In this two-week series, we welcome back Dr. Bill Blocker, from Houston’s College of Biblical Studies, to teach about the cost of discipleship. Jesus’ call comes with an invitation to pick up our cross and follow him, to die for ourselves and live for God. What does that mean?

Where does change come from? How do we keep going when the tank runs dry? How do we grow into all that Jesus promises us in the Gospel?

In this two-week series, Bishop Mike Hill, retired Bishop of Bristol, will offer guidance for the less traveled road, the same way Jesus calls all His followers to take.

The stories of the Old Testament can be troubling, confusing and sometimes alarming! And yet, these same stories are also the word of God revealed to us in written form. In this four-week series, Clergy will take on some trickier themes that crop up repeatedly, looking for better ways to understand them and how to see Scripture as part of the Good News.

Christian tradition sometimes holds Mary in too high of a position and at other times ignores her completely. This young woman faced an impossible call: to be the virgin mother of God incarnate. How did she respond? What do we learn from her about faithfulness? In this three-week series, the Rev. Dr. Jim Jackson, Jr. will revisit what we know about Mary and, through her story, trace how Christians welcomed their Savior in Bethlehem.

In life, there is no avoiding stormy weather. Storms come in all sorts of types and intensities. The Bible has preserved several storm stories to help us know how to weather them. From Jonah and Jesus to the disciples and Paul we will explore what it is like when the wind blows, and the floods come.

We pray it every Sunday in the Lord’s Prayer: “deliver us from evil.” But what do we mean? The existence of evil is assumed throughout the Bible and Christian tradition. Looking at evil through the lenses of philosophy, Christian theology and Biblical mythology, this three-week series will help you understand what we ask for when we pray Jesus’ words.

Dr. Ben Blackwell, recently co-authored a book on the basics of Christian thought, based around the Nicene Creed, called “Engaging Theology,” but how is Orthodox Christianity different from those of other faiths? We share some things in common and yet, there are  also vast differences in the way we construct our faith. This five-week series will explore  aspects of Christian thought and how they compare to other religious belief systems.

Ben Blackwell, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Early Christianity, Director of Houston Theological Seminary and Chair of the Department of Theology at Houston Baptist University.

In Mark 12:30, Jesus famously answers that the most important commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” In this series, we are looking at some of these elements and stories that exemplify them. What does a life that loves God with all my strength look like? What does it mean for us to worship God with our minds? When we speak of “loving God with our hearts,” how can we see that in the lives of the saints?

Looking for answers to how the Gospel transforms our lives and relationships as Christians?  You can find them in this message of God’s liberating hope for us as the Body of Christ, made for a purpose. Bring your coffee and your Bibles as we reflect on the power of the resurrection, the grace shown to us that saves and sanctifies, and how the Gospel shapes human relationships and empowers us to live Spirit-filled lives.

with Professor Craig Evans, Houston Baptist University
Dec.5 and 19

This study will include a special reference to the birth narratives.