Groundwork: Biblical Foundations for Life

Jesus: Our Wonderful Counselor

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The prophet Isaiah first calls the coming Messiah a “Wonderful Counselor.” Join us as we dig into Scripture to discover what this title communicates about Jesus and how it is connected to the biblical wisdom tradition. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we’ll discuss what it means that Jesus is the wisdom of God and therefore, truly is a wonderful counselor whose guidance, when we seek and follow it with humility, will keep us on the right path.

Love God By Loving One Another

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

As the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Romans, he instructs this early community of believers regarding how they should handle their differences. He knows that differences and disagreements are inevitable because the good news of the gospel calls people of many ages, backgrounds, and experiences. In Romans chapters 14-16, we find Paul’s instructions for Christian living, teachings that continue to help us understand how we can live together today as changed and changing people. Paul shares practical ways we can love our neighbor and reminds us that sometimes showing love means choosing not to do something. Join us and be reminded of the heart of Paul’s message: love for God and love for each other.

Transformed Living

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

As the apostle Paul continues to unpack the new realities of life for the early Roman Christians, he challenges them to live transformed lives—lives worthy of the grace and mercy they received in Jesus. Join us to study Paul’s teaching in Romans 12-13 and discover how we might live in light of the gospel, renew our minds, and be living sacrifices for God. Let’s walk with Paul through the process of discerning what transformed living means for our civic life. And finally, let us reflect on Paul’s declaration that love is at the heart of a transformed life. As Christ followers today we can demonstrate the same love and compassion as Jesus Christ because of the help of the Holy Spirit. So how are we putting on Christ and being conformed to his likeness, and not conformed to the pattern of this world?

In His Mercy, God Chose You

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

When loved ones don’t believe in Jesus despite being raised by Christian parents or growing up in church, it can leave us with deep aches and painful questions about God’s sovereign choices and our free will. The apostle Paul understood this ache and wrestling. Even as he celebrated the inclusion of Gentile believers into God’s family through faith in Jesus, he was distraught by what this same truth meant for Jews who did not come to believe in Jesus. In Romans 9-11, Paul laments his concern for the Jews and demonstrates what it looks like to turn to Scripture to seek wisdom for the concerns of our hearts. Join us as we dig into Paul’s teaching, a teaching that informs what we today call the doctrine of predestination. May we find comfort in the truth that God, in his mercy, has chosen us. Like Paul, may the truth of God’s mercy give us hope and assurance that God is patient and there is still time for those we love to believe and receive salvation in Jesus Christ.

The Spirit in Us

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

If there’s one thing that Paul wants believers to understand, it is that the power of the gospel is life-changing. In his letter to the Romans, he details why we so desperately need the gospel and how the good news of salvation is for all people. In Romans 8, Paul turns to answering the question “Now what?” Join us as we unpack Paul’s writings about our justification—our being made right with God—and what it means for us to be IN CHRIST. Find encouragement and comfort in Paul’s teaching about pain and suffering in this world, and how we have help from the Holy Spirit, to live into the reality of our new life in Christ. And the best, most assuring truth of all? Paul assures us nothing can take our salvation away or separate us from Jesus Christ.

Our New Life in Christ

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

After Paul writes his summary of the gospel and explains the purpose of God’s law, he turns to a very important topic: making sure that the believers in Rome understand just how much God loves them. A truth we can all continue to cling to today. By studying Paul’s writing about the implications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we gain a better understanding of the Christian doctrines of justification and sanctification. We are reminded that we are indeed saved through God’s grace and made right with God through our faith alone—nothing we do saves us. Finally, we reflect on Paul’s pivotal point: salvation is for all people, not just the Jews. Join us in studying Paul’s teaching so that we might remember the good news of salvation and glean wisdom for the struggles we experience while we are becoming more Christ-like.

Why We Need the Gospel

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Why do we need the gospel? How is the gospel relevant to my life? In the opening chapters of Romans, the apostle Paul records concise explanations to these questions, and his teaching remains greatly beneficial for all believers. In this episode, we’ll begin by looking together in the book of Acts to establish the context for Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Then we’ll turn to Romans to study and discuss Paul’s summary of the gospel, his explanation of the purpose of God’s law, and the problem of sin. Lastly, we’ll explore what Paul says about how we are transformed, where we can turn for hope, and what all of this means for our lives today.

