From time to time, a question we all ask about our lives is, why are we here? Why do we exist? As we pull out of the summer months and head back toward more regular rhythms, this time presents us with as good a time as any to reflect on these questions and seek the Lord's direction. In Ephesians 4, we'll see that our meaning and existence are grounded in a new life, a new way of living, and a purpose that transcends anything we can see today.

One of the more loaded or charged topics in our cultural moment is children. How should we view children, think about children, what should be our aim for the children we have? It can feel like there is an ever-widening set of extremes to answer our questions. As we close our time in the book of Proverbs, God will not only give us wisdom regarding children, but also draw us nearer to His heart as His own children.

Guest Speaker Doug Karts, Proverbs 3:1-12

As we continue our exploration of the wisdom of Proverbs, we come to a topic that is crucial: money and wealth. Statistics show that most Americans are struggling to keep their heads above "financial" water. There is good news for us in the Proverbs. From a sage named Agur, we'll learn that wisdom with our wealth begins with knowing what is most valuable in our life and from the rest of the writings, we'll see that this knowledge leads to real help with our everyday finances.

There's an underlying angst we all feel, Christian or not, wondering if we will be ok. As Christians, we often experience an additional kind of angst, driven more from insecurities in our faith. Do you ever find yourself worrying if you are ok with God, or worrying if one day you're going to do something that causes him to reject you? As Paul closes this amazing chapter, he gives us one of the most powerful assurances: that in Christ, everything will be ok and we have nothing to fear.

These verses in Romans 8 can feel like standing on a mountain summit overlooking a vista that leaves you at a loss for words. At the center of this passage are two truths: God's sovereignty and our assurance in Christ. When they are put together, the promise God makes is one that will change how we both see our lives and live our lives. No matter you current circumstances, no matter your failures, no matter your limitations, in Christ, God has given you life as good as it gets.

Guest Speaker Dave Robinson

There are many claims in our Christian faith that are mysterious. We know they're true, but we can't understand how they "work". One of these involves the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Another might be the topic of prayer. As the Apostle Paul continues to list all the ways the Holy Spirit impacts our lives, he'll show us that not only does the Holy Spirit help us and empower our prayers, the Holy Spirit also prays for us in ways we could never pray for ourselves.

We live in perhaps the most affluent, comfortable, and free society in history.  And yet, it is demonstrably clear that people are more hopeless than ever before. Why is that?  And more to the point, what is hope, and where does it come from? As we continue our study, the Apostle Paul will not only answer our questions, but will again connect our hearts to the indescribably good news of Jesus and the hope we have in him.