Pilgrim Church

Pilgrim Church

By Pilgrim ChurchReligion & Spirituality
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Pilgrim Church episodes

  • Root to Flourish #12: Jesus and Wealth with Josh Liem | ALMSGIVING04

    Join us this Sunday as we delve into Jesus' transformative teachings in Luke 12:13-34. We'll explore the parable of the rich fool and examine wealth accumulation, generosity, and being "rich toward God." Come discover how embracing Kingdom values can lead us to a life of genuine flourishing and impact in our communities.


    ---

    For reflection & discussion:

    1. Share a time when you witnessed or experienced radical generosity. How did it impact your faith and understanding of God's provision?

    2. Reflect on Luke 12:13-34: How does the parable of the rich fool challenge modern views of success and wealth accumulation?

    3. What are some subtle forms of greed that we might overlook in our own lives, and how can we guard against them?

    4.   How can Jesus' teaching on not worrying about our life influence the way we handle financial stress and uncertainty?

    5. Discuss practical steps we can take to "sell our possessions and give to the poor" in a modern context.

    6. How does our use of wealth affect our community, and how can we use our resources to foster communal flourishing?

    7. What does pursuing God's kingdom look like in your personal life and with Pilgrim Church?

      8. Further Resources :

      1. BibleProject Podcast, “God and Money (Re-Release),” July 15, 2024, https://bibleproject.com/podcast/god-and-money-re-release/. 

      2. David A. Croteau et al., Perspectives on Tithing: Four Views, B&H Publishing Group, 2011.


        3. Rule of Life Podcasts on Generosity, also https://launch.practicingtheway.org/resources/generosity (requires login).

        36 min
      3. ROOT TO FLOURISH: Generosity and the Heart of God with Dr. Sean Wood | ALMSGIVING03

        ROOT TO FLOURISH 11: Generosity and the Heart of God with Dr. Sean Wood | ALMSGIVING03

        2 Corinthians 9:6-12
        This Sunday, we’ll explore the transformative power of generosity and living a more fulfilling life of faith. Join us as we explore the joy and freedom of giving as we deepen our trust in Jesus.
        Dr. Sean Wood is currently serving as a Church Advisor for World Vision Canada. Sean brings over 20 years of pastoral experience serving some of Canada’s most influential churches. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Global Leadership from Bethel University, and a Master of Divinity from Tyndale University. He is passionate about life transformation and building a better world where every child can live life in all its fullness.


        --

        For reflection & discussion:

        1. What is the connection between gratitude and generosity?’

        2. Why is generosity so significant in our relationship with God?

        3. How does giving back to God relate to our faith and relationship with wealth?

        4. How does giving from a place of love for God impact our attitude towards generosity?

        5. What does the story of the poor Widow in Mark chapter 12 teach us about the essence of generosity?

          6. 45 min
        6. ROOT TO FLOURISH: Godliness and Contentment Beyond Riches with Joshua Liem | ALMSGIVING 02

          ROOT TO FLOURISH: Godliness and Contentment Beyond Riches with Joshua Liem | ALMSGIVING 02

          1 Timothy 6:6-19 NET


          This Sunday we dive further into the discipline of almsgiving, reflecting on what it means to pursue godliness with contentment. How might true contentment change your relationship with what you have?  Join us as we explore how generosity shapes our lives and reflects God’s heart, and maybe even discover the secret of contentment.


          For reflection & discussion:

          1. If you were to measure your level of contentment on a scale of 1 to 10 – where 1 is feeling the anxiety of greed and a desire for more, and 10 is feeling non-anxious and satisfied with what you have – where would you plot yourself right now?

          2. Where are you experiencing a lack of margin in your life in your relationships, schedule, or finances?

          3. What is one area in your life that you could possibly simplify (schedule, possessions, finances, etc.)?

          4. Name some of the best things in your life right now. What are you most grateful for?



            5. Exercises:

            1. Basic: Identify something you own that you do not need, and give it away or sell it and give the money to someone in need.

            2. Do a budget session on excel/google sheets:

              1. Calculate your income per month.  Also calculate any expected bonuses, tips, side gigs, or tax refunds per year.

              2. Calculate expenses. You can look up “budget template” from Google or ChatGPT for an example.

              3. Categorize your expenses, fitting each line into one of four categories: need, enjoy, save, give. 

              4. Prayerfully go through each item and consider: How am I meant to properly steward this resource? 

              5. Reach: Pick a room or area of your life, go through it thoughtfully and peacefully, and simplify it down to the essentials. This could be your closet, bedroom, living room, kitchen, garage, etc.

                1.  As you quietly observe each item in the room, consider holding it up before God.

                2. Ask yourself questions: Do I really need this? Could I live without this? Would my life possibly be better without this unnecessary item? Rather than asking ourselves how we can get more, we’re pondering how we could live with less.

                3.  Make four piles for the unnecessary items: 01. Throw away. 02. Recycle. 03. Sell. 04. Give away.

                4.  Give your extra stuff away. You can give to the poor via the Salvation Army or a local donation drop, or give directly to someone you know. 

