I have several items you may find interesting including a podcast of Lesson 1. Please see the links below.

Series Podcast Subscription
Lesson 1 Podcast
Lesson 1 Slideshow
Lesson 1 Homework
Series Flyer