Groundwork: Biblical Foundations for Life

Hannah's Prayer and God's Big Answer

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes the deepest prayers are the ones nobody hears but God. When Hannah poured out her pain and longing before God, the people around her did not understand. But God understood and answered her prayer. Studying Hannah’s sorrow, prayer, and song of praise in the opening chapters of 1 Samuel reveals God’s character, helps us understand where to find God, and what he wants us to do with our pain. Together, we’ll also see how Hannah’s sorrow and private prayer become part of God’s public plan for his people.

God Makes All Things New

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The fourth major theme of the Bible is that of consummation, the time when God will complete his redemptive plan and make all creation new. Join us as we study biblical passages that describe a future where God’s presence eradicates suffering and evil, and brings justice and eternal joy. We’ll talk about what the hope of consummation means for us as we live in anticipation of the ultimate restoration of creation while persevering in God’s work of love and justice now.

God Redeems

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The biblical theme of redemption is unique to Christian theology and sets Christianity apart from other religions. Join us as we trace God’s story of redemption from Genesis through the Old Testament to the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. Together, we’ll learn how our loving God sent his only Son to accomplish our salvation, without expecting anything from us first. We’ll discuss distinctives of depravity, election, and grace as articulated by the confessions in the Reformed faith tradition. Reflecting on the transformative power of God’s redemptive work, we’ll talk about living redeemed lives as we go about our daily lives.

Humanity Falls

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Just after the story of creation, the Bible tells us the story of humanity’s fall. The immediate result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden was alienation from God and relational discord. It released sin and brokenness into the world with all the strife, suffering, and decay we see around us to this day. Together, let’s examine the second major theme of the Bible, the Christian doctrine of the fall. Drawn from both Old and New Testament Scriptures, this theme emphasizes the catastrophic impact of sin on humanity and creation and clearly articulates our universal need for a Savior in Jesus Christ.

God Creates

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Bible begins with an origin story: God’s creation of our world and of us, his image bearers. It’s a story that introduces us to our loving Creator God and the theme of creation that echoes throughout the Bible. Join us as we study the creation theme and discuss what it reveals to us about God’s character, love, and intentions. We’ll marvel at God’s acts of creation, ponder creation as God’s temple, and consider our call to reflect God’s creativity with our own as bearers of his image.

How to Live in Christ

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul makes it very clear that we can’t do anything to earn our salvation. So, do our actions and behavior even matter? Keeping laws and customs won’t benefit our salvation at all, but that doesn’t mean our actions don’t matter. Paul explains the importance of freedom with limits. These limits empower us to serve each other in love. Paul reminds believers that faith in Jesus Christ has the power to transform our lives and that we should live accordingly. Join us as we close our study of Galatians by examining Paul’s description of how to live in Christ. Together we’ll discuss the Fruits of the Spirit and what grateful Christian living looks like as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Understanding the Purpose of God's Law

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In Galatians 3 and 4, Paul continues to impress upon the new believers in Galatia that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by their works nor by their ability to follow the Mosaic law. Paul explores in depth the contrasting paths of legalism and freedom in faith. As we study Paul’s teaching, we discover that God gave us his law to protect and guide us, not to save us. Together, let’s hear Paul’s loving heart as he urges the Galatians, and consequently, us to stay focused on Christ, to embrace our identity as God’s children, and to find our unity as believers in Christ.

The Cross of Jesus is the Only Way

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As Paul continues his letter to the Galatian Christians, he continues to address their confusion about salvation. He tells them that the esteemed leaders in Jerusalem affirmed Paul’s message of salvation and his calling to preach to the Gentiles. He reiterates that Jewish customs like circumcision are not required for salvation. Then he publicly confronts the apostle Peter for his hypocritical behavior which had become a stumbling block for new believers. Studying Galatians 2 underscores the importance of Paul’s emphatic message that the cross of Jesus is the only way to salvation. Join us to explore the struggle the apostles faced as the Christian faith spread, and along the way find the courage to embody the truth of salvation in your relationships and daily life.

Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Christian faith spread as Paul and the other apostles traveled around and shared the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, after Paul left Galatia, other teachers came in and added to his message, spreading false truths about the requirements needed to receive salvation. When Paul gets the news, he urgently writes a letter to the Galatian Christians. In the opening of his letter, Paul adamantly emphasized the importance and power of the unaltered gospel: salvation comes by grace through Jesus Christ alone, no additional works required. To underscore this truth, he then reminded the early Christians that he received his apostolic authority directly from Jesus Christ. Together, let’s study Paul’s salvation teaching to examine what makes Christianity transformative and evaluate our own hearts to ensure we’re guarding and preserving the gospel rather than corrupting the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

Jesus' Death, Burial, and Resurrection

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

We’ve reached the pinnacle moments of salvation history in our Stations of the Cross journey. As we arrive at the thirteenth and fourteenth Stations of the Cross, we witness Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial. Commemorating these events every year on Good Friday poignantly reminds us of how much Jesus Christ endured to accomplish our salvation. Yet, lingering at the tomb a while longer, we see the power of the gospel in Christ’s glorious resurrection and celebrate his Easter victory over death with wonder and gratitude.

Jesus on the Cross

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Even as he hung dying on the cross, Jesus showed compassion and mercy when he offered words of salvation to a crucified thief and established a new, spiritual family. Witness the eleventh and twelfth Stations of the Cross, one of the shortest prayers in the Bible, and learn what these stations show about the mercy and belonging that God has for us today.

The Daughters of Jerusalem and Jesus' Crucifixion

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Arriving at Golgotha, Jesus spoke a harrowing warning to the women he saw weeping for him along the road. At the ninth Station of the Cross, we’ll examine the warning Jesus gave the women he called “Daughters of Jerusalem.” Then comes the tenth Station of the Cross: Jesus’ crucifixion. With awe and trepidation, we’ll witness Jesus, nailed to a cross, bear the full weight of human sin. We’ll reflect on the words he spoke from the cross, discuss what Jesus accomplished there, and what it all means for our lives today.

Carrying Jesus' Cross on the Road to Golgotha

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In our exploration of the Stations of the Cross during this Lenten season, we’ve reached stations seven and eight. Here, we reflect on Jesus’ movement toward Golgotha as he takes up the cross and steps onto the road where the soldiers draw a stranger from the crowd to help Jesus carry the weight of the cross. Together, let’s consider the symbolism of the wooden cross placed on Jesus’ shoulders and the significance of Simon of Cyrene taking up some of the burden of carrying it. We’ll discuss what it means for us to bear the cross with Jesus in our lives, and how it helps us understand what to expect in a life of discipleship.

Jesus: Judged, Beaten, and Crowned with Thorns

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The emotional weight of what Jesus suffers gets heavier as we journey through the Stations of the Cross during Lent. At station five, we read about Jesus before the Roman governor, Pilate. We’ll consider who Pilate was in history and why his presence is important. Then, at station six, we somberly remember the mockery, persecution, and suffering Jesus endured at the hands of the Roman soldiers. Together, we’ll reflect on how these stations highlight Jesus’ innocence and the magnitude of his sacrifice, and what they mean for us as his disciples today.

Jesus: Condemned by Religious Leaders and Denied by Peter

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

After witnessing Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, we move to the next two Stations of the Cross, the third and fourth. First, we see Jesus before the Sanhedrin, a council of religious leaders who condemned him, and then we join Peter outside in the courtyard where he denies Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. As we take time during Lent to reflect on the events Jesus endured, we consider how we might put Jesus on trial in our own hearts and the ways we deny Jesus in our own lives. At the same time, we ask ourselves how these scenes speak into our lives today, and we discover comfort for our own fears and failures.

