I know, I know—summer is here finally. The 14 straight weeks of rain may have retreated, only God knows for how long. The temptation to trade Bible study for beach time, BBQs, and family vacations is strong, real strong. But let me ask you this: is your faith any less important than your sunscreen this summer? Said with tongue in cheek? But seriously, is it?
Sure, it’s easy to hit the pause button on church and Bible study when the weather’s nice and we’re all gearing up for the perfect summer getaway. But here's the thing—your spiritual journey doesn't take a vacation. And this summer, I’m inviting you to join our Summer Cool-off Bible Class that will keep your spiritual muscles in shape while the rest of you (hopefully,) stays in the shade! I say that tongue in, well, not cheek but more in chips and salsa. Bad attempt at humor, sorry.
What’s At Stake?
What’s at stake, beside you and your relationship with God? Well, if that isn’t enough how about the rest of humanity or at least that part of it within your own circle of influence. The New York Times published a report [see attached pdf or the link to article below] about the increasing confusion surrounding truth and values in our culture, especially as social media spreads competing narratives about God’s wisdom and worldly wisdom. In fact, a recent study revealed that more people than ever feel lost and disconnected when it comes to defining right and wrong, with the majority expressing that they are unsure about how to handle the challenges of modern life.
Throw off the shackles of the right and wrong chaos, let’s begin to reverse the process. Come ground yourself in literally timeless truths from ‘the greatest story ever told’. The world may be swirling with changing opinions, but God’s Word is the unshakable foundation that will keep you steady. This summer’s Cool-off Bible Study will not only help you find clarity in a world of confusion, but it will also equip you to lead and speak into those chaotic conversations with wisdom and grace. And maybe, just maybe you might start a Godly ripple effect and ultimately play a role in The Great Commission of which God has given us all ‘talents’ [Matthew 25:14–30, The Parable of the Talents] to dispense in faithful, fruitful stewardship and hence building your house in the Kingdom.
Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last...” (John 15:16, NIV). Paul also reminds believers that “...your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
When we live out the gospel in this way, we’re not only reflecting the character of Christ, but we’re also laying spiritual foundations for ourselves and others that will be fully realized in the renewed heaven and earth. N.T. Wright puts it this way in Surprised by Hope: “What you do in the Lord is not in vain. You are not oiling the wheels of a machine that’s about to roll over a cliff. You are not restoring a great painting that’s shortly going to be thrown on the fire. You are… building for God’s kingdom.
Staying anchored in the Word with our church community is kind of like finally figuring out how to coil a hose or an extension cord without it turning into a tangled mess. Okay… maybe not the most theologically profound metaphor. Jesus, CLEARLY, would have a far better one, I’m sure, but you get my drift, like a drifting boat off a summer lake cottage pier. Oh my gosh, stop Matt! Where’s Kevin or Lionel to shoot me with the squirt gun?
Summer Cool-off Bible Class Syllabus
Course Schedule: Sundays, 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Dates: July 6, 2025 - August 31, 2025
|
Week |
Title |
Scripture |
Theme Word |
Focus |
|
Week 1 July 6 |
Peace in a Restless World |
Philippians 4:4–9 |
Peace |
Learning how God’s peace guards our hearts and minds, even in anxious times. |
|
Week 2 July 13 |
Hope When the Future Feels Uncertain |
Romans 15:13 |
Hope |
Trusting God to be the anchor of our hope when the world feels unstable. |
|
Week 3 July 27 |
Wisdom in a Noisy Culture |
James 3:13–18 |
Wisdom |
Seeking godly wisdom that is peaceable and sincere amidst cultural confusion. |
|
Week 4 Aug 3 |
Kindness That Surprises the World |
Ephesians 4:29–32 |
Kindness |
Living with a Christ-like attitude that transforms our words and relationships. |
|
Week 5 Aug 10 |
Contentment in Every Circumstance |
1 Timothy 6:6–10 |
Stillness
|
Discovering how godly contentment leads to spiritual richness and freedom. |
|
Week 6 Aug 17 |
Unity Without Uniformity |
Romans 12:3–8 |
Unity |
Embracing our differences while living in harmony as the body of Christ. |
|
Week 7 Aug 24 |
Strength in Weakness |
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 |
Strength |
Understanding how God's power is made perfect in our weakness. |
|
Week 8 Aug 31 |
Gratitude as a Way of Life |
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 |
Gratitude |
Practicing joyful thankfulness regardless of our circumstances. |
Don’t Let the Summer Pass You By Without Growing!
If you’re ready to boost your spiritual fitness this summer, reply to this email. Bring your Bible (and maybe a cold non-alcoholic drink, ya I said that), and let’s dive into the Word together. You won’t regret it.
Looking forward to seeing you all there and getting into some deep discussion with you. No beach towels allowed, but I insist on scandals, shorts or whatever summer attire works for you!
In Christ,
Matt your BSF - “Bible Study Facilitator”
Here is the Real-Life News Story link I spoke of above:
"The Rise of Moral Uncertainty: How Society is Struggling with Defining Truth"
This New York Times article discusses the growing sense of moral ambiguity, with more and more people expressing uncertainty about what is true and how to make ethical decisions in today's complex world. See this article attached or go to the link below.
OP-ED article read link below:
Five Lies Our Culture Tells
The cultural roots of our political problems.
Published April 15, 2019
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