Category Archives: Adult Bible Classes

Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Learning to Walk Like Jesus, Part 2

QUESTIONS: 1. What practices are like circumcision and Sabbath to Churches of Christ — as serving as markers of salvation (not looking for a discussion of baptism here but rather post-conversion markers)? [weekly communion, a cappella music, plurality of elders, … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Learning to Walk Like Jesus, Part 1

Jesus said, “Come follow me,” and the disciples did. He told them to go make disciples, and they did. And no disciple was more like Jesus than Paul. RVL teaches his group near the Damascus Road, where he reads the … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Run! The Passion of Elijah

I usually write these on the Sunday before the Wednesday before the Sunday we teach and time it to post on that Wednesday — giving me two or three to catch my mistakes (doesn’t work, but that’s the theory), so … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Very Words of God

The apostles followed Jesus “until they were covered by the dust of his feet,” as the ancient saying goes. And they were immersed in the text. Jesus learned the text, lived the text, taught the text, prayed the text, and … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Living Stones

RVL continues to consider what it would have been like for newly converted Greeks in the First Century. He reminds us that all the pagan religions promised a form of heaven to follow death. What made Christianity special? The lesson … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: “Plain Talk” Questions Born of Water

I get emails — Jay- I feel your comments about 1 Cor 1: 17 miss the mark and I don’t know what your statement about making a choice between faith only and faith and baptism means. I have had faith … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Presence of God

Sea of Galilee Jesus made talmidim (disciples) from among the Jewish Galileans.  But eventually, a Galilean had to make a Greek or  Roman disciple. Priene Priene is a city in Asia Minor, near Ephesus. The lower city is the part … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: When Does a Christian Fall Away?

From a reader — Well we are studying your book (Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace) in our Sunday a.m. class. Most are really enjoying it. One is, to say the least, struggling with some of your thoughts on when is … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: When the Rabbi Says “Go”

Omrit, Herod’s temple to Caesar The lesson begins at what is probably the northern temple to Caesar built by Herod. Caesar claimed to be a “son of god.” If the site is that temple, then the Damascus Road is likely … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: When the Rabbi Says “Come,” Part 2

During Wednesday night’s class with the teachers and in reviewing the comments, it’s clear that we need to pick up a few further thoughts on the lesson. Question: Does Vander Laan’s lesson lead to becoming a cult? Doesn’t this argue … Continue reading

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