God is in Charge, Now and Forever

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Daniel was a prophet who could interpret others’ dreams. Many of us are quite familiar with the stories of Daniel interpreting the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar. But God also spoke to Daniel in his own dreams—dreams in which God revealed important truths about the End Times. Daniel’s apocalyptic dreams are full of complex symbolism and otherworldly images. At times, they can be mystifying. Christians throughout history have tried to precisely identify the meaning of each and every number and image found in Daniel’s dreams. However, when we study Daniel 7-12 and focus solely on finding correlations or solving puzzles, we can miss the important overarching truths. Join us as we study Daniel’s dreams and prayer to find assurance of God’s constancy and power, and to remember that only God’s kingdom will endure forever. Let us rejoice together that we can entrust our lives to God because he alone is sovereign now and always.

Trusting God When Evil Abounds

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

At some point in life, each of us will find ourselves in a situation that is simply unfair. We try our best to live moral lives that honor God, but sometimes it feels like the world wants to punish us for it. When we experience this kind of injustice, it can lead us to ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” And when unfair circumstances threaten our way of life, it can be tempting to compromise our beliefs and values in order to protect ourselves and preserve our way of life. But the Bible is clear that God is with us in those difficult circumstances. The story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den is a reminder that we are not on our own and that God is able to deliver his people. Join us in studying Daniel 6 and discover the courage to trust God and remain steadfast in our faith, even when evil seems to be winning.

A Lesson in Accountability and Consequences

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

“You reap what you sow.” “Cause and effect.” “Actions have consequences.” There is truth in these common phrases, but it can be easy for us to forget such wisdom in the heat of a moment. When we face difficult decisions, we often wish for a clear and obvious divine message from God, but it is important to remember that much of what we need or desire to know, we can already find in the Bible. When we are tempted to seek power and glory for ourselves, it is valuable for us to revisit the story of “the hand writing on the wall” in Daniel, chapter 5. As Daniel interprets the meaning of this divine message for King Belshazzar, we learn a great deal about the relationship between accountability, consequences, and our faith. And we are reminded and assured that God is in control, sovereign over all, and that he deserves all the glory.

Faith in the Fire

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Living faithfully in this world isn’t always easy. At times, we all experience pressure to compromise our faith. Sometimes, it can feel easier to just go along with what is culturally accepted. Other times, we may fear the attention that standing firm in the convictions of our faith can bring. And even other times it can be especially difficult to maintain our resolve in the midst of daunting opposition. At these moments, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace can provide us with great hope, and encourage us to stand firm, trust God, and remain faithful even in the most challenging of circumstances. Join us as we dig into Daniel 3 to be reminded that in all situations, God is with us—helping, strengthening, and protecting us. When we trust God and refuse to compromise our faith, God is glorified.

God is Sovereign Over All

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Our lives are filled with changing situations and circumstances beyond our control. When we experience injustice or lack power over aspects of our own lives, it can be tempting to question if God is present in our situation. We can begin to wonder if God is even able to help us in the face of unjust authority. The Israelites living in exile under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar likely experienced similar challenges to their faith. But in Daniel 2 and 4, God reminds us of his sovereignty through the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar. As Daniel retells the king’s dreams and interprets them, we find hope because those dreams remind us that in all things, no matter the situation, God is sovereign and in control.

When Our Faith Defines Our Character

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

When we lack control over our circumstances or when our culture pressures us to compromise our faith, it can be difficult to stay committed to following God’s commands and living out what we believe. Daniel and his Jewish friends knew what it was like to live in a culture that was not particularly welcoming to their faith practices. As the book of Daniel opens, we meet Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—four young Jewish men preparing to serve the Babylonian king. Join us as we unpack the context in which the book of Daniel takes place. We’ll discuss how and why the Israelites found themselves living in exile in Babylon and study the challenges these four young men faced in Daniel 1. Together, let’s witness what God can do when we let our faith, not our context, define our character.