                5. Go sit in the decluttered room or area, and pay attention to how you feel. Spend a few minutes in gratitude to God for the goodness of ordinary life.


                  6. Resources: 

                  • Randy Alcorn, “Twelve Giving Stories,” Eternal Perspective Ministries, Feb 16, 2010, https://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Feb/16/twelve-giving-stories/ 

                  • Randy Alcorn, Giving is the Good Life: The Unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy, Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publisher Inc., 2019. 

                  • Carey Nieuwhof and Lee Domingue, “Why is it so hard to pastor business leaders?” podcast, Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, episode 686, October 29, 2024, https://careynieuwhof.kit.com/posts/episode686.

                  • John Mark Comer, Generosity, Practicing The Way Resources, https://launch.practicingtheway.org/resources (requires login).  

                  • “Generosity 02: Watch Out for Greed!”, Rule of Life Podcast, Sept 3 2024.

                    • ChatGPT conversations:

                    1. Climate Refugees and Church: https://chatgpt.com/share/672c1a55-8000-8012-aab3-c56d84b63d75 

                    2. Church Fathers on 1 Tim: https://chatgpt.com/share/672d3aa8-8e6c-8012-a2c4-431e88142454 

                    3. Rich Christians Giving Generously: https://chatgpt.com/share/672d3ab4-5278-8012-8aa0-b9035d10891f 

                    4. Feedback on Sermon: https://chatgpt.com/share/672d3a32-cd54-8012-a90c-290ffd2f6d8c 


                      5. 14 min
                    5. ROOT TO FLOURISH: Treasures and Almsgiving with Rev. Laura Wiens | ALMSGIVING 01

                      ROOT TO FLOURISH: Treasures and Almsgiving with Rev. Laura Wiens | ALMSGIVING 01

                      Matthew 6:19-24


                      This Sunday, we’ll explore treasure in our lives. Jesus’ words remind us to look beyond the allure of earthly wealth and instead invest in lasting treasures in heaven. Join us as we explore how generosity and focusing our eyes on Jesus can bring light and true flourishing to our lives.

                      28 min
                    6. ROOT TO FLOURISH: Reflecting Christ Through Contemplative Prayer with Josh Liem | PRAYER 04

                      ROOT TO FLOURISH: Reflecting Christ Through Contemplative Prayer with Josh Liem | PRAYER 04

                      2 Corinthians 3:18



                      This Sunday, we'll explore the heart of prayer—moving beyond words to simply being with God. We'll learn how contemplative prayer can transform us by helping us reflect the love and glory of Jesus in a hurried, distracted world. Join us as we practice this ancient form of prayer, breathing in God's presence and growing into the people He calls us to be.

                      31 min
                    7. ROOT TO FLOURISH: Finding God in my Life: Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer with Rev. Diana Gee

                      ROOT TO FLOURISH
                      Finding God in my Life: Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer with Rev. Diana Gee | PRAYER03

                      Psalm 77:1-12



                      How do Ignatian Prayer Practices help us to discern the voice of Jesus in our everyday lives? We’ll learn some foundational aspects of Ignatian Spirituality and how reflection helps us to notice the ways God wants to be with us.

                      Rev. Diana Gee is a spiritual director and pastor at Faith Community Christian Church.  Born in Edmonton, AB, located on Treaty 6 Territory, Diana is of Toisanese descent and became a follower of Jesus in high-school. Diana received her BSc and PEng for civil engineering, worked for several years in structural design, then moved to Vancouver to complete a MDiv at Regent College. Upon graduation, she was invited to pastor at Faith Community Christian Church where she is privileged to serve full-time for the past 13 years. In 2019 she began a DMin in Spiritual Direction through Fuller Seminary, CA. During her studies she made the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and completed training in giving the Exercises through the Jesuit Institute of South Africa.


                      41 min
                    8. ROOT TO FLOURISH: Praying the Psalms with Josh Liem | PRAYER 02

                      This Sunday, we continue our series on spiritual disciplines by exploring the Book of Psalms as a guide for prayer. We'll examine how these ancient songs cover the full spectrum of human emotions and experiences, teaching us to bring our whole selves before God. Join us as we learn how the Psalms can shape our prayer lives and deepen our relationship with the Lord.


                      DQs:

                      • How familiar are you with the Psalms? Share your favorite Psalm and why it resonates with you.
                      • Do you have any stories of answered or unanswered prayer?
                      • The sermon mentions that the Psalms cover a wide range of emotions. How comfortable are you expressing different emotions to God in prayer?
                      • How do you typically handle feelings of anger or desire for vengeance? How might the Psalms guide us in processing these emotions?
                      • The sermon mentions imprecatory Psalms (those containing curses). How do you reconcile these with Jesus' teaching to love our enemies?


