More important than gifts, pictures, phone calls, or mementos at Christmas, is simply being together. Personal presence is what matters most. In the same way, the Bible is about the personal presence of God in our lives not just about ethics, ideas, or theology. It is the core theme of the Bible from the very beginning, and you can trace it all the way through the Old Testament to its climax at Christmas. That is why one writer has said that “‘With’ is the most important word in all of Scripture and all of theology.” This Advent we trace the story of Immanuel, God with us.
What does it mean to be citizens of God's kingdom AND of a nation on earth, at the same time? Few issues are more fraught, challenging or divisive today than political ones; we have an obligation to exercise wisdom in our civic responsibility. For “election season” we will briefly explore what it means to live at the intersection of two worlds.
Many followers of Jesus through the centuries have observed that the Christian life IS basically a life of prayer. What does that mean, exactly? We are going to “look over the shoulder” of significant people in the Bible as they pray. When, why, how and with what results did they pray? It will whet your appetite to engage God further in your own prayer life!
The explosive beginning of Christianity is one of the most significant developments in history, as well as one of the most unexpected. New movements are usually short-lived. How did a small Jewish sect capture the imagination of the Gentile world in such a short time, especially in the face of hostility, prejudice and political pressure from without, and internal strife and burgeoning needs from within? The way the early church grew and spread is instructive as we face similar challenges today. Take a look at the beginnings of the worldwide “Jesus Movement” in the book of Acts.
Good leaders remind people about what is most important. They sound a warning when needed and don’t get distracted by tangents. At the end of his life, a member of Jesus’ inner circle – Peter - passes along words of wisdom for God’s people facing challenges that resonate even today. These final words of hope and challenge are from one of Jesus’ most memorable and significant apprentices.
If you’ve ever gone into a theater during the middle of an unfamiliar movie, you know how hard it is to understand the movie without knowing how it begins. The same is true of our lives. Whether we realize it or not, everyone is living out of some kind of “story,” some fundamental understanding of the universe: how it came to be, where it is going, who we are, what has gone wrong, etc. Needless to say, we are living in a culture with many competing stories. In the midst of this age - as in every age - the Bible declares itself to be the True Story, and the beginning of that story is the foundation for understanding everything else.
Whether in fiction or real life, one’s dying words to family and friends rightly receive special attention. What might someone want those closest to them to remember and to live? We have such an account in the life of Jesus - an extended farewell address where he effectively says goodbye to his closest followers. In this Lenten season we will look at the upper room discourse, Chapters13-17 of the Gospel of John.
Bigger, better, faster, further- the pace and scale of our lives is relentless and exhausting. Our time saving devices and technologies add complexity to our lives rather than simplify them. Where can we find room and space for God in such cluttered, hurried lives? Together we will learn to stop, with an intentional, weekly day of rest and worship called the Sabbath.
Athletics transcend time and culture, and most people can recall pivotal games they’ve watched or competed in. Sports tap into our deepest longings, our craving for a goal, our need for our actions to matter. Parallels abound with life in Christ- following Jesus involves effort, purpose and direction. Join us as we explore what it means to be part of The Pursuit.
Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation to celebrate with joy. But what kind of joy are we talking about in a world filled with darkness, confusion, suffering and despair? How does the birth of a baby 2,100 years ago impact the lives we are living today? How can we practice joy, especially if we are currently in a state of suffering, uncertainty or loss? We are going to explore how Christ’s coming brings freedom to captives, hope to the hopeless, and joy to us all.
Of all the things Jesus taught on, our relationship with material wealth topped the list! The problem for Jesus was not material well-being per se, but the hold it tends to have on us. Money is a crucial and necessary reality and the source of much good, but it is also tends to be a source of fear and bondage. What makes financial health so hard? Where can we get help? Our next series explores biblical wisdom that can help us break free and find financial freedom.
