The Core Teachings of Jesus

An Ache for the Harvest

This week we kick off a new 12-part series to look at the core teachings of Jesus. We’re going to explore 12 compelling problems that we all feel deeply, what Jesus teaches about how to solve them, and ways for each of us to respond.

We’ll begin with a core teaching about the mission. Today’s text starts with Jesus looking at crowds of people who have come out to hear his teaching. What did He see when He saw them? And of all the things Jesus could have said, why did He say what comes next?

Join Patrick Morley and let’s identify what’s going on below the surface, why it matters, what’s at stake, what holds men back, and what we can do about it.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 9:36-38
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The Most Important Thing

One day Jesus was asked (in so many words), “Teacher, what’s the most important thing a man can do in his relationship with God?” Freeze frame. At that moment, Jesus knew He needed to answer carefully—the next words out of His mouth would be written down and repeated for thousands of years! He knew whatever He pronounced as “the most important thing” would become the organizing principle for the billions of people who would eventually call Him Lord.

Join Patrick Morley and let’s sort out why loving God is the most important thing you can do, how God wants to be loved, why it seems overwhelming, and what makes it possible. Grab some guys and watch or listen as a group. There is strength in numbers!

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 22:36-38

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The Relationship Is More Important Than the Task

Do you have a hard time carving out time to spend with God? Maybe you have an all-consuming job. Maybe you’re ambitious and don’t feel like you can afford to take the time. Perhaps you have a lot of people depending on you. You might not be convinced it will make that much difference in your life. Maybe you get distracted by life’s worries. Or, possibly, you’ve never really learned how to spend time with God.

Join Patrick Morley as he helps you distinguish between opportunities and distractions, and understand the difference between striving to serve God and abiding with God.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Luke 10:38-42

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How You Can Love Someone Who Doesn’t Deserve It

We all know we’re supposed to love one another. But how do you love someone when they don’t love you back, repeatedly manipulate or abuse you, consistently underperform, constantly put pressure on you, don’t respect boundaries, take advantage of your kindness, are negative and cranky, or repeatedly let you down? We all have people like that—that’s for sure!

Join Patrick Morley and learn, or be reminded of, Jesus’ core teaching about loving people—especially when they don’t deserve it, why it matters, how you can rehabilitate broken relationships, and how to manage relationships that cannot at this time be repaired.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
John 13:34-35
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Making Decisions That Reflect God’s Will

Who wouldn’t love to see God’s will plainly spelled out for every decision? That’s not always possible, of course, but what if it’s easier than you think for most decisions?

In this core teaching of Jesus, Patrick Morley will show you God’s way to discover His will. Learn how Jesus wants you to approach decisions and align your desires with God’s will. Join us and learn, or be reminded, of that part of God’s will that’s already been settled and get equipped to find His will for the things you want that have not already been settled.

You can have confidence about the will of God!

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 26:39-43

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Answers to Your Questions About Suffering

The world is awash in suffering: affliction, disease, death, hatred, war, anguish, trouble, sin, and tribulation of every kind. We all feel the weight of suffering’s emotions—distress, grief, sadness, anxiety, depression, worry, pain, and sorrow. Suffering is inevitable.

Where are you suffering right now? For you it could be a broken relationship, a family issue, your health, the health of someone you love, financial problems, a traumatic event, the death of a loved one, a longing unfulfilled, long term depression, a handicap, or an ache for someone to know Jesus. It might be something self-inflicted, or maybe you’re suffering because of someone else’s mistake, poor judgement, or moral failure. Perhaps you’re being persecuted or hated because of your faith. Maybe it’s the pressure of a new job, business, marriage, or child—or some combination of those things.

Join Patrick Morley for another core teaching of Jesus on the questions raised by suffering. Come fill your head with answers and your heart with courage.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
John 16:33

Additional handout can be found here: https://mimbiblestudy.com/2021/07/29/answers-to-your-questions-about-suffering/

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Adopting the Mindset of Serving Others

In training His twelve disciples, no theme is more prominent than how Jesus helped his followers work through their vanity, pride, and arguments about which of them was the greatest. As we will see in this lesson, that’s easier said than done!

