Biblical Training Center

The Coming Kingdom of God: A Verse-by-Verse Study of Matthew’s Gospel
Room 2-2 a/b; Instructors: Bo Spires and Greg Perkins
Have you ever messed up and wondered, “What now?” Have you ever messed up so badly that you thought it was impossible God could use it for any good? Imagine you are a brand-new, 1st-century Jewish Christian who realizes you belong to the nation that just crucified the Messiah. You think, “Our King has been rejected by us again, and this time we even crucified Him! How will this ever be overcome?” And then the ultimate question comes to mind, “Has He rejected us too?”  Join us as we continue our in-depth study of the Gospel of Matthew. This study will take us on a journey of several highs and lows. It will be a story of friendship, grace, heartache, and betrayal. We will see how Jesus fulfills the Messianic portrait painted in the Old Testament. But ultimately, we will see through the eyes of a Jewish tax collector how God will take the worst event in human history and use it to bring in the future Kingdom of God. Please join us as we continue our study in Matthew.  CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE RECORDINGS OF THIS CLASS.

1 Corinthians
Room 2-1; Instructors:  Ron Scicluna and Tim Oakleaf
Is it necessary for pastors and teachers to re-present the gospel to believers? Well, Paul thought so. Although Paul brought many to faith during his first trip to Corinth, the true and complete meaning of their salvation did not fully register with most of them. Their identity remained in their old selves and not in Christ’s atonement on the cross (i.e., Christ crucified). Paul expresses it this way: “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-25. Why did the church of God in Corinth lack unity? Why does the church of God across this world, country, state, and city lack unity? The issues Paul addresses in this first letter to the Corinthians are amazingly similar to the issues the church faces today – sin, pride, disunity, false gospels, and confused identities. Paul exhorts the Corinthians in a clear and loving way to follow Jesus in a fallen world. Please join us as we complete our study of this critically important letter. This final semester will start at verse 9:15. A weekly schedule of verses covered and yet to be covered is available.  CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE RECORDINGS OF THIS CLASS.

Ezra/Nehemiah
Room 2-2a/b; Instructor:  Stuart Myers and Joe Rossi
Seventy years. A long time to be away from home. But that time is ending, and God is allowing the nation of Israel to return home. But home this time will be very different. Different from than the old folks remember and, for the younger ones, a place they have never seen but only heard about. The book of Ezra recounts the beginning of a New Exodus for a remnant of Israel - back to Judah and Jerusalem, but this time not an escape from slavery but a return from exile. Ezra recounts the work of the returning exiles to rebuild the temple in the face of opposition, an emphasis on worship, and the need to repent and rededicate their lives to God. We will also study the book of Nehemiah as God continues to pursue His redemptive plan for Israel.  This guided discussion study will focus on the sovereignty and providence of God for the nation of Israel and His hand at work for us today. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE RECORDINGS OF THIS CLASS

Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament
Room 2-3; Instructor:  Clint Lawyer
It is easy to find Jesus in the New Testament; we look for the "red letters" in our Bible. The Bible also has "red letters" in the Old Testament; we
must learn where to look! Learn to Discover Jesus in the Old Testament through prophecies, types, and theophanies (If you do not know what those are, we will learn together).

Building Bridges in a Divided Culture
Room 2-2 a/b; Instructor: Jim Annable
How do we connect the Gospel to a culture that does not give in to our givens?  What is my mission as a disciple?  Is change possible for me, and what role do I play?  What does it mean to be in the world and yet not of it? God planted us here at this time and in this place, and here we are. Now what?  A 30,000ft flyover on navigating the challenges of following Jesus in the spaces we live, work, and play.