(Luke 19:1-10 & Leviticus 6:4-7) When Jesus comes to Jericho in his final week on earth, he meets a man who is known as an outsider, an outcast and an outlaw based on his occupation alone. The story reminds us of how we can write people off as dead to us, maybe a little too quickly (Luke 5/6).

(Luke 17:11-19 & 2 Kings 5:9-14) We all want to be healed, but a greater lesson is learned in WHO gets healed. Here, Jesus encounters ten lepers and one comes back to say thank you (Luke 4/6).

(Luke 15:11-25 & Luke 16:22-25 & Luke 18:10-14) It can be easy to rag on the bad guy in a situation, but Jesus tells several parables "from the underside" that remind us who it is that gets canceled in God's kingdom (Luke 3/6).

(Luke 7:36-50 & Romans 4:13-16) The Reverend Michael Smith joins Grace United Methodist Church as the guest preacher, sharing with us what happens when Jesus sees a woman who is a sinner, and we are seen by Jesus (Luke 2/6).

(Luke 1:39-56 & Psalm 82:3) When a bully treats us poorly, we might like to get back at them, but the stories of some pregnant women point to a very different way of thinking about the world around us. See what the outsiders have to say about how to love like God loves us (Luke 1/6).

(Genesis 37:12-36 & Mark 9:2-4) Sometimes people deceive us and it can destroy the dreams of a family. Joseph in Genesis experienced this, but that's not really the focus of the biblical narrative. See how God intends to transform people in a most unexpected way (Lessons on Family 3/3).

(Genesis 25:21-34 & 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) Siblings that don't get along can seem pretty typical in some families, but is there something unique about how God calls us to treat our brothers and sisters? (Lessons on Family 2/3)

(Genesis 22:1-14 & Romans 6:17-18) Raising a family can be so difficult, but imagine God tells you to give up even your family. An impossible request like that can actually teach us one of the most important things we can learn when it comes to lessons on family (Lessons on Family 1/3).

(Matthew 7:12-23 & Jonah 3:1-3a) Sometimes it can be tough to do the right thing, but even when we do, it still may not be enough. Jesus says the way to life is a narrow path and offers some important insight about how to really put on the performance of a lifetime, not for ourselves, but for God (performance of a lifetime 3/3).

(Matthew 6:1-15 & 1 Samuel 3:8-11) Coming home can be hard to do, but Jesus offers some words of wisdom that make coming home as natural as can be (Praying Like a Performance 2/3).