Community Church of West Garden Grove

Esther: Xerxes

This week we move into the book of Esther.  In chapter 1, we observe the absurdity of Xerxes Kingdom, which makes us long for a better King and Kingdom - The Kingdom of God.  
Text: Esther 1
Teacher: Eric Williams

Ruth: YHWH

Ruth - The main character underneath all the characters.  This story talks about how YHWH is active and alive with heed, providence and redemption all throughout the book of Ruth and our lives today
Text: Ruth 1 - 4
Teacher: Eric Williams

Ruth: Ruth

Ruth - the main Lady!!  This week we look closer at this 'fine woman' and what example she sets for us to follow, with an alternative ending dedicated to the ladies
Text: Ruth 3.1--18
Teacher: Eric Williams

Ruth: Boaz

 
Boaz is a man of standing, a man of worthy character, a noble man who can serve as an example, a vision of who we might aspire to be like.  We look at 4 specific traits to emulate from the narrative of Boaz
Text: Ruth 2.1--23
Teacher: Eric Williams

Ruth: Naomi

Naomi, like all of us, is a mixed bag--some good, some bad.  However, as we journey through her early narrative, we see the effects of enemy hate and how that takes its toll on her as a person.  We also then examine our hearts to see what enemies we have and end with some practical steps to love them.
Text: Ruth 1.6--22
Teacher: Eric Williams

Ruth: Elimelech

As we journey through the book of Ruth, we will go character by character and this week we begin with the narrative or Elimelech and his posture 'from' God.  He leaves his homeland and travels to Moab with his wife and sons which end up in death.  How can we maintain a posture towards God even in the difficult moments of life.
Text: Ruth 1.1--6
Teacher: Eric Williams 

Ruth: Intro

We begin a new series this summer based on the books of Ruth and Esther.  This is a short teaching accompanied by the Bible Projects brilliant video series in which they outline the book in visual format.  
See link HERE
Text: Ruth
Teacher: Eric Williams

What We Teach: Review

The sixth and final teaching in our "What We Teach" Series.  This week we spend some time reviewing our previous teachings and listening for God's voice to speak to us in our lives.  
Teacher: Eric Williams

What We Teach: Love

The fifth teaching in our "What We Teach" Series--Love.  Very practical and hands on teaching on what it means to love like Jesus.  Jesus loved the outsiders, marginalized and enemies.
Love – John 13.34,35
Our greatest goal and aim in life is to love like Jesus did.  His capacity to love the marginalized, his enemies, those outside the Jewish circle was what drew people to him.  We are still drawn by that love and seek to live and model our lives in that love.
We see this love all throughout the scriptures and founded in the Trinitarian relationship—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—which is at the center of all things on heaven or in earth.
Text: John 13.34,35
Teacher: Eric Williams

What We Teach: Resurrection

The fourth teaching in our "What We Teach" Series--Resurrection.  What is the hope that we have in Christ and what does it encompass.  This week we play with Easter//Resurrection Baskets to see what we have in store for us: Resurrected Bodies, New Heavens/New Earth, Third Way Thinking and Knowing that Jesus holds the Keys to Death and Hell
Kingdom – Colossians 1.19,20
The most important weekend in human history is the weekend where Jesus died and was resurrected. His death and resurrection accomplished forgiveness of sins, the triumph of God over death, and signals the ultimate defeat of Satan and the powers of evil (though we have yet to experience that).  Jesus’ Ascension signifies our waiting hope for the return of Christ, New Jerusalem and the restoration of this world, this cosmos, our bodies and the return of shalom to the universe.
Text: Luke 21
Teacher: Eric Williams