Foundations of Faith is a six-week course led by Pastor Samson designed to help you understand what Christians believe, why it matters, and how these truths shape everyday life. Whether you’re new to faith, returning after time away, or simply wanting a stronger foundation, this course will walk through the core beliefs of Christianity and how they connect to real-life questions, decisions, and spiritual growth.
Mondays, starting February 16th at 6:30pm with Pastor Samson Varughese
Childcare Available.
Week One | I Believe
What do Christians actually believe—and how can you be confident it’s true? In Week 1 of Foundations of Faith, Pastor Samson introduces the three goals of this class: define your faith, defend your faith, and demonstrate your faith. Together, we begin walking through the Apostles’ Creed and start with the opening words: “I believe.” This session focuses on the doctrine of Scripture—why the Bible matters, how God reveals Himself through general revelation (creation and conscience) and special revelation (Jesus and God’s Word), and what it means to say the Bible is inspired, trustworthy, and authoritative for our faith and daily life. Pastor Samson also explains how we got the Bible (canon + manuscripts), why we can trust its accuracy, and how to understand different Bible translations. Key takeaway: We believe the Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) are verbally inspired by God, the revelation of God to humanity, and the infallible, authoritative rule for what we believe and how we live.
Week Two | God the Father: Creator + Trinity
In Week 2 of Foundations of Faith, Pastor Samson walks us through the first line of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” This session focuses on who God is and what He is like—especially the truth that the God of the Bible is the Triune God: one in essence and three in persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We explore why the Trinity is biblical (even if the word “Trinity” isn’t found in Scripture), why it’s hard to explain with human language, and how God is both transcendent (above creation) and immanent (near and personal). Pastor Samson also unpacks God revealing His covenant name “I AM” (Yahweh), the meaning of the Imago Dei (humans made in God’s image), and how this doctrine shapes human dignity, purpose, and our understanding of the Fall. Finally, we address the “problem of evil”: if God is good and powerful, why does suffering exist? This teaching reminds us that God doesn’t always give us “why,” but He does give us “how”—and as Father, He promises a day when He will wipe every tear and make all things right. Key takeaway: We believe in the eternal Triune God—Creator of all things—who lovingly works in history to reveal Himself and redeem a fallen world.
Week Three | Jesus Christ + The Incarnation (Fully God & Fully Man)
Week 3 of Foundations of Faith focuses on the next section of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord… conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” In this session, Pastor Samson teaches on Christology (who Jesus is and what He has done) and the doctrine of the Incarnation—that Jesus is the eternal Son, fully God and fully man, who entered our world to do the Father’s will and redeem the world. We explore: Why Jesus is a real historical person (early writings + extra-biblical sources like Tacitus and Josephus) What Christians mean by eternal Sonship and “the Word became flesh” Why the virgin birth matters (true humanity, full deity, and sinlessness) How the Bible shows Jesus is God (worship, prayer, divine attributes, and Jesus’ own claims) Jesus throughout the Old Testament (promise of a deliverer + theophanies) The mystery of the hypostatic union and kenosis (Jesus adding humanity, not losing deity) Why Jesus isn’t “nicer than the Old Testament God”—but God revealed with perfect clarity The call to respond to Jesus as Lord and live our faith incarnationally through love and service Key takeaway: We believe Jesus Christ is Lord—fully God and fully man—the eternal Son born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit—to redeem the world.
Week Four | Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, and Return
In Week 4 of Foundations of Faith, Pastor Clint teaches through the next section of the Apostles’ Creed, focusing on the death, resurrection, ascension, and future return of Jesus Christ. This session explores why Jesus had to die for our sins, what the Bible teaches about substitutionary atonement and justification, and why the physical resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. Pastor Clint also walks through the historical evidence for the resurrection, explains Jesus’ current role as our High Priest who intercedes for believers, and discusses the promise that Jesus will one day return to judge the world and fully establish His kingdom. While Christians may hold different views on the details of the end times, the central truth remains the same: Jesus is coming back. Key takeaway: We believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross to atone for humanity’s sins, rose bodily from the grave defeating death, now intercedes for believers, and will one day return to redeem His church and restore the world under His rule.
Week Five | The Church
In Week 5 of Foundations of Faith, Pastor Christian teaches on the next section of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.” This session focuses on what Christians mean by the universal church and how that is experienced in the local church body. Pastor Christian explains that the word “catholic” in the Creed means universal, not specifically Roman Catholic, and refers to all believers throughout history who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. He also unpacks who the church is—not a building, but the people of God—and walks through several biblical names for believers, including disciples, Christians, the Body of Christ, and the Bride of Christ. This teaching also highlights the church’s role in advancing the kingdom of God through the Word of God, the Spirit of God, the people of God, and surrender to God. Pastor Christian covers the importance of Christian community, spiritual gifts, discipleship, serving, generosity, water baptism, and communion as part of the life of the church. Key takeaway: We believe in the universal church as experienced in the local body, and that the church exists to advance the kingdom of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Week Six | The Holy Spirit
In Week 6 of Foundations of Faith, Pastor Rodney teaches on the final section of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” This session focuses on who the Holy Spirit is and how He actively works in the life of every believer. Pastor Rodney explains that the Holy Spirit is not a force or feeling, but the third person of the Trinity—fully God—who has been present from creation, active throughout the Old Testament, revealed in the life of Jesus, and now given to dwell within believers. He walks through how the Spirit gives life, empowers individuals for God’s purposes, and fulfills the promise of being poured out on all people. This teaching also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and the early church, and how that same Spirit now lives in us—bringing new birth, transforming our character, producing spiritual fruit, and empowering us with gifts to serve others and advance God’s kingdom. Pastor Rodney emphasizes that the Holy Spirit leads us daily, helps us recognize divine moments, and enables us to live a life that reflects Christ. Key takeaway: We believe the Holy Spirit lives in every believer to transform, empower, and lead them to live on mission for the kingdom of God.