Stand Firm in the Reality of Christ's Resurrection

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

After the Apostle Paul started the church in Corinth, others came after him that began to teach the Corinthian Christians differently. These false teachers were challenging Paul’s teaching on the resurrection, a crucial and important truth at the heart of the Christian faith. Influenced by the culture around them, they suggested that Christ’s resurrection was not a true, physical, bodily resurrection. As Paul responds to these false teachings, he is adamant that it is necessary to believe in the truth of Christ’s bodily resurrection. Discover what Paul says are the consequences for our faith if Jesus is not raised from the dead and why this truth is crucial to the gospel message. Learn from Paul’s message to the Corinthians why you can continue to stand firm today on the truth and reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Love: the Guiding Principle for Christian Living

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Every church is made up of broken, sinful believers redeemed by the blood of Christ. But far too often our human condition gets the better of us and we argue, disagree, inflict pain on one another, and sometimes even experience a break in a relationship. This reality is not unique to the modern church. The Corinthian church struggled with unity too. They did not care for one another as they should have and the church had an almost clique-like mentality. In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul calls their behavior unacceptable and instructs them to make Christ-like love their guiding principle for their thoughts, motives, and actions. He also gives them further teaching on spiritual gifts so they can better understand the value of each of their members. Studying Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian Christians provides guidance for us still today as we seek to worship and live well together in community.

Understanding Christian Freedom

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Freedom is a value most of us cherish and protect. But what happens when our personal freedom is in direct conflict with someone else’s personal freedom? How do our Christian faith and our freedom in Christ help us navigate these conflicts and make it possible to continue living in unity? And how can we be sure that our efforts to live in unity don’t compromise our integrity or cause us to become lukewarm or wishy-washy Christians? Join us as we study the Apostle Paul’s guidance to the early Christians in 1 Corinthians to discover the wisdom we seek to reconcile these questions. Discover why Paul does not equate personal freedom with Christian freedom and why remembering the second Greatest Commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39)—helps us embrace our Christian freedom more fully.

Sex, Food, and Faith-Informed Choices

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

How does faith in God affect the daily choices you make? Sometimes, it’s easy or clear to see how faith influences a decision. Should I steal? No, that wouldn’t be the choice of a faithful Christian. But other things are less clear. Can I enjoy sex or is it sinful? Can I eat anything I want or do I need to be more discerning? The early Christians in Corinth had many questions about how they should best honor God through their choices and they sought advice from the Apostle Paul. Let’s study Paul’s guidance to the Corinthians so that we can glean his wisdom and gain a better understanding of God’s vision for how we honor and glorify him through our choices and how our faith informs how we act—in our personal lives, in our relationships, and in our communities.

You Belong to Jesus! Act Like it.

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The early Christians in the Corinthian church had many questions about how their faith impacted various aspects of their lives. You might be surprised that many of the topics the Apostle Paul advised them on in his letter are things we’re still wrestling with today: sexuality and sexual immorality, accountability in the life of the church, and lawsuits or disagreements among believers. Discover why in each of these situations Paul admonished believers to remember their identity as those baptized in Christ and to act accordingly.

Only Glorify Jesus

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

As humans, we almost can’t help but make comparisons. But when comparing distracts us from what’s true and what’s important, then it becomes unhelpful and even problematic. The Christians in Corinth struggled with a comparison problem. As Paul addresses their problem in 1 Corinthians, he offers not only the Corinthians, but us too a valuable perspective on power, authority, and leadership in the church, and a vital reminder that Christ is the foundation upon which we should build all things. Together, let’s study Paul’s guidance to the Corinthians to gain a better understanding of what it means to dwell in Christ and live and work as believers today.

Holy People, God's Wisdom, and the Power of the Cross

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The Apostle Paul opens his letter to the Corinthian church by addressing those who are "sanctified and called." But we quickly discover that much like ourselves, the Corinthian church was full of imperfect believers sorting out the impact of their faith on how they lived in the world. In the opening chapters of this letter, Paul reminds believers that God’s wisdom may not make sense by the world’s standards, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Join us in digging into Paul’s reminder that when we are confused or need help discerning God’s way, we should return back to the basics and the heart of the gospel message.

For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory Forever. Amen.

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

For centuries, Christians around the world have concluded the Lord’s Prayer the same way: “For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.” However, these meaningful words are not in the prayer Jesus teaches his disciples in Matthew 6 or Luke 11, so where do we get them? Join us as we conclude our study of the Lord’s Prayer by studying the scriptural sources that give credence to this historically accepted conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer. Together we’ll discuss the importance of these words, what we mean when we say them, and why we end the Lord’s Prayer this way.

