Groundwork: Biblical Foundations for Life

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Is tithing still relevant for Christians today or is it an outdated practice from the Old Testament?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.

Seeing Jesus Christ in Heaven

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

How do you react when you hear the word “apocalypse”? Do you automatically think of the “End Times”? Does it frighten you? Or do you get excited to talk about it? Revelation is an apocalyptic book of the Bible. Knowing what exactly that means provides us the right foundation on which to understand the meaning of Revelation’s content. As we study the opening chapter, John states clearly who he is, who God is, who has given him the visions, and to whom he’s writing. He reminds followers of Jesus Christ that we are kingdom citizens. His powerful opening vision of Jesus Christ enthroned in heaven provides assurance and comfort to believers, because it means what we believe is true right now.

Stay Faithful to God, Serve the Lord

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

Joshua was a successful and God-fearing leader. He led the Israelites in following and obeying God, and under his leadership, they experienced God’s provision and the fulfillment of his promises. We long to hear the advice of successful leaders like Joshua and learn from the secrets of their success. The book of Joshua concludes with Joshua’s farewell speech to the Israelites. In it, he recalls that all his strength, all his victories, and all his successful leadership is God’s doing and he urges Israel to remember it too. Join us as we study Joshua’s farewell speech and discuss how we can continue to remember our promise-keeping God and all he has done for us through the work of Jesus Christ.

God is in Control

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The Bible is clear that God is always providing for and preparing the way for us. However, it can be easy in times of trouble to question that truth, and in times of prosperity, to think too highly of our own strength or skill. These temptations can be a slippery slope for our faith, however, the stories in Joshua that retell the final victories in Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land can help remind us of God’s providence and care. Just like the Israelites needed to trust God to provide the victories that would finally give them the Promised Land, we too need to learn to trust that God is in full control of our lives and will thoroughly provide for all our needs. Join us as we explore Joshua 10-11 and together we’ll witness God’s faithfulness and be reminded that it is not our own strength or skill, but God’s provision and leadership that will bring eternal rest for all his people.

God's Unconventional Ways

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

As God led the Israelites into the Promised Land, all they needed to do was obey him. As we study the fall of Jericho in Joshua, we learn that obedience is not always easy or even logical to us. But trusting God’s unconventional ways will always honor him, and when we obey, he provides for us better than we could ever provide for ourselves. After the fall of Jericho, the story about Achan demonstrates the risk we take when we depend on ourselves instead of God, and the impact our choices can have on our community. Join us as we discuss the unconventional ways God works in our lives and what they mean for our faith.

Look at What God Has Done

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Change and transitions are unavoidable parts of life. We all experience seasons of transition as we grow and simply get older. Sometimes we choose to make changes in our lives and other times changes feel thrust upon us. Regardless of whether changes are welcome or unwelcome, they are often emotionally and spiritually challenging. During these seasons, studying the transition of the Israelites from slaves to wanderers to soldiers in Joshua can help us find assurance of God’s presence with us in our times of change. Through the story of the Israelites, we see that God always provides a way and remains with his people. We learn the importance of sharing our testimonies and passing on the memories and stories of God’s faithfulness to the next generation of believers. By saying “look at what God has done,” we provide ourselves and others with the assurance of God’s presence and the confidence to continue walking forward in faith.

God is Still Working

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Sometimes the circumstances of our life can feel overwhelming and impossible to navigate. Is there something from your past that causes you to feel trapped or unlovable? Or does a current trial seem insurmountable and make you feel like you don’t belong? During life’s difficult seasons, it can feel like God has given up on you. But at times like these, the story of Rahab and the Israelite spies can encourage and challenge our faith. This story reminds us that God is not limited by our past, by our current circumstances, or by our perspectives. Even when we least expect it or can’t see it, God is still at work advancing his plan and fulfilling his promises for your life.

