Beeson Divinity School Worship

The Pattern You Have in Us: Exemplars of Faithfulness in Scripture

Beeson Divinity School Chapel Series 2025-26

“There are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world, which God hath made use of: the one is by doctrine and precept; the other is by instance and example: Both are abundantly used in the holy Scriptures.” Jonathan Edwards, The Life of David Brainerd

Few believers think of themselves as role models of faithfulness. Yet Scripture is replete with both encouragement to Christians to live as God’s ambassadors and flawed-yet-inspiring models of the godly life. In our twenty-first century world, we look askance at people elevated as paragons or heroes, assuming they are hypocrites, waiting for them to fall. And thus, we hesitate to view ourselves as people God wants to use as patterns of faithfulness in the lives of others.

This hesitation hinders us from growing into maturity as followers of Jesus and serving as the models He has called us to be. Christ told those who listened to His sermon on the mount, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The apostle Paul echoed this teaching extensively, exhorting others near and far to follow his example “and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Philippians 3:17). He instructed the Corinthians, “be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). He admonished young Titus, “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified” (Titus 2:7). He adjured timid Timothy, “let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12).

In chapel this year, we will walk through the Bible, examining the lives of those that God has ordained for us as role models of faithfulness. Guided by the author of the letter to the Hebrews, we will follow these saints “of whom the world was not worthy,” who were “strangers and exiles” even in the promised land. We will cultivate with them a longing for “a better country,” the city of God. And “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” we will try to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,” and “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 11-12).

Won’t you pray with us that God will use this sermon series at Beeson to strengthen you for service as a role model of faithfulness? Your teachers and peers will pray that God will grant you grace to “consider him who endured from sinners such hostility . . . so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3).

- Douglas A. Sweeney, dean, Beeson Divinity School

Fall 2025:

August 26 - Opening Convocation

Doug Sweeney, dean, Beeson Divinity School
Hebrews 11:1-12:3
"On Not Receiving What Was Promised, and Persevering Anyway"

September 2

Nicole Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Christianity Today magazine
Text and Title TBD

September 9

Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School
Text and Title TBD

September 16

Carolyn Moore, bishop, Global Methodist Church
Text and Title TBD

September 23

Tim Tennent, Methodist Chair, Beeson Divinity School
Genesis 40:1-23
"Forgotten by God"

September 30

Tony Chute, California Baptist University
Hebrews 11:23-28
"Choosing to be Mistreated With the People of God"

October 7 – Go Global Week

Brian Fikkert, Covenant College
Text and Title TBD

October 14

John Cantelow, senior pastor, Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
Text and Title TBD

October 21

Hannah Anderson, director, Sometimes a Light Ministry
Text and Title TBD

October 28 – Reformation Heritage Lectures

Ronald Rittgers, Duke University
Text and Title TBD

November 4

Student Preacher TBA
Text and Title TBD

November 11

Christopher Watkin, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Text and Title TBD

November 18

Mike Schafer, Connectional Operations Officer, Global Methodist Church
Psalm 51:1-12
"David: Broken for Greatness"

November 25 - Thanksgiving Break, no chapel service

December 5 -- Service of Commencement and Consecration

Joel Lawrence, president, Center for Pastor TheologiansText and Title TBD

Spring 2026

January 27 - Opening Convocation

Tom Fuller, Beeson Divinity School
Text and Title TBD

February 3

Alton Hardy, pastor and founder, Urban Hope Community Church, Fairfield, AL
Text and Title TBD

February 10

Angulus Wilson, chaplain, Wheaton College
Text and Title TBD

February 17

Isaac Adams, lead pastor, Iron City Church, Birmingham, AL
Text and Title TBD

February 24

A.B. Sutton, founding pastor, Living Stones Temple, Fultondale, AL
Text and Title TBD

March 3

Rick Lance, executive director, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
Text and Title TBD

March 10 – Spring Break, no chapel service

March 17 – Biblical Studies Lectures

John Barclay, Durham University
Text and Title TBD

March 24 -- William E. Conger, Jr. Preaching Lectures

Robert Smith Jr.., Beeson Divinity School (ret.)
Text and Title TBD

March 31

Karen Swallow Prior, author and speaker
Text and Title TBD

April 7 – World Christianity Focus Week

Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, former president, Trinity Theological Seminary
Text and Title TBD

April 14

Chip Hardy, Beeson Divinity School
Text and Title TBD

April 21