Quarter One: Foundations of Faith and Redemption
This first quarter of studies takes us on a transformative journey through the foundational truths of the Bible. From the very beginning in Genesis, where we learn to trust God’s plan, to the book of Psalms, where we find peace in God’s presence, each study invites us to build a faith rooted in God’s unchanging character.
We will walk through the powerful stories of Exodus and Numbers, discovering how God leads us out of bondage and gives us strength to persevere through life’s wilderness. In Leviticus and Deuteronomy, we’ll learn how God calls us to holiness and remembrance even in a chaotic world. Through Ruth, we’ll explore how faithfulness can emerge even in the midst of loss, reminding us of God’s redemptive power.
The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—bring us face-to-face with Jesus, teaching us to follow Him wholeheartedly, serve with a servant’s heart, and reach out to the lost and forgotten while experiencing the depth of His love. Rounding out this quarter are practical, heart-centered studies on facing anxiety with God’s answers and living with purpose according to His calling. These studies lay a solid foundation for living a faith-filled life that glorifies God and impacts the world around us.
Welcome to the beginning—literally! The book of Genesis is where it all starts, from creation to covenants. This study will help you uncover how God’s hand has been at work since the dawn of time and how you can trust Him with your story, no matter how chaotic life gets.
Have you ever felt stuck, weighed down by the demands of life, or trapped by circumstances beyond your control? Maybe it’s an overwhelming job, a challenging relationship, or even your own doubts and fears holding you back. The good news is that God specializes in setting captives free! In the book of Exodus, we find a story of deliverance that goes beyond an ancient tale—it’s a timeless guide to experiencing God’s power and provision in the middle of life’s toughest situations.
Leviticus. The name alone can make some people squirm. It’s the book where New Year’s Bible reading plans go to die, right? You open it, expecting grand stories of miracles and battles, and instead, you’re knee-deep in rules about sacrifices, skin diseases, and moldy houses. But don’t dismiss it too quickly! Beneath the surface of Leviticus lies an incredible story of God’s holiness, His love for His people, and His desire to dwell with us.
The Book of Numbers isn’t just about, well, numbers. It’s the gripping narrative of a nation on the move, navigating challenges, and learning to trust God in the harsh wilderness. The Israelites, freshly liberated from Egypt, are on a journey to the Promised Land, but it’s anything but a straight shot. The wilderness becomes their testing ground, where God refines them, teaches them, and, yes, disciplines them when they veer off course.
Life is full of twists and turns, highs and lows, victories and struggles. But through it all, God remains the same, faithful to His promises. The book of Deuteronomy is a powerful reminder of this truth. Written as Moses’ final address to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, this book calls God’s people to remember who He is, what He has done, and how they are to live in response to His faithfulness.
The book of Ruth is a story of loss, loyalty, and redemption—a reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is still at work. Imagine losing everything: your spouse, your home, your security. That’s where Naomi and Ruth found themselves. Yet, in the middle of devastation, Ruth chose faithfulness over fear, stepping into an uncertain future with trust in God’s provision. Her journey is one of perseverance and grace, showing us that no loss is too great for God to redeem.
The Gospel of Matthew is a powerful call to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Written to both Jews and Gentiles, it bridges the Old and New Testaments, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Through His teachings, miracles, and sacrificial love, Matthew shows us what it truly means to be a disciple.
The Gospel of Mark is a fast-paced, action-driven account of Jesus’ ministry, emphasizing His role as a servant. Unlike other Gospels, Mark presents Jesus as constantly moving, healing, teaching, and sacrificing for others. His life was one of humility, obedience, and relentless love—a model for us today as we navigate a world often driven by self-interest and personal gain.
Have you ever felt like you were on the outside looking in? Like you didn’t quite belong, or maybe that you had messed up one too many times to be welcomed back? If so, you’re in good company. The Gospel of Luke is a powerful testament to the heart of Jesus—a Savior who went out of His way to reach the lost, love the forgotten, and restore the broken. While other religious leaders of His time focused on rules and appearances, Jesus focused on people. He didn’t just preach to the crowds; He sat at their tables, healed their wounds, and invited them into a story of redemption.
Love is one of the most overused yet misunderstood words in our world today. We hear it in songs, see it in movies, and read about it in books, but what does real, lasting, and life-changing love look like? The Gospel of John answers that question in the most profound way—by pointing us to Jesus. John’s account of Jesus’ life isn’t just about what He did, but about who He is: the very embodiment of God’s love. Through His miracles, His teachings, and ultimately, His sacrifice, Jesus reveals a love so deep, so relentless, that it has the power to transform our lives forever.
Anxiety is something we all face at some point in life. It creeps in through uncertainty, unexpected challenges, and the pressures of everyday living. Worry whispers doubts, fear takes hold, and before we know it, our minds are overwhelmed with what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. But God never intended for us to live in a constant state of fear. In fact, the Bible speaks often about anxiety—not as something to be ignored, but as something to be surrendered. He invites us to bring our worries to Him, not so He can shame us for our fears, but so He can replace them with His peace.
Have you ever wondered why you’re here? What your purpose is? It’s a question we all ask at some point, especially when life feels uncertain or mundane. The world tells us to chase success, happiness, and recognition, but deep down, we know there has to be something more. The truth is, God created each of us with intention. We are not here by accident—we are here on purpose, for a purpose. His plan for our lives isn’t about worldly achievements, but about living with eternal significance. Whether you feel lost, stuck, or simply unsure of what’s next, know this: God has a calling on your life.
Life can feel overwhelming. The demands, the uncertainties, the disappointments—all of it weighs heavy on our hearts. Sometimes, peace feels like something just out of reach, something we chase but can never quite grasp. But the book of Psalms reminds us of a powerful truth: peace isn’t found in the absence of problems—it’s found in the presence of God. The psalmists didn’t write from perfect, trouble-free lives; they wrote from the depths of despair, the weight of anxiety, and the chaos of the unknown. And yet, through every tear, every cry, every song of praise, they found peace in drawing near to God.