All of us read the bible through a particular lens that we have developed over time. It has been said, “people only see what they are prepared to see." In other words we will only see things as we want them to be. This course will deal with a number of questions. How do we bridge the gap of history, language and culture? Should we interpret everything we read in the bible literally? How do I recognize and value the diverse writing styles of scripture? Since there is no such thing as unbiased thought, have I been "reading into the bible" instead of "reading out of it?" Do I study the bible to prove what I already believe or to allow the bible to shape my beliefs? Is it possible that what I have known to be true about the bible is not inaccurate but possibly incomplete? This course is intended to be an introduction and by no means is an exhaustive approach to the challenges of understanding the bible. We will offer future courses on this topic that will be helpful in the interpretation of scripture. 

It's often said that the two most significant days in one's life are the day they're born and the day they discover their purpose. Discovering Your Truest Identity is a journey that delves into uncovering what God has always known about you, eagerly desiring to reveal it to you. A life story goes beyond just recounting events; it subjectively determines what's important, as well as the meaning behind those events, shaping who you become.

When people share their stories, they naturally adopt a narrative approach – it's how we're wired. This narrative becomes a part of one's identity, influenced by the choices of what to include or exclude and how to tell the story. So, what makes life worthwhile? How do we lead meaningful lives? And is meaning something we discover or create? These are the questions that prompt us to explore the intricacies of existence and the nature of our journey.

The subject of the End Times has been debated by many for decades. Most offer a catastrophic interpretation of The End Times. The purpose of this course is to revisit the teachings of Jesus, Paul and John and to examine what they had to say to a first century audience. Every preceding generation has assumed they were the "terminal generation" due to superimposing the upheavals of their time onto the ancient text of the Bible. This is approaching a text without context which always results in a pretext. The moment you take any verse out of its context, you set yourself up to misunderstand what it actually means. What did Jesus and the apostles say about the end times and who were they talking to? This course is intended to offer a different perspective on a topic that has been contentious and quarrelsome. 

Is God in control? For most the answer is yes. But maybe He is not in control in the way we think of control. The default setting of most who believe in God when tragedy occurs is to say, “God is in control or God has got this.” 
 

The assumption is since God is sovereign and all powerful He must be in control. We have been taught that God is omniscient or knows all things, that He is omnipresent or everywhere at all times, and that He is omnipotent or possesses all power. The belief that God is all-powerful does not mean that God exercises all power, It only means that He is the ultimate source of all power.
 

Many people in church have been taught that divine sovereignty is synonymous with unilateral control. Some have argued that if God is not in control of everything something must be in control of Him. Or if God is not sovereign over all, then He has no sovereignty at all. 
 

This course will answer questions such as, If God is not in control, how can I trust Him? Does God cease to be God because He has decided to create something that He does not meticulously control? Does God have to control everything to exist? If God is in control why does He allow bad things to happen to good people? Can God bring good out of evil, even though he doesn’t control all that happens?