God Keeps His Promises and Offers Us Rest

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

No matter how many times we make mistakes or fail, God stays true to his Word and keeps his promises. As the book of Joshua opens, we witness God acting to keep his promises to Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites. As we study God’s work in Joshua, we’ll consider what promises he’s working to keep in our own time and lives. We’ll examine how God works through his people and the importance of community. Joshua prefigures the work of Jesus Christ, the keeper of God’s promise of salvation from sin and evil and to provide rest. We know we can follow God’s command to “Be strong and courageous” because we trust God to keep his promises.

Jesus, Shepherds, and Angels: A Savior is Born

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Nativity scenes are iconic throughout the Christmas season. The story of baby Jesus is wonderfully familiar. But slowing down to read and study it again brings comfort and renewed hope. Join us as we reflect on the good news of Jesus Christ’s birth and the magnificent message the angels delivered to the shepherds. Together, we’ll discuss the important message Luke communicates in his account of Jesus’ birth and what we learn about how God works in our lives from the intentional and specific ways he shares the good news that the Savior has been born.

Joseph: The Virgin Birth and Prophecies Fulfilled

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

It isn’t until Joseph receives angelic confirmation that he believes in the miracle of Jesus’ divine conception. Studying Joseph’s experience reveals the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and gives us the confidence to trust God’s continued presence and faithfulness in our lives. Joseph’s story also provides us clarity about God’s understanding of righteousness and the importance of our obedience. Through Joseph, we receive the opportunity to align our understanding of what it means to be righteous with God’s understanding, we witness a model of what it looks like to live out our faith in our own personal experiences, and we continue to prepare our hearts to both celebrate Jesus’ birth and await his second coming.

Mary: The Angel Gabriel Foretells Jesus' Birth

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Advent is a time to reflect on and ponder the miracle of Jesus’ virgin birth. And this story begins with the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and announcing Jesus’ coming birth, an event the Church calls the Annunciation. Studying Mary’s role and response to Gabriel offers us valuable reminders for our faith and helps us better understand our place in God’s story. As we continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas let’s learn from Mary’s strong example of faith—what it means to wholly trust God and be obedient to his will even if we don’t fully understand it or have all the details.

Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist: Preparing the Way for Jesus

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Every year many of us spend the weeks leading up to Christmas preparing. We put up festive decorations, plan menus, buy presents, and orchestrate schedules. Many occasions in life, from big to small, require preparation for what’s to come. And just like we set aside time to prepare for life’s events, God set aside time and sent people ahead to prepare the world for salvation. Join Groundwork as we continue our way through the Christmas story by studying the story of Zechariah’s encounter with the angel Gabriel and witnessing how Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their son John the Baptist prepare the way for Jesus’ birth. Let us allow their message to prepare our hearts again this Advent for Jesus’ second coming.

The Magi: A Reminder that Jesus Came for All Nations

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Studying the Magi may seem like an odd place to start reflecting on the Christmas story. It’s true, the Magi weren’t even present at the birth of Jesus—even though they are commonly included in most nativity displays and church Christmas pageants. But the inclusion of the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew is no mistake. In fact, it’s strategic and intentional. Looking at the story of the Magi reveals a valuable theme in the Gospel of Matthew: that Jesus Christ came to be Savior for all. Contemplating what the presence of the Magi means and examining our hearts in the light of this truth is fitting for Advent and prepares our hearts well to once again celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Dry Bones and God's Promises of Restoration

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt so hopeless that the idea of experiencing or attaining anything remotely good seemed impossible and out of reach? It’s during similar moments of hopelessness in the book of Ezekiel that God interrupts his messages of judgment with powerful images of restoration. In Ezekiel, God famously depicts Israel’s sinful condition as a valley of dry bones. But in this vision, the bones amazingly do not stay dead. Slowly, death is reversed and beyond all reason and logic, the dry, dead bones are restored to life. The bones were not lost forever and through this vision, God was promising restoration for Israel. Join us in studying the hope-filled imagery of this and other restorative visions in Ezekiel and be reminded of just how great God’s love is for his people, how seriously he takes his promises, and how deeply we can trust that one day God will restore us fully too.

