In the past, communities relied on each other to survive. The skills, talents, and abilities of its members all played a part in providing for each other. The church is designed the same way. But when believers gather together, they use their gifts to live out the mission of Jesus both in the church and in the world.

As Americans, we are obsessed by things that are big, comfortable, and luxurious. That consumeristic way of thinking has entered the church, causing people to ask what can the church give them instead of asking how they can give to others. In 1 Corinthians we see that God has uniquely made us to work together as one body. How can we break consumerism and return to working together for the mission of Jesus?

Paul in his letter to Galatia instructs them clearly on how to care for people who are struggling or caught in sin - restore them gently and carry their burdens with them. This is a big task, that requires our lives to be in line with the Holy Spirit. How can we join the Spirit with sowing love into a hurting world?

Jesus taking our place for sin has brought us freedom. Freedom from sin and from the rules and restrictions of the old ways. However, what are we to do with this new found freedom? Are we to use it for our own gain, or the sake of others?

In Galatia, there were teachers who we mixing up the gospel of Jesus with the laws in the Old Testament. Are we saved by faith, by doing good things, or a combination of both? Paul confronts their mixed beliefs in Galatians 3:1-9.

Sometimes, it is hard to tell if something is authentic or counterfeit. The apostle Paul had to deal with it over 2000 years ago with a vital topic - the gospel. The Galatians were accepting a fake gospel instead of the one they first received from him. How can we know all these years later what is the true gospel of Jesus and what is a fake?

The apostle Paul had a hard life once he started following Christ. He was beaten, shackled in prison, shipwrecked, and betrayed. However, he found a way to be content in all situations, even the hard ones. How can Paul's powerful way of contentment influence us today?

When Jesus came, his disciples and the Jewish people put expectations on Him that were not true. They saw the Messiah as a military and political power, but Jesus came to give His live to save the world. What happens when we do the same thing and put wrong expectations on Him today?

God called Abraham to give up his home and everything he knew in a thriving city to move to an unknown, remote place. In the process, he didn’t promise more luxury or comfort. He promised to make Abraham greater than he could imagine. God calls us to unknown, uncomfortable things as well. When God calls us to something new, do you trust or are you gripped by fear?

Change is hard. It means entering into unknown places and trying new things. Mary was thrust into a time of change when she was approached by an angel who told her she was going to be pregnant. How do you approach life altering moments? With faith or fear?