Has God ever halted your plans? What should we do when he tells us to 'stop?' Closed doors in our Christian lives are painful. Take courage in the fact that the same God who orders our steps also orders our stops.
Disagreements are a part of life. The question is not how do we avoid them, but rather how do we deal with them when they occur? In this lesson, Stephen addresses conflict and resolution.
The dividing line between truth and error is the cry of the reformation: "Sola Scriptura!" The Bible alone tells us what is sufficient for faith and practice.
What do the scriptures say? That question could settle most debates when Christians disagree. Dividing God's truth from man's opinion was the cry of the reformation. The scriptures alone answer the question, "What must I do to be saved?"
An effective church will always be birthing new ministries and at the same time reproducing itself around the world. That's what the early church did, and this lesson teaches you why they were so successful.
Paul's missionary journeys often resulted in opposition--whether it was from government officials, townspeople, or nature itself. But Paul was less concerned about his trials and more concerned about how great his God is. What's your concern?
God tells us that "from out of the heart a man speaks." Every time Paul opened his mouth, the gospel came pouring out. Rehearse the message of the gospel in this lesson.
One of Satan's strategies is to dilute the Gospel just enough so that it loses its transforming power. Sharing about God's love and neglecting to discuss God's wrath dilutes the gospel.
Jesus spoke about Hell almost twice as much as He spoke about Heaven. Maybe we would talk about it a lot more, too, if we took Christ's words seriously.
Sometimes expecting the worst may prevent us from experiencing God's best. In this message Stephen reminds us why our faith in God should be a little more optimistic.
This lesson from Revelation 12:7–10, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part II,” reveals the unseen spiritual battle in heaven that takes place during the Tribulation. John describes Satan as the red dragon, an ancient, deceptive, slanderous adversary who accuses believers day and night before God. In a dramatic future event, Satan and his demons are defeated by Michael and the angels and are permanently cast out of heaven. Though Satan still deceives and accuses, his ultimate defeat is certain. The lesson emphasizes the believer’s security in Christ and the victory already won through Jesus, encouraging steadfast faith amidst spiritual opposition.
This lesson from Philippians 3:10–11, titled “Aiming Higher . . . Pressing Onward – Part 3,” unpacks Paul’s deep hunger for intimacy with Christ. Paul expresses four passionate desires: to know Christ more deeply, live for Him more dynamically, suffer with Him more dependently, and look for Him more eagerly. True spiritual growth, Paul teaches, is driven by appetite—an intense longing for closeness with Christ that shapes every part of life. The lesson urges believers to identify what dulls their hunger for God and to pursue a deeper, ongoing relationship marked by obedience, intimacy, and eternal perspective.
This lesson from Revelation 13:1–2, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part IV,” introduces the rise of the Antichrist as Satan’s ultimate representative on earth. John describes this coming world leader as a “beast,” symbolizing both the man and his revived Roman Empire—a future coalition of ten kings. Though he begins as an insignificant ruler, the Antichrist gains global power, ultimately demanding worship and opposing Christ. Drawing from both Revelation and Daniel, the lesson highlights his blasphemous character, political cunning, and demonic empowerment. Believers are warned not only about this coming figure but also about the present “spirit of Antichrist,” which promotes deception, moral compromise, and cultural lies. The lesson calls Christians to remain alert, grounded in truth, and devoted to Christ while awaiting His return.
This lesson from Revelation 13:3–4, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part V,” explores how the Antichrist cements his global power through deception, particularly by mimicking the resurrection of Christ. After suffering a fatal head wound, the Antichrist appears to rise from the dead, leading the world to worship him and, unknowingly, Satan—the dragon who empowers him. This event becomes Satan’s greatest counterfeit, imitating Christ’s death and resurrection and deceiving the world into allegiance. The lesson warns believers of Satan’s long history of spiritual counterfeits and challenges them to live with discernment, devotion, and faithfulness to the true Christ, who alone deserves worship and glory.
This lesson from Revelation 13:13–15, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part VIII,” focuses on the false prophet’s supernatural deceptions during the Tribulation. Empowered by Satan, the false prophet performs “mega signs,” including calling down fire from heaven and giving breath to a lifelike image of the Antichrist that speaks and demands worship. These miraculous feats will convince the unbelieving world that the Antichrist is divine, paving the way for global worship and persecution of those who refuse. The lesson warns believers to remain anchored in the authority of Scripture, discerning truth from false wonders, and holding fast to Christ amid growing spiritual deception.