Understanding God's Judgment

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Judgment and consequences can feel unfair. They can even feel mean, especially when we don’t understand why they’re occurring. The prophet Ezekiel received many messages of judgment for Israel—so many that, at times, when reading the book of Ezekiel it can feel like God’s judgment is relentless. But by studying these judgments, we can learn about the character of God and better understand where God’s judgment comes from, what it means, why it’s necessary, and why it’s also a source of grace.

God's Presence with His People

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

God delights in dwelling among his people, but in a vision, God shows Ezekiel one of the most painful consequences of Israel’s unholy ways: God’s glory must depart from Israel’s midst. Studying this vision gives us the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between our behavior and God’s reputation. It also reminds us that God does not leave us without hope. Even as God grieved and gave Ezekiel a painful message about consequences, he promised his glory would one day return and dwell among his people again. A promise we now know God kept in Jesus Christ and continues to keep through the presence of the Holy Spirit today.

Dramatic Messages from God

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

One defining characteristic of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry is the visual nature of the messages he received from God. In the book of Ezekiel, God repeatedly gives his prophet both a verbal message and instructions on how to also convey that message visually. God goes to these lengths because he wants his people to see the consequences of sin and rebellion and to help the people understand why exile was necessary. Through Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry, we witness God’s heartbreak and grief. We discover he is not an angry God, but rather a God who deeply loves his people and goes through great effort to get their attention.

Called to be God's Prophet

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

It can be hard, even shocking to follow God’s call on our lives. Join Groundwork as we study the story of Ezekiel’s call to ministry as a prophet of God. We’ll see Ezekiel wrestle with his calling and listen as God warns of the difficulty Ezekiel will face speaking truth to an audience of people that don’t want to hear his message. Together, we can learn from Ezekiel’s experience and discuss what it means to be called, to be a prophet, and to speak truth in a hostile context. All while we’ll also examine our own hearts by asking: Are we receptive to God’s truth or rebellious like Israel?

God is Faithful, Consistent, and Keeps His Promises

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

It can be really hard to trust in God’s provision especially when we seem to repeatedly “lose” and when we so desperately need something to go our way. Sometimes, life’s difficult circumstances are the result of our failure, but sometimes we’ve done nothing wrong and life’s circumstances are simply beyond our control. No matter the reason for our suffering, the Bible urges us to remember God’s character. In story after story, Scripture reminds us that God is faithful, even when we are not; it reminds us that his character is consistent and unchanging; and that he is a covenant God. Discover why covenant is important and how we can be confident that God will keep his promises.

God's Perfect Peace

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Do you long for peace? There’s no doubt that this world lacks the peace that so many of us crave. In our personal lives, we deal with all kinds of uncertainty: maybe you’re awaiting the results of medical tests, or in the midst of a chaotic divorce, or experiencing the instability of a job change or move. Maybe your personal life is good at the moment, but you still long for peace in a world torn apart by polarization and injustice. At times like this, how do we find the strength to declare “it is well with our souls,” even though our circumstances may not be well at the moment? Join Groundwork as we study God’s promises in Scripture to better understand the truth of God’s perfect peace and to discover how we can experience this peace for ourselves, even when the circumstances of our lives aren't very peaceful.

God Always Cares and Never Leaves

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Whether life’s changes are good or bad, not knowing outcomes and not yet having answers can lead us to question God. We might feel lonely, uncertain, and anxious and even wonder if God cares or hears our cries. Yet, turning to Scripture in the storms of life can provide the comfort and reassurance we long for. Join Groundwork as we study passages in both the Old and New Testaments that remind us and give us examples of just how much God cares about us and the details of our lives. Discover again how his constant, reliable presence and character can encourage us in our discipleship and give us strength to cope with life’s changing circumstances.

