Begins Jan. 16 at 6 PM
As Western culture becomes increasingly post-Christian, we are faced with the question of how to follow Jesus when the predominant moral, ethical, and spiritual foundations of our culture are not held in common by the vast majority of our fellow citizens. So what does it mean to be a Christian in my little corner of the world?
To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus- to be a "little Christ." What better way to learn how to follow Jesus than start with his own words? The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded teaching of Jesus in any of the four Gospels. Here we listen to the King explain what citizens of his Kingdom look like. What are things unique to his people? We've all heard we're supposed to be different, but HOW are we supposed to look different? It starts with a huge crowd coming to find Jesus because they have heard about his incredible miracles- and when Jesus sees them- he sits down and starts teaching them. It ends with this incredible sentence: "[T]he crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as the teachers of the law."
We want to be amazed by Jesus' teaching in this ten-week class. We want to come fresh to verses and teachings like "Do not judge, or you too will be judged," "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…," and even "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." What do we do with these kinds of statements? Is Jesus being 100% serious, or is he showing us our need for grace? How do we interpret and apply these teachings to our lives in 21st century Indiana? How is my response different if I listen to his words as one who has authority, not just as a spiritual adviser? Join us as we gather at the feet of the King as he lays out his vision for anyone to whom he says, "Come and follow me."