Where do we find truth? (Jn. 14:6) 

The history of truth: Absolute, Relative, Personal, Tribal. 

Being rooted in Biblical Truth aligns our lives with God’s design! (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Being rooted in Biblical Truth prospers our lives! (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Biblical Truth connects us to God’s love! (Ephesians 3:17)

Next Steps:

• Register and attend the OT Live event on Oct. 10th!
• Bible App reading plan titled “Seek Truth” (4 days) or Bible Recap.
• How do you decide what’s true? 

There’s nothing worse than being planted in poor soil, rooted in lies, withering alongside people who compete with you and tear you down, while thriving in things that don’t matter. 

We know something is missing without a connection to God. (Eccl. 3:11) 

Planted in Christ! (Ps. 1:3) 

Where are you planted?

Soil is where you get your life from. (John 15:5) 

Is it time to transplant? (Psalm 92:13) 

Next Steps:

• Plant yourself in Jesus Christ!
• Transplant if needed! 

I expect the Lord will shepherd me through this year. (Ps. 23:1) 

I expect the Lord will provide what I need. (Ps. 23:1) 

I expect the Lord will renew my strength. (Ps. 23:2-3) 

I expect the Lord will guide me so my life will bring him honor! (Ps. 23:3) 

I expect I will walk through dark valleys, and I expect the Lord will be close beside me. (Ps. 23:4) 

I expect the Lord will pursue me with his goodness and unfailing love. (Ps. 23:6) 

Next Step: 

• Read Psalm 23 each morning this week to anchor yourself in biblical expectations. 
• Pick up an “I Expect” card at the Connection Point desk.

Missional DNA! (Jesus – Matthew 9:35-38)

Cornerstone exists to help people find their spiritual home in Jesus Christ!

“The American Church in Crisis” – On any given weekend in the US 17.5% of people attend a church worship service.

The GOSPEL: 

• God created us to be with Him. 
• Our sins separate us from God. 
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. 
• Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. 
• Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. 
• Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever!

Next Steps:

• Figure out the purpose/mission for yourself and your family. 
• Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to empower Cornerstone to help people find their spiritual home in Jesus Christ. 

Approval: to please, we are looking to accommodate oneself to the opinions, desires, or interests of others. Proverbs 29:25

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

We are fearing people:

if we are obsessed with seeking approval and what other people think about us.

if we are overly sensitive to criticism.

if we have a hard time saying no to people.

John 13:4-9Luke 22:54-62

When we become obsessed with what other people think about us, we are forgetting what God thinks about us.

Pleasing people is a form of idolatry.

Acts 4:16-20

1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 4:14 & 16

Galatians 5:16-17

Galatians 5:24-25

Galatians 1:10

2 Timothy 2:15

1 Thessalonians 2:4

Romans 2:29

Philippians 3:8-9

Everyone desires a life more defined by ease than struggle.

Chasing a counterfeit comfort eliminates our need for faith. (Hebrews 11:6) 

You cannot pursue comfort and walk by faith.

Embrace God’s authentic comfort! (Psalm 23:1,4; 2 Cor. 1:3-5)

Embrace God’s Discomfort! (Paul – Rom. 5:3-5)

Embrace that this isn’t your best life. (Paul – Rom. 8:18-19; 1 Cor. 2:9)

Comfort does not come from the absence of discomfort. Comfort comes from faith 

in a faithful God.

Next Steps: 

• Make praying your “comfort food”. 
• Come forward for prayer for God’s comfort in this coming school year. 

How do we combat the need for perfection? Follow along as Pastor Steve Anderson interviews the founders of Land of Hope Ministry. They share stories of brokenness and hope!

“Rich” is a moving target.

Then he said to them, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15)

The good news is you’re rich! (Eccl. 5:10) 

The bad news is you’re rich! (Lk. 18:24-25) 

Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. (Charles Wesley, 1707 – 1788)

The more God enables us to earn, the more we invest in God’s work in this world.

Next Step: 

• Replace greed with thanksgiving!

Watch me!

Fame (1 Chron. 14:16-17; Acts 16:14; John 3:30) 

A question of motive.

Who are you representing? (2 Cor. 5:20) 

Whose approval matters most? (Prov. 29:25; 1 Thess. 2:4,6; Eph. 1:4-5)

We are not called to be famous. We are called to be faithful!

A story.

Next Steps: 

• Read Eph. 1:4-5 every morning.
• Say before you eat each meal – I am Christ’s ambassador.

"God defines a leader as someone who should be humble, dependent, alert, tenacious, prepared and confident."1. The Posture of a Leader: Humble & Dependent (v. 5–7)Godly leaders do not wear a crown of pride; they clothe themselves in humility.We cannot carry the weight of leadership until we learn to cast our anxieties on Him.Key Truth: Independence leads to burnout, but dependence on God brings peace.2. The Protection of a Leader: Alert & Tenacious (v. 8–9)The enemy is not a myth; he is a prowling lion looking for a distracted leader.Spiritual alertness requires us to be sober-minded and watchful at all times.Key Truth: We resist the enemy by standing firm and remaining tenacious in our faith.3. The Promise of a Leader: Prepared & Confident (v. 10–11)Our confidence does not come from our talent, but from the God of all grace.Hard times are guaranteed, but God promises to personally restore and establish us.Key Truth: We can lead boldly because our eternal victory is already secure.Next Steps:1. The Humility Shift2. The Alertness Audit3. The Tenacity Target