Editor’s Note: Are you ready to say YES to joy? We are thrilled to announce that one of our very favorite singers — Mandisa! — will be hosting one of our most popular Online Bible Studies — Defiant Joy by Candace Payne (Hey, “Chewbacca Mom”!) — on Study Gateway! Come join the thousands of people who already…
You Are Stamped with God’s Image
Key Story: God creates humankind (GENESIS 1:26–30) God’s Promise: Let Us make human beings in Our image, make them reflecting Our nature. — Genesis 1:26 MSG My Promise: I will embrace my role as God’s image bearer. Personal Study Did you know God made you to be more like Him than anything else in all…
Training Vs. Trying
The Truth About Spiritual Disciplines Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer Imagine a group of people coming to your home and interrupting your Twinkie-eating, TV-watching routine with an urgent message: “Good news! We’re from the United States Olympic Committee. We have been looking for someone to run the marathon in…
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…
Dance Stand Run: Let’s Go Back
It’s okay if we’ve had some misconceptions about grace, holiness, and mission. But it’s time for us to go back to the beginning of our faith and sort them out. ✦ Suggested Reading in Dance, Stand, Run: Intro, Chapter 1 (To be read by facilitator) Intro Ladies, friends, sisters: are you ready? This week,…
Church of Small Things: Being Faithful in the Small Things
Live in Me. Make your home in Me just as I do in you… I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with Me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. — John 15:4-5 MSG Getting Settled The following paragraphs will orient you…
More Powerful Than Fear
Have you ever needed to do something but lacked the confidence or courage to do it? Go back to college? Give a presentation? Look for a new job? Move to a different city? I’ve so been there! Not just when it came to skydiving as I shared in the introduction, but also when it has…
Is Your Faith Stuck?
Watch the Trailer for Stuck by Jennie Allen This lesson in the study describes two ways to live. One way is to know God, to be His, to be filled with His Spirit and to enjoy life and peace. The other way is to be enslaved to our flesh, constantly pleasing it, and ultimately…
In the Middle of the Mess: Brokenness Is the Beginning
Grace and Radical Acceptance You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. — John 8:32 ESV Session Overview It’s there to greet you first thing in the morning, through an unkind word from your spouse or child. It’s there again as you merge onto the highway, via the other guy’s blaring…
Who Is Jesus?: Good or God?
Is Jesus really who He says He is? Is He really the most important person in history? Someone who deserves our respect and admiration — or is He more than that? Is He someone who deserves our worship? Who is Jesus? ~ Louie Giglio WELCOME There was a time when identity theft was something to…