In the Garden of Gethsemane: Jesus Prays, Judas Betrays, and Jesus is Arrested

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

When Jesus' time had finally come, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It is there, during the season of Lent, that we begin following Jesus on his road to the cross, through the first two stations in the traditional Stations of the Cross. Join us as we discuss the long history of this tradition and the Scriptures that teach us about the events in the Garden of Gethsemane: Jesus’ prayer, betrayal by Judas Iscariot, and arrest. Together, we’ll reflect on Jesus’ humanity, what it cost him to embark on this journey on our behalf, and what it teaches us about our faith as we follow Jesus.

When Forgiveness is Complicated

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

There are situations in life when forgiveness seems especially difficult, maybe even impossible. For example, how do I forgive myself? What if someone died before I could offer them forgiveness? Is it possible to forgive someone who is not sorry? Do I have to forgive someone who keeps hurting me? Let’s see how Scripture helps us address the hard questions that arise when life’s circumstances make forgiveness complicated, and discover what happens in our hearts when we bring our struggles with forgiveness to God.

What it Means to Forgive and Why it Matters

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

We live our lives in a sin-filled world: brokenness and grievances will happen. God calls us to forgive those who sin against us, but we understandably have questions about how exactly that plays out in our everyday lives. Let’s explore Scripture to learn what forgiveness is and what it is not. We’ll discover how our ability to forgive others grows out of God’s forgiveness and find help in dealing with the strong emotions that so often surround forgiveness.

The Biblical Meaning of Forgiveness

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Telling someone they need to forgive somebody else is easy. We use the phrase “forgive and forget” in our human efforts to restore relationships, but is that really what forgiveness means? Ultimately, forgiveness begins with God. Together, we’ll let Scripture teach us what forgiveness is, when it’s needed, and what it reveals about God’s character. Along the way, we’ll consider the nuanced meanings of the Hebrew and Greek words commonly translated as "forgiveness."

Saved by Grace Alone. Let Your Works Respond Accordingly.

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The apostle Paul wrote extensively about salvation and the Christian life. He firmly teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. He also teaches how believers ought to behave. Join us as we study Paul’s teachings in his letter to early Christians. Together, we’ll see how his message clarifies how we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, growing in Christlikeness, as we keep Christ’s work on the cross at the center of salvation through Grace alone.

Did Paul and James Agree on Salvation?

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Protestant Christians around the world believe that we receive salvation by grace alone through faith, as the apostle Paul taught. And yet, we also come across the words of James: “Faith without works is dead.” This seeming contradiction has led believers of every generation to wonder, “Do the things we do impact how God sees us? Do our works contribute to our righteousness?” Together, let’s examine the book of James as a whole to understand his teachings on grace and works in context. We’ll compare what we learn from James to what Paul teaches about the relationship between God’s grace and our works, and then consider what it means for our daily lives.

Grace is the Root, Our Works are the Fruit

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

If we are saved by grace, what is the purpose of our works? If God does it all, do our works matter? We all long for purpose, but in our daily lives as Christ’s disciples, we can find it challenging to understand the relationship between grace and works. Our thoughts and expectations might quickly slide into legalism on one hand or laziness on the other. The apostle Paul clarified the relationship between grace and works in his letters to early Christians. By studying his writing, we can gain a deeper understanding of how God’s grace and our works cooperate to help us grow in Christlikeness.

God's Covenants and Our Salvation

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

We may experience some tension when trying to discern the relationship between God’s grace and our works as it relates to our salvation. This is understandable if we limit our study to the writings of Paul and James in the New Testament. However, by revisiting God’s original covenants with Abraham in Genesis and the new covenant Jesus establishes in Matthew, we gain understanding of how God works, his gift of grace, and what he expects from us as his people.

Reflecting the Light of the World

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Twelve days after Christmas every year, churches around the world mark the day of Epiphany, remembering the appearance of the star to the Magi. The light of the star led the Magi to Jesus; this event signifies the extension of God’s family to include Gentiles, which had a profound effect on the future of God’s people. Thankfully, the Bible tells us what to expect when we encounter the transformational light of Christ and how that light affects our discipleship.

