Faithelement Conversations

God’s Children Now

For the session to be discussed on April 18, 2021

1 John 3:1-7

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

This passage from 1 John reminds us that we are God’s children now. Not in the future or if we do or believe the right things… but now. How does this word of blessing and affirmation shape us? How might we share this good news with others who also need to hear it?

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Embodied Faith

For the session to be discussed on April 11, 2021

1 John 1:1-2:2

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

What does it mean to live in ways that embody love? Rather than see love as an abstract idea, how can we live in ways that make love real and present? This passage from 1 John reminds us that we need to have integrity between what we speak and what we do.

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

A Scandalous Claim

For the session to be discussed on April 4, 2021

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Bert Montgomery

This episode marks our 300th episode! We celebrate these many conversations while also celebrating Easter Sunday. This passage reminds us that while Paul carried treasured beliefs, he never forgot he “saw through a glass darkly” and that in the end, it is the change in us that Christ brings that is what is most important.

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Carry the Cross

For the session to be discussed on March 28, 2021

Mark 15:1-47

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Bert Montgomery

In this episode we struggle with a lengthy passage detailing Jesus’ painful journey to the cross. While the date for this session is Palm Sunday, the text is a Good Friday sort of passage — reminding us of the darkness Jesus endured as he was killed through an unjust, oppressive system. Where are innocent persons oppressed and killed in our day? How do we sometimes choose Barabbas over Jesus?

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Good News?

For the session to be discussed on March 21, 2021

John 12:20-33

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Daniel Glaze

In this episode we struggle with Jesus’ difficult notion of “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it.” Is this an impossible bar or the very key to finding abundant life and meaning? How do we orient ourselves to think first of others, even when it is hard or expensive?

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Light Living

For the session to be discussed on March 14, 2021

John 3:14-21

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Daniel Glaze

What is the difference between belief and trust, and how does that distinction affect how we live out our faith? Is it enough to believe? Or are we called to go deeper and trust? We grapple with a text that includes the famous John 3:16 passage in this episode.

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Turning the Tables

For the session to be discussed on March 7, 2021

John 2:13-22

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

David Adams

In this episode we consider Jesus’ angry response to the commerce and corruption happening in the temple. As he flips the tables, we wonder about how greed and corruption can creep into our practices. What does it mean to clean our house in our time?

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Lose to Gain

For the session to be discussed on February 28, 2021

Mark 8:31-38

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

David Adams

This episode features Peter pulling Jesus aside to ask, “did you really mean to say that?” We discuss the ways our expectations can get in the way of our ability to really understand the radical nature of Jesus’ message. In particular, Jesus’ claim that we must lose ourselves in order to gain.

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Walkabout

For the session to be discussed on February 21, 2021

Mark 1:9-15

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Daniel Glaze

In this episode we talk about temptation. We discuss taking temptations seriously, for they have consequences that are real and often go beyond ourselves. What did it mean for Jesus to be tempted and what do we learn about how our faith can help us in those moments?

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Friends in High Places

For the session to be discussed on February 14, 2021

Mark 9:2-9

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Daniel Glaze

In this episode we talk about mountains and high places as we consider this passage on the transfiguration of Jesus. What are our “mountaintop experiences” like and how do they influence our time in the valley where we live our lives?

Learn more about our team.

Notes

* Bert mentions the song, “The Mountain” by Daniel Bailey in his comments.

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!