Lead Us Not into Temptation, but Deliver Us from the Evil One

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Some Bible translations present slight variations like “save us from the time of trial” or simply translate the second half as “deliver us from evil.” Perhaps you’ve wondered, “Why do we need to ask God not to lead us into temptation? Is that something he does?” Join us as we study Scripture passages that assure us that God is indeed good and does not lead us into temptation. We’ll also discuss the nature of sin, what temptation is, and how it plays out in our lives. Together, we’ll clarify the meaning of evil, we’ll remember that Jesus has already won the spiritual battle with evil, and we’ll see how praying this petition helps us remember our own identity and purpose.

Forgive Us as We Forgive

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Whether your Bible translates that particular word as debts, trespasses, or sins, Jesus addresses our broken relationships and the necessity of giving and receiving forgiveness. As fallen human beings, we know that forgiving someone who has wronged us is not always easy—and sometimes it’s complicated by a lack of repentance, or even serious issues of abuse or mistreatment. Join us as we examine Scripture to glean a biblical definition of forgiveness and better understand the concept of spiritual debt. Together, we’ll discuss what it means that Jesus connected our petition for forgiveness from God with our willingness to forgive each other, and we’ll consider the implications of forgiveness for both our daily and our eternal lives.

Give Us Today Our Daily Bread

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray “Give us today our daily bread.” Join Groundwork as we dig into Scripture to understand this petition better, why it’s meaningful, and what it helps us remember. Together, we’ll discuss how asking God for our daily bread nurtures our faith—both in times of want and in times of plenty, and we’ll explore how this petition speaks to our worry, teaches us to trust, and encourages our gratitude.

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done on Earth as in Heaven

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask God to bring his kingdom to earth, just as it exists in heaven right now. Likewise, he models the importance of asking God to do his will on earth, just as his will is being done in heaven. Join us as we study Scriptures that teach us about both God’s kingdom and God’s will, so that we might better understand what we’re asking of God in this petition. Discover how this line of the Lord’s Prayer shapes us and continues to help us align our agenda with God’s agenda. And together we’ll reflect on how we live as kingdom citizens today, and what this prayer does in and for us as we pray it before God.

Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In the opening line of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us the importance of opening our prayers by acknowledging who we’re talking to. Join us as we study the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer and dig into Scriptures that help us better understand what we mean and what we’re asking when we pray “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.” We’ll discuss what this opening line acknowledges about who God is, what it affirms about our own identity, what it communicates about our relationship with God, and what it means for us.

God Cares and Will Provide, Trust Him

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The Bible repeatedly makes clear that it is God’s nature to provide for his creation. And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly teaches us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34). Join us as we study Scriptures that teach us about God’s providence. We’ll talk about the difference between worry and having proper concern for our circumstances. We’ll discuss God’s character and his involvement in our lives, and what it means for us to trust in God’s provision. Finally, we’ll examine how our belief informs the way we think and pray about our needs and our finances. Together, we’ll consider practical ways we can demonstrate our trust in God’s providential care both in times of need and times of plenty.

Honor God By Using His Resources Wisely

Fri, 26 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Is tithing still relevant for Christians today or is it an outdated practice from the Old Testament? Does God really want us to “give until it hurts”? As Christians, we wrestle with questions like these as we try to discern what it means to live faithfully with our finances. The Bible teaches us that everything we have belongs to God. So, as stewards of God’s resources, let’s study Scripture together to better understand biblical stewardship and what this means for how we handle the money and possessions we have in this life. We’ll also dig into the meaning and purpose of the Christian practice of tithing and look at what it realistically means for us today. Together, we’ll cultivate a spirit of generosity in our lives while also considering what good balance looks like so that we might use God’s resources wisely to honor his heart.