The Light of the World Among Us

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Together, let’s explore the moment the prophet Isaiah’s anticipation of light becomes the reality of the Light of the World among us. We’ll explore the profound meaning of Christ’s light shining in our world by examining Bible passages that describe his birth, life, and the hope he brings, and what this means for how we live as children of light.

Out of Darkness and into the Light

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Light changes everything. A lamp illuminates the room, giving clarity to our surroundings. Dawn brings daylight that transforms the landscape and banishes the uncertainties of night. What happens when the Light of the World arrives? The Bible shows us how Jesus Christ illuminates our lives and the world.

Preparing for the Light of the World

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Jesus Christ is the ultimate light of the world. During Advent, we celebrate his birth and look forward to his second coming. Let’s discuss what it means to prepare our souls for the hope and illumination that Jesus brings, and learn what it means to live in the light of Christ with expectation.

Waiting for the Light of the World

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Advent is a season of waiting. We’re waiting for the Light of the World. The Bible uses the imagery of light from Genesis to Revelation. Exploring the Bible’s theme of light from the beginning, through the prophets, in the gospels, and in the prophecies of Revelation gives us a fuller understanding of what we’re waiting for as we begin to prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus at his birth at Christmas.

Blessed are...the Merciful, the Pure in Heart, the Peacemakers, and those Who are Persecuted

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Discover what Jesus taught us about the heart and mind of an ideal disciple. Join us as we examine the remaining beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5:7-12 with our guest, Danny Daley. Together, we’ll explore what Jesus taught us when he described the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted as blessed. Then we’ll discuss how understanding and cultivating the dispositions Jesus described in the Beatitudes in our lives of discipleship gives the world a glimpse of God’s kingdom here on earth.

Blessed are....the Poor in Spirit, those Who Mourn, the Meek, and those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The Beatitudes have provided generations of Christians comfort, guidance, and strength for their faith. Join Groundwork as we study the first four of Jesus’ Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-6 to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, and to hunger and thirst for righteousness. We’ll also discuss why Jesus promises the kingdom of heaven and blesses those who possess these dispositions, and why he invites us to cultivate them in our own lives of discipleship.

Understanding Jesus' Beatitudes

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Jesus taught about the ways of his kingdom as he traveled from place to place with his disciples. One of his most famous sermons, “The Sermon on the Mount,” begins with a series of statements that start with “Blessed are…” Known collectively as “The Beatitudes,” these teachings of Jesus hold profound meaning for us as disciples today. Join us as we discuss the context and setting of Jesus’ Beatitudes and their connection to the Old Testament with our guest, Dr. Danny Daley. We’ll gain a deeper understanding of the purpose and meaning of this list of blessings and how they serve as a guide to a kingdom lifestyle on our journey of discipleship with Jesus.

Your Questions about God's Care and the Life of Faith

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The life of faith is a journey, and it’s natural to have questions along the way. Does God truly care for us as individuals? What is my role in my walk with God? How do we overcome sinful habits of the flesh and find deeper freedom as we walk along with God? How do we make sense of suffering? Can I trust God’s mysterious grace and timing? God invites us to bring him both our joys and our laments, our confidence and our questions. Dig into Scripture with us and discover answers to these questions about God’s care, discipleship, suffering, and God’s timing.

Your Questions about the Triune God

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

It is natural to feel a little confusion about the Christian belief in the Holy Trinity. The whole concept of one God who is comprised of three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—requires some acceptance of mystery. To answer your questions, let’s examine the scriptural foundation for this belief and gain a deeper understanding of the nature of our Triune God and the relationships between the persons of the Trinity. Then we’ll delve into a particularly challenging Bible passage to see how our belief in the Triune God influences our worship and the sacrament of baptism.

