Valley Life values the “Berean attitude” found in Acts 17. We, like the Bereans, must go the Bible to verify that the things taught in the church are true according to God’s revealed Word.

Lesson 1 Outline:
• What are the Scriptures?
• What does Scripture say about itself?
• How did Jesus view Scripture?
• How did the Apostles view Scripture?
• Does Scripture have any errors or
contradictions?
• How were the 66 books chosen?
• Can Scripture be written today?

Lesson 2 - Theology - The Study of God

A study of God is most about experiencing God (John 17:3). In this section we will explore the various Biblical descriptions of the “God who is there,” as he was aptly described by a well know theologian. To experience God we must learn of his attributes so that we can understand Him in truth. Nevertheless, we must also acknowledge that man cannot know God apart from a personal “born again” experience, which Jesus said was the only way to truly “see” the things of the kingdom of God (John3:3).

Lesson 2 Outline:
• God is incomprehensible, but what does
that mean?
• How is God known?
• How many gods are there?
• What are God’s attributes?
• Is the Father God?
• Is Jesus God?
• Is the Holy Spirit God?
• What is the Trinity?
• What are some names of God?

Lesson 3 - Creation & Sin

Since the middle of the twentieth century, Darwin’s view on Origins has taken a foothold in most major universities and colleges around the world. If the framework of Biblical creationism can be torn down, the entire foundation of Christianity will be in question.

If evolution is true then Christianity is false. You cannot have it both ways. Either God is the supernatural creator of all things, who made the world and its contents in six days, or the world is a result of a random evolutionary process that took billions and billions of years and got started somewhere in a sea of primordial “goop,” from which we, and all we see, descended.

Lesson 3 Outline:
• How did the world come into existence?
• What do the Scriptures say about Creation?
• The Trinity and Creation
• What is the Fall?
• Is everyone totally sinful?
• Does God cause sin?
• Where does sin come from?
• What are the consequences of sin?
• How should we deal with our sin?
• How can I stop committing a sin?

Lesson 4 - The Cross & the Resurrection

The Death of Death, and New Life in Christ

Redemption is a transaction, whereby, one party is bought out of the slave market by another. After the price of redemption is paid, the former slave becomes the property of the new owner. If the new owner is benevolent then the slave has it made; on the other hand if the new owner is a tyrant, the slave goes from “the frying pan into the fire.”

What kind of Lord is Jesus Christ?

He is certainly benevolent, full of grace, and patient. But to keep His Person in perspective, John sees Him in Revelation chapter one as Holy. He is, therefore, to be feared above all gods and men.

Lesson 4 Outline:
• The redemptive work of Jesus
• The meaning of Calvary
• How to personally apply the cross
• How to live in the light of the cross
• Salvation history
• Salvation from God’s perspective
• The Resurrection of Jesus
• Theories against the resurrection

Lesson 5 - Stewardship

A steward is a person who by God’s grace belongs to God. And, because they belong to God they recognize that ultimately everything they are and have belongs to God and has been given to them as a gift. Therefore, they then seek to both enjoy the gifts God has given them as well as invest those gifts in others and the future by distributing them wisely. This includes everything from time, money and skills.

Lesson 5 Outline:
• Who owns everything?
• What is stewardship?
• What is tithing?
• Answering common questions about
tithing?
• What is the priesthood of believers?
• Natural talents and spiritual gifts
• What are the purposes of a spiritual gift?
• Where are the spiritual gifts listed in
Scripture?
• What are the spiritual gifts?
• How can I discover my spiritual gift?
• Stewardship of the Mission
• Stewardship of the Church
• The Promises
• The Covenant

Lesson 6 - The Mission of Valley Life

Lesson 6 Outline:
• VLC Mission
• Stewardship of the mission
• OK... How is the church doing?
• The funnel
• Developing Disciples at Valley Life
• How many disciples did Jesus have?
• The ACTS 29 Network
• Stewardship of the church
• Shepherd elders
• Shared leadership
• Qualification of an elder/pastor
• VLC Membership Covenant
• The Promises
• The Covenant