Why is the gospel message so deeply subversive and utterly counter-cultural?  Why does God demand a transformed mind?  What does Jesus mean by "He who loves his life in this world will lose it?" (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When is waiting not idle?  What is the definition of biblical waiting?  What Bible characters failed to wait and which one succeeded in waiting?

What is the meaning of biblical meekness?  Why are the most powerful leaders in the Bible, Moses and Jesus, described as extremely meek?  What are the blessings and power given to the meek?

What is living a life of praise to God?  How could Paul and Silas be cheerful after being thrown in prison?  Why would you send a choir to face the largest army attacking you that you have ever known?  We look at both Old and New Testament stories to find the answers.

How can you really “see the invisible”? How are the realities of depending upon an invisible God, the concept known as faith, able to strengthen us and empower us as God's servants in this world? How can we stress this invisible spiritual world without becoming vague and mystical? 

Why did God send the children of Israel into exile? What purpose is served by God's people being in Babylon that would never happen if they were in Israel?  What message was God sending Job when he asked him 60+ questions?  We explore the theme of the great controversy in-depth to answer these issues.

(missing 1st hour) Mark 9:43  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell. What do we do with addictions?  What does God demand that we do?  How can we overcome lifelong habits, guilt, and shame?

Why would God be so willing to risk being misunderstood by putting his followers in such extreme situations?  Our discussion examines some of the most difficult and challenging stories in the Bible, exploring how God’s purpose could be achieved in such contexts.

Many different models explaining suffering exist: predestination, free will, character development, cosmic conflict, limited God or cruel/nonexistent God.  Which model fits the world we live in best?  Which model fits stories of suffering in the Old and New Testament?

We first look at an analogy presented by the author Ellen White about the birdcage and ask why does suffering occur?  Does God ever cause suffering?  We examine both Old and New Testament stories to try to answer these questions.