Concordia Adult Bible Class

Eternally Fit John 3:1-16 Before we focus on our fitness in this life, we must focus on our fitness for the next. Fitness for eternal life is something we can never earn or achieve; rather, it is granted through water and the Spirit when we are born from above.

Wholly Fit John 10:1-11 Material and spiritual. Corporal and ethereal. Many people sharply compartmentalize their “spiritual life” from the rest of their physical life. But this was never Christ’s desire. His desire was that we be wholly fit – both spiritually and physically. This is why Christ has come – he has come that “we may have life, and have it to the full” (John 1:10). Jesus wants every aspect of our lives to be full with him.

Shining…Servants Mark 10:35-45 The sons of Zebedee want to shine like stars in glory, enthroned beside Jesus. Jesus’ glory, however, does not yet consist of a throne, but of a cross. For this is the place where he serves humanity. At Concordia, we have many opportunities to serve. And when we serve, we receive God’s promise that we not only will feel great because we have done something significant, we will be great.

Shining…To Others Matthew 5:13-16 Concordia’s cross was designed to be a landmark to Christ in our community. Like Jesus’ city on a hill (verse 14), it is meant to light the way to where the Savior is preached. Like our cross shines, our people do too. Who will you shine to so that they might believe and glorify God?

Shining…Guidance Psalm 119:97-112 Psalm 119 is a celebration of God’s Torah. It is “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (verse 105). Do we, like the Psalmist, love God’s Word and meditate on it constantly (cf. verse 97)? As God’s people, this is our calling, for God’s Word is where we hear God’s most certain voice.

Shining…Praises Luke 2:22-32, 36-38 On Epiphany, we celebrate how a light from a star led Gentile magi from the east to worship the Christ child. Simeon, in his song of worship, remembers God’s promise that he will prepare salvation "in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (verse 31). Both he and the prophetess Anna worship the newborn king, as did the Magi. Their simple, yet sincere, worship of Christ ought to mark our lives as well.

Shining…People Philippians 2:12-18 At the end of every service, we are exhorted to “shine like stars.” This exhortation finds it basis in verse 13: “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” God is the one who makes and allows us to shine like stars. How is God working in you so that you can shine brighter and better?

It’s All Relative Matthew 1:1-16 Do you have that relative? You know the one. The uncle who crashes the party with his heavy drinking and boisterous behavior. The in-law that you just can’t seem to get along with no matter how hard you try. All of our family trees seem to have a few broken branches in them. Such was the case with even Jesus’ family tree. But from these broken branches, God sends his Son to redeem the world.

Rudely Interrupted Luke 1:26-38 The startling phone call, the unannounced drop-in guest, the last minute errand – these are all unexpected, and many times unwelcomed, interruptions in what is already a busy season. Mary, in Matthew 1, is busy planning a wedding. But then she is interrupted by an angel who announces that, though she is a virgin, she will have a Son. Mary receives this interruption as God’s purpose for her life. She responds, “I am the Lord’s servant” (verse 38). Do we allow God to interrupt our lives for his purposes?

Past Due Luke 1:5-13, 17-20 Ever had something past due? Although we may miss a deadline from time to time, we never expect God to miss his due dates. Yet, this seems to be precisely the case with Zechariah and Elizabeth. While working at the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and announces, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” (verse 13). But both of them are well past childbearing age. God seems to have missed his deadline for giving them a child! And yet, God’s timing is perfect – for this son is perfectly timed to prepare the way for God’s Son.

Weekly Bible studies from Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX.