Primary Scripture: Romans 12:1-2What we hope this message accomplishes: We are called to surrender to God and resist Satan and his schemes. Paul reminds us that we can choose to present our bodies as a living sacrifice rather than conforming to the patterns of this world. In this message we are encouraged to "take inventory" of God's faithfulness to help us choose surrender!

Primary Scripture: Acts 4:23-31What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: Bluffton Community has always valued praying BOLD prayers. This message hopes to shed light on what praying BOLD prayers looks like. From the passage in Acts we see that bold means plain, honest, blunt prayers. God does not require deep, impressive, theologically rich prayers he simply wants us to talk to him praying bold prayers trusting His will to give us what we need even when it's not always what we want.

Primary Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: God reminds Joshua in chapter 1 verse 8 that remaining obedient to God's word leads to enjoyment. The goal of this message is to help people see that spending time in the word of God leads to a deeper relationship with their creator and is one of the best things they can engage in every single day. This message also aims to help people practically develop the practice of spending time in God's word every day!

Primary Scripture: Luke 3:23-38

What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would understand that God’s timing and our timing are often very different. God was willing to wait hundreds and thousands of years to accomplish His plan through Christ. He is still patient today. This understanding would lead people to allow the Holy Spirit to grow His patience in them as they trust God daily in their lives.

Primary Scripture: Luke 2:1-20What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would have a fresh perspective on what happened at Christmas: God gave us his word! Jesus is the Word of God and by coming He proved that God always keeps his word. When the shepherds encountered the angels and heard the angel chorus they didn't celebrate the angels, they went to experience the word of God that had been spoken to them. This Christmas we are reminded to celebrate God's word, to treasure God's word, and to share God's word with all people!

Primary Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would see the specific promises God made regarding His Messiah and how He fulfilled them in Christ. This message should highlight God’s faithfulness to keep His word, but also that He is able to keep His word. Understanding this would lead people to trust God in other areas of their lives where God has made promises. What other promises has God made that people (not-yet believers and believers) should know and count on this Christmas season?

Primary Scripture: Matthew 1:21

What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would know that the primary reason Jesus came to earth in the flesh was to save us from our sins. There’s quite a bit to unpack with this truth. From there, we hope seekers would cross over into genuine faith. We also hope that believers would rejoice in God’s salvation and enjoy what Jesus has provided for them.

Primary Scripture: Matthew 1:22-23What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People to know that God is near—not far off and distant— and to sense that in their own lives and feel His nearness. People far from God would want to draw near through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers would be equipped with biblical practices to maintain a close relationship with God daily. What causes people to sense the closeness of God?

Primary Scripture: John 20:31Thank you for joining us for a panel discussion about sharing our faith with others and inviting them to follow Jesus as we enter into the Christmas season!

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58Summary: Jesus went to Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue. Some people were amazed. Others took offense at Him. Jesus did not do many miracles because they lacked faith.Key Themes: Responses to Jesus, Honor, FaithDesired Outcomes: People would see that what they believe about Jesus is central to saving faith. People would want to know who Jesus is from the Bible as opposed to other sources. Not-yet believers and believes would enjoy faith in Christ.