Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

Our dream is big. It’s for every college student to know freedom because of the gospel. Sometimes, it takes investing outside of ourselves in order to be fully equipped for what God is doing right here in front of us.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, Acts 1:8

Supporting scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Isaiah 49:6, Deuteronomy 28:10, 1 Peter 2:9-12

In John 15, we’re told to dwell in Christ, to abide in Him. As rich as this language is, it’s a foreign practice to many followers of Jesus. How do we dwell richly in Christ, as He does in us? (John 15:1-11, Jer 17:7-8, Ps 46:10)

WE ARE THE CHURCH, WE ARE THE STEEPLE {dwell series} In the teachings of Jesus, loving God and loving people are both woven into one fabric. The power of the Church is unlocked and released when its members become Christ’s love. (Matt 22:15-46, Deut 6:4-5, Lev 19:18, Rev 3:19, I John 4:19, Acts 2:42-47)

When Paul arrives in Athens, he is in the heart of a very different culture. And while his message of Jesus remains the same, how he tells the story of Jesus changes drastically. How do we act or react when the culture doesn’t align with what we believe? (Acts 17:16-34, Luke 19:10, John 17:15-18, Matt 26:53, John 6:15, Matt 5:14-16, John 1:15, John 14:16-17, Rev 21:3)

We live in a noisy age, where all of the voices claiming truth yell at the same volume. What do Paul and the Bereans have to teach us about finding truth amidst the noise? (Acts 17:1-15, Jn 14:6, Jn 18:37-38, Eph 4:14, Col 2:8, 2 Tim 3:16-17, Rom 1:19-20, Jn 16:5-15, Col 3:16, Jer 10:24)

God didn’t create use to live in isolation. How do some of our most important relationships throughout our lives (family, friendship, dating/marriage) affect the way that we understand God and the gospel.

1 Cor 13

Rom 12:10

Gal 6:2

Prov 27:17

John 13:34-35

Paul & Silas in prison – Part 2.

Gentleness is not weak – how we react in tough situations indicates the condition of our hearts.

Acts 16:25-39 NLT

Paul and Silas find themselves in a prison in Philippi. After being publicly stripped, beaten, and imprisoned, their response is midnight prayer and worship. Joy, apparently, is not bound by our circumstance. (Acts 16:19-34, Ps 142:4-7, Is 53:3, Heb 10:25, Song of Sol 2:11-13)

Spoken Word performed by Daniel from Youthope

Conflict is inevitable. A new teaching infects the church of Antioch and we begin to see the church bogged down in disagreement. Conflict handled poorly leads to division, but conflict handled well leads to deeper intimacy and community. Grace, apparently, is worth fighting for. (Acts 15:1-35, Gen 17:9-11, Matt 5:17, Gal 2:11-13, Jn 14:6, Matt 18:15-20, Prov 27:6, Gal 5:1-11, Jn 3:16-17)