This week we acknowledge and mourn the passing of brother Ken Travis at 89 years old. Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 19:16-30. How do we obtain eternal life? Can we buy access to it? Can we earn it through good works? Jesus responds to a rich young ruler who seems to have all the right answers yet walks away in sorrow after Jesus' final challenge. Each of us must decide whether to trust in our own resources and comforts or to follow and rely on Jesus. Only through faith in Jesus' death on the cross can we obtain the forgiveness of sin and assurance of eternal life. We also find hope in the promise that what awaits believers far outweighs the troubles and shortcomings of our limited, mortal lives.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 18:21-35. In Jewish law, an offense had to be forgiven up to three times. Peter wondered if he should forgive up to seven times. What did Jesus say? Are we right to set a limit on forgiveness? Jesus used a story about a king and two servants with debts to teach us a valuable lesson about what it means to live as a recipient of God's forgiveness.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 28:1-10,16-20. An earthquake shook the land and scattered the guards. A stone's seal was broken and an angel appeared. The tomb was empty. What was the meaning of these strange happenings? Was all of this predicted? Do we have evidence that informs our faith? Yes, said the angel. Jesus was risen, just as he had predicted! And his instructions were to meet in Galilee. Then Mary saw the risen Savior Jesus. She rushed to share the news. Would the disciples believe her? What would Jesus say to them in Galilee? And what does Jesus' message mean to us today?