Concordia Adult Bible Class

While some people have intellectual concerns with Christianity, others have trouble with faith simply because of the pain they experience in their lives. They want to know: how can God allow me to suffer? Psalm 23 expresses beautiful promises from God as He walks with us through our pain.

Everyone has doubts. Instead of avoiding the doubts of others, we are called to engage others in their doubts and share faithful and thoughtful answers to their doubts. Are you prepared to struggle through your own doubts and help others struggle through theirs?

Central to the Christian faith is the doctrine of grace – that God gives us that which we don’t deserve. Instead of just talking about this doctrine, however, we are also called to live out this doctrine in how we treat others.

An act of service to others can be a powerful testimony of the faith we have. Beyond being helpful to others, it also points people to Christ because, as will be revealed on the Last Day, our service is ultimately for Christ.

Our Scripture reading for today is from Leviticus 24. Leviticus 24 outlines what is known as “the law of retaliation,” which states that every punishment must fit the crime. Instead of increasing violence, God wants to limit it.

Our Scripture reading for today is from Leviticus 24. Leviticus 24 outlines what is known as “the law of retaliation,” which states that every punishment must fit the crime. Instead of increasing violence, God wants to limit it.

Leviticus 23 outlines a bunch of parties that Israelites are supposed to have! Celebrations are important in any life, because they form refreshing rhythms for our daily lives.

In Leviticus 18, we learn that God did not want Israel to live or look like all the other nations around her. How should we look different from the culture around us?

The story in Leviticus 16 focuses on the holiest day in ancient Israel: the Day of Atonement. Try as they might, the Israelites still sinned and needed forgiveness.

Leviticus 11 focuses on dietary restrictions in ancient Israel, many of which Jews still follow today under kosher laws. God give them detailed instructions that are meant to keep the Israelites from foods that could hurt them.

In Leviticus 10, it looks like God brings a big punishment on two people for a little mistake. What mistakes have you made in your life that seemed small at first, but proved to be big?

Priests served as intermediaries between God and people so that people could relate to God. How do you relate to God?

The book of Leviticus opens by outlining a series of offerings the Israelites are to bring to God. As we go through this book, ask yourself: how much of what I have do I offer to God?

Love ultimately calls for commitment. This is why couples speak vows at their weddings. This is why parents make promises to their children. To love Jesus, we must commit to following Him, even as Jesus has committed to dying for us.

John writes, “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). Stephen was a man so convinced of God’s love for him in Christ that he was willing to face even martyrdom because he knew his eternity was secure.

True love does not just affirm those the world would deem “lovable,” it befriends those others overlook. This is what Jesus does with a Samaritan woman in John 4. How can we love those the world overlooks?

When you love someone, it can be difficult to watch them make foolish choices. And yet, sometimes love lets others learn from their mistakes because love wants to encourage people to take responsibility for their own actions. Jesus lets His disciples make mistakes not so He can condemn them, but so that He can grow them.

A big part of love is simply being present with someone. This is why God promises His people, over and over again, “I will be with you.” And yet, God is with us in a special and specific way – through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus that we can safely encounter God. This is what Jacob discovered as he wrestled with God one night.

Memorial Day is a time when we remember those who laid down their lives for our nation. Remembering is critical, both as we reflect on our loved ones, and on God's deeds. Remembering God's deeds of the past gives us hope for our futures.

Often we only seek to have our own questions answered, but sometimes Jesus has questions He wants considered and answered as well. One of the important questions Jesus asks is, "Who do you say I am?"