A major core teaching of Jesus is how you can transition from the worldly value of wanting to be a somebody to the kingdom value of serving others. Join Patrick Morley as we look at the example of Jesus, his teaching, and practical ways of “washing feet” in today’s culture.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
John 13:3-17

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When You Pray…

In the middle of the main sermon of the core teachings of Jesus, He suddenly pivots to prayer motivations. In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus highlights some dos—and don’ts—for how we are to pray as children of God.

Prayer, at its core, is simple communion with our Father in Heaven. Join Jeremy Schurke as we discuss how to do this well—understanding the reason we pray, which types of prayer to engage, and the One receiving them.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 6:5-8

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The Portrait of a Faithful Man

What would you do if God dropped $10,000,000 in your lap? In this lesson we’re going to look at Jesus’ core teaching that addresses that exact question.

You want to be successful. Every man does. Join Patrick Morley and learn or be reminded how God defines success. Let yourself be challenged to see the “bags of gold” God has already entrusted to you. See what faithfulness looks like in action. Settle how you want to live so you can one day hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We’ll see you in the morning. It’s going to be a great day!

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 25:14-30

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How to Forgive Anyone for Anything

When we feel like we’ve been wronged we all tend to lash out, withdraw, or both. And then we hurt the ones we care about the most. If unresolved, our psychological and spiritual wounds deepen. Emotional calluses and grudges develop. We become bitter, suspicious, distrusting, and it slowly begins to infect other relationships too—especially with God.

If not addressed head on, you will become prickly, start thinking about irreconcilable differences, develop physical ailments, become trapped in the mind of a child, form permanent scars, and end up a grumpy young man.

Join Patrick Morley to explore the glue in the gears of healthy relationships, Jesus’ core teaching on putting relationships right, and how you can reverse the excruciating pain of broken relationships with six heartfelt words.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 18:21-35
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The Mystery of the Holy Spirit Revealed

Every follower of Jesus became a believer through the work of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are His temple. He is charged to take care of us.

Yet many of us don’t walk in the power of the Spirit because of misconceptions. In some cases, what you learned created doubts and suspicion—and made you pull back. But you know, or suspect, that you’re missing out on the best of what God has to offer in this life.

Join Patrick Morley and let’s clear up any confusion, or remaining confusion, about who the Holy Spirit is, what He does for you, and what you can do for Him.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
John 14:15-17, 26

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Christianity Is Not Multi-Level Marketing

One of the most famous speeches ever given is found at the end of Matthew. “Go and make disciples…” it begins, and Christians and churches have been trying to follow this “Great Commission” ever since.

But perhaps we’ve gotten a little bit off track. As core as “making disciples” is to the teachings of Jesus, this idea of making disciples who make disciples has started to take hold. So here’s the question: is the purpose of the Christian life just to make more disciple-makers? If it is, that’s not the gospel; it’s multi-level marketing.

Join Brett Clemmer as he explores the Great Commission and goes “beyond the numbers” to look at the deeper implications of discipleship as Jesus taught us. The conversation will be rich and the impact could be deep in your lives.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 28:18-20

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Hope and Trust in a World of Conflict

Are you worried about what will happen in the days and weeks ahead. Are you struggling to make decisions about masks, vaccinations, school or your job? Does the world just seem a little overwhelming right now with wars, pandemics, and politics.

The gospel shows a way of peace and calm in turbulent times. Join Brett Clemmer as he talks about finding hope in difficulty, and peace in conflict. We’ll look at Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount on anxiety, hope, trust, and a loving Father.

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Matthew 6:25-34; 7:7-11

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Cultivating a Sensitivity to the Voice of the Spirit

None of us want to walk around angry, mean, sad, anxious, impatient, unfaithful, snarky, or out of control. But that’s exactly what happens when we’re not in step with the Holy Spirit. Unless and until we fully understand how to stay in step with the Spirit, we will always be overly vulnerable to the voices of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Join Patrick Morley and learn how you can cultivate a more personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, carry on a conversation with Him, and better understand how to integrate His voice into the details of your life. Who says men can’t be sensitive!

Verses referenced in this lesson:
Galatians 5:13-26

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Help us to continue this vital ministry by partnering with us: https://mimbiblestudy.com/give​

Learn more about Man in the Mirror at http://maninthemirror.org​