The message for DSM Sunday will focus on God’s ultimate purpose for us who are followers in Christ – to be living stones, part of the spiritual house God is building as a testimony to Christ. As students are in the midst of discovering their personal identity and direction in life, they will reflect on what this passage says about our ultimate purpose. Based on 1 Peter 2:1-10

Against the Grain, Week 4: Discussion Guide

Too often, we see our sufferings as a sign that God is not on our side. Nothing could be further from the truth. God’s Word is clear that when we follow Jesus there will be times when we suffer, just as Christ suffered. While we do not wish for suffering, Peter teaches us to interpret our suffering as an opportunity to deepen our truth in Christ. In this message, we look at the suffering Jesus endured as a model for how we can weather the storms of this life. Based on 1 Peter 2:19-25

Against the Grain, Week 3: Discussion Guide

When life presents us with challenges, it is important to remember that the world as we know it is not our permanent home. As followers of Jesus, we are awaiting the day of his return when he will establish the fullness of his Kingdom. We are citizens of heaven and not of this earth. Peter reminds us of these truths, call us to shine as though redeemed by Christ in a world that can sometimes pull us in the opposite direction than Christ would have us go. Based on 1 Peter 1:17-23

Against the Grain, Week 2: Discussion Guide

Following Jesus is not a ticket to an easy life. Every Christian will face trials and struggles. 1 Peter is written to Christians experiencing hardships that are testing their faith. In the opening of the letter, Peter reminds them of the hope that is theirs in Jesus Christ. It is this hope that can energize them to move forward and press on amid trials and uncertainties. In this message, we are invited to lift our eyes beyond our present struggles to look out on the horizon and see the hope that is ours in Christ. Based on 1 Peter 1:3-9

Against the Grain, Week 1: Discussion Guide

This year’s Easter Sunday services will focus on the resurrection account in Matthew’s gospel. From the earthquake, to the fear of the disciples, to the angel’s assuring words, we will focus on the good news that Jesus is alive. Based on Matthew 28:1-10

Easter 2026: Discussion Guide

Our Good Friday service will be contemporary worship, with music from our praise band. The message will be a first-person monologue from the perspective of Simon of Cyrene, who was recruited by Jesus to carry the cross. The message will invite the congregation into a deep reflection on the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross. Based on Mark 15:21-37

Our Maundy Thursday service will be a traditional service of worship, featuring music from our choir, the Holy Week version of the Great Thanksgiving with sung responses, and will conclude with the traditional stripping of the altar and departing in silence. The message will focus on the words of institution from 1 Corinthians, which are said at every communion service. We will talk about the last supper and how it shapes our understanding of Holy Communion today. Based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

We typically think of Palm Sunday as happy parade in which Jesus is celebrated as king. Yet, as the gospel tells it, it was much more than a little parade. It was a statement about all that Jesus came to do and the kind of king he would be. In this message, we take a fresh look at the events of Palm Sunday. Based on Matthew 21:1-11

Palm Sunday: Discussion Guide

LASIK surgery is an amazing procedure that enables people who once needed glasses to see again with 20/20 vision. In John 9, Jesus healed a man born blind in order to demonstrate his ability to perform spiritual LASIK surgery in our hearts. In this message, we learn from the healing of the blind man how Jesus can remove the scales from our eyes and help us to clearly see God’s goodness and truth in our lives. Based on select verses from John 9:1-42

The world loves to define people with labels. Rich, poor, popular, nerdy, black, white, Republican, Democrat. These are just a few of the labels we use. The Samaritan woman was certainly familiar with labels. Her ethnicity combined with her cadre of broken marriages labeled her as someone with whom Jesus should not associate. But Jesus always saw past the labels of this world. In encountering the woman, he saw straight to her heart and offered her the living water that comes through an authentic relationship with God. Based on John 4:5-26

But Now I See, Week 3: Discussion Guide