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Showing posts from April, 2025

Week 17: God’s Workmanship

Theme Verse: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s begin by remembering who we are and whose we are. Opening Prayer: Creator God, thank You for forming us with purpose and love. Remind us today that we are Your workmanship—intentionally made and uniquely equipped for the work You've planned for us. Stir our hearts to walk in that purpose with joy. In Jesus' name, amen. Worship Celebrate God's design and purpose with these songs and Scripture: “Canvas and Clay” – Pat Barrett Psalm 139:13–14 – "For You created my inmost being... I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Worship the One who designed you with care and called you with intention. Scripture Reading Start with the theme verse , Ephesians 2:10. To better understand your identity in Christ, read Ephesians 2:1–10 , which speaks of God's grace, salv...

How Do I Know If I’m Growing Spiritually?

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Rethinking spiritual growth through grace, relationship, and purpose We talk a lot about spiritual growth in Christian circles—but rarely do we slow down and ask what it actually looks like. For some, growth is tied to how many Bible studies they attend or how consistent their prayer journal is. For others, it’s about emotional highs during worship or a long to-do list of “good Christian” habits. And while none of those things are wrong, they don’t always reflect what’s happening deep within the soul. There have been seasons in my own life where I felt like I was growing because I was busy doing “spiritual” things—yet I was overwhelmed, burned out, or simply going through the motions. Other times, I wasn’t doing anything impressive at all… but I noticed I was worrying less, trusting more, and letting go of burdens I didn’t need to carry. And that’s when it hit me: Spiritual growth isn’t about doing more for God. It’s about becoming more like Christ. Sometimes that looks like jou...

Week 16: Resurrection Hope

Theme Verse: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” — Matthew 28:6 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s enter this time with hearts full of joy and gratitude for the resurrection of Jesus! Opening Prayer: Risen Savior, thank You for defeating death and rising in victory! Today, we celebrate the hope that is alive because You are alive. Fill our hearts with resurrection joy and remind us that nothing is impossible with You. In Your powerful name, amen. Worship Celebrate the resurrection with these powerful songs and Scripture: “Glorious Day” – Passion / Kristian Stanfill “Because He Lives (Amen)” – Matt Maher Psalm 118:24 – "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Let the truth of Easter breathe fresh life into your worship. Scripture Reading Begin with the theme verse , Matthew 28:6. Read the full resurrection account in Matthew 28:1–10 to experience the joy and wonder of that first Easter morning. Discussion ...

How to Test Your Beliefs Without Falling Apart

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So you’ve started to question something you’ve always believed—now what? For many of us, the thought of finding out we were wrong about a long-held belief feels terrifying. But the truth is, testing your beliefs can strengthen your faith , not destroy it. We don’t test our beliefs because we want to doubt everything. We test them because we want to build on the truth . Start with Humility and Prayer Before diving into Scripture or seeking out answers, begin by asking God to guide your search: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” —James 1:5 Ask the Holy Spirit to help you: Discern between truth and tradition Be open to correction Stay grounded in love, not fear or pride Use the Bible as Your Primary Standard We often inherit beliefs from culture, tradition, or well-meaning teachers. But everything should be measured against the full counsel of Scripture . “All Scripture is breathed o...

Week 15: God’s Promises

Theme Verse: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s come into this time with hearts ready to rest in the faithfulness of God. Opening Prayer: Faithful Father, thank You for Your promises, which never fail. Remind us today of Your perfect timing and Your trustworthy Word. Strengthen our faith where we are waiting, and help us cling to what You have spoken. In Jesus’ name, amen. Worship Reflect on God's faithfulness with these worship songs and Scripture: “Yes and Amen” – Housefires “Promises” – Maverick City Music Psalm 145:13 – "The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does." Let worship build your confidence in God's unchanging Word. Scripture Reading Begin with the theme verse , 2 Peter 3:9. To better understand the context, read 2 Peter 3:3–13 , where Peter speaks of God's patience, His promises, and the coming ful...

What Happens When the Truth Doesn’t Match Your Tradition?

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Sometimes, the hardest part of seeking truth is discovering that something you’ve always believed or practiced doesn’t actually line up with Scripture. That moment can feel disorienting, disappointing, or even scary. You might think: How could I have missed this? What will people think if I change my mind? Does this mean everything else I believe is wrong too? But take a deep breath—this is not the end of your faith. It may be the beginning of something much deeper. First: Don’t Panic When you realize something isn’t biblical, you don’t have to figure everything out at once. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6 God is faithful to lead. The truth may surprise you, but He already knew when and how you’d come to this realization. Resist the Urge to Fix Everyone Else Once your eyes are opened, it’s tempting to want to shake everyone around you and...

Week 14: Eternal Life

Theme Verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s begin with gratitude for the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love. Thank You for sending Jesus to make a way for us to have eternal life with You. Help us to understand this gift more deeply today and live in light of eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen. Worship Let these songs and Scripture lift your heart in thankfulness for the gift of eternal life: “Living Hope” – Phil Wickham “Forever” – Kari Jobe Psalm 16:11 – "You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Worship with the joy and hope that comes from knowing Jesus conquered death. Scripture Reading Start with the theme verse , John 3:16. ...

Is It Wrong to Question What I’ve Been Taught?

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For many believers, asking questions about what they’ve been taught feels dangerous. Maybe you were told that doubting church traditions is rebellious, or that questioning leadership is a sign of spiritual immaturity. But Scripture doesn’t tell us to follow blindly. In fact, God invites us to seek truth . Asking Questions Isn’t a Sign of Weak Faith—It’s Often the Beginning of Deeper Faith Throughout the Bible, we see people wrestling with God, asking questions, and being met with grace: The Bereans were praised for testing what Paul preached by searching the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Job poured out his confusion and pain to God. Mary , when told she would bear the Messiah, didn’t sin when she asked, “How can this be?” God is not threatened by sincere questions. In fact, asking good questions is a sign that you want to build your faith on solid ground— not tradition, not assumptions, but truth. Why We Struggle to Ask Many of us were raised in environments where t...