Money and the Attitude of Your Heart

Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

It can sometimes feel tricky to know what God wants us to do with money. On the one hand, Jesus told the rich young ruler to give all of his money away (Mark 10:17-27). On the other hand, he got upset with the religious leaders when the poor widow gave her last coins to the temple (Mark 12:41-44). How exactly is Jesus expecting his followers to handle their money? Should we really give it away if we struggle to provide for our families? Join us as we examine these stories and additional Scripture references that teach us God’s concern for our hearts in matters of money. Whether we have a little or a lot, together we’ll discover how to maintain a balanced attitude toward our money and possessions— having appropriate concern for it in this life without letting it become a master of our lives, the source of our identity, or a snare for our salvation.

Everything We Have is from God

Fri, 12 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In a consumer-driven culture, there is often a disparity between those who “have” and those who “have not.” Whether we’re aware of it or not, our fallen, human nature can easily cause our pride, our feelings, and even our identity to get entangled in this worldly view of wealth. However, when we turn to Scripture, we discover that God offers us a lot of guidance about our finances. Studying what the Bible says about money in both the Old and New Testaments reveals a clear theme: we might own things in this life, but in actuality, we are stewards of God’s resources and everything we have is from him. When we begin to view our resources—whether meager or plentiful or somewhere in between—from God’s perspective, we begin to relate to our money, finances, and possession in a way that honors God and his design for life.

Follow: Jesus on the Shore

Fri, 05 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

When we read the story of Jesus meeting the disciples on the shore in John 21, we learn that even after seeing him twice, Jesus’ own disciples still don’t recognize him. We too have moments like that today, when we don’t recognize God or what he’s up to in his world. The disciples’ story helps us recognize that Jesus is there in the ordinary and that he’s willing to fellowship with us right where we’re at. As we observe his interaction with Peter specifically, we realize that Jesus’ command is consistent from the beginning of his ministry—follow me. So just as Peter’s faith in his risen Lord and Savior grew, so too can we cultivate our faith when our focus stays on the resurrected Jesus, our hope, and his simple command for us to follow him.

Believe: Jesus and the Disciples

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The faith of the first Christians was grounded in their unshakable belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But even the disciples experienced fear and doubt as they began to hear stories of people who claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus. As we study the first interactions between Jesus and his disciples, and particularly the disciple we’ve come to know as “Doubting Thomas,” we find assurance that Jesus is ready and willing to meet us wherever we are in our faith journey. These biblical accounts provide encouragement for times when believing in Jesus isn’t easy and they remind us that believing is a lifestyle, not a one-time event. Join us as we study John’s account of Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearances to his disciples, and together we’ll witness how believing cultivates faith and provides us hope to nurture our faith today.

Understand: Jesus on the Road

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

On the evening of the very first Easter, two of Jesus’ followers listened as their companion on the road to Emmaus explained various Old Testament scriptures to them. Unknowingly, they were walking this road with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As they listened that evening, their understanding of Scripture grew and so did their faith. In time, they realized that it was Jesus himself teaching them along the way. Much like those first believers, our faith is a journey too and Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit as our guide. Discover how the Holy Spirit helps us cultivate our faith yet today as we develop a greater understanding of God and his ways through Scripture.

Experience: Jesus and the Women

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Experiencing Jesus is one way we can cultivate our faith. In the gospels, we read about Jesus’ encounters with his female followers, and later his disciples, on that very first Easter day. Their experience of him deepened and grew their faith, and it can do the same for us. As we study their experience of Jesus that day, together we come to see and know again that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. We are reminded that Jesus meets us in the ordinary and that we can experience the presence of our resurrected Lord and Savior in our tears, in our doubts, and in the humbleness of our everyday lives.

The Anticipation of Holy Saturday and the Thrill of Easter Sunday

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter. For the majority of Western churches, there are no special services or particular events we celebrate on this day. What would we celebrate…Jesus Christ is utterly, completely dead in the tomb. But as Christians, we already know Jesus is risen and we eagerly anticipate celebrating his victory over death through his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Join us as we ponder and reflect on Jesus’ death and what the Bible tells us happened on Holy Saturday. Then together we’ll read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection and the first encounters with the risen Lord on Easter Sunday. Together, we’ll join Christians around the world in the Easter celebration as we again remember the unexpected, mind-blowing thrill of our salvation and victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

After three days of teaching, Jesus gathers privately with his disciples to observe the Jewish Passover meal. During his time with them, he institutes what we now observe as the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. As they sit together, Jesus gives them a new command to “love one another.” Soon after, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus is arrested, tried, and finally crucified. All throughout these events, Jesus demonstrates humility and displays the kind of servant Messiah he is. Join us as we study Jesus’ sacrifice and the example he sets for us on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Together we’ll discuss the origins and meaning of these holy days in Scripture, re-examine our expectations, and reflect on Jesus Christ’s example and its influence on our mindset and behavior today.