Jesus Teaches about Entering God's Kingdom, False Prophets, and Strong Foundations

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Matthew’s record of the Sermon on the Mount concludes with three crucial warnings. Jesus cautions his followers to enter through the narrow gate, to watch out for false prophets, and to be like a wise man who builds his house on a rock. Through each of these teachings, Jesus offers his followers valuable wisdom for staying focused and rooted in God’s grace. He reminds us that there is only one way into God’s kingdom, he gives us the resources we need to protect our gift of faith, and he again offers us his boundless grace. Join us in studying these teachings and together we’ll come to better understand how to recognize the distractions and lies of our world and gain strength to weather the storms of life.

Jesus Teaches about Money, Worry, and Judging People

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount, we notice a thread emerge in his teaching: stay focused on God’s kingdom first. The next three teachings in his Sermon on the Mount remain as practical and relevant to our daily lives today as they were for the disciples. Money, worry, and judgment have long been areas of vulnerability in our human nature. Jesus warns us to keep our priorities straight, lest money, worry, or our judgment of others lead us away from God. Join us as we study Jesus’ caution and instruction so that we might keep ourselves ever aligned with God’s kingdom priorities.

The Lord's Prayer: Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Prayer is an important spiritual discipline. God desires to cultivate and develop an intimate relationship with us and prayer is vital to this process. Prayer is simple and yet many of us find it challenging to pray. Both new and lifelong Christians alike may question whether they're doing it right, they may feel like they’re not good at it, or they may experience seasons in which it feels like God is not listening. Thankfully, in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his disciples, and us, how to pray. Turns out, a good prayer has more to do with the right motivations and a right heart than it does with the right words. Join us as we learn to pray like Jesus by studying his teaching about prayer and the prayer we now call The Lord’s Prayer so that we can better nurture this spiritual habit and cultivate a healthy relationship and strong communication with our God.

“You Have Heard it Said”: Jesus Teaches Us How to Understand God's Law

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

God loves us and wants us to live full, abundant, and blessed lives. With his law, he told us just how to live to make that possible. As Jesus continues in his Sermon on the Mount, he teaches the disciples how to correctly understand the laws from God’s perspective. He makes it clear that the condition of the human heart, what’s on the inside, is just as important as our outward obedience. To illustrate his point, he provides a more detailed explanation of the familiar laws about murder, worship, adultery, divorce, and oaths. Together, let’s study Jesus’ explanation of God’s law to gain a deeper understanding of both the letter and the heart of God’s law, so we might live as God intended in gratitude for the righteousness we’ve received by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ himself.

Salt and Light: A Kingdom Perspective on Jesus' Followers in the World

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-16), Jesus speaks about our identity and character. He declares that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Using these two images, he tells us who we are as his people in the world. He’s telling us our value and our potential as he sees it and again God is giving us a chance to see ourselves from his kingdom perspective. Let’s explore these images so we can better understand what they mean for how we behave and how we should interact with God’s world as his disciples. We’ll discuss the temptations we might face and grapple with what Jesus means when he warns us about losing our saltiness or hiding our light. Together, we’ll grow in our kingdom perspective and understanding of how God values us and how we represent his kingdom in our world today, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Beatitudes: A Kingdom Perspective on People who are Blessed

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Jesus’ well-known Sermon on the Mount begins with what we today call the Beatitudes, a series of sayings in which Jesus describes who among us is blessed. There’s no question that his list of “blessed people” differs significantly from our cultural perspective, much as it did in Jesus’ day. As Jesus corrects our understanding of who is blessed, he challenges us to consider not only groups of people but also the characteristics we value. As we study Jesus’ words, we discover that he’s teaching us how we should be…or become…if we want to reflect the kingdom of God in our own lives.

Discipleship During Life's Tragedies

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000

There are so many unexpected situations in life that are beyond our control and that have a profound impact on our faith: the death of loved ones, natural disasters, lost jobs...How do we respond with faith when we suffer? What happens to our discipleship while we experience grief, pain, frustration, and anger? How can we be sure that tragedy and trauma don’t shatter our faith? Join us as we study scriptures together and receive assurance that God cares about all your 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.