Acts 1:12–26
Spring is here! Well, sort of. Maybe you've already gotten out to turn the soil in anticipation of your garden this summer. What's your soil like? What soil did the roots of the early church grow in? Turns out it was an essential soil for all our growth.
Acts 1:1 – 11
For most of us the ascension of Jesus doesn't get 'top billing' like his birth, death or resurrection. And yet, Luke tells us that Jesus's ascension stirred in the disciples "great joy." When we understand what it means, we'll find reason for joy, too!
Acts 1:1–5
Where can we turn to figure out life in the "new normal"? How about the book of Acts? As the first followers of Jesus sought to live out the reality of the resurrection, they sure had to figure out a vastly new normal. Nothing would ever be the same again! We begin this series with observations and implications to guide us through the weeks ahead.
John 20:1 – 18
That first Resurrection Sunday truly is the first day of the rest of our lives. In the details and the delight of John's account of that day, we learn that through the resurrected Jesus we are now offered a new reality and a new relationship. The glorious gift of Easter cannot be understated!
John 12:12 – 26
As Jesus enters Jerusalem, crowds swarm around him. The Pharisees seem to throw up their hands and say, " Look, the world has gone after him," and what happens next proves their point. No doubt they realize that the only way to stop Jesus is to kill him. What Jesus says next proves them wrong.
Esther
In the story of Esther, we will see that God is present in hard times. In fact, hard times are part of His plan. God proves Himself trustworthy and gives ordinary people a chance to participate in His plan for the world. We can all be missionaries.
Daniel 9 – 12
The book of Daniel wraps up with an amazing vision of things to come. This vision reminds us that the Big God is in control and offers us four lenses for how to view our current troubling times.
Kids Activity Sheet
Daniel 9
Through reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel realizes that the end to the exile is drawing near. He cries out to the LORD in an impassioned prayer and receives His unparalleled promise. As you consider the message of Daniel 9, how are you preparing yourself for His promised work in your life?
Daniel 8
In Daniel 8, we see a vision with more wild imagery, this time about events that would take place about 300 years after Daniel's time. What does a fulfilled prophecy from ancient times have to do with us today? A whole lot, actually, especially for our troubling times.
Kids Activity Sheet
Daniel 7
The second half of the book of Daniel begins with some wild imagery. Scary beasts rising from the sea. A belligerent, warring little horn. One like a son of man. The Ancient of Days. What does this all mean? What does it say to us today?
Daniel 6
This Sunday we return to our series in Daniel, "The Big God in Troubling Times." In chapter 6, Daniel identifies his ultimate allegiance not with the power structure of Babylon but rather with the one true God. And he's willing to pay the price. A counter-cultural identity grounds itself in the only One who can truly deliver.
Romans 6:1–14
This Sunday we celebrated the baptisms of Ron Skaife and Luke Foley. Baptism is commonly called, "A public declaration of a personal decision." There are also two additional declarations made in the waters of baptism and this threefold declaration is something to celebrate!
Daniel 5
"We dare not presume upon the grace which God has shown to others. To know that God is gracious and yet not to turn from our sin in the light of that grace is to fall under His righteous judgment. Such was the experience of Belshazzar.” (Sinclair Ferguson)
Daniel 4
Nebuchadnezzar had it all: Power, Authority, Wealth, Kingdom. Until he didn't and he became like an animal. Pride will do that to all of us. Thankfully, the Big God is a merciful God.
We all feel a desire to 'fit in.' But what happens when 'fitting in' means being someone we're not? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are motivated by more than just fitting in and it makes all the difference.
Daniel 2
In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar keeps having a very disturbing nightmare. Daniel offers a dream analysis no one could have deduced on their own: there is a kingdom coming that disrupts everything. Which side of history will you be on?
Daniel 1
A good God gives good gifts. Even in hard times? Yes, even in hard times. The book of Daniel begins in some hard times. And we see what God gave. He is a good God.
Matthew 2:1-18 and Luke 2:8-14
The Wise Men = Three Kings = Magi
Who are they, and why are they important to us?
1 Timothy 6:20-21
Oftentimes the year end can be a time of "taking stock." When you look back on 2019, what do you see? What did you accomplish? What caught you unawares? When you look ahead to 2020, what will you prioritize? The apostle Paul encourages Timothy to "guard the deposit entrusted" to him. This is a good word as we "take stock" of the year that has passed and the year to come.
John 1:14-18
John knows what our greatest human need is. It's not food or security or belonging. It's not prestige or reaching our potential. Our greatest human need is seeing glory. The Word became flesh....and we have seen His glory.
