The nearness of God in Jesus is the ultimate expression of love. In this final message of our Christmas Playlist series, we reflect on how the birth of Christ reveals God’s desire to be with us, know us, and transform our lives. Christmas is an invitation to experience the depth of God’s love and to live in the joy of His presence.

Questions for Reflection:

• Does your soul feel its "worth"? Why or why not? Why does God being with us speak to that?

• Why do you enjoy spending time around people you love? What does that say to us about Jesus having come to be with us?

Joy is more than just a fleeting emotion—it’s a lasting gift from God. This week in our Christmas Playlist series, we reflect on the carol Joy to the World and explore how Jesus brings a joy that transforms our hearts and sustains us, no matter what life brings. Discover how the message of Christmas invites us into a joy that endures beyond the season.

Questions for Reflection:

• How does the birth of Jesus bring lasting joy to the world and to your life personally?

• When you reflect on Jesus as the Savior, how does this truth stir joy in your heart? If it doesn’t, what might be holding you back?

This week in our Christmas Playlist series, we explore the carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and the biblical promise of peace. Far more than the absence of conflict, true peace brings wholeness and restoration to our lives through Jesus. Discover how His arrival fulfills God’s promises and offers us peace that transforms even the most chaotic seasons.

Questions for Reflection:

• In your life's journey, who/what/where do you tend to turn to fill the void/emptiness than can dwell inside?

• In the quote used at the end of message, do you see evidences of places you're lacking peace: with others? within? with God? What would it take to surrender those to the King of Peace today?

Discover the powerful hope of Christmas in this message from our Christmas Playlist series. Drawing from the carol Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, we explore how centuries-old prophecies were fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Through His life and message, we find a hope that meets our deepest longings and transforms our lives today.

Questions for Reflection:

• What are some of your hearts deepest longings and desires?

• How does Jesus being hope change how you navigate waiting seasons?

In this message, we explore God’s covenant with David and how it points to His eternal plan fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Despite David’s imperfections, God’s promise of an everlasting Kingdom reminds us of His faithfulness and grace. Discover what it means to trust in the unshakable hope of Christ and live as part of His eternal story.

Questions for Reflection:

• What areas of your life feel uncertain or unfulfilled, and how might seeing yourself as part of God’s eternal Kingdom change your perspective?

• What does it mean for you to live as part of God’s eternal Kingdom, trusting that His purposes are greater than your successes or failures?

Sin often begins with small compromises, leading to far-reaching consequences. In this message, we explore how David’s seemingly minor decisions set the stage for one of the most tragic moments in his story. Yet, even in the weight of sin, God’s grace offers redemption and the opportunity to turn back to Him. Discover how trusting God’s story can lead us from destruction to restoration.

Questions for Reflection:

• Have you experienced the disappointment of sin overpromising and underdelivering, leading you further away from God than you ever imagined?

• Is there an area in your life where you might be compromising, putting yourself at risk of sin’s destructive influence?

In this message, Pastor Travis explores the destructive power of comparison through the story of Saul and David. While Saul’s jealousy of David reveals the trap of comparison, David’s life models true contentment found in trusting God’s unique plan. Discover how letting go of comparison and embracing God’s story brings lasting peace and freedom.

Questions for Reflection:

• Where in your life have you struggled with comparison, and how might embracing God’s unique plan for you bring greater peace and contentment?

• How can you remind yourself daily to focus on God’s story unfolding in your life rather than measuring yourself against others?

In "Put Down the Armor and Rely on God," we explore the early life of David, a young shepherd anointed by Samuel to be king of Israel. Before ascending to the throne, however, David endured a 15-year wait, demonstrating that God's promises often come with a period of preparation. The message draws parallels between David’s experiences and our own, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness to His purposes.

The narrative shifts to the iconic story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 17. Here, we meet Goliath, a fearsome giant representing the Philistines, who taunts the Israelite army. King Saul and his troops, paralyzed by fear, hesitate to confront him. David, still a shepherd, hears Goliath’s challenges and steps forward, motivated by faith and past experiences where God delivered him from danger.

David’s confidence stems not from arrogance but from his recognition of God’s power. He recalls how God had previously rescued him from a lion and a bear, framing his upcoming battle against Goliath in the same light. This narrative serves as a profound reminder that God often prepares us in smaller battles for the greater ones ahead.

Ultimately, David’s story illustrates that, despite our fears, God calls us to act in faith. The account encourages us to trust in God’s guidance and provision, reminding us that true victory comes from reliance on Him rather than our own strength. As the message concludes, it reflects on personal transitions and new beginnings, linking David's readiness to step into his calling with the speaker’s own journey toward a new ministry opportunity.

Reflecting on Sunday’s Message:

What stood out to you, challenged you, or did you have a question about?

If you could ask the speaker one question about the message, what would it be?

What did you think or feel when you heard this week’s Big Idea.

Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11 together as a group.

Saul doubts David's ability to fight Goliath but reluctantly allows him to go, only to witness David's unexpected victory, sparking both admiration and a complex, evolving relationship marked by Saul's growing envy and unease toward David.

Have you ever felt like you were being taunted by the Enemy (Evil One)? If so, how did you respond? Read 1 Samuel 17:20-30 together as a group.

Can you think of a time when you might have missed what God was up to because of fear?

Has there been a time when you choose faith over fear and saw God do something incredible for you or through you?

Read 1 Samuel 17:30-51 together as a group.

In verses 45-47, David looks back at what God had already done (defeating David’s “enemies”) as a way of living in trust that God would do the same again (give David the victory). How can you do the same in your own life?

In our culture, waiting feels unnatural—but in God’s Kingdom, waiting is a vital part of our faith journey. Have you ever waited on God? Or wished that you had? Rushing ahead can lead us into careers, relationships, and life paths that we later regret. In this message, we’ll explore David’s story, but our main focus is on what God is showing us about Himself. When David was chosen as Israel’s future king, he received the anointing of God’s presence and power—and then returned to the shepherd’s field to wait. The Bible is full of moments where God’s people learn and grow through waiting. Our challenge is to trust His story for us, even in seasons of delay, because God’s timing is always worth it.

Questions for Reflection:

• How did you feel in your waiting season? Why?

• What are the ways you're tempted to "help God along" by taking matters into your own hands?

In this message, we kick off our new series by zooming out to see the bigger picture of God’s story in the Bible. Today, we focus on how the people of Israel asked for a king, rejecting God’s leadership in favor of human control. But even in their brokenness, God remained faithful to His purposes and His people.

Through this story, we’re reminded that life isn’t about our plans or being the main character. Instead, true freedom comes when we let go and trust God’s unfolding plan. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by life or struggling to find your place, this message offers hope in embracing the freedom that comes from trusting God’s story over our own.

Questions for Reflection:

• Where in your life have you been trying to take control, and how might you begin to trust God’s plan instead?

• How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life, even in situations where things didn’t go as you planned?