The Kingdom of God is one of the central themes of Scripture, revealing its importance to God. This conversation traces the kingdom theme from Genesis to Revelation, encouraging hope in this present age while looking forward to the ultimate manifestation of God’s kingdom in the new heavens and earth.
T. Desmond Alexander (Ph.D., Queen’s University Belfast)
Desmond (Desi) Alexander (PhD, The Queen’s University of Belfast) is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His areas of expertise are the Pentateuch and Biblical Theology. Desi has written and contributed to a wide variety of books and articles in the area of Biblical Theology. He is married to Anne, and they have two adult children and two young grandchildren.
Rita Cefalu (Ph.D., Queen’s University Belfast)
Rita is a Scholar in Residence at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and Senior Fellow of the Institute for Faith and Culture. She is the co-editor and a contributor to The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah. Previously she lectured in theology and religious studies for several universities and community colleges in southern California. Rita and her husband, Richard, now reside in south Florida. One of her favorite life verses is Philippians 3:10-11, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
A discussion on the time that precedes that book of Ruth.
“In the days that the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.” Ruth1:1
Ruth opens with a line that assumes you have been reading the Old Testament and have an understanding of time, place, and events in the life of God’s people. This conversation will unpack the historical, social, and religious times leading up to the story of Ruth as we prepare to read of one family’s journey of redeeming love.
During the days of the judges, Israel as a nation fell farther and farther away from the God who had called them into relationship with Himself. Judges 2:10 tells us one of the main reasons why this happened: “There arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” The primary conduit of passing along this gospel Truth is parents and pastors! And grandparents and teachers and coaches and anyone leading the generation after them.
1. When you reflect on your journey of faith, was there someone who passed on the truth of the gospel by investing in you?
Read Psalm 78:1-7.
2. What is the solemn charge given to God’s people?
3. What happens when we do not do this?
4. What hinders you personally from doing this?
5. Talk with your spouse or a friend about practical ways you can ‘tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord’ (vs 4).
Rita Cefalu (Ph.D., Queen’s University Belfast)
Rita is a Scholar in Residence at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and Senior Fellow of the Institute for Faith and Culture. She is the co-editor and a contributor to The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah. Previously she lectured in theology and religious studies for several universities and community colleges in southern California. Rita and her husband, Richard, now reside in south Florida. One of her favorite life verses is Philippians 3:10-11, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Jen Pacienza (M.A., Reformed Theological Seminary)
Through the ministry of Coral Ridge, God drew Jen into a saving relationship when her sixth-grade teacher at Westminster Academy shared the gospel and she prayed to receive Christ. Her desire for the things of God was ignited. Jen is passionate about knowing the One True God who is fully revealed in the Word, and passing her faith on to the next generation. Her calling is to partner with her husband to fulfill the ministry they have received from the Lord. A favorite scripture and song of trust is found in Exodus 15:13, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Family portrait: four on earth and one in heaven.
Allison Siegenthaler (B.A., Covenant College)
Allison was a charter board member establishing a K-12 Christian school in north Alabama. She taught high school and community college English and owned Cullman ACT Prep, a program preparing students for college entrance tests. She is the wife of Andrew Siegenthaler, pastor on staff at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and mother of Adrienne (Eliot) Kaufmann, Eliza (Colin) Nottage, and Will Siegenthaler. She has one grandson and a granddaughter on the way. She is amazed by God’s grace; writer, poet, and quilter. Leading women’s Bible studies has been a lifelong joy, and her current favorite Bible verse is Psalm 109:30-31 “With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”
1. We were made to be dependent on the Word of God, both Jesus, the Word made flesh, and the written Word. Our dependency on the Word for life began before the Fall and lasts throughout eternity. How does this truth deepen your dependency on God’s Word?
2. Where in your life right now is God teaching you to depend on His Word as you look to Him for strength?
Rita Cefalu (Ph.D., Queen’s University Belfast)
Rita is a Scholar in Residence at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and Senior Fellow of the Institute for Faith and Culture. She is the co-editor and a contributor to The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah. Previously she lectured in theology and religious studies for several universities and community colleges in southern California. Rita and her husband, Richard, now reside in south Florida. One of her favorite life verses is Philippians 3:10-11, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Jen Pacienza (M.A., Reformed Theological Seminary)
Through the ministry of Coral Ridge, God drew Jen into a saving relationship when her sixth-grade teacher at Westminster Academy shared the gospel and she prayed to receive Christ. Her desire for the things of God was ignited. Jen is passionate about knowing the One True God who is fully revealed in the Word, and passing her faith on to the next generation. Her calling is to partner with her husband to fulfill the ministry they have received from the Lord. A favorite scripture and song of trust is found in Exodus 15:13, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Family portrait: four on earth and one in heaven.
Allison Siegenthaler (B.A., Covenant College)
Allison was a charter board member establishing a K-12 Christian school in north Alabama. She taught high school and community college English and owned Cullman ACT Prep, a program preparing students for college entrance tests. She is the wife of Andrew Siegenthaler, pastor on staff at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and mother of Adrienne (Eliot) Kaufmann, Eliza (Colin) Nottage, and Will Siegenthaler. She has one grandson and a granddaughter on the way. She is amazed by God’s grace; writer, poet, and quilter. Leading women’s Bible studies has been a lifelong joy, and her current favorite Bible verse is Psalm 109:30-31 “With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”