Mars Hill

Junia, the female apostle, offers us a window to the good news of Jesus: that we are loved just as we are by God! The good news continues that we are also called to be transformed by God's love and join God in restoring the whole world. 

Romans 16: 1-7

Questions to consider—

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

The women who traveled with Jesus have often been sidelined and misrepresented. This Teaching invites us to listen again to the lives of the women who were deacons and disciples of Jesus during his earthly ministry. 

Luke 8:1-3

Questions to consider:

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

Hagar is one who reminds, one who sees and is seen, and one who returns. By listening to her, we are invited to do this as well.  

Genesis 16:1-16

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Lydia, a leader in the young church plant at Philippi, offers us a model for how to be on the watch for God's activity and how to courageously respond with the hospitality of the heart and home. 

Acts 16:11-15

Questions to consider—

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?

Judges 4:4-5

Mary the Worshipper defines worship as proclaiming God's worth and revealing His glory. Her life speaks louder than words to invite us to set our intentions for worship and be prepared to be implicated in God's master plan of salvation through Jesus our Lord. 

John 12:1-8

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering? 

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

John 12:1-8

The gifting of the Holy Spirit puts on display God's character - as a promise keeper, one who is faithfully present in the waiting, and as a generous giver. Remembering these attributes and this dramatic biblical event gives us hope that the newness of life we desire will indeed be made real in and through us. 

2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18

Questions to consider—

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

Paul urges the Roman churches to not only place importance on what is real, true, sincere, and genuine but concretely to live it in their communal life and as they interact with the world around them.

Romans 12:9-21

Questions to consider—

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?

Jesus' Teaching of 'do not worry' is given rich meaning when we consider its connection with Genesis 1 + 3. We can take Jesus' invitation to a new posture of rest and renewal as God is the one who offers us healing, rest, security, and even new clothes!

Matthew 6: 25-34, Genesis 1 + 3

Questions to consider—

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?