In light  of eternity

How Paul redefines Israel, the kingdom, and God’s people — and how these weekly posts will supercharge our class conversations

Welcome!

Starting this Sunday April 5, 2026, we begin this journey together.

Over the next 12 weeks we’re embarking on an exciting journey through The Israel of God — a brand-new Sunday school series based on the apostle Paul’s revolutionary teaching that God’s true people and His kingdom are defined by faith in Christ, not ethnicity or old covenant shadows.

These weekly blog posts (delivered to your email if you subscribe) are your personal “pre-class briefing” — preparatory tools designed to get you ready for deeper, richer discussions every Sunday morning. Each post gives you:

• The big-picture summary of that week’s lesson straight from the curriculum.
• The exact Bible passages we’ll be studying.
• The same discussion/application questions your teacher will use in class.
• Links to 2–3 of my earlier articles that give extra insight, historical background, or practical application.

How to get the most out of this series

1. Read the weekly blog post anytime during the week (Monday–Saturday).
2. Click the linked articles in the “For Further Insight” section — they’re short, written by me, and directly tied to that week’s topic.
3. Come to class ready to share what stood out to you, ask questions, and dive into the discussion questions together.
4. Use the memory verse and closing prayer throughout the week to let the truth sink deeper into your heart.

By the end of the 12 weeks you’ll have a clear, biblical understanding of who the true Israel of God really is — and you’ll be equipped to live it out in your daily life.

This series is meant to be preparatory, personal, and practical — preparing your heart and mind so Sunday school becomes a high-point of discovery and fellowship every week.

Memory Verse to Hide in Your Heart

“And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16 NASB)

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of studying Your Word together. Prepare our hearts this week and every week ahead so that Sunday school is not just another class, but a life-changing encounter with You. Open our eyes to see Your people as You see them — one new family in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Insight

These two posts from the blog will give you a helpful preview of the themes we’ll be exploring:

→ The Israel of God in Mark

→ God’s Foreknowledge and the Exile of Israel: A Divine Plan Unfolded

The Israel of God: 12-Week Series Overview

Introduction & Preparation Launches the 12-week series exploring Paul’s teaching that the Israel of God is faith-defined, not ethnic. Weekly posts prepare hearts for transformative discussions and unified living in Christ.

Introduction to a Pauline Perspective on the Kingdom Paul redefines “Israel” and God’s kingdom through faith in Christ, not ethnicity. Read This Lesson

The Covenantal Framework – Paul’s Eschatological Unity The Abrahamic and new covenants find fulfillment in Christ, uniting all nations in one people of God. Read This Lesson

The Land – From Promise to Cosmic Inheritance Paul expands the land promise into cosmic heirship in the new creation through faith. Read This Lesson

The People – From Ethnic to Faith-Defined Israel God’s people are redefined from ethnic descent to all who belong to Christ by faith. Read This Lesson

Worship – From Shadows to Spirit-Reality Worship moves from Old Covenant shadows and rituals to Spirit-and-truth reality in Christ. Read This Lesson

Lifestyle – From Law to New Creation Holiness Believers live as new-creation people, empowered by the Spirit rather than the old law. Read This Lesson

The Kingdom – Paul’s Christ-Eschatology The kingdom is already inaugurated in Christ yet awaits its final consummation. Read This Lesson

Romans 11 – Paul’s Unified Olive Tree One olive tree shows Jews and Gentiles grafted together by faith into a single people. Read This Lesson

Critiquing Separation – Paul’s One Plan Paul dismantles any separation between Israel and the church, affirming one unified redemptive plan. Read This Lesson

Ethnic Israel in Paul’s Gospel Paul’s deep love and prayer for ethnic Israel within the one people of God. Read This Lesson

Eschatological Hope – New Creation Consummation The Israel of God’s hope is anchored in the full consummation of the new creation. Read This Lesson

Conclusion – Living as Paul’s Body of Christ Practical call to live as the unified body of Christ — the Israel of God in action. Read This Lesson

Click the “Read This Lesson” button for each week to access the post.

Primary Reference Books

Herman Ridderbos Paul: An Outline of His Theology Paul’s eschatological gospel and the kingdom 🛒 Buy on Amazon

Herman Ridderbos The Coming of the Kingdom Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching on the kingdom 🛒 Buy on Amazon

O. Palmer Robertson The Israel of God Covenants, land, and the unified people of God 🛒 Buy on Amazon

Daniel G. Hummel The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation (Eerdmans, 2024) Historical development and critique of dispensational views on Israel and the church 🛒 Buy on Amazon

These books served as the primary theological and historical resources for the series. Links are to current Amazon listings (prices and availability may vary).