Experiencing Palm Sunday with Jesus

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Each year on the Sunday before Easter, Christians around the world observe Palm, or Passion, Sunday. Many churches celebrate this holiday by singing festive songs and waving palm branches to commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Each of the four gospels includes an account of Jesus’ triumphal entry, a day when the crowds hailed him as a king. Studying each of the gospels’ perspectives further informs our faith and more deeply prepares our hearts for Easter. Join us as we discuss the meaning of Palm Sunday and learn from Jesus’ actions and countenance as he experiences the events of that first Palm Sunday.

Encouragement as We Wait for Christ's Return

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Waiting for Jesus Christ’s second coming can feel discouraging as we continue to witness the pain and brokenness of this world. It’s not unusual to cry, like the Psalmist, “How long, Lord?” Exiled to Patmos, John knew what it felt like to long for God’s promised coming while enduring injustice and watching evil, grief, and pain continue to weigh heavily on a weary world. But as Revelation closes, John shares an encouraging vision of a restored heaven—a beautiful, life-filled city whose light comes from God himself. Join us as we study John’s vision and discuss the immense hope it offers as we remember that God is still in control and Christ has already won the final victory. Discover with us encouragement for persevering in our faith and remaining faithful in the work to which God has called us while we, like John, wait for the fullness of God’s kingdom to come.

A Look at the New Heaven and Earth

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In difficult seasons of life, we often find hope and encouragement by thinking about what we have to look forward to: upcoming celebrations, kids or grandkids, vacations, promotions, or anything else that motivates us. Yet, all of these things provide only short-term motivation or encouragement—they don’t address the bigger feelings of pain, sorrow, or injustice we encounter in our lives. As Christians, we know that the promise of a new heaven and new earth provides the eternal hope and encouragement we need for faithfully living our lives right now. Join us as we study John’s vision of the new heaven and earth in Revelation 21. We’ll discuss the meaning of his visions, the promises of restoration we have to look forward to, the comfort and encouragement these images continue to provide us, and what this vision of the future means for us and how we live today.

Heavenly Visions to Encourage Our Faith

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Seeing a situation or experience from another perspective typically expands our understanding. It provides us with a perspective we cannot achieve when we only consider the situation from our own perspective. When John was exiled on Patmos, he found comfort in God's cosmic perspective. In Revelation chapters 7-14, John shares his heavenly visions of life as a spiritual battle between God and evil—a battle God has already won. Christians today can continue to find comfort in the eternal truths found in John’s cosmic visions. They reveal the diversity and abundance of heavenly worship, they affirm our forgiveness of sin, and they assure us that no matter what spiritual challenges we face in this life, God has already won the eternal victory. Join us as we discuss the meaning of the images and symbols in John’s heavenly visions and find confidence and encouragement for our faith today.

Worshiping Christ, the Lamb Who is Worthy

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

When the world tries to squash our faith and it seems like evil is winning, Christians can find encouragement through their participation in and reflection on worship. Studying John’s visions of heavenly worship in Revelation can still be a source of great encouragement and comfort for believers today. These visions paint a picture of the worship happening right now in heaven, remind us of who sits on the throne, and confirm that there is an end to the spiritual battles we face. Join Groundwork as we discuss the truths these visions convey and why they offer valuable assurance for our faith.

Learning from the Seven Churches of Revelation

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Every believer must discern what it means to live out their Christian faith in the midst of the larger culture, and every church must figure out how to live this kind of faith together. The first Christians discovered just how tempting it was to compromise their new faith in order to fit in. The book of Revelation records Jesus’ assessment of how seven of those early churches did. Dr. Jeff Weima joins our Groundwork conversation to unpack the seven letters or sermons to the seven churches in Revelation. We’ll discuss common misperceptions, patterns and themes, and the heart of the messages conveyed to those seven early congregations. Then, we’ll consider together what these messages still have to say to the Church today.