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…
Who Needs Christmas?: The Story Behind the Story
The story of Christmas doesn’t begin the way you probably think it does. It doesn’t begin with angels announcing the birth of a savior. It doesn’t begin with a young couple on an out-of-town trip trying to find a place to stay as the woman goes into labor. It begins all the way back in…
Nothing Wasted: God Doesn’t Waste Your Life
This is a great week to read chapters 1–3 in the book! Introduction (5 MINUTES) Leader, please read aloud to group: Predestined = {a course of events determined in advance by divine will} — Merriam Webster Dictionary As humans, we tend to want to settle most matters of life in terms of “either-or.” But with…
A Deeper Kind of Comeback Story
What we’re celebrating here is the God of all the comeback stories. ~ Louie Giglio Orientation Have you ever watched parents try to get their children to apologize to each other when it is clear neither of those children want to? It is truly painful to watch. The parents know they are doing the right…
One Thousand Gifts: Attitude of Gratitude
Bible Study of the Week: Ann Voskamp’s a farm girl. That book she scratched out, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where YouAre, is about what you really want. Joy is possible. Right where you are. Really. This video Bible study based on her best-selling book ponders the question of finding joy in…
When to Walk Away: Follow Jesus’ Example
Jesus walked away from toxic people and let them walk away from Him. We can learn to follow His example. INTRODUCTION For the first fifteen years of their marriage they served the church in two dramatically different ways. Both David and Ginny had gifts for ministry, loved people, and felt honored to serve the same…
The Books of the New Testament
Anyone who picks up the New Testament will find, if they give it a chance, that it is one of the most explosive books ever written. ~ N. T. Wright INTRODUCTION There is a massive difference between being familiar with something and understanding it. Having an acquaintance and building a deep friendship are radically different…
You Are the Girl for the Job: Let’s Quit
GROUP STUDY WELCOME NOTE FROM JESS (2 MINUTES) Leader, read Note from Jess aloud to the group. Friends! I am so excited to be with you, to grow with you, over the next six weeks. There’s no getting around it. I believe God is going to change each of us, change our lives, and change…
Truth Plus Joy
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible…
What Is Surrender Anyway?
I don’t know what you are facing today, but I know what it’s like to face circumstances that are out of your control. Life can be swirling around us, it can be overwhelming and hard. We long for peace over a situation, but we try to hold on tightly for control because we feel we…