Menu Keys

On-Going Mini-Series

Bible Studies

Codes & Descriptions

Class Codes
[A] = summary lessons
[B] = exegetical analysis
[C] = topical doctrinal studies
What is a Mini-Series?
A Mini-Series is a small subset of lessons from a major series which covers a particular subject or book. The class numbers will be in reference to the major series rather than the mini-series.

Messages with tag - Trials

Colossians (2011)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 48 mins 8 secs
In our continuation of the Sufficiency of Christ segment of this study, there is much Paul has to say about suffering, and includes some very interesting comments about joy and happiness. Many questions are raised.

What is the true meaning of joy and happiness? How can you rejoice in your sufferings, as the Bible instructs us to do? Can a believer actually have joy in the midst of adversity? These questions cause us to look back to the suffering and afflictions Christ endured. What did He rely upon? Our attitude should be one focused upon the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in all areas. He didn't leave anything out, did He? To have that joy we keep our eyes on the end game - on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. And through that, we learn to love the battle!
Colossians (2011)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 54 mins 38 secs
What is suffering? What is happiness? Many would say that suffering is when life doesn't meet with our expectations. Many would say that happiness is associated with a specific set of pleasurable circumstances.

In this lesson we learn more about different levels of joy and happiness, and what gladness means. We learn that when our happiness is influenced by people, emotions, and circumstances, we become enslaved to them. We learn what robust joy is. We learn how abiding in Christ is connected to real joy and stability.
Romans (2010)
Thursday, September 01, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Romans 3:14-20
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 59 mins 13 secs
Colossians (2011)
Sunday, September 04, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 53 mins 43 secs
Can believers truly find joy in the midst of adversity? Does the Bible spell out the mechanics of joy? As we continue to study this verse in Colossians, we learn that true joy is a process, a culmination of growth which is only fully realized when we reach spiritual maturity. Until then, our life is really sub-normal. Spiritual joy differs from the joy we think of coming from circumstances or our own personalities.

In this lesson, we learn the difference between Christ's sufferings on the cross and His afflictions. We learn that His afflictions, while not redemptive, did set a pattern of how we are to face adversity in our own lives. As we grow and apply learned doctrine and walk and abide in Him, spiritual joy results from the Holy Spirit producing character qualities above and beyond personality or circumstances, which is why believers can have joy in the midst of the adversities of life.
Romans (2010)
Thursday, February 09, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Romans 5:3-5
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 39 secs
Colossians (2011)
Sunday, April 01, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 2:20-3:11 & Romans 6:1-14
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 54 mins 6 secs
Acts (2010)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Acts & Topical
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 38 secs
These Apostles fulfilled Jesus’ mandate to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. The focus of our documentation of the church, after it spread from Jerusalem, was to the west. We lose access to documents from the Eastern Church, but there are ancient records with information that can be considered, but not always reliable. Follow the biographical information available for these Apostles from scripture and historical tradition. Learn what we can know of their lives, the area of their ministries, confusions that may have been caused by names, relationships and martyrdoms. Erase any doubt with the understanding that Judas Iscariot was not a believer. As church age believers, what is our mandate?
1 Thessalonians (2013)
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5:28 & Acts 17:1-10
Series: 1 Thessalonians (2013)
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 23 secs
Ready to take a tour? First you need to know where you're going and what there is to see. Listen to this lesson to get ready to take a fly-over of 1 Thessalonians and learn the background for the letter in Acts 17. Find out how the Apostle Paul points out the reality of oppression and suffering for church age believers and the importance of focusing on the Lord's return for comfort.
Acts (2010)
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Acts 21:1-17
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 29 secs

"Tune in tonight to listen to the evangelist Philip's four virgin prophetess daughters." If there had been TV in the first century this might have been a program. Listen to this lesson to learn that women prophets in the Old Testament praised God through music. Hear the dire warnings given to the Apostle Paul as he prepares to go to Jerusalem. Discover four optional solutions to the seeming confusion over whether he was led by the Holy Spirit to make this trip and the one that has the most adherents. See how Paul was not swayed by fear for his safety but was willing to perform the will of God no matter the personal cost.

Note: Due to technical difficulties the video for this class may be out of sync with the audio.

1 Peter (2015)
Thursday, September 17, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 1:6-7
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 54 mins
Be happy and full of joy when all these troubles are staring me in the face? Impossible! Listen to this lesson to learn that faith is the means of this seemingly impossible rejoicing. Learn the meaning and the purpose of the trials that all Christians endure. See that happiness is a choice. Find out two things absolutely necessary for us to handle our trials with joy and what we must not base our happiness on. Prepare for the many tests that are sure to come your way by learning the Word of God and being motivated by love for the Lord Jesus Christ.