WELCOME A little girl in kindergarten was drawing a picture when her teacher walked up to her desk to take a look. She asked the child, “What are you drawing?” The bright-eyed girl quickly responded, “God.” The teacher smiled and then said, “Well, honey, no one actually knows what God looks like.” The child looked…
Becoming a King: Becoming Powerful
The great problem of the earth and the great aim of the masculine journey boil down to this: when can you trust a man with power? ~ John Eldredge A thirty-year-old man is like a densely populated city; nothing new can be built… without something else being torn down. ~ Mike Mason Stand at the…
An Overview of the Bible
If you want to learn architecture, you must first learn how buildings are put together. If you want to learn sailing, you must first learn how ships are put together. And if you want to understand the Bible, you must first learn how the Bible is put together. — Max Anders WELCOME Welcome to 30…
Get Out of Your Head: Spiraling Out
The first time I taught the study you’re about to dive into, I gathered a room full of women in my local church to talk about what’s going on in our heads. We met for six weeks, and lives were changed. The first night those women streamed into the chapel where we were meeting, they…
The Fight in the Dark
Overview :: When we get to Heaven, we will be fully made in the image of Christ, perfect and without blemish or shame . But until then, we live imperfect lives in an imperfect world . But no matter how hard the fight or dark the night, we can still flourish in the struggle because…
Do I Belong?
Before You Go to Study Before your Group Gathering this week, take a few minutes to prepare your heart and mind using the prompts below. PREP Belonging is a big deal to us humans. To really be a part of something. To feel truly wanted and accepted. To be connected to others in meaningful…
The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi: Bethlehem
Where It All Began So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While…
Prayer: The Garden of Gethsemane
“Not My Will, but Yours” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” — Luke 22:41-42 Gethsemane means “oil press.” The Garden of Gethsemane is mentioned in Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went…
An Abrupt Turn
“St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” a powerful prayer attributed to Saint Patrick of Ireland, begins in this way: I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.1 “I arise today through a mighty strength.” Oh, wouldn’t that be nice…
Prepare for the Journey
Like a hiker in the wild, we sometimes find ourselves stranded in the snow, caught in the storms, and endangered by the trials of life. It’s dangerous to be ill equipped for the journey. When we haven’t packed the right gear, we’re underprepared, over-exposed, and at risk of the elements. That is never God’s…