                        • Recommended Psalms:
                        To begin your day with God: Psalm 5, 19, 20, 23, 25
                        When you are sad/languishing: Psalm 6, 13, 22, 42, 77
                        When you are in distress: Psalm 57, 60, 86
                         When you are scared: Psalm 27
                        When you are angry: Psalm 37, 73
                         When you are hurt: Psalm 10
                        When you ache for more of God: Psalm 42, 63, 84 
                        When you want to repent: Psalm 51
                        When you are grateful: Psalm 9, 103
                        When you want to worship: Psalm 8, 146-150
                        When you are outside and enjoying nature: 19, 65, 104.

                        31 min
                      • ROOT TO FLOURISH 05 - The Lord's Prayer: A Framework for Flourishing - Prayer - with Rev. Laura Wiens

                        This Sunday, join us as we explore how The Lord's Prayer can lead to a flourishing life and a framework for thriving in faith. We'll examine the foundational aspects of addressing God as "Our Father" and how this prayer can shape our daily lives.  Discover a new depth in prayer and connection with God!


                        Discussion Questions:

                        1. How does addressing God as “Our Father” impact your understanding of prayer?

                        2. How do you feel when you pray, “Your will be done”? What are some challenges in surrendering your will to God’s?

                        3. Have there been times when God’s will seemed difficult to accept? How did you navigate that?

                        4. How does praying for “daily bread” help you trust God for your needs?

                        5. How does The Lord’s Prayer help you forgive others and seek forgiveness from God?

                        6. How can you personalize and expand upon each line of The Lord’s Prayer as part of your spiritual practice?  Take a few moments to pray the Lord’s Prayer together. Feel free to elaborate and personalize each of the petitions in this prayer as well.

                          7. Recommended Resources:

                          Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God  by Tim Keller


                          “Prayer” and “Practicing the Way Course” at www.practicingtheway.org

                          28 min
                        7. Root to Flourish: Sabbath 04 | Worship and God's Heart for Creation with Josh Liem

                          What does true worship look like in light of God's Sabbath rhythm? Join us as we explore how Sabbath keeping shapes our understanding of what God finds precious. We'll dive into Scripture to uncover how our worship - not just on Sundays, but every day - can align with God's heart for justice, healing, and rest for all of creation.


                          ---

                          For reflection & discussion:

                          1. In what ways is it easy for your practice of Sabbath to become “sabbish,” more of a day off than a day of worship? 

                          2. How do you enjoy God? What practices, disciplines, or activities bring you genuine joy in God? 

                          3. What “false gods” are you tempted to worship, which, while they may be very good things (or not), pull you away from your holy center in God? 

                          4. What does it mean to you that the land itself needs rest? How might this understanding change our approach to environmental stewardship?

                          5. Jesus often performed healings on the Sabbath. How might this inform our own Sabbath practices? What could "healing" look like in our context?

                          6. How might adopting a "Sabbath imagination" change the way we engage with issues of justice, rest, and care for the vulnerable in our community?


                            7. Exercise for the week: 

                            Plan a Sabbath feast! Ideally, do this together with the people around you, such as your small group or your family. Whether it’s 20 people for a giant cookout in the backyard or just one or two close friends out to dinner, plan out a meal together. Cook or order your favorite foods. Make sure there’s dessert. If you drink wine, save your best bottle for this meal. 


                            Don’t forget, this is an incredible chance to practice hospitality. If you have a home or apartment, host. If you know how to cook, use your skills. If you know people who don’t have community or family, bring them in. Reach across the lines that divide our society–socioeconomics, race, politics, etc. Jesus’ dream is for our dining room tables to look as diverse and beautiful as the kingdom of God, where every tribe, tongue, and nation is on display.


                            Recommended Resources for continuing the journey:

                            Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath Dan Allender, Sabbath “Sabbath” and “Practicing the Way Course” at www.practicingtheway.org  Rule of Life, Podcast

                            34 min
                          7. ROOT TO FLOURISH 03 - Sabbath As Gift with Rev. Laura Wiens

                            Sabbath is a beautifully wrapped gift from God, designed for our rest and renewal. In Mark 2:23-3:6, Jesus teaches us that the Sabbath isn’t about rigid rules but about refreshment and restoration. It’s an invitation to step away from the relentless demands of life and receive the gift of rest. By ceasing from work, we align ourselves with God's design, experiencing the joy and flourishing He intends for us. Are you willing to open this gift and embrace the rest He offers?


                            For reflection & discussion:

                            1. Do societal pressures prevent you from experiencing true rest? If so, explain your experiences with this. 

                            2. How can practicing Sabbath help us reframe our identity from being based on productivity to being rooted in our identity as God’s children? 

                            3. What might legalism look like in today’s culture when it comes to rest and Sabbath? 

                            4. How does taking a day of rest reflect trust in God’s provision and care? 

                            5. What are some life-giving practices you could incorporate into your Sabbath to experience more joy and renewal? 

                            6. How can the concept of Sabbath serve as an anchor or “rope” in the stormy seasons of your life? 

                            7. How does understanding the Sabbath as a gift change the way you approach rest and work during the week?

                              8. 30 min

                            About Pilgrim Church

                            From the publisher's feed

                            If you are new here, we're so glad you found us! We exist to love our city and to invite our neighbours to flourish by rooting our lives in the outrageous love and life of Jesus.