Living Our Faith Legacy

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

We are part of a communal and generational faith. Ever since the days of the apostles, Christians have been sharing the stories of Jesus and God’s work in their lives with the generations of Christians that followed. Whether it’s our children or Christians younger in their faith, God has entrusted us with the responsibility to pass on our faith through our actions and words. Thankfully, he gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Join us as we continue celebrating Groundwork’s 15th anniversary by exploring what it means to live our legacy of faith every day and pass our faith to the next generation.

God's Faithfulness from Generation to Generation

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The earliest stories about God demonstrate his continuing faithfulness to his people, from one generation to the next, and the Bible instructs us to be intentional about sharing and passing on our faith. Explore the Scriptures that teach us the importance of cultivating legacies of faith. Along the way, we’ll celebrate Groundwork’s 15th anniversary as we reflect on God’s continued faithfulness.

Discipleship During Life's Tragedies

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

We encounter many unexpected situations in life that can have a profound impact on our faith, such as the death of loved ones, a bad diagnosis, serious injury, natural disasters, or job loss. How do we respond with faith when we suffer? How can we be sure that trauma, grief, pain, frustration, and anger won’t shatter our faith? Join us as we study the scriptures together and receive assurance that God cares about all our experiences and emotions, good and bad. Find out what the Bible says it takes, and what God provides, to stay the course of discipleship in the midst of life’s tragedies.

When Discipleship Growth Stalls

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes, our actions are out of sync with the faith we profess as disciples of Jesus Christ. We make mistakes and consequently experience setbacks in our discipleship journey. These seasons of stagnation in our spiritual growth are not necessarily evidence of weak faith. Even the Apostle Peter experienced setbacks in his journey of discipleship. Scripture is clear that God is with us even during these seasons, guiding us, helping us understand what he expects of us, and reminding us what his Holy Spirit is doing for us. Join us as we study the scriptures to better understand repentance and the ready abundance of God’s grace and forgiveness for reinvigorating our discipleship growth.

Grow as a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

We should expect to grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ. What does that growth look like? What is this “solid food” the Apostle Paul talks about for mature followers of Jesus? How can we be sure that we are maturing? Thankfully, we don’t need to figure it all out on our own. God gives us his Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and supply us with everything we need for spiritual growth. Find out how to live as a maturing disciple of Jesus and discover the signs of dynamic discipleship already apparent in your own life.

Be a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

So you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, now what? While Jesus Christ has done the heavy lifting of salvation for us, that doesn’t mean we are fully formed disciples of Christ at conversion. In fact, our discipleship journey is a lifelong one. So, what do Christians mean by the term discipleship? When does discipleship begin? What does it look like? The Apostle Paul talks about spiritual milk, what is that? Explore these questions with Groundwork as we look to scripture to help us understand what it means to live as disciples of Christ today and as we explore the importance of community in our discipleship journey.

Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom Now

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

When we pray, “Your kingdom come…on earth as in heaven,” we demonstrate our trust in what we cannot see. We cannot fully see God’s kingdom around us yet, but our prayer is also our calling to reflect God’s reign in our daily lives. His kingdom is already here, and by studying Scripture, we discover what it means to live faithfully in the kingdom now.

Jesus' Kingdom Parables

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Jesus often used parables to teach his followers about the kingdom of God. His stories and analogies sometimes confused his followers, but Jesus patiently but urgently described what God’s kingdom looks like, what its values are, and how the people of his kingdom should behave. Jesus’ kingdom parables still reveal aspects of God’s kingdom and point the way for his people today.

Jesus Brings the Kingdom of God Near

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

When Jesus declared that God’s kingdom was near, his life embodied that truth. In our study of Jesus’ teachings, we’ll discover what it means for the kingdom to show up in real time through healing, justice, and welcome. We’ll talk about how God’s kingdom continues to come near in Jesus today, and how he calls us to participate in his kingdom here and now.